by Larry Eder
Laura Muir, photo by PhotoRun.net
In her lucky shoes, Laura Muir continues to astound. At the Muller Indoor Grand Prix, Laura Muir added a fourth British record to her successes. This time, Laura Muir broke the British record of Dame Kelly Holmes, who ran 2:32.94 in February 2004. Today, February 18, 2017, Laura Muir ran 2:31.93, an amazing effort!
Here is how I saw the race…
Laura Muir is a very special athlete in many ways. Those unusual points actually bring me a lot of comfort. Going to school full time to be a veterinarian (she has 18 more months), Laura trains with a small group overseen by coach Andy Young. “What many forget is that Laura has been racing for ten years,” is how Andy spoke to the interested crowd at the Birmingham Marathon distance clinic last evening.
In speaking with Laura’s coach last night, it was quite clear that her fitness was quite high and while the 3000 meters pleased him, the 5000 meter record was within her. The 1000 meters was going to be a good race, per Coach Young, and her fitness was ready for it.
And with her upcoming 3000m/1500m in Belgrade for the 2017 European Indoors, the 1000 meters would provide Laura Muir a bit of speed work to sharpen the queen of British (and Scottish) distance running.
Jenny Meadows paced Laura Muir, taking her through 200 meters in 30.30, a bit behind. Laura Muir focused on Jenny Meadows back, as they hit 400 meters in 59.65, with Kate Grace, the fine American 800 meter runner (who defeated Sifan Hassan in an early season 3000m), in close pursuit.
Jenny Meadows took Laura Muir through the 600 meters in 1:29.71, and Laura Muir took over pushing to the 800 meters in 2:00.56. Laura Muir was right there, could she get the record?
Running just under 31.4 for the final 200 meters, Laura Muir made the 1000 meters British record hers, running 2:31.93! Kate Grace held on gamely, running 2:36.97, a PB, with Sanne Verstegan, in 2:38.72, NR. Zoe Buckman scored a NR for Australia in fourth, 2:39.53!
Laura Muir fell to the track. It had been a tough effort and the crowd applauded and cheered the wonderfully talented and spirited Scottish star on her third record of the season.
And now, off to Belgrade!
