Jen Toomey

[madsci]

Another thread made me think of this. Do people think she can keep improving through the Olympic season... or will it be another Krum '03 situation where she taps herself out indoors and is toast by Athens?

[Realist]

Re: Jen Toomey

Most logical answer is.... probably. But I will take the optimistic point of view that she's only just now tapping into her abilities and will continue to grow throughout the year!

[gh]

Re: Jen Toomey

Toomey quotes from yesterday's USATF p ress conference:

<<On her outstanding 2004 campaign: This year I have a new coach, so we just started off to see what kind of fitness I had.  We started off racing in the 800.  We were initially training just for the 1500, but I ran in a couple of 800s and ran pretty well, so I’m probably going to run the 800 more seriously than the 1500. 
 
It just every race I go out there with a different attitude, just every race is with a purpose, just to go out and run hard.  It’s been very unexpected for me, a shock.
 
It was definitely a confidence booster (running in Birmingham last week, where she set an American record in the 1,000 meters).  Early in my season, I hopped into a lot of mixed races, so it was actually a perfect preparation for running with those women because they’re a lot more physical than a lot of the races in the U.S.  Some of the earlier races, the guys are fighting me, and they won’t let me in the lead. The race in Birmingham was a lot like that.  It was great preparation, coming out and breaking an American record was definitely a confidence booster coming into the national championships.
 
On doubling at USA Indoors:  This is just kind of a dress rehearsal (for the Olympic Trials).  I have to become mentally prepared to race five or six races in a 10-day span.  That’s why we want to come back on the 1500.  The 1500 is really the top for me, but I need to be able to mentally refocus and just be able to run hard the next day.
 
My training is actually a lot different.  He (new coach Tom McDermott) has brought my new training to a whole different level. I didn’t know I could work so hard. With him, the goal is to face the competition in the world. So, you’re going to have to increase your training tenfold, and that’s what we’ve done.  It was very exhausting work, even up until recently.  I used to run about 50 miles a week, now I’m over 80 consistently, right through indoors.>>
 

[No Name]

Re: Jen Toomey

Whether or not Toomey continues to improve, she (and everyone else) will still get smoked by Mutola in Athens.

[Pego]

Re: Jen Toomey

I don't know about Toomey, but Jearl Miles will be highly competitive in Athens. Just IMHO, of course.

[Bob Duncan]

Re: Jen Toomey

The women's 1500m in Boston will be interesting. Toomey is hot right now but will have had to run two 800m races. Teter may be able to push her hard in the 800. Suzy Favor-Hamilton will be fresh, but rusty from no racing.

[Ted]

Re: Jen Toomey

She will continue to improve and prosper under coach Tom McDermott. He is focused on getting her prepared, both physically and mentally for Athens.

[Bob Duncan]

Re: Jen Toomey

She seemed to run very confidently in Boston. I would've liked to have seen a faster time in the 1500m, but she made all of her races look easy.

If Teter comes back all the way and Suzy can shake off the cobwebs, there will be some good racing ahead of us.

[az2]

Re: Jen Toomey

Toomey is very sharp. July and August are a long ways off.

Does anyone know what sort training she's doing...

I'd assume she has quite a bit of sharpening work to do in the next 10-12 weeks, which offers a chance for continued improvement.

Still she's been very sharp indoors...Looking at Allen Johnson and Toomey, they both appear in excellent form

Allen knows the ropes, so surely, he won't crash before August.

The experience element in Toomey makes me question what she''ll be like in Sacramento.

It's been a joy watching her this winter.

I'm sure Teter and HAmilton and Miles Clark will be in peak form come the middle of July.

[Raine]

Re: Jen Toomey

If she keeps her focus than nobody will touch her..and IMO she will.

[Track fan]

Re: Jen Toomey

I don't know much about her is she the daughter of Bill Toomey?

[magpie]

Re: Jen Toomey

Being that her maiden name is not Toomey . . .
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/Toomey_Jen.asp