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DyeStat Discussions - EP889 - Natosha Rogers
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Natosha Rogers, a professional athlete representing PUMA Elite and the reigning NACAC gold medalist in the women's 5,000 meters as well as a World Championships qualifier last year for the United States in the 10,000 meters placing 15th last year at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss her new training group and examines whether she will attempt to double in the 5,000 and 10,000 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, scheduled for July 6-9 in Oregon. Rogers, 32, is the No. 6 competitor in American indoor history in the 5,000 at 14:52.21 and No. 7 all-time in the U.S. in the 10,000 at 30:48.69. She joined the PUMA Elite group based in North Carolina under the guidance of Alistair Cragg and Amy Cragg this year and explains the motivation behind her move and how she has benefited from being able to train with Fiona O'Keeffe and Taylor Werner. Rogers also analyzes how beneficial the training philosophy of Alistair Cragg has been, as she looks toward a shift to a career focus on the marathon and half-marathon in the near future. Although Rogers is ranked No. 3 in the U.S. and 15th in the world this year in the 10,000, she does not yet have the World Athletics standard of 30:40.0, which could result in a similar situation to her outcome at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, where Rogers placed second in the 10,000 final, but also didn't have the standard and was unable to compete at the London Olympics. Rogers analyzes a scenario where Alicia Monson, Elise Cranny and Karissa Schweizer could represent the U.S. in the 10,000 at the World Athletics Championships, scheduled for Aug. 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary, regardless of their finish order in Eugene, since they are the only three American athletes with the global standard. Rogers does have the World Athletics standard in the 5,000, but has spoken about the schedule of both finals being in a four-day span at Hayward Field not being favorable in attempting the distance double. She also reflects on her training camp earlier in the year in Kenya, and her appreciation for not only the opportunities to learn about the culture of the country, but also the mindset of their athletes. Rogers also explains how much she benefited from being in a group setting, especially during recent altitude training sessions with O'Keeffe and Werner in Mammoth Lakes, Calif., and Park City, Utah. |