Miler Shannon Rowbury Confident Where She’s At, Talks About Mary Cain Phenomenon
by: LetsRun.com
May 24, 2013
Friday in New York City at the adidas Grand Prix Diamond League Press Conference there were quite a few interesting stories.
- Sex definitely sells – the media swarmed Blanka Vlašić before her first competition in 20 months and largely ignored more credentialed gold medalists (second article on Vlašić here).
- David Rudisha’s famed coach, Brother Colm O’Connell, made a rare trip out of Kenya to watch David compete. We sat down with him in an interesting interview where Colm gave us insights into David, David’s future, and David’s crack at the 1000m later this year (second article on Brother Colm and David here).
You can find more on Vlašić and Brother Colm at the links above. We also sat down with American miler, Shannon Rowbury, the bronze medallist at the 2009 Worlds, and talked to her about her 2013 campaign.
Rowbury Seems Confident in the Direction She’s Headed
Can Rowbury Get Back on the Medal Stand?
While the 2009 bronze medallist’s start to the season hasn’t turned heads (4:09 for 4th at Drake after a 6th at US Road mile) with Brenda Martinez winning everything in sight, Rowbury seemed confident in her fitness and the fact that last year she steadily improved and ended up 6th at the Olympics.
We thought Rowbury’s answer to our question as to what her reaction was to seeing three women run 3:57 or faster in the first Diamond League meet of the year was very wise:
“It’s impressive, (but) last year, there was some 3:58s at the first meet of the year and then some 3:56s in July. Just like I was saying how my training progresses, I think you see everyone’s progresses and the timeline changes. So last year there were all these great people who had run all of these great times, but at the end of the day, some of those people had great performances at the Olympics and some didn’t so I try not to let it freak me out. I try to take it as it comes. I understand the sport and know that at the end of the day I just have to get my butt on the line and run as fast as I can.”
As for the Mary Cain phenomenon, Rowbury admitted she’s impressed with the now 17-year old (Cain turned 17 on May 3rd).
“I think it’s extremely impressive what’s she’s doing. To be able to run 4:04 as a 16 (sic) year old is such an accomplishment. She’s got a great personality, she seems like such a sweet girl. It’s great for bring in attention to the sport,” said Rowbury who was honest enough to add that at times it was “tough” in 2008 when reporters would only talk about the Trials/Olympics in terms of Jordan Hasay.
As for Rowbury’s goal for Saturday’s race?
“My first goal would be for me to control the weather,” joked Rowbury as windy and rainy conditions are in the forecast. “It’s a big field. I hope I have a clean race. I hope that I can get a good time. I still don’t have the standard (of 4:05.50). I’ve only run 4:09 this year so that’s really important. The women in the field are some of the top people in the US and the world so if I can take some scalps there that would be great for my confidence.”
Interview embedded below.
*More on Rowbury from Friday from RRW
More: adidas Diamond League Friday Press Conference:
*LRC Sex Sells: Blanka Vlašić Returns to Competition and is Swarmed by the Media
*LRC Brother Colm O’Connell Talks David Rudisha Past, Present, and Future: Is David’s Best Running Ahead of Him?
LetsRun.com Previews:
*LRC Men’s Preview: David Rudisha Set To Shine Again As Hagos Gebrhiwet And Dejen Gebremeskel Prepare To Clash
*LRC Women’s Preview: Abeba Aregawi Makes Her US Debut As Americans Rowbury, Uceny, Grace Hope To Contend … Will Brenda Martinez Get Closer To 4:00?
*LRC 2013 adidas HS Boys Dream Mile Race Preview – Will A 5th American Prep Make History And Go Sub-4?