Caitlin’s Races to an Olympic Trials Qualifier Time
Wow, shortly after I crossed the finish line Sunday, I heard the announcer calling Caitlin's name. At the time, I didn't know it but she had just qualified for '12 Olympic Trials which is an awesome accomplishment. So now, I get to train with two Olympic Trials athletes on a regular basis – Megan and Caitlin. How many people can say that? Well, how many people outside of the Charlotte area can say it.
But to drop back for a second, and actually think about it, this was her first marathon. Typically, first marathons are characteristically full of "Trial and Error" with a large portion chalked up to a learning experience.
Remembering my first marathon, I jumped in with no marathon training and came home with a very painful 2:50 on the old Charlotte Observer Marathon course. I had run for a number of years but literally knew nothing about the marathon other than it was 20 miles longer my usual 10k races.
Caitlin showed the right kind of wisdom. She consulted with others. She put together a training plan and did her homework – lots of it.
Sunday morning, she indeed showed that she is ready to step up to the Marathon distance on a National Level – 8th overall women
Setting in the elite tent after the race, it was remarkable how fresh she looked. I would say she could have done another 10 miles. And, quite possible so since she ran a negative split the 2nd half of the course. And when you take into consideration - the harder section of the course is the 2nd half and especially the last 10k, she ran amazingly well.
Congrads, Caitlin on your time and your Olympic Trials qualification. You did your home work and got an "A" on your test Sunday.
Here are Caitlin's splits from the marathon:
Location | Race Time | Time of Day | Overall Place | Division Place | Sex Place |
Time | 2:41:52 | 10:43:11 | 95/8211 | 4/1075 | 8/3394 |
20M | 2:03:40 | 10:04:59 | 115/8181 | 5/1073 | 10/3385 |
30K | 1:55:30 | 9:56:48 | 172/8199 | 14/1074 | 30/3388 |
13.1 | 1:21:36 | 9:22:54 | 138/8190 | 8/1072 | 15/3384 |
10K | 38:44 | 8:40:02 | 146/8197 | 8/1074 | 18/3389 |
5K | 19:24 | 8:20:43 | 146/8199 | 8/1074 | 19/3390 |
GunStart | 00:00 | 8:01:18 | |||
ChipStart | 0:02 | 8:01:19 | 75/8211 | 6/1075 | 12/3394 |
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