Goucher won her second U.S. track title, taking cues from training partners Amy Yoder Begley and Galen Rupp on the way to outkicking fellow Olympian Jen Rhines for the victory in 15 minutes, 20.94 seconds at the USA Track & Field Championships.
"I got a lot of inspiration from Amy and Galen (Thursday)," said Goucher, who -- like them -- is coached by Alberto Salazar. "Amy for how she gutted through and Galen for the way he looked so effortless until he decided to go (for the lead), and then he was effortless after that. My coach can coach them, he can coach me."
Goucher followed Rupp's game plan almost identically, gluing herself to the leader, Rhines, when the drive to the finish started with three laps left. And then, at 500 meters, Goucher passed Rhines and accelerated to the finish line.
"Alberto told me with 600 to 800 left to push it down," Goucher said. "I would have loved to have gone a little earlier and soak (the crowd) in a little bit."
Goucher, a Portland resident who won the 5,000 at last year's Olympic trials, will return her attention to the marathon, more confident than ever that she has track speed to close hard at the end of the 26.2-mile race if she has to.
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| Kara Goucher wins the 5,000 |
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