That must be how they run. How can I describe what it was like to watch the fastest American women run?! They were incredible. Unbelievable. Focused. Deliberate. And fast. Just plain fast!
The first woman to run past our vantage point was not Deena Kastor. And that first woman was at least a full minute ahead of the pack you see above. That pack was lead by American record holder Deena Kastor (#1). The woman in front, who held her lead - which at one point was approaching two minutes - was Magdalena Lewy-Boulet. She's a Polish emigree who got her citizenship on 9/11/01. She ran an amazing race. And it looked so effortless. For both she and Deena. And many others - 124 finished today's race. The slowest runner was a 3:07 and change. 37 minutes faster than my best time. I'd be happy to be last if I were running the Olympic Trials - just to have gotten there is an accomplishment and then to run with so many great American women. I'd happily come in last!
What was so amazing was that at 12 and 18 the order of the top two hadn't changed. And the distance between them was still significant. But then came mile 24. As I leaned out over the road to see who was behind the motorcade, my heart skipped. The lead had changed. Deena was in front. By 10 seconds. At mile 25ish she was 15 seconds ahead. It seemed clear that she would win. She was running effortlessly. Focused. Driven. I cannot describe how it feels to watch these women run. They are so tiny, so light on their feet and just so strong.
And so many behind them that were incredible too. Joan Benoit Samuelson wore a yellow cap and a Livestrong singlet. She has an awkward gait it seems to me. But she ran a 2:49 and change. At 50. Unbelievable. I saw her run. The only US woman to win an Olympic Gold in the marathon. In 1984. At the first Women's Olympic Marathon ever. Awesome!
In the presence of greatness. I cannot have a bad day tomorrow after standing just feet away from these strong, fast women. On winged feet may I travel tomorrow!
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