Shalange Flanagan destroyed a very good Cross Country field to run a very respectable time of 25:47. In second place was Hudle(26:34), 3rd Koll, 4th Lewly Boulet, 5th Russel, 6th McKaig. Kara Goucher just misses a spot and takes 7th place overall.
Shalange Flanagan destroyed a very good Cross Country field to run a very respectable time of 25:47. In second place was Hudle(26:34), 3rd Koll, 4th Lewly Boulet, 5th Russel, 6th McKaig. Kara Goucher just misses a spot and takes 7th place overall.
Really amazing solo run by Shalane. I think she definately is on the right track.
Great race by Shalane and it looks like Goucher is rounding back into form.
"Next time Kara and I race. I'm going to make her cry"
Yup
Kara had her son with her on-stage at the post-race awards ceremony today; just a friendly reminder she has been somewhat detained over the past year. She is still carrying some extra weight over her previous race weight, but that might work to her advantage in this marathon cycle.
good job Kara.
I saw a Goucher interview last week, post UW track meet. Kara was asked about the XC race. She acknowledged that Shalane & Lisa were way ahead of her. She seemed to be going into the race with realistic goals, no delusions of winning.
I admire her drive to race even when not in top shape. She addresses this in the interview as well. Essentially, she says 'I'm not afraid to lose' or something along those lines. Too many athletes are afraid to lose, or maybe they are afraid for their reputations if they run a slow race. (the media, fans, and Letsrun trolls saying that he/she has "lost it" or whatever.) So, they back out of races or simply don't race at all until they feel they are in their best shape.
I would say 7th is an awesome finish for her. She seems to be bouncing back quickly from the pregnancy.
Wow, for Huddle, too. haven't heard much from her lately, was expecting Koll to take 1st or 2nd.
I also think that Kara should be congratulated for being willing to go out and race herself back to top shape when she knows going in that she probably isn't ready to go with the top people. This is much more of an old school approach to the sport. We have too many elites these days who won't show up and race unless they think that they are a near certainty to win.
Kara is taking her lumps for sure, but remember that Shalane got beat by a no-name at UW last week in the mile, shrugged it off and produced one of the best races of her career. Confidence is everything.