by Larry Eder
Jordan Hasay, photo from Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Originally posted October 10, 2017
Reposted on December 13, 2017
Jordan Hasay has found her perfect distance. She was made for this event and her focus, her training, her spirit is in this event. Her gutty run in Chicago blew me away. I have to admit that Jordan has been one of my special athlete focuses since she was 15. Watching her run, speaking to her high school coach, and watching her handle her ups and downs have been quite emotional. Watching Jordan, Shalane, Desi and Molly run in April 2018 will be an amazing day on the streets of Boston!
The 2:20:57 run by Jordan Hasay in Chicago on Sunday, October 8, 2017 was historic. Jordan Hasay ran 2:23:00 in her marathon debut and shocked many. Truth is this, Jordan Hasay was made for the marathon, and Alberto Salzar knew that. Jordan Hasay is one of the guttiest runners I have ever seen, and she does not give an inch. In college racing she had great races and not so great races. She was not a happy camper when she did not do well, but that is okay.
As a professional athlete, Jordan raced over 5k and 10k, and she battled in every race. In 2016, she began her evolution into road running, but one wonders if that was Alberto Salazar’s plan for the entire time.
In Houston in January 2017, Jordan ran 1:08:45 and opened many eyes. Her build up to Boston continued and her run there was flawless. I was happy to see her focus at the end of the race, against the world’s best, and her gutty finish. And then, her summer of training prior to Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Jordan Hasay is one of the kindest athletes to interview. She thanks media for their support of her story. She speaks well and thoughtfully.
Paula Radcliffe, Jordan Hasay, Joan Benoit Samuelson, photo by Bank of America Chicago Marathon
But remember this, Jordan Hasay is a marathon gladiator. In the fine line of Joan Benoit Samuelson, Deena Kastor, Kara Goucher, Tirunesh Dibaba, Mary Keitany and Edna Kiplagat, these women dig in and fight for each and every meter. I recall running the 1980 Cascade Run Off, and getting absolutely dusted over the last 3k by Lorraine Moller, who gave the guys with her a lesson in downhill running, cranking 5:08 and 5:05. It opened my mind to just how amazing women distance runners were and are.
Jordan Hasay showed guts running 2:18:20 pace through half way, with Tirunesh Dibaba, who is moving her focus from the track the roads, in the lead. Jordan ran 2:20:57, the finest time by an American woman ever in North America, and breaking Joan Benoit Samuelson’s 1985 American course record of 2:21:21.
What is Jordan Hasay’s secret? Her amazing focus, her beliefs in herself? her support structure?
Look at the instagram we posted. It shows the detailed workouts that Jordan and Galen did for this race. That attention to detail, the core work, the long runs, the long temp runs, the work on the track all summer long gives these athletes a quiet confidence that they have done EVERYTHING to prepare for the race.
Jordan Hasay was happy and confident in her presser post race.
She has many more great races to run!
