Grace Norman - Making a Statement!

Grace Norman

Xenia Christian 2016

Personal Records

• 400m - 1:05.66
• 800m - 2:22.28
• 1600m (in) - 5:45.30
• 1600m - 5:14.09
• 2K Steeple - 8:09.65
• 3200m (in) - 11:54.74
• 3200m - 11:47.53
• 5K (xc) - 19:25.80

Xenia Christian Sr. Grace Norman holds two World Records in the Paralympic T44 Classification in Track & Field.  She is the current record holder in the 800m with a 2:22.28  and the 1,500m with a 4:52.16.  She is the American Record holder in the 400 (63.83), 800, 1,500 and the 3,200 (11.47.53).  Last March she competed at the Triathlon Continental Championships in Sarasota, Fla. where she was the first female to finish, finishing three minutes ahead of the runner-up and earning an automatic bid to the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 6-12).  According to Grace however, standing on the podium at the State meet has been her proudest moment.  Grace is certainly an amazing, multi-faceted. determined athlete. She is featured in an article by Tim Stried in the OHSAA Spring 2016 Magazine - "Amazing Grace" - a must read. I had the opportunity to talk with Grace about her high school Cross Country and Track & Field running career. 

Ohio MileSplit:  Grace, congratulations on your recent World Record in the T44 classification 1,500m of 4:52.16 and in being a strong contender for a berth on the US Paralympic Team that will compete this summer in Rio. Honored, proud and blessed are all adjectives that describe that accomplishment.  In your words, tell us about that race, including your expectations going into the race and how you felt after the race.  (Note:  The T44 classification is described by the United States Paralympic Committee as a "lower leg deficiency in one leg."  "Athletes with a single below-knee amputation or an equivalent impairment compete in  T/F44."  Grace was born without a lower left leg due to amnitoic bands.  She recieved her first prosthetic at 13 months of age.) 

Grace:  The race went super well! Way better than I expected! Going into the race, I wasn't very confident in where my time would be. Getting to the race, a lot of people already knew about my trying to break the record so lots of people were very encouraging. But the race was really good! It started out good and I was happy with my splits for the first few laps. I just started feeling stronger and stronger and by the time of the last lap I had energy to kill it and I pushed it in for a finish of 4:52. I was more than surprised with the results! I had no idea I was in that kind of shape to run that kind of time and break the record by 6 seconds! I was overjoyed and so thankful for all the fans who were there cheering for me and my coaches who believed in me and to the Lord for giving me strength to run that well!

Ohio MileSplit: You run with "able bodied" runners in XC and in track.  How often do you compete with only Paralympic athletes?

Grace:  The majority of my racing is against able bodied runners but I compete with para athletes around 5 to 7 times a year for triathlon and about 2-3 times a year for track.

Ohio MileSplit:  Before we talk about your Olympic aspirations for this summer, lets' go back and discuss your running career.

When did you first start running?  I know that you have an older sister, Bethany, who graduated in 2013.  In her high school career, she captured a 6^th in the 2010 D3 State XC championship and was 7^th in the D3 3,200.  How much of an influence was she on your running?

Grace:  My older sister has been a great impact on my running. Her attitude throughout injury was very encouraging and she has been very supportive and encouraging throughout my running career. Watching her run as I grew up, I wanted to be just like her and be just as fast. Her running was very inspiring to me. Knowing her accomplishments in running, it spurred me on to become more like her, I wanted to carry on the legacy of the Norman runners. So I wanted to be the kind of runner she is.

Ohio MileSplit:  Last year, as a junior, you were 8^th in the D3 1,600 at State with a time of 5:14.09 and last fall you ran a 19:25.80 at Nationals Trails, finishing 26^th in the D3 State XC Championship.  Tell us about those two races? 

Grace:  The State 1,600 race last year in track was amazing!  The atmosphere was so thick with excitement and the stands were full of cheering crowds. I checked into the race and that was when the realization hit me that everyone in this race was fast and we had all earned a spot in this race.

