Isaac Updike’s historic season came to a close in the heats of the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Representing Team USA, the 33-year-old from Ketchikan raced commendably in his second world championships, where he briefly held the lead. Updike ultimately placed just outside of the final qualifiers, finishing eighth in his heat in 8 minutes, 33.46 seconds.
The race was Updike’s seventh steeplechase of the season, but it proved to be arguably the most tactical.
When the early pace began to dawdle, Updike pulled into the lead in an attempt to spread out the field and stay out of traffic.
“Ironically, my coach was like, ‘Don’t lead,’” Updike told Citius Mag. “At a certain point we were running so slow…it’s just better to be in front ‘cause I’m not getting jammed up.”
Even among the world’s best, the former NAIA champion for Eastern Oregon showed no fear.
With two laps to go, Updike was in fifth place, but as the pace ratcheted down, it became a kicker’s race. The Under Armour-sponsored athlete closed his final laps between 60-63 seconds, but it was not enough to qualify for the finals.
Updike finished three spots or a mere 2.05 seconds shy of the final qualifier from his heat.
Kenya’s Edmund Serem won the heat in 8:29.97, while the USA will be represented by Daniel Michalski in the finals after taking third in the last heat.
While the outcome was not what Updike had in mind, his lengthy season has proven fruitful in other ways.
This year alone, Updike became the ninth-fastest steeplechaser in American history while resetting his Alaskan record (8:10.59). He also set the Alaskan record in the 1,500 (3:37.04), won two steeplechase races in 8:13, recorded his highest finish ever in a Diamond League (3rd), took sixth in the Diamond League final and became a two-time world championship qualifier. Oh, and he got engaged to long-time partner Justine Fédronic, who represented France at the 2016 Summer Olympics, in July.
Updike joins Fairbanks’ Janay DeLoach (Eielson High) as the only Alaskans to qualify multiple times for the World Championships in track and field.
Not to mention, Updike opened his season later than usual after forgoing the indoor season to strengthen his foundation and recover from his season last fall.
“This year I had more volume, more base, more consistency for a couple of months leading in,” Updike told Citius Mag.
Following a fifth-place finish at the US Championships, the past six weeks resulted in Updike oscillating between peaking and extending his season.
“I just feel like I’ve kind of done the yo-yo of being like, ‘Alright, two more weeks until my last race…lock back in,’” Updike told Citius Mag. “Six weeks later, (I’m) just a little tired.”
Initially, Updike was the second alternate for Team USA, as the top three finishers from USAs — Kenneth Rooks, Daniel Michalski and Benard Keter — would be selected if they met the world standard (8:15) or were within the world ranking.
Of the three, only Rooks had the time qualifier, though Michalski later dipped under the standard. Keter ended up missing the standard by 1.1 seconds, reallocating his spot to Matt Wilkinson — Updike’s teammate and training partner. Wilkinson eventually opted to pass on his spot to focus on healing a foot fracture sustained in the US final, resulting in Updike being selected for worlds.
Despite the whirlwind of racing and training, Updike is already looking forward to next season and setting his goals even higher.
“Excited about next year — 8:06 — you’re hearing it now,” Updike told Citius Mag.
This article originally appeared on Alaska Sports Report.
