Parker Valby is going to smoke Katelyn Tuohy in the NCAA 5000

But why put her in that position? If the 1500 is such a priority absolutely nothing is gained by having her run in a weakened state in the 5000m less than two hours later. Just run the 1500m and call it a day.

The 5000 also can serve as protection against a trip in the 1500

I have no issue with her running both at regionals. But assuming she makes the 1500m final and gets to run a full race, no reason to then run her handicapped in the 5000m final.

I just figured out how she’s going to pull this off.

She’ll do both at Regionals (‘cause that’s what she declared). She’ll get a feel for that time crunch between events. (She already got a taste of it the night she ran 4:08 and then the jogged 15:50).

At NCAA’s, she’ll run the 1500 (in an incredibly fast time, going for broke for the fastest she can possibly do), and with only 1 hour 40 minutes or so before the 5000m, she just won’t stop moving. Literally. She’ll stay hydrated, moving, striding, stretching, jogging, etc. that entire 1 hour 40 minutes to offset the effects of lactic acid. Then, hop in the 5000m with the only goal to win, regardless of time, just win.

I see an epic NCAA’s in our future as fans.

I am not sure she could just opt out. Check the rules.

Based on what you posted earlier it doesn't sound like. Plourde is also doing the same double

I seem to recall some athletes opting out. Medical scratch.

Take a deep breath Astro it’s gonna be okay!

I’m actually incredibly excited now!

Oh, good catch! She has really come on STRONG this year!

The rules say "Once competition begins, a student-athlete who fails to start or finish in any event at the First round or national championship sites, and is entered in additional events, must receive medical verification from the host medical staff stating that they were unable to finish or start the event. Additionally, they must then get medically cleared before they
can be eligible to return to competition in any other event. The proper medical paperwork must be completed and will be available in the medical area at each site. (Rule 12-18)

Now, the 5000 is the last event before the 4x4. At best it would be poor form.

I checked 2021 and 2022 and no DNS in either 5000 final. One DNF, so I guess that could be a possibility.

But again, I fail to see the dishonor in a 1st and a 2nd or maybe 3rd.

The risk in this is she does not win either event.

I would have thought she would choose in this order. 1) 5000 2) 1500 3) 10000 and maybe even 4 10000/5000. But they have made their choice and they are certainly better informed and any of us.

I think it is ambitious, but doable for her. No shame if she does not win one. They must feel pretty confident to take this on though -- same with Plourde and Kemboi.

Kemboi as well? Good catch on noticing that one. Wow.

I saw some potentials as well:

1) 5000 (obvious as that’s her chance to back-to-back the title AND is her ultimate event at USATF).

2) 1500 solely to win an event she hasn’t yet AND work on the incredible speed needed to be a contender at USATF

3) 5000/10000 double (makes sense to defend the 5000 after getting a championship win in the 10000 that she hasn’t achieved yet).

But wow, the 1500/5000 double? Wow.

The only reason(s) that make sense for her to do the 1500 are:

A) Championship victory in an event she hasn’t achieved yet (Bowerman points)

B) Run as fast as she possibly can (sub 4:03?) to work on the incredible speed needed to be a contender at USATFs in the 5000

Either way, she’s going to run an incredibly fast 1500m.

Then, the 5000m will be for the win, regardless of time.

I’m guessing if she does the 1500/5000, she will try to save energy in the 1500 and run just fast enough to kick for a win.
That would leave her fresher for the 5000.

I think she will go out fast and try to control the race. Too many fast kickers in the field

I just can’t imagine her running the 1500 and not running as fast as she possibly can (going with what she’s said in many interviews now), the entire focus of her training block is to set herself up to be able to run an incredibly fast final mile in the 5000m at USATF. She won’t be doing herself any favors by running a slow 1500m.

Exactly, which is one of the reasons why I say that no matter how things go down in the 1500m, Tuohy’s going to run incredibly fast.

I wanted to check one more piece of data. In 2021 Teare and Hocker seemed very close in times for 1500 thru at least 3000. After the Hocker 1500 victory Teare won the 5000 in 13:12 with Hocker only 6 seconds back (after the same 1:40 rest). Could Teare have run 10 seconds faster? I don't know. So, if you believe Tuohy is maybe 15 seconds faster than Valby in the 5000 and closer to 30 over the rest of this field, this might work out better than we think (tho difficult).