Patty Murray 1500 meter bronze medalist, more photos, race recap

As a miler I'm still savoring Patty's big sub 5 minute mile equivalent 1500 meter race at the world masters championships in Italy. Going in it was clear the eventual winner Corrine would most likely be untouchable. Corrine is an outstanding athlete who took home 4 gold medals (800,1500,5000 and cross country) with excellent times in all 4 events. Patty just may have challenged Zofia from Poland for 2nd had she made her move just a little bit earlier. Nonetheless the race and especially the finish offered high drama and excitement for this photographer.

Starting in a position well back in the field, Patty gradually positioned herself for the unleashing of a giant kick over the last 150 meters. She shifted from 4th to 5th gear then into what seemed to be a 6th gear over the last 50 meters which is what it took to move from 5th place to 3rd! I had to run very fast from my photographic position on the far side over to the finish to get there just in time to see the big finish and take that 'arms raised' photo posted earlier: http://www.yourrunning.com/picture-patty_murray_gets_bronze_1500
At various times during the race she listened to suggestions yelled out by U.S. spectators watching and made minor adjustments. Mile ace David Cannon told her to hug the rail, I said she should move up and keep contact with those ahead. Cannon (5th place M50, 4:22.36) was almost as excited as Patty afterwards and offered her an emotional high five through the chain link fence. Fellow 1500 meter bronze medallist Steve Gallegos (3rd place M50, 4:16.60) snuck his camera (at least allegedly) illegally onto the track and discretely took what are probably some excellent closeups of the race action and post race celebration. Gallegos christened Murray a legitimate miler who should give up road racing.

He might have something at that. Conditions were perfect for a fast time and Patty is now ranked 2nd nationally
and 9th in the world this year.
Patty had done exactly one mile specific workout for this race if I'm remembering (some 400 repeats at mile race pace) and had been generally limited in training due to nagging injuries and problems right up until the race. These factors makes this performance really something to ponder and added to the race drama as it unfolded. My take is that the cumulative effect of all the years of training and racing (huge endurance base) mixed with a fair amount of natural speed and a seriously large competitive drive resulted in a superior performance in the big race. Message to Patty... don't train too much, you don't need to! Just keep on running in big races.
Only now have I noticed Patty knocked an Italian out of third place with that big finish. Maybe that explains the bad service we got at this one restaurant in Venice!
1500 m Donne W40 1500 m Women W40 14/09/2007 - 20:30 Finale

CLS RANK	PET BIB	NOME E COGNOME NAME & SURNAME	NAZ CTRY	ANNO BORN	T.FINALE FINAL T.		PUNTI POINTS
1.	414	Corinne DEBAETS	BEL	1963	4:30.44
2.	7559	Zofia WIECIORKOWSKA	POL	1963	4:38.94
3.	8749	Patty MURRAY	USA	1965	4:39.68
4.	3925	Laura AVIGO	ITA	1967	4:40.65
5.	7805	Salome VERMEULEN	RSA	1966	4:41.09
6.	6694	Anna Maria VENTURELLI	ITA	1964	4:46.60
7.	1288	Encarna GARCIA RUS	ESP	1966	4:49.50
8.	5283	Ewa KEPA	ITA	1963	4:51.94
9.	8638	Jennifer HEGARTY	USA	1965	4:54.96
10.	6291	Donatella SAIU	ITA	1965	4:55.29
11.	4595	Rossella CORRADINI	ITA	1964	4:58.31
12.	7727	Elmarie COETZEE	RSA	1964	5:00.36
13.	7772	Rene ODENDAAL	RSA	1963	5:07.65
14.	7970	Marina SKOLOTA	RUS	1963	5:09.06
15.	1861	Marie-Helene LENARD	FRA	1966	5:31.78
DNS.	6125	Francesca RAGNETTI	ITA	1966	DNS