By Shira Springer

Globe Staff / February 22, 2008

There comes a moment in every middle-distance race when runners must make a move. "Should I push the pace? Should I move closer to the front-runners? Should I start my kick now?"

Inaction or indecision can be the difference between victory and defeat, an Olympic berth and fourth place at the Trials.

Jenelle Deatherage knows all too well the importance of making the right move at the right time.

Since finishing fourth at the 2004 Olympic Trials in the 1,500 meters by 14-100ths of a second, Deatherage went through "a rough couple of years over that distance." She struggled to finish fast. Believing 2008 would be her last opportunity to make an Olympic team and that the 1,500 offered her the best chance, she decided to make a bold move off the track. The Minneapolis-based Deatherage switched coaches and left Team USA Minnesota last summer. The aspiring Olympian now does speed workouts by herself under the supervision of new coach Juli Henner, who lives in the Washington, D.C., area.