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More than just an also-ran

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BEIJING -- Shalane Flanagan got an American record and a bronze medal Friday in the women’s 10,000 and Kara Goucher got a personal-best time in finishing 10th, but 26th-place finisher Amy Yoder Begley (pictured) embodied the Olympic spirit just as strongly as her more successful teammates did.

Unlike Flanagan, who finished third in 30 minutes 22.22 seconds, or Goucher, who was timed in 30:55.16, Yoder Begley was never a factor in the race. Her time was 32:38.28, and she was lapped by the leaders.

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Twice.

‘That was hard,’ said Yoder Begley, 30, an Indiana native who trains in Beaverton, Ore. ‘But you know, I just went out there and gave it my best shot and I’m going to use this experience for next time.

‘My husband and I, we’ve always coached kids and we’ve told them, ‘Your first time out, that’s your trials. Your second time out, no more excuses,’ so I’m going to use that advice.’

Yoder Begley, 30, still considers her Olympic journey ‘an incredible experience.’ And for the rest of the U.S. women’s distance-running corps, it might get better still. Flanagan, Goucher and Jen Rhines will compete in the first round of the 5,000 on Tuesday and Yoder Begley believes any of them could be boosted by the medal Flanagan won Friday and continue the resurgence of U.S. distance running.

‘Kara started us off last year with a bronze at worlds and that set the stage,’ Yoder Begley said. ‘It makes us not afraid to train harder and to go out there and to run with the best in the world.

‘Shalane started us off great here, and the 5,000, I think, will be even better. Shalane and Kara will come back and they’re going to be used to the whole routine, and I think you’re going to see some great things from the women.’

-- Helene Elliott

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