ShaCarri Richardson is not here.
Practice runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., coach Dennis Mitchell explains, rain or shine.
But Richardson is stuck at the dentistan emergency entailing novocaine, painkillers, the works.
ON YOUR MARK“I know there’s joy at the other end, at the finish line. But I also know I’ve got to earn that happiness,” says the Paris-bound Olympic superstar.
Well see if she shows, Mitchell says with a shrug.
For most people, dental torture is a great excuse to skip a workout.
Fire up Netflix, crack open a pint of ice cream.
METAL ROUNDRichardson heads to the Olympics as the women’s 100-meter world champion. Bode tank top and shorts. Gianvito Rossi sandals.
But then, most people arent Olympic-caliber athletes.
Most people arent tipped for gold at this summers Paris Games.
Most people arent ShaCarri Richardson, the fastest woman in the world.
NAILED ITRichardson’s signature accessories.
And lo and behold, two hours later, there she is.
Shiny gold talons flashing as she laces up her sneakers and sets off on a swift warm-up jog.
When Richardson arrives, its a bit like a movie star showing up for her scene.
GROUP EFFORTRichardson, center, with, clockwise from far left, her sister, Tahjna Calhoun, her cousins Calvin Harp and Natalie Byers, her aunt Brenda Davis, and her cousins Aniyah Davis, Kyle Harp, and Bella Harp.
Not diva-like in any way, just there to do the work.
And by dint of her presence, raising everyones game.
You keep showing up, Richardson tells me later.
GOLD STANDARDNike Team USA Olympic leotard and bikers.
Most people, they only think of track every four years.
The Olympics, thats all there isthose few seconds on TV.
But for me, track is my life on a day-to-day basis.
CUT OUT FOR ITRichardson in a Ralph Lauren Collection dress and heels.
Thats what the world doesnt see.
Richardson talks about as fast as she runs.
At first approach, shes guarded, sizing you up with a hooded gaze.
Running, of course.
Her signature long fingernails.
Do I like Beyonce?
Of course I like Beyonce.
The flip side to these hurtling words is silence: There are things Richardson just wont talk about.
Her personal life is off-limits.
Richardson also said she took responsibility for her actions and that she wasnt looking for sympathy.
What she wanted was to handle a private matter privately.
Instead, ShaCarri Richardson became, for a few days in 2021, the internets punching bag.
Tweets flew back and forthsome compassionate, many downright cruel.
Meanwhile, the real ShaCarri slipped away to nurse her wounds.
I dont just mean Im a better runner, Richardson tells me when I ask about her credo.
Im better at being ShaCarri.
Im better at being myself.
Richardson remembers the moment she realized she was fast.
Wed go from the bottom of the hill to Big Mommas car, Richardson explains.
And she didnt slow down, she didnt let me win.
And I think it was in fifth grade, the day I touched the car first.
And thats when I knew.
People would saythat little girl, shes running so fast?
ShaCarri was totally determined.
She had passion, she had brains, she was the whole package.
Running that fast, its not naturalnot for anyone, says Mitchell.
Shes very in tune with her body.
Observing track practice in Florida, I see what Mitchell means.
To a casual viewer watching 100-meter sprints on TV, the whole race goes by in a burst.
But theres a detailed choreography.
With each call of set em up!
Mitchell is helping his runners refine this form.
Over and over, day after day, set em up, set em up.
Not to mention, careful calibration of rest and nutrition and attitude.
Track, as Richardson says, is a 24/7 lifestyle.
Constant behind-the-scenes effort for a few seconds of hoped-for glory.
When I get on the blocks, its about getting the job done.
I know theres joy at the other end, at the finish line.
But I also know Ive got to earn that happiness.
Track is one great joy of Richardsons life.
The other is her family.
We try not to go out in public when shes here, Harp says.
If ShaCarris home, thatsprivatetime.
Nobody looking at her.
Just playing card games, fooling around with her cousins.
Just loving her to death.
But dont get the wrong idea about Harp.
ShaCarris tough; I made her tough, says Harp matter-of-factly.
Im a strong woman, Ive overcome obstacles in my life.
Whatever happens, you keep going, you hear?
Richardson readily agrees with Harps assessment of her influence.
But the foundation, thats her.
ShaCarri doesnt need extra pressure, Cross says.
She puts it on herself.
So sometimes its been my job to say, You know, one mistake doesnt define you.
It doesnt determine the outcome.
Thats a lesson the better ShaCarri seems to have taken to heart.
Its like chess, explains Richardson, a fan of the game.
Every move you make is leading to checkmate.
So the Olympics, okay, thats checkmate, thats the moment an athlete dreams about.
Because if all Im doing is looking ahead, then I cant be where I need to be.
Which is here, now.
And Richardson is letting herself enjoy the now, in all its variety.
Sometimes enjoyment takes mellow form, a night in binge-watchingScandal.
(I know, I knowIm late to that party.)
Its through the eyes of her adored younger cousins that she takes the measure of her own success.
Its got my name on it!
A woman in full.
Every runner is different, he replies; with ShaCarri its business.
Its almost like a flashback journey, everything that brought me to that point.
All the grind, all the sacrifice.
And Im exactly where Im supposed to be.
CUT OUT FOR ITRichardson in a Ralph Lauren Collection dress and heels.
In this story: hair, Key Rentz; makeup, Sally Branka.
