ESPN Endurance Sports

Shannon Rowbury of San Francisco is a two-time Olympian in the 1,500 meters and most recently placed sixth in the final at the Olympic Games in London last August -- the best performance by an American woman in that event in a modern Olympics.

The 28-year-old Rowbury has also placed well at the world championships, capturing a bronze medal in the 1,500 in 2009. The 2007 Duke University graduate runs for Nike and is a co-founder of the Bay Area Track Club. We caught up with her recently to look back at her most recent Olympic experience, look ahead to the 2013 season, and discuss the possibility of moving up in distance.

You were the highest-placing American in the women's 1,500 in London, finishing sixth. But yet you had indicated afterward in an interview that you were disappointed with the race. Why is that? And now that you've had more time to think about the race, do you feel differently about your performance? Is there anything you would do differently if you make it to your third Olympic final?

With Beijing (in 2008), everything happened so fast. It was my first year as a professional athlete and suddenly I found myself in the Olympic final. While I wished I had placed higher, I was genuinely satisfied with what I had accomplished. For London, I had had four years to prepare and I had won a bronze medal at the world champs in 2009, so I knew I had what it took to medal. The race played out so strangely with the slow pace and then the fall. In all the chaos I got boxed, and even though I was closing well down the last 100m, it was too little too late. So I guess that was what disappointed me the most. In Rio, should I be so fortunate to make the final there, I might be more aggressive or try to control the race more. But it's so hard to say. Each race is unique and you have to do your best to react well in the moment.

What are your goals for the forthcoming indoor season? What are some key races you plan on competing in and what do you hope to accomplish with your indoor racing?

I don't have much planned for indoors. Maybe some longer stuff. We'll see. Since I had a full racing season last summer, I want to make sure to build a good base this winter. In the races, if I race, then my goal would be to test my fitness level, to get a gauge on where I'm at and what I need to work on. Sort of a benchmark to help me moving forward.

(Read full post)