Let's analyze Jane Hedengren's race

Spent a little too much previous week and was clearly pressing and bothered by someone still with her at halfway....mentally seemed like she completely broke at the end.

Jane ran 3 seconds faster today than she did on October 17, so it's hard to say she had an off day. I think Doris is just better.

Doris is probably top 10 in the world fitness right now. That’s why.

Really?? Did you see her time? She ran a terrific race!

Yeah, this isn’t rocket science. I’m not even sure how much Jane really pushed Doris today.

An amazing result given the circumstances this year.

Both statements above are true.

To "analyze" Jane's race, look at her kilo splits (rounded to nearest second):

3:00, 3:08, 3:07, 3:07, 3:04, 3:14.

9:14 then 9:25.

At Pre-Nats, Jane's splits were:

3:08, 3:10, 3:04, 3:13, 3:01, 3:06.

9:22 then 9:20.

So, very simple analysis. Way too fast an opening k lead to a way too slow final k.
Although, have to admit as an observer, seeing all those women go thru 1k in 3-flat or so was thrilling to watch.

If Jane had opened today in a 3:08 she would have been buried back in 90th place. Even if she would have done that today then finish with another 3:06, Jane still would have been no match for Doris who closed in 3:01 -- the fastest final k of the field so far as I can tell after a quick scan of the results.

I think Lemngole is to college distance running what Chebet is to professional distance running. Both have the best fitness with the best kick.

We just will have to wait for Doris to graduate or turn pro for someone else to have a chance to win NCAA XC, NCAA Indoor 5k and NCAA Steeplechase.

Doris was 5th in the steeplechase at worlds. Its just another level of strength that Jane hadn't ever faced before. Still, it also says you have to be world class to beat Jane. She did as well as a true 19 year old freshman could do behind an almost world medalist.

There was nothing mental about it. She tried to run from the front like she always does but when she realized she wasn’t going to gap Lemngole, she backed off a little. At this point of time, Doris is still the better runner, and Jane couldn’t cover the surge made near the near end of the race. I’m confident that it will play out differently next year.

Doris shouldn’t be in the ncaa sorry not sorry

Women need to run more than 1K more than in high school.

If Doris turns pro or graduates early, yes.

Jane is a class act . . . .

If Hedengren, like many people are predicting, runs 14:30 next spring, it will be a much different race.

I think Doris was pushed pretty hard today...maybe there could have been a little more but not much...nothing like last year

Nobody was beating Doris today.

3 seconds faster on a soggy course.

2 she had an off day. Taylor didn’t prepare Jane enough for the biggest race. Jane will beat Doris by 30 seconds next time.