Alisa Harvey healing up, runs 5:14 mile at 49 after sinus surgery
Middle-distance great Alisa Harvey has been sidelined in recent seasons after setting records and winning titles for many years. But now she writes: “I am happy and running healthy at 49, after a break from competitive track. I just raced a mile Saturday at George Mason University’s Patriot Games.” Her mark was 5:14.88 — which would have been the top time indoors in 2014. “It’s good to still be doing what I love and having the opportunity to line up at the races.” I asked her what kept her off the track, and she described having sinus surgery (balloon sinuplasty) on Dec. 24, 2013, after suffering recurrent sinus infections for decades. “The doctors were concerned that I would run out of antibiotic options,” she said. “I was literally on antibiotics every 3 to 4 weeks by 2013.” Despite her reluctance on surgery, she got it and “am pleased to report that I have been sinus-infection free since last December! I ran an 800 on [Jan. 10] at Mason’s Father Diamond Invitational (2:22.36).” She hopes to return to Hartshorne in 2016. Welcome back, Alisa!
Alisa, shown at Mt. SAC in 2009, is gearing up for W50 debut in late 2015.
3 Responses
Welcome back, Alisa. I am already looking forward to announcing you next January at the 2016 Hartshorne Mile, in which you will most likely be the top seed in the 50+ race.
You have always added a lot to the races in which you have competed, and having a former NCAA 1500 champion in the field can never be bad for our masters events.
For me, having watched you compete for the Univ of Tennessee at the Penn Relays in the 1980s, it has been a big thrill to make the transition from an unknown person in the stands to your announcer.
She will also be back at Drake Relays for the Masters Invitational program women’s 800 in late April. Glad to see you back Alisa !
She will also be back at Drake Relays for the Masters Invitational program women’s 800 in late April. Glad to see you back Alisa !
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