(photo Chris Greene)

The race started and I was in the back pack. It was a crazy experience to be running so fast and to be in the back of pack. I made the decision that I wanted to make a statement here at the State race. I was the first amputee to qualify for a high school state meet and I didn't want to come in last to get the pitty clap like "oh good job little girl with no foot, you made it here and that's what matters."  No! I wanted to make a statement that I could definitely compete at the State level with able bodied runners.

(photo Chris Greene)

(photo Chris Greene)

(photo Chris Greene)

(photo Chris Greene)

(photo Chris Greene)

Coming down to the final stretch of the race I had counted and I knew I was in 9th place and only the top 8 medal. All that was within me wanted to make the podium and receive that State medal. I gave all I had to the line.I leaned at the line and then collapsed on the track. I had no idea where I finished until a volunteer came and helped me off the track and told me I made the podium, that I placed 8th.

(photo Chris Greene)

The State XC race was the best cross country race I have had throughout my high school career. I went into it with a very good mindset and kept pushing through the pain and I just kept getting stronger and stronger near the end. I was very happy with my time, but I was a little discouraged with my place by missing the top 25 All Ohio category by one place, but I was extremely happy with my time and my mental race.

(photo M. Stonecipher)

(photo M. Stonecipher)

Two Mile   (photo Chris Greene)

300m to go!   (photo Chris Greene)

2015 D3 Finish  (Photo Chris Greene)

Ohio MileSplit:  Do you prefer the track over Cross country?  Why?

Grace:  I prefer track over cross country because I like the distances in track and it is much easier to get sure footing on a track rather than on uneven terrain.

Ohio MileSplit:  Is it more demanding on you running with the prosthetic in Cross country running over uneven terrain with hills and mud, etc.?

Ohio MileSplit:  Grace, what motivates you as a runner?

Grace:  The aspiration to build my body stronger and to get faster to be the best that I can be and to use my talents for the Lord and for His glory motivates me as a runner.

Ohio MileSplit:  What motivates you as a person?

Grace: My motivation as person is from the Lord. He is my strength and helps me through everything. When I am down about something or not sure about my future or have had an injury, I find peace when I give it all over to the Lord. Also, a motivation for me is developing friendships with other athletes and coaches. I have made many great bonds with people from all over the world and I love connecting with them.

Ohio MileSplit:  How would you describe yourself as a runner?

Grace:  As a runner, I would describe myself as a competitor. I don't take no for an answer very easily. I always strive for bettering myself and I push hard to get the results I want.

Ohio MileSplit:  You wear a "Cheetah" state-of-the-art flex-Foot prosthetic. It is made from carbon fiber and is designed to store kinetic energy from the wearer's steps as potential energy. I know that when an able-bodied runner has an injury and they have to be taped to run, or run with a slight injury, they tend to favor the injury and it can cause stress and even injury to the other leg?  Is this a concern running with a prosthetic? 

Grace:  As far as favoring my prosthetic, it is not an injury and the tendency to favor my leg as one with an injury is not there. My left leg is smaller than my right leg due to the different muscle development throughout my childhood. But with the prosthetics today, especially with the cheetah blade, it makes it much easier to put equal force on each leg. When I was younger and ran with a different type of prosthetic leg, one with a solid ankle, I did tend to favor my right leg over my left leg because I received more return from it and I could get more energy from it, but now I do not favor a certain leg.

Ohio MileSplit:  What were your expectations going into this outdoor T&F season for high school and for the Paralympics in Rio?  What are they now?  Was it always a goal to run in the Paralympics?  

Grace:  My goals for the track season and for Rio have remained the same throughout this season and as I approach Rio. My goal for the track season is to make State and get on the podium in the 1,600 again.. As for goals for Rio, I want to take gold in the triathlon and medal in the 400m.  (Note:  Grace's only event is the 400 because that is the longest event they have in her T44 category.)