At Zane Grey Norm did some talking with Cheryl Miller. After I thawed out and Norm and I discussed the race Norm told me he thought I needed to talk to Cheryl. All he said to me was that he thought she had some good things to say. So I did talk to her. One thing she said was that even when I was in the lead I looked like I was running scared. I knew this was the truth. I had been running scared for a while now. I was bummed to be injured last year, but took my break and did my PT. I was hopeful for this year. But as my races continued go worse and worse, I started to panic.
I have until January 17, 2016 to qualify for the Olympic trials. I had decided against Mogollon Monster because it could take a long time to recover. But when we totaled the car and my mountain running season looked iffy I decided to hire Cheryl to get me ready for both Mogollon and qualifying for the trials. I had a coach, I had a crew chief and even a pacer, but I wasn’t feeling excited. I was feeling scared. What if I have another bad day? After a night where I didn’t sleep at all because I was stressed about my racing schedule I was a mess as I left for my run.
What’s odd is that I don't have this fear about the marathon. Maybe I can qualify and maybe I can’t, but I know I can PR. My 2:53 at Eugene was kind of amazing. I was new to running, coaching myself and took one gel the whole time. I’m pretty sure that one gel thing is what kept me from qualifying. I went from 1st place to 8th place while blacking out and stumbling to the finish line. Honestly, I never trained that hard for a marathon again. A divorce that drug on and on left me half-assing my training. By the time that was all settled and I had moved on and from the divorce, I was trail running.
When I came home from my run I knew what I wanted to do. I decided to drop ultras for a while and focus on getting fast again. I have some road racing goals that I left on the table when I started doing ultras. When I started running trail and ultra it was because the window to qualify for the trials had passed and I didn't qualify. I wanted to compete, but I needed something different. I feel a bit like I am in that same place again. I want to compete and push myself, but I need a break from the ultra thing for a bit.
So it’s back to road racing and focusing on speed. Once I made the decision I actually felt excited about running again. Getting out the door no longer feels like a grind. I know I will go back to ultras – I already have a plan or two for next year. And I signed up for Across the Years because it’s not just a race, it’s a party with your friends.
My next race is YMCA half marathon. I had actually signed up for it a while back. I love that race and I am looking forward to running that course again.
My first attempt to qualify will be at the NY in AZ race on November 1st.
I have until January 17, 2016 to qualify for the Olympic trials. I had decided against Mogollon Monster because it could take a long time to recover. But when we totaled the car and my mountain running season looked iffy I decided to hire Cheryl to get me ready for both Mogollon and qualifying for the trials. I had a coach, I had a crew chief and even a pacer, but I wasn’t feeling excited. I was feeling scared. What if I have another bad day? After a night where I didn’t sleep at all because I was stressed about my racing schedule I was a mess as I left for my run.
What’s odd is that I don't have this fear about the marathon. Maybe I can qualify and maybe I can’t, but I know I can PR. My 2:53 at Eugene was kind of amazing. I was new to running, coaching myself and took one gel the whole time. I’m pretty sure that one gel thing is what kept me from qualifying. I went from 1st place to 8th place while blacking out and stumbling to the finish line. Honestly, I never trained that hard for a marathon again. A divorce that drug on and on left me half-assing my training. By the time that was all settled and I had moved on and from the divorce, I was trail running.
When I came home from my run I knew what I wanted to do. I decided to drop ultras for a while and focus on getting fast again. I have some road racing goals that I left on the table when I started doing ultras. When I started running trail and ultra it was because the window to qualify for the trials had passed and I didn't qualify. I wanted to compete, but I needed something different. I feel a bit like I am in that same place again. I want to compete and push myself, but I need a break from the ultra thing for a bit.
So it’s back to road racing and focusing on speed. Once I made the decision I actually felt excited about running again. Getting out the door no longer feels like a grind. I know I will go back to ultras – I already have a plan or two for next year. And I signed up for Across the Years because it’s not just a race, it’s a party with your friends.
My next race is YMCA half marathon. I had actually signed up for it a while back. I love that race and I am looking forward to running that course again.
My first attempt to qualify will be at the NY in AZ race on November 1st.
