Brenda Martinez was “Absolutely Brilliant”
by: LetsRun.com
May 26, 2014
Nassau, Bahamas –
We have this point in our women’s 4×800 race recap/analysis, but it deserves it’s own mention.
Brenda Martinez ran a brilliant and tactically savvy final leg to anchor the US to gold in the 4×800. Ajee Wilson’ pulled away from Janeth Jepkosgei to give Brenda a 2.2 second lead. Brenda was the bronze medallists at Wolds, but she was facing the gold medallist, Kenya’s Eunice Sum, so there was no room for error. Brenda got out hard (but not suicidal) and never letting World Champion Eunice Sum in it. The announcer on the IAAF broadcast said it best, “It’s gold and glory to the Americans. Martinez was absolutely brilliant. She went out hard on the first lap and had the stamina to hang on.”
Going out hard was part of the plant for Brenda. “We practiced trying to get out in 57 and holding on. The minute it started to hurt, that’s when I tried to press,” she said to LRC after the race (in the video below).
“We all had a plan and everybody executed perfectly. I had the best time in the race. I know what I am capable of and did just that,” she told the IAAF.
Up next is a possible sub-4:00 1,500 at Pre.
Many of you agree that Brenda was brilliant: BRENDA IS A BOSS – Anchors Team USA to gold and AR (8:01.58) in 4 x 800!
Bredna On Her Way to Gold