Dang what is with all the haters? Who wouldn't be excited after running a 1:57! Go Maggie! I knew you could do it! Good luck @ World's -- you are my hero!
"Freakishly Strong" =) Congratulations Maggie!!!! With all due respect, it's 'bout time lady. We're all extremely proud of you and happy for you back here in SLO. Eff yeeeah!
You're pretty cool too, Ryan. ;)
#73
F4fantom July 30, 2009 at 12:48pm
awesome just plain awesome!!!! we love it Thanks Flotrack for the superwork!
#72
Coaching Question July 30, 2009 at 9:49am
First. Congrats Maggie for a great race and FloTrack for this great coverage!
Question: Can anyone tell me if the workout on July 16, 2009 was actually run on the 16th and the first race was on the 22nd (2:00.02) and this race was on July 28th (1:57.84)? I'm trying to figure out her training along with travel days.
Maggie, congrats, keep believing in yourself, you broke through the barrier, good luck in Berlin!
#70
I Can Dig It July 30, 2009 at 1:37am
Yea
#69
Umm July 30, 2009 at 1:36am
I would strass
#68
Anonymous Coward July 30, 2009 at 1:05am
check out all of the pr's at the end of the race vid. that is awesome.
#67
CP Fan Guy July 29, 2009 at 9:41pm
Maggie, you've come a long, long, long way since your 'fashionista' days. I almost can't believe it. Please come back to SLO for the CP invite in spring, it would be fun to see you smoke everyone again. Maybe you can charge Teri for showin' up. Have Fun in Berlin. Yaahoooo!
#66
No Credit Cal, But That's Okay July 29, 2009 at 6:36pm
I called it too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where's my post? 1:58.2, I was pretty close. She was not racing properly and to her potential, period!!!!!
#65
EL July 29, 2009 at 5:50pm
called it!....i wish i could find where i wrote it lol
#64
Hablainglese July 29, 2009 at 4:35pm
@megas15
lol its not Pre Fontaine meaning before Fontaine. its PREFONTAINE, meaning steve MFing prefontaine
#63
Anonymous Coward July 29, 2009 at 4:30pm
Awesome race Maggie and great interview to you and Ryan! I know it is a huge burden off your shoulders to not only get the standard, but to smash the standard so CONGRATS! Good Luck and go get them!
The move on the back stretch was the key to this race. I don't think seeing Worth-Thomas on the outside hurt either. 800 people don't like to see milers beat them in their domain. My daughters just watched the video and were cheering the whole way. Awesome job Maggie.
#61
West Coast Coach July 29, 2009 at 3:55pm
Maggie, is proving that American women are ready to run with the best in the world, great race effort, and excellent mentoring from coach Brad. great things happen to great people, maggie, is Genuine, honest and willing to risk it all to win!... well done maggie, congrats! worlds her you come!
#60
Anonymous Coward July 29, 2009 at 3:13pm
omg gurl Vessey! i feel you! i was thinking the same way! glad to see she went 4 it!
#59
Sunrunner July 29, 2009 at 3:05pm
The sprint speed history is there.The flexibility is there.The speed endurance is building.Believe and the AR can be a reality before your career is over.Nice start today!
#58
Keepin It Real July 29, 2009 at 2:57pm
Man, finally a female Gabe Jennings!!! I loooooveeee this interview.... genuine enthusiasm! Go Maggie!
#57
Hiawatha July 29, 2009 at 2:34pm
Great interview -- thoughtful and knowledgable questions addressing relevant and telling thoughts. Good job putting in the prep that made that interview possible.
Great race and accomplishment for Maggie. Based on the recent history of this wonderful sport and Maggie's quick improvement, however, I gotta' say that I hope she's clean.
#56
JB July 29, 2009 at 1:52pm
She is the most unique and interesting combination of bubbly, blonde, and articulate I have ever seen.
What a fine race Maggie Vessey, good for you. :) Your races are very exciting and I like how you run. The key to this race was the last 500 meters.
Ryan, cut the small end off a big funnel (auto supply store), stick the mic in that, and a lot of the noise will be blocked out from the interviews.
#52
Meaty July 29, 2009 at 12:18pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOON!
#51
Current 800 July 29, 2009 at 11:47am
Um, that's 2.85 seconds, which is a lot!!! No, it's not the same as her dropping 2.19, so please don't compare the two. Almost a second and a half per lap! Good luck with that.
