I traveled with Shayla this weekend to her final competition prior to the US Championship (in 17 days). New Balance hosts a Spring Twilight series of meets that feature different distance races. This series is hosted at Bentley University in Waltham, MA (a west suburb of Boston). This women's steeple was the featured race at this weekends meet. Eleven outstanding women toed the line on a warm and humid, but still evening. A little breeze might have actually been nice.
The pace halfway was perfect for Shayla. She took the lead with just over three laps to go and the lead pack went from five to three even though the pace slowed just a bit. With two laps to go the pace was headed for 10 flat which would be a PR, but not quite the goal we had in mind.
With a lap to go Shayla had a 15 meter lead and gaining as she went down the backstretch. She needed to hit the final water jump and final barrier in stride to keep her momentum and have a chance to break 10:00 for the first time. Unfortunately, her final water barrier came with four studder steps killing her momentum. She was still able to clear that barrier and the final barrier with a victory. She ran 10:03 for the third time this year. All in all it was a solid night and a great start for final preparations going into the US National meet in a few weeks. She is also still undefeated in the steeple this year.
Ultimately, I think this will provide her great confidence to run against some of the best women steeplers in the country. We will continue to put the final pieces of the training puzzle together and be ready to race again in a few weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment