cainisable wrote:
Let's see the progress through Labor Day or so. If she is and stays healthy, physically and mentally, she'll be fine, and we'll see steady if not rapid progress. As a fan, I'm just encouraged she's running at all. If she's happy, her enthusiasm will carry her back to physical fitness, and the times will follow. Her inherent joy, as much as her aerobic capacity and natural speed, was her original advantage.
This. Well, not necessarily the joy, but just being out there racing is a very good thing. If Cain can take this as a positive and keep moving forward, I think she will improve.
I was never close to world class, but I had a stretch once where I was about 2 minutes slower than PR shape in a 5k (this happened consistently; it wasn't just one race). You won't fully understand this unless you've experienced it. It was for different reasons than Cain, but it's a terrible feeling when you race for the first time and realize that you're not remotely close to what you thought or hoped. In my case, I was able to steadily work my way back, and PR'd after about 2 years.
Cain may not be able to get back to her world class 2013-2014 form. If that's the peak of her career, it's still a remarkable one. But I do think she can get to the level where she can PR in the 5k and 3k (and maybe the 1500), if running is what she wants to do with her next 5-10 years.
Just realize how tough it is to be in her situation. There is such a mental effect where she is now, much more than when she was on top. If Mary Cain enjoys running/racing and thinks it's fun, I predict she will tough it out and have a solid pro career. If not, then I hope she can look back fondly on what was an exceptional rise!