Willard wins in 1.58.80

I don't think her last 50m was that special as some people making out.the others went out way to fast in low 56 seconds.

id she really used to compete in 3k steeple?

Woo hoo.... !

One or two went out in 57, I think -- which isn't really that fast for an 800, is it? Willard was special.

Has she indicated her intentions for worlds? Judging by this performance, she could be a big factor at 1500m.

worlds? wrote:

Has she indicated her intentions for worlds? Judging by this performance, she could be a big factor at 1500m.

I'm more excited about the World Championships, but I really would love to see her and Rowbury crack 4:00.

Agree!

Heck of a kick, Willard is having a great year. Hopefully she isn't peaking too early.

Kick was fine, but the Russian(?) REALLY died.

Rowbury and Willard are listed as "confirmed" in the London Grand Prix 1500m on July 25th.

Where did you find the start lists? Would love to see them

Great job by Willard wrote:

Where did you find the start lists? Would love to see them

Yes, that would be great! Link please.

worlds? wrote:

Has she indicated her intentions for worlds? Judging by this performance, she could be a big factor at 1500m.

In her post-race Flotrack interview, Willard said that she was going to run only the 1500m at worlds and skip the 3000mSC.

irish top dog wrote:

what a finish

I love me some Anna Willard. Spotty hair and all! Didn't see the race, how'd she run it? Splits?

For the record, she went out faster than most of the people she outkicked. Only Okoro went out faster, and that was only by a few tenths of a second. So the commentary about Willard running "much more sensible splits" was baseless. That was a nasty kick, plain and simple. Especially for a 1500/steeplechaser dropping down to 800 and going out in 57-low.

Good analysis, agree.

She was in the race the whole time, ran quite smart. Not suced out in the first lap and a nice strong finish head down kick.

Would love to see the splits.

My guess is that Willard sustained her pace in the final 100 meters and the rest of the runners fell off their pace.

You can watch the whole race here:

http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?SPID=13055&SPSID=105551&DB_OEM_ID=23000&id=631865&db_oem_id=23000

Go to 02:01:50 and you will see Willard tied for second, a few tenths behind Okoro (and the rabbit) at 400. She ran about 57.2/61.6. Whether she "maintained" or accelerated in the last 100 of an 800 meter race is not the point. The point is that if anyone would have benefited from a slower first quarter it would have been the 1500/steeple runner who went out in 57, right off the lead.

Anyone else notice how the Russian "Superwomen" with 1:56 PB's are now struggling to break 2:00?

Yes, enjoyed it thoroughly ;-)

Anna's race was indeed fantastic. What a smart racer she is. Fast too. And as an Ann Arborite, I'm pretty geeked about the season she's having.

I ended up watching the whole meet and was just stunned at everything about the production...the commentary, the camera work, the background insights on athletes. Good grief!...could our T&F broadcast coverage folks here in the states please please please be forced to sit and watch this kind of coverage and maybe learn a thing or two, or three, or four...

Great job Anna. And a shout-out to Chris Solinsky for his tough fourth place 7:37. And holy cow!...how about Usain Bolt...in the rain, into a head wind, with a bad start...running 9.79.

One camera shot really stood out for me. It was a low angle shot of Isanbeyeva as she prepped for her first and only attempt of the night. She was silhouetted against the steel-grey bank of dark clouds,...looking every bit the athletic goddess she is.