"Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it." Steve Prefontaine
While thousands in Beijing focus their attention on the exploits of US swimmer Michael Phelps, and basketball phenoms like LeBron James and Yao Ming, they might walk past one athlete and not blink an eye or break their stride.
Sporting her sleek Polo Olympic uniform, the young athlete might hear fans' whispers: Who is she? I can't place her. But without it, the young athlete might go completely unnoticed – and that's ok.
Living in Olympic obscurity works for Haddonfield standout and 1500 US Olympic representative Erin Donohue, proving that sometimes it's better to travel under the radar. In comparison with Phelps, LeBron and Yao, Donohue landed in Beijing to little fanfare, but the world is about to take notice. While other athletes struggle with the surmounting pressure of obtaining that elusive gold medal, Donohue has taken a different approach: She's just elated to be in this position.
Not only has Donohue reached Beijing, but she reached it while hitting her peak as a runner. Everything that Donohue does, or has done up to this point, is in accordance with where she wants and needs to be as a runner. Now she can train, wait, and even ogle some of the stars who graced her walls as a teenager. If you're immediately envisioning the late Steve Prefontaine, think again. Donohue is more concerned with the basketball players for whom she admired for years.
Christian Giudice of Juice had the opportunity to speak with her recently.
CG: You recently were given a send-off at Haddonfield High School. What were your emotions?
ED: I didn't expect so many people there. I was amazed at how many people showed up. The whole football stadium was filled. I was running with the young kids on the track. It's really nice to see everyone in one spot...to bring everyone together like that.
CG: Have you and trainer John Cook mapped out a strategy for the ideal race? If so, what does it consist of?
ED: (To prepare a specific race) is a little bit difficult to do. You can expect the first two rounds to be slow through the first 800M. But you have to plan the finish being fast. And that's what we've been training for. But everyone is very good, so you have to expect the last 300-400M to be pretty fast. That's what we've geared for. I want to keep a steady pace.
CG: You stressed the importance of the last 300-400M. Isn't that your forte?
ED: I guess it's my forte the last kick. I had a good trial run in London at the Super Grand Prix. It was a big-time race with a lot of girls and I was able to close in last 60 seconds. I came in second. It reaffirmed for me that my kick is still there, and where I want it to be. Actually, it's better than ever before.
CG: You talked about how there was no rabbit in Europe, can you explain the significance of rabbit and how that affected the way you paced yourself?
ED: A rabbit in running is a predetermined pace-setter who sets the pace over 1500. There were no rabbits when I was training in Europe. None of the runners were willing to sacrifice themselves. In those races people sit on you and use you. Most races will have a rabbit who starts strong and then drops off.
CG: In your case, the biggest Olympic news came when several Russian athletes – most notably 1500 favorite Yelena Soboleva – was kicked off the Olympic squad for tampering with urine samples. How did you react to the news? (*Donohue faced Soboleva twice last summer. Two-time world 1,500 champ Tatyana Tomashova and Olga Yegorova were also involved in the scandal)
ED: I'm glad that our drug-testing process is working, even though they were indicted on tampering. It's reassuring that when you try to cheat, you're going to get caught. For me it takes out three of the top contenders out of the race. But it's not a good thing for the sport.
CG: As far as preparation, doesn't their absence directly affect you?
ED: Not really. I still have the same mindset. It's three less girls to think about. But there are so many great competitors out there.
CG: When you talk about your ideal race, what times/splits will you have to run?
ED: (My ideal race) is that I would like it to be more even. It gets uncomfortable and even physical with a slow pace. I would like to see a moderate pace. Hitting half at 2:10-2:15 and go from there. You have to be in sub-4 for 1500. That means I'll be closing in 2:15 or less.
CG: With your recent success and Olympic berth, how have you dealt with the fame? Is there anyone you rely on to keep you grounded?
ED: The US track and field talked about how we should deal with the media. I'm just trying to act like I normally would. I don't try to be anybody different. But I know I'm not going to face as much media as other athletes on the team are going to. But I will just be myself. I don't want to say anything that will spark an international incident.
CG: I imagine that your training regimen has intensified significantly.
ED: (Training) is good. This is why (Cook) is such a great coach. He has always taken an intense, professional approach since day one. And it's always been very intense. I feel comfortable. You just keep doing what you're doing.
CG: Is it fair to say you've transformed as a runner both mentally and physically? Do you feel more comfortable with yourself on the track?
ED: Yes, that's fair. A lot of it has to do with my program with Coach Cook. Even more so than high school or college, I feel more confident with what I'm doing. I know that if I stay with the program good things are going to happen. They may not happen in these Olympics here, but I am confident.
Donohue quietly bides her time as she trains with the US team in Dalian. But her life could change drastically in a couple weeks. She may find herself in select company if not now in four years, who knows? Phelps, LeBron, Yao and ....well, maybe Donohue.
Christian Giudice, a member of the Haddonfield Memorial High School Class of 1992, is the author of "Hands of Stone: The life and legend of Roberto Duran" (the champion Panamanian boxer), published in the US in early 2007. He write at JuiceSport.com.
