Allen Woodard says sub-48 leg on sub-3:20 4×4 team is possible
Allen Woodard anchored the USA Masters 4×4 team to an M45 world record at Penn. And it was their goal from the get-go, he tells me. “Most definitely! We knew going in if everyone ran to their potential there would be a new world record. Yes, a sub-3:20 is very doable. There is definitely more performance in this relay. It’s just a matter of when or if we can get everyone in one place this year again,” he wrote in response to queries. Of his own leg at age 48, Allen says: “Well, I split 48.27 real relaxed. I know for a fact I’m in 48-second open 400 shape right now. I’ve been dealing with some lower back and glutes issue for the past 3-4 weeks, but thank God I held up just fine.”
The M45 WR team on the medal stand at Penn Relays show their colors.
Here’s the rest of our quickie Q&A:
Masterstrack.com: How did your race leg with Khalid [Mulazim] go? When did you pass him?
Allen Woodard: Well, I really was anticipating Antoine Dussett on the anchor. So, I was mentally prepared to run a fast leg. My goal was definitely to run a sub-48. But when I seen Antoine at the second leg position, I went into a “just do what it takes to win mode.”
To be honest, that switch took some excitement away from the race for me. Don’t get me wrong, Khalid is a great talent. But on paper, Antoine and I are more on the same competitive level and would have given a better show for the crowd.
I realized after the race I sat back too long before making a move. I think I made a move on Khalid somewhere around the 120 mark. The real shocker for me in the 4×400 was Mark Gomes splitting 48.8 and keeping contact with Antoine Dussett. That was huge! I can guarantee no one saw that coming. Competition! Got to love it!
How many times have you run at Penn? How was the experience? Any problems or issues?
This makes my third appearance at Penn Relays. Like always, competing at Penn is a blast! The crowd is great. It’s what I consider the ultimate track environment! No problems, no issue. Everything went great!
How did you and your teammates celebrate the WR?
The celebration was short-lived. Karnell Vickers had a plane to catch. So we didn’t get to go to dinner or anything like last year.
What’s on your schedule the rest of the spring and summer — which major meets? Any chance you can come out to San Diego for USA Masters Games?
I’m trying to make it out to Sacramento for the exhibition 400-meter race and the national meet in Louisiana. But I’m open to go compete anywhere. I’ll look into going attending the Master Games. Hopefully, I can fit that into my schedule.
Anything else my readers should know your your Penn experience?
Well, like always! I would like to give thanks to God for my chance and ability to compete. All glory to God! Second, I would like to send a shout out to my teammates for a job well done, Lee Bridges, Karnell Vickers, Mark Gomes, Stevan Dixon and Gavin Thorne.
3 Responses
I’m reminded of a faster M45 4×4 last year:
http://masterstrack.com/allen-woodard-anchors-m45-4×4-relay-in-astonishing-47-5-to-wr/
I’m checking to see why it wasn’t ratified.
Allen writes of the rejected WR:
The record was rejected because they said the track didn’t have rails or cones on the curve.
Also, Allen writes: I plan on running at the Atlanta relays again this year.
http://www.milesplit.com/meets/252590/info#.WQk9rVPyvC8
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