Olympic T&F Trials: A Series of Insights and Interviews

BY GARY FANELLI

Where do I start from an experience like this? I had a most wonderful time attending the U.S. Olympic Trials 2008 in “Tracktown USA,” Eugene Oregon. A place where you can walk down the street and ask the average person what Shalane Flanagan’s last 400m was en route to her 10K victory and they can tell you.

It was almost by surprise that I found myself going to Eugene. I arrived around 2 a.m. from a flight from Las Vegas. I was tired and had traveled all day. The shuttle driver, a nice guy, still took my weary bones to the wrong hotel first thing. Things got better from there. Waking up later that morning I was determined to get it right in Eugene. So first things first, I had a cup of coffee and went for a run around my hotel area. I took the “Road Less Traveled” and once I got off the concrete I found myself on dirt paths and trails and farmland and even came upon the grand McKenzie River. I was inspired. After a shower, I found my way (four miles away) to the Stadium areas of the University of Oregon to pickup my Press Credential.

Eugene was looking mighty nice with Hayward Field newly renovated and the gem of the Olympic Trials. I was starting to get my bearings again and was liking it. The last time I was in Eugene was in 1980 for the U.S. Olympic Trials, 28 years ago. Eugene and nearby neighboring Springfield Oregon had grown up and in positive ways. Then I started seeing the people: runners, old friends, old coaches, athletes I had competed with, athletes who were now coaches, agents, etc.; World Class Runners of now and World Class Runners from long ago. Eugene was becoming a Homecoming for me.

When the Olympic Trials opened, it was very much like a “Disneyland” for runners, fans et al. It was like I had died and gone to “Runner’s Heaven.” From all of this will come a series of interviews over many issues of Runner’s Gazette. I got a lot of material from Olympians, World Record Holders, former Olympians, Coaches, and High Profile athletes from the past. Stay tuned--it should be a most interesting series. I’ll start out with my first interview: Shalane Flanagan.

One of our top hopes for an Olympic Medal in Beijing is Shalane Flanagan. Shalane recently set an American Record in the 10K on the track at Stanford in 30:34.49. This is a 4:55 per mile pace. Try one mile at 4:55 pace. She is simply AMAZING!! In Eugene there was a hushed buzz around her. Word was she may have hurt her foot after her 10K record at Stanford. She had a foot X-ray and it appears there is an extra bone in her foot. Now this would not be a big deal for the average person walking the planet but this is a World Class Athlete ready to go to the Olympic Games.

Nike had made her a special pair of spikes, but panic sets in as she tries on the spikes and they are the wrong size! OUCH! Nike rushes the correct size of custom-made spike to her almost immediately. I happen by Shalane and her coach, John Cook, on the track at Hayward Field. I wish Shalane luck and ask her how she is feeling.

RG: Good Luck, here in Eugene, Shalane! How are you feeling?
Flanagan: I think I am OK, we’ll see after the warm-up and workout in these new spikes.
RG: Congrats on your new American Record at 10K. What was that like?
Flanagan: Going into Stanford, my coach and I knew my workouts had been good and an American Record attempt was realistic. Kim Smith (New Zealand) and I pushed each other the whole way, back and forth. She really helped me (Smith second 30:35).
RG: I am predicting a win for you here at the Trials. What do you think?
Flanagan: We’ll see. Hopefully everything goes right.
RG: You also have the American Record at 5K (14:44). Will you try the 5K here in Eugene?
Flanagan: I need to get through this 10K intact before I consider the 5K.
RG: I am wishing you luck in both events.
Flanagan: Thanks!

Flanagan was fortunate to have no trouble with her feet in Eugene. She ran a fabulous and exciting race in the 10K on a very hot night in Eugene. Her winning time was 31:348, a new Hayward Field record, breaking Mary Slaney’s record of 31:35, set in 1982. The temperature had been in the 90s in the day and was very unusual weather for the usually cool and often rainy Eugene. Her win was not easy though as Kara Goucher and Amy Yoder Begley pushed the entire way. Goucher ran for second place in 31:37.7. Amy Yoder Begley had to kick hard to achieve the “A” Standard for Beijing and she made it in 31:43.

All three were ecstatic and heartily congratulated one another, and all took a Victory Lap with one another. They received a standing ovation and steady clapping for many minutes. The atmosphere was “Electric.” I think in Eugene many people may get rehab for “Clapping Overuse Syndrome,” a malady only indigenous to Eugene’s Track Fans--they are truly the best in the world.

Postscript from Gary: I do think Flanagan has a realistic chance to Medal in the 10K in Beijing. Flanagan was third in the 5K at the Trials. She ran 15:02 behind winner Kara Goucher, 15:01 and Jen Rhines second, 15:02. I do not think it realistic she will medal in the 5000m, although Flanagan has the American Record in the 5000m in 14:44 set last year. I believe her best chance is in the 10K. The world record for women in the 5000m is 14:11 by Turnesh Didaba of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian and Kenyan women have many runners going to Beijing, all with faster times than Goucher, Rhines, or Flanagan. No telling what the women from China have awaiting us either.