A proud mother shares thoughts on Shalane Flanagan

Cheryl Treworgy has been busy lately. Her daughter, Shalane Flanagan of Marblehead, set her third track record in just over a year on Sunday night. Flanagan established a new US mark in the 10,000 meters (30 minutes, 34.49 seconds) that has her considering an Olympic bid in the event. Despite the hectic pace of developments, Treworgy shared her thoughts with The Item in an email exchange Monday night.”This year,” Treworgy wrote, “when she mentioned she thought she was in shape to try a fast 10K I immediately started searching for my plane ticket. Unless you have spent some time training to run fast (not just finish a distance) I think it is pretty difficult to really relate to what she is in the process of accomplishing.”What resulted at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Stanford was the fastest 10K time in the world since 2006 – in Flanagan’s first race in that event.”I have watched her since middle school set goals and achieve them,” Treworgy wrote. “And usually not easy goals. But what she is showing now is range. Her speed and kick are being developed. Her strength is improved to the point where you can visibly see a difference in her body and form. She can make it look effortless. She has attracted people to watch her run who normally won’t sit still long enough to watch a distance event.”The Olympic track and field tryouts take place this summer. Flanagan will enter them having set records in both the 10K and the outdoor 5K. Her mother praised her versatility.”While most athletes are seeking success at one event, she is developing the speed, strength and mental toughness to experiment with the fitness level she has worked so hard for,” Treworgy wrote. “I love watching her run. I love watching her challenge herself. I love watching her live out her passion.”