2005 USA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Interview with Katie McGregor
Reported by Parker Morse

Katie McGregor. (Photo by Alison Wade/New York Road Runners)

Katie McGregor was the surprise victor in the women's 10,000m. She won the race in 31:33.82 after outsprinting Blake Russell (31:35.25) on the final lap.

Katie McGregor: It was such a great field, and it was hard to know when to take it and when not to take it, just because of the amount of talent that was out there. I didn't want to get out there too soon. I was nervous once I got out there, but as the race went on, I felt pretty good about it.

Q: This is your first outdoor track title, isn't it?
KM: Yes, it is. It's pretty exciting. I had a good year, and I'm grateful for it.

Q: Did you see this coming?
KM: Yeah, just in that things have been coming together this year. I think I felt like I was in good shape last year, as well, but with anybody, you put in all the work and you never know when it's going to fall together. For some reason, this year just kind of came together. I'm hoping I can keep it going for a while. You never know.

I was glad that I had the "A" standard early, so for once, I usually take the pace, but I didn't have to this year. I think it helped me a lot, just because I didn't have the pressure on myself to have to take it from the gun. That really helped me out.

Q: You were sitting on Blake's outside shoulder for a long time. Did you ever think of going to the inside?
KM: You know, I did, and at first I didn't know if I wanted to get up there. But at first, I didn't feel like I could be in a comfortable rhythm where I was, behind Jen [Rhines]. I felt like I kept stopping. I decided I wanted to get in, but I wasn't being pushy enough to get into the line. I just felt comfortable there, and I felt like I was holding back, even though I was right on her. I really felt comfortable, even though I was running in the middle of the lane. I thought about it a little bit, and then I said, 'You know what? I feel good, I'll just stay here.' I had a decent stride, and I wasn't clipping anybody.

Q: Good pace?
KM: I think so. We were pretty even for the first 5K or so.

Q: Does this make up for last year?
KM: No. It's great, but I would rather have been on the team to Athens last year. But it was fun.

Q: Do you have plans for the time between now and Helsinki?
KM: I really don't. I just wanted to focus on today, and now that I ran well, I'll start planning for the rest of the year.

Q: It's not like you're going to line up three or four more 10Ks.
KM: That's the thing, for the 10K, you can only do so many races. I think if I ran the 1,500, I might have a European schedule set, but I like to run on the roads in the summer. This might be a little different. I'll probably do a bit more in the States, I might run one or two races in Europe, and Worlds, since I'm lucky enough to go. I just like to stay on the roads, usually.

Q: How much of this do you attribute to Dennis Barker's training?
KM: You can't say enough about Dennis. He's just amazing. He's just pushed us so much. He's got such good training tactics. The first year we were there, we were tired, and things weren't going the way we wanted. Just with any program, you've got to stick with it. We're all so strong now. Carrie [Tollefson is] so strong, last year, she was able to run in the 1,500 after not making the 5K team, and keep running through the summer when she was hurt. She's so strong. This year, she hardly got to do the training she wanted. We all, even if we have to take a little time off, we're so strong. And it's such a great support group, all the girls run together every day. It's good to have such a great group.

Q: Do you think you're anywhere near your best at this distance?
KM: I don't think so. I hope not. Each year, the standards keep getting faster, but look at the races. Everyone's running the standard now. Last year it was so hard to do, but now we're all out there pushing each other. Once somebody does it, you believe that you can. I think that makes it easier. And once you do it once, you know you're able to do it.

Q: Do you think the 10K is more your event than the 5K?
KM: Yes. I think I'm a stronger runner. It's the way I've been going since I graduated from school. I never really ran the 10K in college, and it's helped me out. I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I'm much stronger. Anyway, I guess it's my race now. I'm stuck with it.

Q: Did you expect to win before the race?
KM: I didn't. But at the same time, you always say... I have so much respect for all the Olympians I'm racing with. Every time Deena [Kastor] steps on the line, it's so exciting. But every time you get out there, it doesn't matter who it is, world record holder or anybody, you have to believe. You never know, on any given day. I was in good position tonight. Everyone's been outkicking me all year. Tonight I thought, 'I'm not going to be outkicked tonight!' You've just got to stay there, and somehow I was in a rhythm and stayed where I needed to be for the end.

(Interview conducted June 24, 2005.)