Friends not foes, top marathon runners find common ground ahead of New York#CBgJ

Friends not foes, top marathon runners find common ground ahead of New York Bernard Lagat is a five-time Olympian, an American record holder and five-time world champion in distances from 1,500 to 5,000 meters. Lagat, who will make his marathon debut at New York at the age of 43, calls Barrios and Abdirahman his brothers. Its where Lagat, a fan of news and politics, can keep the TV tuned to CNN , and they talk about friends, family, food, the places theyve traveled and running. Even now, after training together since August, Lagat says he still has a lot to learn from Abdirahman and Barrios about the marathon, but says they are like an open book. He asks them constantly about when to eat and take fluids -- something hes not accustomed to doing on the track. On race day in New York, Lagat says his friends will still be helping him.