Martin Meissner / Associated Press)
RIO DE JANEIRO — After contemplating the point of delineation between healthy and harmful nervousness, Jenny Simpson figured out a reasonable answer Sunday and used it in her race strategy in the semifinals of the 1,500 meters.
She decided to take the lead early to eliminate some of the worry in a race that would determine which 12 women would compete in the final Tuesday night.
"I was thinking about, what about nervousness tips you over the edge?" said Simpson, a Boulder resident and former Colorado Buffalo who is a former world champion in the 1,500.