Sarah Bowman excelled as an up-and-coming distance runner in high school as well as collegiately at University of Tennessee. While at UT, she was an SEC Champion on multiple occasions as well as NCAA Champion in 2009 in the mile. 

After graduating, Sarah was picked up by New Balance and trained with the goal of racing competitively at the 2012 London Olympic Trials. She would struggle however with ups and downs in her first couple years of competing post-collegiately. Ultimately though, she was able to train at a high enough level to race late in the 2012 season. With just a couple of races under her belt, Sarah traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the American Milers Club Meet on June 6th, 2012. In a great battle with Mason Cathey, Bowman was able to finish second, clocking a time of 4:12.58 and qualifing for the Olympic Trials. 

In the Olympic Trials, Sarah surprised just about everyone, advancing through the qualifying rounds and finishing an impressive 6th place in the 1500 final. The finish motivated Sarah to take her training to a new level and has had the most healthy stretch of training in recent years. Just getting her season started, Sarah recently finished 4th at the USA Road Mile Championship in Des Moines, Iowa!

1. First of all, a late congratulations on your 6th place finish in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials! Can you tell us a little about your buildup to the trials since your graduation from Tennessee in 2009? 

I spent two of my 3 years out of college battling injury.  I was out for most of that with an Achilles injury.  I finally got through that injury in January/February of 2012 and was able to begin more consistent training.  However, late April I strained by plantar fascia and ended up partially tearing it in May. This was the reason why I didn't open until the beginning of June at Nashville's Music City Distance Carnival.  I ran 4:13 there which was not good enough to qualify for the trials so I needed to try and get in another meet. Lucky for me, the AMC meets were within driving distance and held late in the season so I'd have more opportunities to qualify. 

2. You were able to snag a qualifying spot for the Trials with your performance (4:12.58) at the June 6th AMC Meet. This only put you 23rd on the start list going into the trials. How do you go from 23rd seed to a sixth place finish?

Because I had just a late start to my season, each race was also a training opportunity and a confidence booster to keep progressing forward. My goal in each round at the OT was just to make it to the next round. I didn't over think the process, just took it once race at a time. 

3. You've come to the AMC Meets in multiple years now, and the races have developed a reputation for fast times. Why have you personally chosen to compete at the American Milers Club?

For me, the AMC meets provided an opportunity for me to run fast late in the season. I didn't have the qualifying mark that I needed and the meets provide not just one BUT several opportunities to run the standard. The weather is usually descent and they hold the races several days apart so if you need another chance you can stick around and run the next one.

4. Are you still training and how is your current training going? 

I am definitely still training and getting after it. I am excited to finally have a healthy season ahead. I am really strong right now and plan to begin sharpening up so that everything can come together at the right time.

5. Can we expect to see you at the AMC series again in the future? What does your race schedule this season look like? 

The AMC meets provide the opportunity to sharpen up before the US Championships and I am definitely keeping them as an option. Even if it is to go race an "off" event, the meets provide a great opportunity to run some fast times.