Mary Cain 2.0? 15-yr-old teen phenom from NYC suburb to race pros this weekend at USATF 10k Champs

Whats the big deal with her running in this race exactly? Its not unusual for elite high school kids to occasionally get some experience against non high schoolers including college or pro runners (see Ellie Shea, Jenna Mulhern, Juliette Whitakker, Roisin Willis, Sophia Gorriaran, etc.) It doesn’t mean she is “going pro” so I dont think the tired old Mary Cain analogy works here at all. Its in her back yard. Its not as if shes flying off to the other side of the country during the school year. And if your concern is burn out because it’s a 10K, it seems like they are just using this is as a glorified tempo practice if she is just pushing for the first two miles only. Their thinking seems to be that this will best help her prepare for the upcoming Manhattan Invitational. It’s a good experience if nothing else so I don’t really see the harm especially as they are approaching it. Sure, you don’t want your young rising national star going 10K crazy hard in September but it doesn’t sound like that’s what she is doing.

Much ado about nothing…..

I don't see a problem. It's a 10K not a marathon. It'll be a good opportunity to push herself harder than she has before and see where's she at. No biggie.

"See where she's at"?? How will getting crushed on a hilly 10K road race give her, or her coach any feedback? The girl's a sophomore. Not saying she shouldn't or can't, but not seeing the logic behind the decision.

Not necessarily a “crushing experience!” Might be a good experience and a perspective-setter. Might even be,well, fun!

our metaphors separate us.

74 th place. 36 minutes. Right in the midst of X-C season.