Down the Backstretch: You set a PR to qualify. Did you expect to run that fast?
Jamie Cheever: I knew I would have to run around my PR to qualify for finals. Everyone is ready to go at the Trials, so I knew I'd have to be ready to push hard in prelims. Going into the race, I wasn't too worried about time, but I was hoping to be in the top five in my heat, in order to automatically advance. I was in fifth place with two laps to go, but got passed the last 200m. Thankfully, I got in on time, but I was hoping I'd be ready to be in the top five.
DtB: How did the race unfold for you?
JC: I tried to stay relaxed during the first three and a half laps of the race. I knew everyone would be in the mix for the first half of the race, so I hung out in about seventh or eighth position. As soon as the pack started to string out, I did my best to follow the lead pack. I was able to stay pretty close, but lost contact the last couple laps. When I got passed by the fifth place finisher with 200m to go, I knew I needed to stay on my feet over the last two barriers, and really push myself so I'd be able to get in on time.
DtB: Did you know what time you had to hit to qualify for the final or did you just race it and hope for the best?
JC: I did take a quick look at the results of he first heat to see where I'd have to be, if I wasn't in the top five. I had also taken a look to see where the pack was with two laps to go in the first heat. In my heat, I was at about the same time, so I knew I was running about the same pace as the front pack in the first heat. I tried not be too worried, but it was good to know I had to run fast or I'd be out! Photo by Becky Miller
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