Goucher: I'll be back

Carlos Gonzalez, The Star Tribune

Kara Goucher took ninth in the 5,000 meters

The Duluth runner managed a ninth-place finish in the 5,000 meters to go with her 10th in the 10,000. She's already focusing her energy on being better in 2012.

By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune

Last update: August 23, 2008 - 8:09 AM

BEIJING - Kara Goucher's Olympic experience ended Friday night with a ninth-place finish in the women's 5,000 meters. In her mind, though, it was really just beginning.

Goucher, a Duluth native, clocked a time of 15 minutes, 49.39 seconds to finish one spot higher than she had in the women's 10,000 a week earlier. She had barely left the track at Beijing's National Stadium when she turned her mind four years into the future. She can get faster, Goucher said. She can train harder, eat better, hone her strategy, focus more intently.

And it all begins today. Well, maybe in a couple of days. Husband Adam Goucher talked her into staying through the end of the Games to see the sights in China, but as soon as they return to Oregon, she is prepared to get down to work with coach Alberto Salazar for at least another four years.

Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba added the 5,000 Olympic gold to the one she won in the 10,000, taking the title in 15:41.40. Elvan Abeylegesse of Turkey, runnerup to Dibaba in the 10,000, got silver again in 15:42.74. Dibaba's countrywoman Meseret Defar ran third in 15:44.12.

"Who would have thought a few years ago I would be within that distance [from the winner]?'' said Goucher, who rose up from a series of injuries and lean years to become one of the top female distance runners in the United States. "I know the pace was slow, but I could see them finish.

"I'm disappointed, but I fought today. Tonight, my coach said, 'Have fun. You're going to be back.' I know it sounds crazy, but I thought I could have won that on the right night. I feel like I have so much improvement left.''

Goucher led a group of three Americans in the final. Shalane Flanagan, bronze medalist in the 10,000, finished 10th, and Jen Rhines was 14th.

Having teammates in the race, Goucher said, calmed her. So did having her Olympic debut out of the way. Goucher, who was competing in her first Games, said she felt a bit overwhelmed by the experience in the 10,000 meters but entered the 5,000 ready to chase the American record.

She was upset with herself after the 10,000 because she eased back to conserve energy for the 5,000 when the Beijing heat and humidity began to wear on her. Goucher vowed to leave every ounce of strength on the track Friday, even as she was compromised by a sinus infection.

The slow early pace played to her style. Goucher likes to hang behind the leaders and kick hard at the end, and she stayed within striking distance through most of the race. But when she tried to sprint with a lap to go, her speed failed her.

Still, she gained confidence in her ability to stay close to the world's best distance runners and is ready to chase them harder. "I'm a year away from kicking with them,'' she said. "I have a little more work to do. I know I can do more.

"I train so hard, but I can sleep more, eat a little better, hit the weight room more, aqua jog more. The days just fly by, but I can find an extra half-hour here and there. I'm going to be back. I'm going to be a lot better and more prepared.''

Goucher said she was not intimidated by the field and felt her Olympic experience changed her as an athlete. She plans to continue training for several distances, including the 1,500, the 5,000 and the 10,000.

She hopes to stay among the group of women raising the profile of American distance runners. When Goucher left the Olympic track, she offered one final message: See you in four years.

"I know I didn't place very high, but this is my best performance so far,'' Goucher said. "It takes a four-year plan to win Olympic gold, and we're going to make a serious effort to plan the next four years. Every decision has to be made for [the 2012 Olympics in] London.''

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