Katie Rainsberger won the New Balance Nationals Indoor mile in 4:36.61, the No. 3 time in history and a new Senior Class National Record. The Air Academy, Co. senior is headed to the University of Oregon next year but before that, she's got big goals on her mind.
MileSplit: How are you feeling right now?
Katie Rainsberger: I'm feeling really good. But I also know there's more work and I just know this is a step in the right direction for outdoor season.
You ended up running the latter half of that race by yourself. Was there a certain time you came into this hoping to hit?
I wanted to break 4:40 and I've been hitting my workouts in like 66 to 68 seconds, so I knew that it was within reach. So halfway through the second lap, I felt the pace slow a little bit and I knew I needed to go if I wanted to run under 4:40.
Did you know when you started to gap the field?
I had no idea. I try not to look behind me too much, except maybe in the last 50 meters. But I had the screen. I didn't realize how far and I still don't really know. But I just knew I had to keep going and keep pushing and focus and refocus.
So you ended up running 4:36, which they announced is the third-fastest indoor mile of all time. How does that feel?
I just found out it was third-fastest, I had no idea. That's really cool, that's such an honor. The meet record was 4:38 by Alexa and I was like, that's something that's there, but it wasn't the driving force. To have the 4:36 is very humbling, it's like your hard work is being put into action.
And this is your first time at New Balance Indoors? Why did you decide to come this year?
I wanted to see what I could do indoors. I also know that in college you run indoors, so I figured it would be good to have an indoor mile going into college next year at Oregon. Go Ducks, they won NCAAs this wekend! I wanted to come for the experience and also it's New York, just a great overall time and eveyrybody here is about the Armory so I couldn't be a runner and not go run at the Armory once.
You ran 4:41 when you were a sophomore. Is 4:40 a barrier that's been on your mind for awhile?
Yes, the 4:40 barrier has been there since sophomore year. And last year was wierd with iron and I had an off year but I think it really helped with building this year, it set this fire. Like freshman year, I came out, did really well, sophomore year, built on that, and junior year, it wasn't a downward slope, I maintained all my PRs and it wasn't like I was way off the back end, but I didn't see the improvement that I saw from freshman to sophomore year so I think that really helps with what's been happening this year.
Running 4:36, will the mile be your main event this year or will you run any 32s?
I have run two 32s ever and it was awful. Today, I was like, this is 8 laps, am I running a 32 or a mile? Yeah, I'm definitely gonna stick with the 800 and the mile.
Now that you've run 4:36, is there gonna be a new number in your mind? Do you have to go back and think about it a little bit?
I think I'm gonna have to go home and think about it. No, I think there's defintiely some goals for outdoor season and they end in Eugene.
The Olympic Trials, that's what you're saying?
Hopefully. I'm going out for Oregon Relays and Oregon Twilight and a few meets out there to get some experience and hopefully some fast times.
