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Note
from Hilary...
May 6, 2012 - Distance running in a sprinting nation...deceiving
With a naively enthusiastic crowd who cheered when the announcer claimed how remarkable our rabbit was for setting a pace of 2:00 for 800m (she went out in 61" seconds for 400m instead of the requested 65" and practically walked between 600m and 700m), it was both invigorating and frustrating at the same time. Invigorating because the stadium was packed with a Jamaican crowd who love track and field and celebrate it with a festival-like atmosphere. But, frustrating because it was evident their track and field knowledge (but thankfully not their enthusiasm) ended with the sprints.
I took the chance to race in Jamaica because it was supposed to be a world-class field and equally qualified pacemakers. But sometimes it doesn't always workout as promised and you have to play the cards you're dealt. I believe this meets wants to develop distance more, but there's still some work to do.
So this is how it went down: including Malindi and I, there were 5 international level women, but the other 3 were running off distance from their usual events (800m or steeple chase). Additionally, there were a few local athletes. As we were walking into the stadium, I heard a coach tell his local athlete that she was to set the pace for 600m. So, I proceeded to ask her if she was the rabbit, she looked at me terrified and said, "I don't know," which of course really confused me. Thinking she didn't understand me, I then asked her if she knew the pace, again, "I don't know." At this point I knew it would be interesting race, and likely tactical. It is possible to run fast without a rabbit, but you have to have a solid group of athletes ready to work hard to push the pace and this didn't seem probable. Malindi and I have done this before, but with someone else setting the pace for at least 800m.
The gun went off and the rabbit busted out like it was an 800m and didn't look back. As I said earlier, she slowed significantly after 500m and we passed her leading into the last 2 laps. At this point I knew it was slow (about 2:20 through 800m) and wanted to get things going so took the lead. Malindi followed closely behind me and it quickly turned into a race between her and I. We both ran about 2:06 for our last 800m, which will definitely bode well for a championship race. I took the win in 4:12 (results) and she was a second behind me.
Things are a little up in the air for me right now in terms of upcoming races, but my manger (Kris Mychasiw) is working his butt off to get me in some good ones so I have the opportunity to run an A standard and pb, which I know I'm in shape to do. We are looking into various options including a few world-level Asian races, Europe Diamond Leagues at the end of the month, as well as eyeing the upcoming US races. This is how it goes at this time of year so I just need to wait to see where I can get in and run fast when I'm there. That's the business and you gotta be ready when opportunities come!
In other news, Speed River has been getting great recent news coverage:
Video from Flagstaff, Guelph Mercury
"Building a community of runners in Guelph" - Globe and Mail
Previous
Blogs
May 1, 2012 - One down, one to go
April 26, 2012 - Finally a "metric" mile!
April 23, 2012 - "Heavy weight" champion of the mile
April 9, 2012 - Game on!
Upcoming Races...
TBD
More previous races...
Speed River
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