#50
Ex800 July 29, 2009 at 11:15am
Go Maggie! Next stop 1:55!
#49
Megas15 July 29, 2009 at 9:34am
Maggie, I when I saw you at the Pre Fontaine, I knew you could be the next greatest US athlete. You just have to stay with the pack and I knew you could "out kick" ANYONE! JUST STAY WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE...I ran distance before and came to realize that there is "always something left in the tank"...just do not be afraid. Great job! You brought me out of my chair...
#48
Mighty Porn Stache July 29, 2009 at 9:05am
There is only one way possible known to man for celebrating a run like that ...a good shag!
#47
Gdubs July 29, 2009 at 7:02am
This kid is great for the sport! Great Job! What an exciting athlete!
#46
Mr.400 July 29, 2009 at 6:56am
that race was a perfect race for her, she looked like she was chillin the whole time
#45
TJ July 29, 2009 at 4:59am
What I found most impressive watching the race for a second time was how easily she powered away down the final straight. She smoked a really good field by over 1/2 second! And if you look at her at the end it's clear she wasn't even close to being totally spent--she had energy for several screams of joy!
#44
JP July 29, 2009 at 1:35am
Thanks for the link to the race...somehow she got to stay on the rail the whole way. The rabbit stepping off at 550 was a nice gift but that's part of the game in the 800. Nice that she got some breaks in this last chance qualifier and she certainly made the best of it!
Maggie, you have made the transformation. We can see it in your race, we can hear it in what you say! It'll never be the same again. Great job! Fantastic race! Those of us who have watched, admired and hoped are elated!!!! Berlin, baby!!!
I think I'm blind... I can't find the video of the race! Where is it?
#39
Key July 28, 2009 at 9:22pm
what was the best part of watching her race was seeing how relaxed she was the last 100m which is the hardest thing to do yet is key to finishing fast. i'm an 800 runner and i find that really hard to do. lane 1 is also a great lane to be in for the 800 especially with her style of racing. congrats maggie!
#38
Anonymous Coward July 28, 2009 at 9:19pm
sounds like she finally got the message to not come from so far back
#37
RYAN July 28, 2009 at 9:12pm
WHERE IS MARK RIGHT NOW?
#36
Khaled July 28, 2009 at 9:06pm
Yeah dat time may be a world leader, but lisssten yall I'm a world beater. We da best. We run this. I represent tha hood. I do this fo da ghetto. Now put cho hands in tha sky. I'll beat Bekele in da 5k, yall feel me??
OMG! I'm a grown man screaming my head offf watching the race on Universal Sports.
Ryan, this series you did with Maggie was the best Flotrack yet. When she medals in Berlin you'll need to link the clips together an make a mini-documentary.
Maggie keep your friends close by for the next couple of weeks, and i think Ryan is your good luck charm.
#34
Edward Gibbon July 28, 2009 at 8:48pm
Don't go home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stay in Europe. Why disrupt what has brought you to 1:57 with only three weeks to go before Worlds.
Way to go, Maggie! I watched it live and was so pumped! I knew you could do it.
#30
PJ July 28, 2009 at 8:26pm
WOWWW!
After seeing that Crystal Palace race I feared she was done for the season (and I'm guessing she may have too)
This interview is incredible...wonderful news. Congratulations to Maggie.
Makes me re-evaluate the Leuven 800...now I believe that somewhere in Brad's brain he actually BELIEVED he could win that race, and that's a great thing.
#29
Go Vessey July 28, 2009 at 8:26pm
she ran so many races that its like if she was running the rounds in berlin, i think she can make the final. and hopefully medal there
It seems like forever that I've been waiting for Maggie to run like this. So great to see 1:57. I can't imagine a better representative for the sport. So much POSITIVE ENERGY/CHARISMA.
Maggie, Keep up all the hard work. You must know that you have the talent to set the AR.
The camera loves you, you are a marketing person's dream. Time to get great agent if you don't have one. Maybe Ryan...because it would be a shame to turn it in to a pressure filled job. Keep that smile, that easy laugh, that childlike exuberance.
You make watching track and post-pre race interviews REALLY fun.
I am so glad for her she is such a great athlete ..she is the only US runner I'm a fan of and a few of the other distance runners..Jamaica for the sprints..Vessey can't hate on her.
