Mary Cain is back? Runs huge SB of 9:07 3k at Boston University

And she beat Melany Smart, who is a 2:00 girl. Impressive.

This is so awesome. Really interested to see what sort of shape she is in for the 800.

Solid pacing job by Hull.

Congratulations Mary!!! Keep grinding!!!

Wish her the best on this comeback! She's been through hell, and it would be wonderful to see her return to performances that match her great potential.

Regardless of wether or not she returns to her old form, I think it is great that she is out there. For me, running and competing was hugely enjoyable even as I got older and slower. And who knows, maybe she will get super fast again.

R u sure she’s back. You are on a podcast where rojo has said more than once shell never come back!

I have to eat some crow. I was one of those who called her a hobby jogger last month. I was so wrong. Mary, if you're reading this I apologize. You are doing great.

Great time!

Do you think a fast adolescent girl, who then goes through a “slump” can come back? Has it been done before? In this scenario a lot of people (me included) have assumed that it’s over - will Mary Cain prove that wrong? Once a female runner works out her new body, if she had phenomenal talent, can it return?

Inspiring performance. She's like a clock, 36's for every lap, very consistent

If she makes it back to her best or not is irrelevant.

She's out there competing and loving the sport and improving herself and her health,both physically and mentally.

For me that's what's fun about running,whether you are an elite or just a hobby runner like everyone on these boards.

FatScottishJogger wrote:

If she makes it back to her best or not is irrelevant.

I agree, but, this is Letsrun. The boards demand top performances, they are quick to draw blood.

In a way, the trolls and negativity here serves a purpose to demand only the best.

That's the great thing about athletics. It's you and your performance and that's what matters.

Lois2 wrote:

Great time!

You mean great time for a HS kid. If she can't run faster than Tuohy ran last year, she's irrelevant.

I'm so tired of reading about Mary Cain. If she can shave another 6 seconds or so off her time and equal that of a 16 year old, I may start caring.

Scratch that

.

.

I still won't care!

Greg wrote:

FatScottishJogger wrote:

If she makes it back to her best or not is irrelevant.

I agree, but, this is Letsrun. The boards demand top performances, they are quick to draw blood.

In a way, the trolls and negativity here serves a purpose to demand only the best.

That's the great thing about athletics. It's you and your performance and that's what matters.

Is it irrelevant? Someone who has had amazing performances in the past - wouldn’t it be relevant to a running community to see if they could return to that form? You don’t have to criticise if they don’t - but it’s very interesting to watch.

I would also guess someone who has achieved at that incredible level already doesn’t need any form of external pushing (message board or otherwise) - their push would be intrinsic.

Think About It wrote:

Do you think a fast adolescent girl, who then goes through a “slump” can come back? Has it been done before? In this scenario a lot of people (me included) have assumed that it’s over - will Mary Cain prove that wrong? Once a female runner works out her new body, if she had phenomenal talent, can it return?

Ayuko Suzuki went through a serious slump from age 16 to 18 with two cases of stress fracture. She made a huge comeback once in college, and made top 10 in the World Championship twice. (She has also made the 2020 Olympic team in marathon.)

way to go, Mary!!

So what! wrote:

Lois2 wrote:

Great time!

You mean great time for a HS kid. If she can't run faster than Tuohy ran last year, she's irrelevant.

I'm so tired of reading about Mary Cain. If she can shave another 6 seconds or so off her time and equal that of a 16 year old, I may start caring.

Scratch that

.

.

I still won't care!

You're so tired of reading about Mary Cain yet you not only open a thread clearly about her, you join the conversation.

Seems as if you're a bit of an idiot.

Think About It wrote:

Do you think a fast adolescent girl, who then goes through a “slump” can come back? Has it been done before? In this scenario a lot of people (me included) have assumed that it’s over - will Mary Cain prove that wrong? Once a female runner works out her new body, if she had phenomenal talent, can it return?

First two to come to my mind:

Mary Decker

Lynn Jennings