Caitlin Collier returns to form with 2:04/4:47 double

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Caitlin Collier is the first to admit she sometimes underestimates her abilities.

That’s why her national-leading 800-meter time of 2 minutes, 4.87 seconds this past weekend at the Florida State University Relays really wasn’t that much of a shock to her.

FSU Relays RESULTS

“I really wanted to hit 2:05 or below for the 800. I didn’t think it was out of reach,” Collier said. “I am a little bit surprised, but then I’m not.”

The Bolles School FL senior also clocked a national-leading 4:47.47 in the 1,600.

Given the fact Collier was bound to pool workouts for most of the winter season, her transition back to running has been seamless. Collier suffered a stress reaction on her third metatarsal (long bone) on her left foot, forcing her to miss a majority of the cross country season.

“I was in the pool a lot,” Collier said. “And it definitely was a change from getting to run every day. I was a little bit down about everything because it was my senior cross country season and I really wanted to help support my team. It was disappointing not being able to compete, but I was just looking forward to healing and doing all that I could to stay in shape.”

Early in the outdoor season, Collier said she’s comparable to where she was last year with her times. She finished the 2017 outdoor season with an 800 victory in the 800 (2:03.63) at the USATF Junior Championships and then placed third (2:05.26) at the Pan Am U20 Championships in July in Peru.

“I’m glad I didn’t lose a lot of fitness from the injury, so I’m pretty happy where I am right now,” she said.

Collier isn’t shy about her goals in her final prep season before she heads off to Stanford in the fall. She wants to run 2:00 in the 800 and break 4:40 in the mile; two lofty, but attainable times.

“That’s a huge barrier,” Collier said about challenging the 2-minute mark. “I’ve been inching my way every year toward that goal, and I’d love to see that time brought down.”

To achieve that, Collier said she’s likely headed back to the Festival of Miles on June 1 in St. Louis, MO. Last season, she ran a personal-best 2:03.32 to win the women’s field.

In addition to that meet, she mentioned running USATF Junior Nationals again June 15-17 in Bloomington, Ind., and possibly a few other bigger meets. But for now, Collier is happy to be healthy and focused on finishing on her prep career at Bolles on a high note.

“Track is just definitely my thing,” she said. “I always have so much fun postseason and during the season, too. It will be bittersweet because I’m excited to move on to Stanford and everything, but I’m definitely going to cherish these last few meets with my team and my coach.”