#25
JoAnne Birmingham July 28, 2009 at 7:20pm
Go Maggie GO! She is magnificent! Hats off to Maggie!! YEAH!
Bongturk? A flake. give me a break she just ran the world's fastest time for 800 this year. She is excited. What have you done exciting lately?
Sorry if some exuberance is distasteful to you.
#22
MrSoCal800M July 28, 2009 at 7:07pm
maggies a beast in the 800
#21
Matt July 28, 2009 at 7:05pm
bongturk said: “great race but she is a bit of a flake.”
she's not a flake. are you going to the world's? sheesh. just cuz she chews some gum.
#20
Bongturk July 28, 2009 at 6:46pm
great race but she is a bit of a flake. i hope she finally learned something about how to run a race. it will be a real shame if she doesn't run all the rounds like this in berlin. if she does, she has a real shot at getting a medal and maybe winning. she had more in the tank today. hopefully her coach will get that out of her in berlin.
#19
Track Fan July 28, 2009 at 6:43pm
Maggie is within striking distance of the American record. Way to go!!
The all-time U.S. list in the women's 800, after today's meet in Monaco:
1 1:56.40 Jearl Miles Clark (Reebok) 8/11/99
2. 1:56.90 Mary Slaney (AW) 8/16/85
3. 1:56.91 Kim Gallagher (LATC) 9/26/88
4. 1:57.04 Meredith Valmon (FLAC) 6/17/96
5. 1:57.80 Delisa Floyd (HTC) 9/26/88
6. 1:57.82 Julie Jenkins (Reebok) 8/15/90
=7. 1:57.84 Joetta Clark (Nike) 8/08/98
=7. 1:57.84 Maggie Vessey (New Balance) 7/28/09
9. 1:57.97 Nicole Teter (Nike) 7/02/02
10. 1:57.99 Hazel Clark (Nike) 7/29/05
#18
Esabljak July 28, 2009 at 6:37pm
Just go for it.
#17
Mag July 28, 2009 at 6:33pm
thanks!
#16
Anonymous Coward July 28, 2009 at 6:32pm
its good to see attractive people run fast times
#15
Kirby Nicol July 28, 2009 at 6:28pm
Go Maggie Go!
#14
Mikey C July 28, 2009 at 6:26pm
OMG! I don't even know MV, but I've been following her on the Flo and this is by far the BEST news I've gotten in a long time! I am so happy for her ... she is obviously a sweet, genuine, hard-working, fun-loving, funny, person. Here's to the power of hard work, patience, dedication, commitment, drive, hunger, spirit, persistence, and tenacity all beamed out to the world in a 1,000 megawatt smile! As my great-great grandfather said to me when I was a little boy, "Now get out there and medal in the women's 800 at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin!"
#13
Go Maggie! July 28, 2009 at 6:24pm
Great interview, great race, great season. Look forward to watching you run at Berlin! Thanks to Maggie and Flotrack for letting us follow your races and progression.
What’s not to like about M. V.?
Congratulations on the 1:57.85
You are truly Smoking Fast and Smoking Hot!
Keep the attitude and continue to represent US.
Your new fan wishes you continued success.
#9
C_town Runner July 28, 2009 at 5:52pm
I forgot to ask, where can I watch this race on the internet??????? I must see it!
#8
C_town Runner July 28, 2009 at 5:49pm
OMG! I am so happy for her!!!!!! I knew she could break 2:00 but a 1:57?? What a breakthrough!
#7
Track Fan July 28, 2009 at 5:46pm
Maggie ran an excellent race. Her running form is smooth and efficient. She had something left at the end so she can run faster still. She has the ability to medal at World's.
Universal Sports does have the replay of the entire meet. There is a time counter to the left of the speaker icon. Maggie's race is at 59 minutes and it is possible to "pull" the replay tape to that point without watching everything else. After watching Maggie's race, it is also possible to "pull" the tape back and watch her race again.
#6
Anonymous Coward July 28, 2009 at 5:44pm
She's not very excited is she! So happy for her.
#5
Maggie Fan July 28, 2009 at 5:18pm
Go Maggie!!!
#4
Johan July 28, 2009 at 5:07pm
Maggie,
Congratulations from Belgium. Everyone here knew you could do it!!!!!! SUPER
How do you start this interview with " So Ahhhh'" and so calm also. YOU of all people should be loosing your mind”
haha....i was!
