by Larry EderTori Bowie is racing the 100 meters in Doha tonight. As the US champion in 2015, and World Champs bronze medalist, Tori Bowie has continued to develop as an elite sprinter.
In a relaxed interview yesterday, a few journalists, including me, had chance to speak with Tori on her training, racing and development as an athlete.
Tori Bowie, photo by PhotoRun.net
Tori Bowie has moved from the college scene in the US to the elite training groups, under the watchful eye of Lance Bauman. Tori noted that it was very different.
“My college program was pretty relaxed,” Tori Bowie noted. “In my training group, our days are planned” noted Ms. Bowie, with a bemused look.
Tori Bowie wins 2015 USA 100m, photo by PhotoRun.net
“I ask alot of questions, I want to know why I am doing something and why I am doing something.” noted the young American sprinter. This writer, knowing her coach, asked her how Coach Bauman responds. ” He answers my questions.” noted Bowie.
Tori Bowie is at a cross roads. She is part of an amazing generation of sprinters, from English Gardner to Tianna Bartoletta, and a generation of veteran sprinters, from Allyson Felix to Sanya Richards-Ross, who make every position on every U.S. team a true battle of epic proportions.
Coming from a US college program where she long jumped and sprinted when she so desired, to a program that both focused and systematic, Bowie has had to adjust.
“I am now looking at video of races. I want to learn about my event.” noted a thoughtful Bowie. ” I have improved my start and am working on making it better.”
When this writer asked Ms. Bowie about her 100m season best of 11.00 and her 22.26 200 meter season best, Tori was was non-plused. She told us that she could see many mistakes in both. So, this writer asked the young sprinter what was wrong with her 200 meters. She went on to explain that “I leant into the turn. I was supposed to stay straight up and run it like the straight on a hundred meters.”
It is obvious that Ms. Bowie wants to improve her craft and is finally listening to her coach, Lance Bauman, a man who has developed many key sprinters.
When this writer asked Ms. Bowie if she would care if the race was run in 11.12 and she won gold in a global championships, she gave me a look of disdane. ” I would not want to race and work all season and run 11.12, even if I won. I want to run fast.”
Tori Bowie is facing a tough field tonight, in the 100 meters. Running against Jeneba Tarmoh, Mikele Barber, Murielle Ahoure, Marie-Jose Ta Lou and Veronica Campbell-Brown, Tori Bowie will have her hands full. But remember, kind readers, Tori Bowie is one of the few athletes who have never lost to Veronica Campbell-Brown, one of our sports’ finest sprinters.
“If I can use what I am learning, I will run very fast, and people will be surprised.” said a knowing Tori Bowie.
I am not sure if people will be surprised. As Lance Bauman would tell you, Tori Bowie is one of his most talented athletes, it is all about the believing and the focus.
Tori Bowie is learning how to focus and learn from her mistakes. 2016 could be a very good year for Tori Bowie.
Tori Bowie, adidasNYC2015, photo by PhotoRun.net
After this weekend in Doha, we will see Tori Bowie in Herzogenaurach, Germany. That is the home of her sponsor, adidas. Tori will be racing at the Adi Dassler Stadium on May 13-14. More about that later!
