For whom to root in Eugene?

Maybe you don't follow track and field except for every 4th August. If that's the case, you may not know that the US Womens 10,000 meters field will be loaded with talent at the USATF Olymic Trials in Eugene, Oregon June 27-July 6. Among the women competing in that event are Shalane Flanagan, the current US record holder in the 10,000, Kara Goucher, Jen Rhines, Katie MacGregor, and Blake Russel, who has already qualified for the marathon in Bejing. But, with all of these talented women, it will be hard for me not to root hard for Alicia Shay when the gunshot echoes throughout historic Hayward field on June 27.

If you don't know, Shay's husband Ryan died during the Olympic men's marathon trials in New York City last fall. After that totally unexpected and tragic event, Alicia's training obviously suffered. But, she has remained steadfast in her faith and has been a stellar example of how to deal with adversity. In the article linked above, she says, "When something like this happens, you're stripped down to the core. What remains is what you believe, what's at your foundation. At a time where I should be angry at God and angry that this happened . . . I'm in awe with the love of God and how he has carried me. I'll get to the point where I feel like I can't breathe, and every time God picks me up. He just keeps meeting me right at the point of my need. That's something you can't learn in Sunday school."

In the meantime, she helped Saucony establish the Ryan Shay Fund, to honor her late husband's passion to help disadvantaged individuals, groups, and communities, as well as to fund American distance runners in need. Here is some video of the event.



Sooooo, if you don't already have your favorites to go to Bejing, please think about spending 32 minutes of your life rooting for Alicia Shay on June 27.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.- Jeremiah 29:11

Why I'm a trail runner

I violated cardinal rules #1 and #2 today. First- don't try out new shoes during a race. Second- don't try out new socks during a race. Well, I went against my better judgement today and did both. I ran in my brand new SmartWool trail running socks and Vasque Velocity shoes. The results were not pretty. In the store, the shoes felt great. They were fast and smooth, and fit perfectly. Of course, the story is always a little different on the trail. By mile 6, my toes were cramping up. By 8, I was ready to quit and, in fact, told the volunteers on the course I was dropping out. They said that I would need to go tell the finish line personnel. On my way to the finish line, I heard "only 1.5 miles to go for the 15k racers." I decided, heck, I could crawl 1.5 miles, so started walking with my toes curled up, then running, then just walking up hills and before I knew it, I was done.

But this morning reminded me of exactly why I'm a trail runner:
(1) How else can you get a good workout, be in nature, eat more than you should, and come home muddy?
(2) There's nothing like hoping to God your shoes have enough traction to grip the trail as you barrel full speed down a sloppy hill and attempt to turn the corner while perched precariously 25 feet above the raging river below.
(3) I have a secret fetish for safety pins
(4) In 13 years of running road races, I've never lost a shoe in a mud hole.
(5) Trees smell better than my health club.