Alisa Harvey on Boston 800: ‘Just gave it all I had’

After Sunday’s 800 final at the AT&T USA Indoor Championships, third-placer Morgan Uceny, 22, approached the woman she had beaten by less than 2 seconds. Morgan asked Alisa Harvey: “Excuse me, I don’t want to be rude — but how old are you?” Alisa says she just laughed and told her, “42.” (Twenty years older!) That’s just one of several entertaining anecdotes Alisa shares of her Boston nationals experience, where she lowered her W40 American indoor record and provisionally qualified for June’s Olympic Trials. Alisa, who has been called the Tiger Woods of masters track, is just as compelling an athlete as the golf icon.


Here’s my Q&A with Amazing Alisa:

Masterstrack.com: Were you surprised to make the finals?
Alisa: I was surprised to make the finals. Going into the nationals I knew I had about a 50% chance of making it to the six-person final race. My plan for the semis was to go out hard and force the pace. I wanted an Olympic Trials qualifying time — 2:06.5 or better. My race strategy worked perfectly! Top seeded runner Tiffany McWilliams attempted to challenge me for the pole position after the break, but I sped up to keep her behind me. I was familiar with the semi strategy of the top-seeded runners setting a slow pace and making a strong kick for the finish. I did not want to waste a great opportunity to run fast.
Once in the finals, did you consider the possibility you might finish in the top two — and make the team for worlds in Spain?
Once I made it to the finals I had no thoughts of being able to finish in the top two. I was satisfied with the awareness that I had just beaten the odds by even being in the finals. I knew it would have to take a sub 2:04 time to finish in the top two. I ran all-out the day before to finish in 2:06.08.
Even though you didn’t medal, do you think the IAAF world indoor qualifying standard of 2:04 is within your reach?
I don’t believe I would be able to run a 2:04 on the indoor track right now. I need a few weeks of quality track sessions. My last few weeks have been touch and go due to the winter weather. I have spent a good deal of time on my treadmill and braving 20-degree temperatures and ice on the outdoor tracks that I train on; I don’t train indoor.
How did the race go? Were you among the leaders at any point?
The final race was very satisfying for me. I got out strong off the line. I saw myself move up on Nicole Teter just after the gun; she was in lane three just ahead of me. Once Nicole felt my presence she switched into another gear and left me. I did not want to make as strong a move as I did in the semis since I did not have to. I knew the runners were going for a fast race. I was content to hang tightly in the back of the pack. After the bell lap I maintained my last position and began to move up a bit on the next runner. In the final straight I just gave it all I had into the finish.
Did any of your race rivals congratulate you? Make any comments to you?
Fifth-place finisher Miesha Marzell has become a friend of mine. I saw her last year at a couple of outdoor track meets. I encouraged her after some fabulous 1500 performances last spring. She was a top-runner graduate from Georgetown. She is now in grad school at Penn State while training for the Olympic Trials in the 1500 and the 800. Miesha was in my semi race at the nationals. She came around me in the last 100 of the race to finish just ahead of me. She and I were both ecstatic that we both made it to the finals.
In addition, third-place finisher Morgan Uceny said to me in the call room after the race, “Excuse me, I don’t want to be rude — but how old are you?” I just laughed and told her, “42.” She said that she was stunned when she was listening to the race announcer introduce me at the starting line.
Have any trouble getting to Saturday’s race on time?
I did not have any problem getting to Saturday’s race on time — though I did have a problem getting to Boston after my flight was canceled from Washington, D.C. A snowstorm on the East Coast canceled many flights on Friday. Fortunately, my husband suggested that I purchase train tickets on Thursday night just in case. We had to make a mad dash to D.C.’s Union Station to catch a 12-hour train to Boston. When I arrived, the storm was in full force and there was already seven inches on the ground. I had to stand in line for a taxi outside the station for a few minutes, but I arrived to my hotel at 9 p.m. just fine.
When did you decide to scratch from the masters 400? Any reactions from Mark Cleary (the masters events coordinator)?
I scratched from the masters 400 on Saturday right after I scratched out of the 1500. I happened to run into Mark Cleary beside the track after my race. He understood my situation and wished me well. The masters 400 was scheduled just 20 minutes before the 800 final.
Now that you’re made the Olympic Trials qualifying standard, will your goals change for the outdoor season? Do you think 2:05.75 is fast enough to guarantee a spot in the Trials?
My goals have changed now that I have qualified for the Olympic Trials and my performance at the nationals. I am eagerly seeking elite competitions unlike before. I learned at the nationals that I need the boost of adrenaline that is provided from high-caliber competition and exposure. Most of the races that I have competed in over the last two years are collegiate races that often leave me leading the pack from start-to-finish. I need head-to-head competition if I want to improve my time outdoors. I think it will take a 2:04.5 performance for me to be guaranteed a spot at the Trials.
If you run at Eugene, what will your mind-set be? Make it to the next round? Go all-out every race?
If I make it to Eugene, I will try to race as well as possible. It will depend on what my time going into the Trials is as to what my mind-set will be. For now I am simply thrilled to be part of the athlete qualifiers.
Any injuries or issues at the moment?
I seemed to have developed an I.T. band issue on my left leg. It started three weeks ago and has gotten better each week. I believe I may have a muscle imbalance. I am just a bit stiff when I get up from being seated or sleeping. Otherwise I am fine.

Here’s Alisa during her Boston race, taken by PhotoRun for a USATF gallery:

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February 28, 2008

5 Responses

  1. Mary Harada - February 28, 2008

    Congratulations to Alisa for a magnificent performance at Reggie in the 800. I watched the race on TV and was happy to see that her impressive results was nicely reported and the camera stayed on her until she crossed the finish line unlike in some races where the camera wanders elsewhere after the winner crosses the finish line. Continue to train hard Alisa and go for the Olympic trials. What a great role model you are for masters athletes as well as for the youngsters!

  2. peter taylor - February 28, 2008

    Alisa, I told a couple of older sprinters about you and they couldn’t relate. I then said you ran 31 and change per 200 in your 800, and a lightbulb went off. Wow!! Another way to evaluate your performance is to go to a treadmill and set it for 14.2 mph; see how that feels.
    I have followed your career since you were an All American at Tennessee in the 1980s — onward and upward to the Trials and beyond.

  3. Alvin Bankhead - February 29, 2008

    Go Alisa !!
    You and Johnny Gray are a
    inspiration to all master
    athletes.Keep on truckin.

  4. saladin allah - March 3, 2008

    Nothing but kudos to you, Alisa. Go far as your running takes you….young lady 🙂

  5. Lorraine Johnson - March 20, 2008

    WOW,that’s all I can say. This story is a True Inspiration. I love this site so much. Track and Field isn’t for the under 40’s only!! There is plenty for we over 40,50 ,60 and above to do still!!
    Thank You for doing an outstanding job,keeping us inspired and informed.
    Lorraine

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