As I tweeted after it was over---"I'm exhausted, and I didn't run even one inch!"
If you watched the race on NBC, as I did, you saw a fairly predictable group of runners become the first 6 Americans to make the 2016 Olympic team!
Galen Rupp ran 2:11:14 to win easily.
Meb ran relaxed and smiling over the last 5K to make another OG team.
Jared Ward was the best of the rest, showing his recent Road Racing successes weren't a fluke.
Amy Cragg left her struggling training partner at 25 miles, and kicked hard for the win.
Des Linden finally got going toward the end, and sprinted into 2nd.
Shalane Flanagan struggled through, but took the final team spot.
But watching these 6 cross the finish line was so emotionally draining, I've yet to recover!
Before we get to that, let's review the races.
First, a personal note.
Yesterday, I saw a notice in my apartment building saying the electricity would be turned off today, starting at 7 a.m., so workers could lay pipe---or something!
Well, by 9:30, the power was still on!
Then, a minute later, OFF it went--including my computer!
I swore and not-so-silently urged them to hurry up!
Finally, about 30 minutes into the Men's race, and about 15 minutes into the Women's race, I got power again!
So I missed the first 10K or so of the Men's race, and the first 4K of the Women's race.
That said, here's what I found out!
A huge group of men--30 or more---jogged the first few miles at 5:05 or slower pace.
No real leaders.
A smaller group of women---maybe 15---also went out slowly, with Kellyn Taylor barely in front.
The LA heat scare came true, slowing the races to a strategic level.
Galen Rupp was lost in the crowd, about 15 meters back, but basically a common place for Salazar-trained runners to be early on.
Whereas, with the women, all the predicted leaders were at or near the front---Shalane Flanagan, Des Linden, Amy Cragg, Sara Hall, and Kara Goucher.
Tyler Pennel threw in a fast mile, but didn't break away, as Meb Keflizighi, Rupp, Dathan Ritzenhein, Luke Puskedra, and Ward were right there.
The Men reached 13.1 miles in 1:06:04.
(I might not have the exact times, as there were few graphics or leaderboards on NBC's coverage.)
The Women reached halfway in about 1:14:30.
Cragg and Flanagan ran side-by-side, and had moved into a small lead---maybe 20 meters---over Linden and Goucher, with Janet Bawcom also there.
Pennel was passed by Ward after the half, and he was followed closely by Meb.
The Cragg-Flanagan duo appeared to be on an easy tempo run, conversing throughout, pouring water over their bodies.
What was surprising was Linden holding back.
Goucher also started falling back, but Bawcom was soon dropped, so it was down to 4 women.
Meb decided he wanted to try to win, so took off as he did in Boston in 2014.
Rupp stayed near, with Ward dropping back.
Word came that Ritzenhein had dropped out.
(Other known DNF's were Ben Bruce and Diego Estrada, and Annie Bersagel and Alana Hadley!)
Finally, Rupp took off, but not explosively.
But when a guy has run 10000 on the track in 26:44, and can run the Mile in 3:50, an all-out sprint breakaway isn't necessary.
In fact, his final 3 or 4 miles were never faster than 4:50, and some over 5 minutes!
He negative split the race, closing with a last half of 1:05 and some small change.
He smiled and fist pumped as he broke the tape!
Meb was even happier, waving a small American flag, and waving to the cheering crowd!
Ward looked more tired, but was thrilled to take the 3rd team spot!
Luke Puskedra took the ominous 4th spot, over a minute behind Ward.
By 24 miles, the "twins" were still together, both almost identically dressed (Both wore white caps!).
Remember what I wrote in my Preview post?
That I thought Flanagan would want to help Cragg make the team?
Well, it became the complete opposite of that!
At 24 miles, Cragg looked like she was jogging, while Flanagan looked exhausted, ready to possibly DNF!
Cragg, instead of taking off for the win, stayed by her friend's side, urging her forward.
Each time Shalane failed to move WITH her, Amy would fall back---almost stopping!!--continually giving her BFF a much-needed psychological boost!
Then, looking back, she saw Linden sprinting toward them, closing the gap with each stride.
After final words with Shalane, Cragg surged, and it was over.
She crossed the line in 2:28:27, with Linden following in 2:29:00.
Goucher periodically made headway toward Linden, but soon started slowing in the draining heat.
However, with a totally spent Flanagan, some thought Goucher might even catch her!
Nope.
Flanagan barely made it to the finish, then in Cragg's arms, dropped slowly to the ground, finally carried---yes, CARRIED!---to a wheelchair!!
What an incredibly dramatic image!!
This is what trying to make the Olympic team is all about!
Or SHOULD be about----athletes giving EVERYthing they have, not leaving one ounce of unspent energy or desire in their wake!
I cried,
I cried, not just because my fave, Kara Goucher, took that dreaded 4th, but because of the spirit and courage and total comaraderie shown between these athletes!
Meb and Rupp hugging at the line, fully respecting each other, and welcoming Ward into their embrace.
Cragg's and Flanagan's teamwork throughout the race, but especially in the final 5K, when it was obvious Flanagan was in big trouble!
And then that dramatic closing image---of Cragg struggling to hold up Shalane, as she dropped to the ground, then seeing Shalane being carried away, nothing left!!
I hope the Track and Field portion of the Trials offer the same!
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