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Elva Dryer finishes second at the 2007 USA 20k Championships in New Haven, Connecticut.

Interview with Elva Dryer

Posted on September 4, 2007, Interview conducted September 3, 2007

Madeleine Marecki

Elva Dryer ran a gutsy race at the 2007 USA 20k Championships, hosted by the New Haven Road Race in Connecticut. Along with Kate O'Neill and Alicia Shay, Dryer kept the pace honest from the gun. Although disappointed that she did not win the title, Dryer was still pleased with her performance at the Labor Day event, particularly because she finished more than a minute faster than she did one year ago. Dryer crossed the line in 1:07:17, closing hard on Shay, who won in 1:06:55. Last year, Dryer took second to Marla Runyan, covering the course in 1:08:39. A two-time Olympian, Dryer has a bevy of championship experience, including a win at the USA Half Marathon Championships last January. Her PRs include 15:03.56 at 5,000 meters, 31:21.92 at 10,000 meters, and a 2:31:48 marathon. Dryer took a moment to share her thoughts on the race after the award ceremony.

Congratulations on your second place finish. Can you talk about how you felt the race went?
You know, it was a good race. There was a pack of three of us women together, and Kate and I were together for at least halfway. It was a pretty solid pace and I ended up running over a minute faster than I did last year. Compared to last year, I feel better about my race. I still finished second, so I didn't improve on my finish from last year, which was part of the goal, but Alicia ran a really great race. She made a strong move right in the middle and I let her go. I just didn't have enough. The distance was too great to really make up on that long finishing stretch. I felt like maybe I was closing in on her a little, but I just waited way too long.

What was your race plan going in? You three were working together at the beginning, and then Alicia Shay made that decisive move at mile 7. Looking back, do you think you could have run with her when she made that move?
You know, looking back, at the time I was trying to go with her move, but I couldn't snap out of maybe the gear that I was in. I'd like to say that I should have gone with her, could have gone with her, but at the moment that's what I had.

Those final couple of miles, you seemed to be coming back. Do you feel like you were reeling her in a little bit?
Yeah, after about mile 9, I felt better than I did at mile 7. It just happened to be the patch where she made that move was the patch that might have been a bad patch for me, but yet at mile 9 there was the little rolling hill and I felt like I covered that well. It was beginning to feel like I was moving and that I had a little momentum. But I let too much time go. From mile 7 to mile 9, I totally let her get away. But there were a lot of positives [with the race].

How is your training going in general?
Coming into this race, I felt good about where I was in my training. [The race is] an improvement from last year, so hopefully I can keep this momentum going with this coming year being an Olympic year.

What are your immediate races for the future?
Probably the most immediate will be Tufts [the USA Women's 10k Championships in Boston]. It's a great race and I haven't been there for a few years now.

Any closing thoughts on your time in New Haven?
I've had a great time. My host family was in Branford — it was a fun community, typical New England. It was beautiful. I've had a great time and the weather has just been fabulous. The running has been good.