Laura Harmon has been running by herself for most of the cross country season and has physically been on another level.
This Monday, Harmon will continue flying solo as she and her coach, Marnie Mason, will be the only Ducks — male or female — that represent Oregon at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.
Though lacking teammates for support during pre-race warm-ups, Harmon feels confident going into the 6K on the LaVern Gibson Championship Course. The senior from Vancouver, Wash., placed 16th a month ago at the Pre-NCAA Invitational held at the same location.
“It’s an advantage to know how to go out and race,” Harmon said about running the course previously. “It’s good to know the footing, the muddy parts, the softer spots.”
The layout of the course should be an advantage for Harmon because of her style of running.
“Its easy to move, a good course for me,” Harmon said.
Harmon’s conservative first half race strategy works best on wide-open laid trails that allow for movement at almost any point in the race. The vast layout of the LaVern Gibson Championship Course will allow Harmon to move “where I want to,” compared to the narrow West Regional course in Fresno, Calif., where she placed ninth.
Also playing to Harmon’s strength is that the terrain of the championship meet starts off with a subtle decline.
“It’s easy to get carried away with a downhill slope,” Harmon said. “It’s smarter to go with the hill, not push through the downhill.”
Again, Harmon’s slower start should prevent her from getting caught up in an early mad dash that could prove to be draining later on.
Harmon plans to balance the line between breaking out too early and not soon enough after a disappointing regional finish.
“I’ll go out a little more aggressive and stay within striking distance,” Harmon said.
More than strategy or course layout, though, Harmon’s biggest asset heading into the most important race of the season seems to be her
patience and maturity.
“I’m able to look at the big picture and see that it’s not anything different than the rest of the season,” said Harmon, who placed fifth as freshman for the 2000 Duck team that finished 28th at the NCAA Championships in Ames, Iowa. “I’m more excited than nervous.”
Five years of running at the Division I level have prepared Harmon physically.
“I have a lot more strength when I run,” Harmon said. “I’m more relaxed.”
Harmon has her sights set on a top-40 finish and, ideally, All-American status (the first 25 American finishers at the NCAAs).
“I want to have a good experience,” Harmon said. “Hopefully it can end on a high note.”

Beau Eastes is a freelance reporter for the Daily Emerald