Sometimes experience can be overrated.

Shalane Flanagan, 26, recently attempted her first competitive 10,000-meter run, during the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Stanford University. Her first try became the best-ever 10K run by an American woman, as Flanagan won the event in a U.S. record time of 30:34.49. Deena Kastor held the old mark, of 30:50.32.

Flanagan is no novice runner, of course. She set the U.S. mark in the 5000 meters in 2007 (14:44.80) and finished eighth in that event at the 2007 World Championships. She also holds the indoor U.S. mark in the 3000 meters (8:33.25).

As is often the case in record-breaking distance runs, Flanagan’s impressive 10K debut was aided by the fast pace set by New Zealand’s Kim Smith. Smith was no mere pacemaker, as she remained in contention until the final 200 meters and finished second in 30:35.54, breaking the Oceania mark of 30:37.68 held by Benita Johnson of Australia.

Flanagan is expected to focus on the 5000 meters in the Beijing Olympics, but her 10K performance - the best in the world to date in 2008 – gives her some intriguing options less than two months before the U.S. Olympic Trials.