Mary Decker’s 1982 “Spur-of-the-Moment” World Record
Over the years, Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon has hosted some of the most prestigious track meets in the world.
Multiple US Olympic Trials, USA National Championships, NCAA conference and national outdoor championships, and the notorious Prefontaine Classic have all contributed to the incredible legacy of Hayward’s hallowed grounds.
Champions might give partial credit to that legacy, or to the sophisticated and supportive Hayward fans, or the mild Willamette climate in evaluating their exploits there.
But at Hayward, there is another mysterious force embedded within the very soil. Some call it the Hayward Magic.
Such is the power of that force that even in a casual and insignificant all-comer’s meet—with about 500 fans ringing the track—the unlikely can occur…like a world record.
On July 16, 1982 Mary Decker (Tabb), running on a whim, officially expanded the limits of human performance in the women’s 10,000-meter run under the lights at Hayward.
Modern runners, accustomed to a detailed regimen of energy intake, precise training protocol, and mandatory pre-race recovery might be surprised at the unconventional circumstances which precipitated Decker’s record run.
Let’s take a look back.
The year 1982 had already been golden for Mary Decker. With new husband and training partner, marathoner Ron Tabb, she had re-established her dominance after a year-long recovery from Achilles surgery in 1981.
In a five-week period in January and February she had set five world indoor bests and established two new outdoor world records in June and July—15:08.26 in the 5k and 4:18.08 in the mile.
After a grueling mid-July tour on the European circuit (including that mile record in Paris), Decker and Tabb decided to return home to Eugene for a three-week R&R before finishing the Euro-tour in late summer.
On the 16-hour trek home, fellow passenger Alberto Salazar (pondering a future 10k attempt) had speculated on the legitimacy of a potential world record set in one of Oregon Track Club’s popular all-comer’s meets at Hayward Field.
An obviously fatigued Decker reportedly* asked, “All-comer’s meet? You’d want to run that hard in a little all-comer’s meet?”
Finally arriving home on a Thursday evening, the Tabbs eventually made it to bed at 1a.m. Friday morning. Decker slept until 11. Then, feeling the effects of jet-lag and soreness, decided to forego her customary morning jog.
An article in the local paper caught her attention. It mentioned a women’s 10k would be part of the program at Hayward that evening in OTC’s all-comer’s meet.
Ding!
Mary made some calls and with handler/trainer Dick Brown’s consent, she entered the 10,000 with Mary Shea’s American record ( 32:52.5) in mind. Brown informed Decker that the IAAF had confirmed that events at the meet would qualify for record purposes and the two agreed on a pace of 79 seconds per lap—a tall order for the weary warrior, but quick enough to clip Shea’s record.
To add to the intrigue, University of Oregon distance star Eryn Forbes was also in the race—and also planning 79s.
But it was Decker—exhausted and spent from competition and travel—whose feet pulled the magic right up out of that ancient track.
Almost immediately she burst into the lead, ever increasing, until her pace meshed with that coveted sweet spot, where running becomes relaxed and easy.The laps went by 76, 77, 76, 77.
Running alone, the miles piled up 5:06, 5:07, 5:10, 5:04, 5:06, 5:03
Her husband continued to call out the pace, “77, 78, 77…
At the end of the 25th lap—in her first 10k attempt on a flat track—Decker had vaporized Shea’s American record, and demolished the world record by 42 seconds in 31:35.3.
Mary Decker (Slaney still lives near Eugene with her husband Richard Slaney.
And so it was in the tiny town of Eugene, in a “little” all-comer’s meet that Mary Decker gained her third world mark in six weeks and became the fastest American woman of 1982 in every distance from 800m to 10,000m.
In the tone of a reformed cynic, Decker later remarked, “…maybe Alberto and I could wait a couple of weeks and try another of these neat all-comer’s meets. He can do his 10,000 and I’ll do the 5000”.
