Monday, April 16, 2007

Team USA Minnesota's Boston Aftermath

Team USA Minnesota President Pat Goodwin kindly took time to call DtB with an on-the-ground report from Boston. She offered the following comments and insights from a Boston Marathon likely be long-remembered for its difficult conditions.

(Results and details for the top Minnesotans are one post down the page.)

On Chris Lundstrom: "He did what he usually does," Goodwin said of the consistent, even-paced veteran. Lundstrom, at 17th overall, was one place off his Boston best. "He was more concerned about Jason than about himself," Goodwin said.

On Jason Lehmkuhle: "He's so ready to run a great race," Goodwin said despite Lehmkuhle's 2:38:05 finish. Goodwin said she watched from the media center when Lehmkuhle ran through the 20 mile mark with Pete Gilmore (who would be the top U.S. finisher) in great position, but then waited and waited for Lehmkuhle at the finish line.

Leg cramps crippled Lehmkuhle in the final miles. "He had quite a bit of trouble getting down the stairs," Goodwin said.

On Sara Wells: "She's very disappointed," according to Goodwin. "She feels really confident she can get a good race in." Goodwin expects Wells to try again for her Olympic Trails qualifier at marathon this fall.

On the conditions: 'It wasn't as cold as they thought," Goodwin said. "It was 47 degrees at the start in Hopkinton and 50 degrees on the course." Goodwin reported that the wind, however, was stiff. "Walking downtown I was being pushed along the street." At one point, she worried the window of her hotel room would be blown in.

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