Aloha everyone!
I’m sorry to have disappeared on you guys for a while there. The past couple of months have been a roller coaster to say the least. I can’t believe how much has happened since we last spoke! I needed some time away to regroup and truly focus on how I could bring my dreams to fruition. Sitting here and writing this, I feel like I am at a point where I have done that.
To bring you up to speed, two weeks ago I relocated my training base back to Duke in Durham, NC. During my April-long stint of racing in various parts of California and having sub-par races (2:09 and 2:13) followed by decent success (2:05) I realized I needed to make a drastic change if I wanted to steer my season in a consistently positive direction. My training had been going well, but I wasn’t having enough fun, which at this point in my running life is absolutely necessary. The decision to have a change of scenery had been a difficult one, but ultimately being here is already helping me reach new heights. I listened to my gut (read: 6 pack) and upon my return from California, hit the road for a 12 hour drive to Durham.
I’d like to say that I then had some time to relax, but I packed up again 72 hours later and drove up to UVA for the Virginia Challenge. Where, to the great surprise of my coaches I nearly PR’d (2:03.9) after spending like 20 hours in a car driving along the east coast earlier that week ! Now this is not to say I endorse being cooked up for hours on end then hopping out and racing, but this wouldn’t be the first time this has worked for me. Maybe there’s something about the monotony of highways that inspires my muscles. No clue.
Anyways, I’m taking the time now to have a solid block of training before testing myself again come June 6th, over in Indianapolis. According to this list I’m not yet a shoe-in for the Olympic Trials. Apparently smiling pretty doesn’t automatically get you in, but a 2:01 does! Based on my training and newfound excitement I believe this is an attainable goal. I’m going to have to throw myself into the fire and hope to be rewarded on the other side.
Keep training hard everyone! Be kind to yourselves, and remember the work you’ve put in.
Devo