#1
Anonymous Coward July 28, 2009 at 5:03pm
Ryan,
How do you start this interview with " So Ahhhh'" and so calm also. YOU of all people should be loosing your mind
Maggie Vessey 1:57 800 Monaco
Maggie Vessey makes the break through many thought was possible! 1:57.85, a 2.19 second PR! That time ranks number one in the world and puts Maggie in great position to represent the USA at the World Championships in Berlin. July 28, 2009
Maggie Vessey 1:57 800 Monaco
You're pretty cool too, Ryan. ;)
Question: Can anyone tell me if the workout on July 16, 2009 was actually run on the 16th and the first race was on the 22nd (2:00.02) and this race was on July 28th (1:57.84)? I'm trying to figure out her training along with travel days.
lol its not Pre Fontaine meaning before Fontaine. its PREFONTAINE, meaning steve MFing prefontaine
Great race and accomplishment for Maggie. Based on the recent history of this wonderful sport and Maggie's quick improvement, however, I gotta' say that I hope she's clean.
http://www.universalsports.com/mediaPlayer/media.dbml?ATCLID=204766497&SPSID=105551&SPID=13055&DB_OEM_ID=23000&id=632994&db_oem_id=23000
Most interesting thing about the last lap is how the inside lane was magically open the entire last lap.
-Albert Einstein
Way to be versatile and open to changing race strategy. I guess Maggie is not insane anymore, or at least a little SoCal insane.
Ryan, cut the small end off a big funnel (auto supply store), stick the mic in that, and a lot of the noise will be blocked out from the interviews.
http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235256-2009-herculis-monaco/196025-maggie-vessey-15784
Ryan, this series you did with Maggie was the best Flotrack yet. When she medals in Berlin you'll need to link the clips together an make a mini-documentary.
Maggie keep your friends close by for the next couple of weeks, and i think Ryan is your good luck charm.
After seeing that Crystal Palace race I feared she was done for the season (and I'm guessing she may have too)
This interview is incredible...wonderful news. Congratulations to Maggie.
Makes me re-evaluate the Leuven 800...now I believe that somewhere in Brad's brain he actually BELIEVED he could win that race, and that's a great thing.
Maggie, Keep up all the hard work. You must know that you have the talent to set the AR.
The camera loves you, you are a marketing person's dream. Time to get great agent if you don't have one. Maybe Ryan...because it would be a shame to turn it in to a pressure filled job. Keep that smile, that easy laugh, that childlike exuberance.
You make watching track and post-pre race interviews REALLY fun.
Sorry if some exuberance is distasteful to you.
“great race but she is a bit of a flake.”
The all-time U.S. list in the women's 800, after today's meet in Monaco:
1 1:56.40 Jearl Miles Clark (Reebok) 8/11/99
2. 1:56.90 Mary Slaney (AW) 8/16/85
3. 1:56.91 Kim Gallagher (LATC) 9/26/88
4. 1:57.04 Meredith Valmon (FLAC) 6/17/96
5. 1:57.80 Delisa Floyd (HTC) 9/26/88
6. 1:57.82 Julie Jenkins (Reebok) 8/15/90
=7. 1:57.84 Joetta Clark (Nike) 8/08/98
=7. 1:57.84 Maggie Vessey (New Balance) 7/28/09
9. 1:57.97 Nicole Teter (Nike) 7/02/02
10. 1:57.99 Hazel Clark (Nike) 7/29/05
Congratulations on the 1:57.85
You are truly Smoking Fast and Smoking Hot!
Keep the attitude and continue to represent US.
Your new fan wishes you continued success.
Universal Sports does have the replay of the entire meet. There is a time counter to the left of the speaker icon. Maggie's race is at 59 minutes and it is possible to "pull" the replay tape to that point without watching everything else. After watching Maggie's race, it is also possible to "pull" the tape back and watch her race again.
Congratulations from Belgium. Everyone here knew you could do it!!!!!! SUPER
Go get Maggie some BIG bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Ryan,
How do you start this interview with " So Ahhhh'" and so calm also. YOU of all people should be loosing your mind”
How do you start this interview with " So Ahhhh'" and so calm also. YOU of all people should be loosing your mind