by Larry Eder
This interview was done in the adidas media center at the Daegu Stadium complex on Friday, August 26, 2011.
Morgan Uceny is the 2011 U.S. champion at 1,500 meters. ” This was my favorite race of the year, it was great winning a national championship.” Uceny beamed when asked about her favorite race of the year.
Uceny has been racing well, with victories at Lausanne and Birmingham, among others in 2011.
” I was happy about my personal best at 800 meters this year, (1:58.57), and it has helped me
with my 1,500 meter racing. I sure wish the bell was on the second lap, but I now like the 1,500 meter distance.”
This is Morgan’s first visit to the World Championships, with three rounds in the 1,500 meter, ” It is tough, but it going to be tough for everybody. I feel better each round, I am confident that all of the training that I have done this year has made me ready. The last month I have gotten up to some good mileage. I think that the 1,500 meters we worked on staying sharp, we did not back down until the last few days.”
The key to Uceny’s racing is that she does not make many mistakes. In all of her races this year, Uceny stayed in the fight, near the front and moved over the last six hundred meters, with long, strong drives to the finish. Her victory in Birmingham may have been her best run race of the season, where she moved up to the lead with two hundred meters to go and just hammered the field.
” I have taken a lot of support from Jenn Rhines, who has been on five World teams and Deena Kastor. Jenn is as cool as a cucumber and she does not get fazed by anything at a championships. That was great support.”
For Morgan Uceny to medal here, she needs some luck. We wish her that. She needs to keep the mistakes to a minimum. We hope that happens too. And she needs to get into the final, which is key.
Watch for Morgan Uceny in that 1,500 meter final, she should be there and be in the hunt for the 1,500 meter medals.
The 1,500 meter final, will be terribly tactical. A time of 4 minutes or 4:02 does not really matter. Uceny’s finishing speed, her 1:58 800 meter strength and her desire will all play a part.
The key is to get in the race and not miss a change of pace or a move! That is what will make
the difference between a medal winner and someone in the stands. Uceny has the tools, now is the time for her to use those skills and test her limits.