Mary Decker’s career bests
800m 1:56.98 Bern 8/16/1985
1500m 3:57.12 Stockholm 7/26/1983
One Mile 4:16.71 Zurich 8/21/1985
2000m 5:32.7 Eugene 8/03/1984
3000m 8:25.83 Rome 9/07/1985
5000m 15:06.53 Eugene 6/ 01/1985
10000m 31:35.30 Eugene 7/16/1982
* quotes from: It Was Just Another Mary Chase by Kenny Moore in Sports Illustrated, July, 1982
Great website just like it
Bring Ambien precisely as it was prescribed for you Do not consider the medicine in bigger amounts or consider it for lengthier than advised by your
Howdy this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML Im starting a blog soon
Empster I love it Although it did drive me crazy when my step-sons went through a phase when they called their father D But I dont live with your
I CAN SING BUSTA RHYMES PART IM SO PROUD:)
An interesting discussion is price comment I believe that it is best to write extra on this topic it might not be a taboo topic but typically individuals
Actually exciting notion for me Will you posting some a lot more coz i wish to follow ur twitter or facebook
Heya im for the first time here I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much I hope to give something back and help
Hey I simply wish to say that i favor your publishing approach and that so Im progressing to follow your blog often from currently on Keep writing
Great goods from you man I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too great
Great blog post Ive bookmarked this page and have a feeling Ill be returning to it frequently
I like to use coffee Zoloft and a morning shower Eat a good breakfast even if you dont normally eat breakfast Make sure you have some starch and protein Im currently into Kashi cereal and granola bars A piece of fruit will give you some energy too A bagel sandwich and some pineapple always give me the energy I need Finally go to bed early and dont have any more pop tea or coffee tonight Have fun and make some good money
Excellent job right here I definitely enjoyed what you had to say Keep going because you absolutely bring a new voice to this topic Not many people would say what youve said and still make it interesting Properly at least Im interested Cant wait to see additional of this from you
Brilliant thank you I will visit again later
I have been surfing on-line more than 3 hours these days but I never found any attention-grabbing article like yours Its lovely worth sufficient for me
All it is is amino acids which are proteins Overloading an older horse with proteins doesnt build a topline and can be harmful When more protein
Have you already setup a fan page on Facebook `:”-
Pingback from topsy.comTwitter Trackbacks for screen east blog | News from here in the Production Department! [screeneast.co.uk] on Topsy.com
I have just discovered your site and enjoy each post I love your talent
I consider something genuinely interesting about your site so I saved to bookmarks
I can see that you are an expert in this area I am starting a website soon and your information will be very useful for me Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business
Another great post upon blogging Thanks so a lot to take the time to talk about a person data and knowledge along with other bloggers
I like what you guys are usually up too Such clever work and exposure Keep up the terrific works guys Ive included you guys to my personal blogroll
How come everyone is always afraid to fall down a waterfall
I got what you intend regards for putting up Woh I am glad to find this website through google
Hi there I could have sworn Ive been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized its new to me Anyways Im definitely delighted I found it and Ill be book-marking and checking back frequently
I adore yours blog design which template do you have please reply
Hello excellent job I did not expect this This is a remarkable articles Thanks
Haha lmao his nosewas wiggling -D
Great taste
Big thumb up for this blog post
I could have made a lot more plays for my team- Lebron James
*The next time I read a blog I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one I mean I know it was my choice to read but I actually thought youd
Fine web log We sincerely absolutely adore the best way its painless regarding my own big eyes plus the details are well crafted Im asking yourself buying and selling domains might be recommended when a brand new post has been produced Ive got subscribed to your current rss feed which often need to do your Employ a wonderful day time
I hate how the judges are still all condescending LIke she says hes a lump of coal here thats going to turn into a diamond I mean thats disrespectful And his performance was awesome
Great article mate Just discovered your website Please keep up the good work
Hello I am so excited I found your website I really found you by accident while I was browsing on Askjeeve for something else Regardless I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme design) I dont have time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds so when I have time I will be back to read more Please do keep up the excellent job
Congratulations on having of the most sophisticated blogs Ive come throughout in many time Its just incredible how much you can eliminate from a little
Great stuff a very good read added to bookmarks so will visit back for new content and to read other peoples comments Cheers again
Hello I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice data youve right here on this post I will be coming back to your weblog soon
I just couldnt depart your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts
I have to voice my affection for your generosity for men and women that require assistance with the area Your personal dedication to passing the message
Hey there Youve done an excellent job I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends I am confident theyll be benefited from this website
Create extra prefer it
I love your blog post excellent shades & concept Does a person style this web site yourself or have a person hire an attorney to make it work available
I had been honored to get a call from a friend immediately he identified the important recommendations shared in your site Going through your blog posting is a real amazing experience Thanks again for considering readers just like me and I wish you the best of success being a professional topic
Haha definitely agree with this post Been coming to your blog for a while just make sure the content stays this good
PQG32 Can they stop showing Rondos arm on sportscenterTwitter – 80813 minutes ago
After examine a couple of of the blog posts on your website now and I truly like your means of blogging I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and can be checking back soon Pls try my web page as properly and let me know what you think
Damned introspective piece of info I never thot dat twas this right forward after all I had prostrate a favourable amount of my however looking seeking someone to illustrate dis topic incontestably