Pressure!

Galen Rupp, one of America's top 10,000 meter Olympic hopefuls, said this the other day about his upcoming Olympic Trials race, in which he must finish top three to qualify for Beijing. A great example of how top athletes recognize and respect "pressure" but don't let it get to them!

"A race I’ve been looking forward to for eight years is two weeks away. I will be running on my home track, having finished second in last year’s national championships, with the chance to make my first Olympic team. I am nervous, excited, and the pressure continues to mount. But with pressure and expectations comes the opportunity to do something great. I wouldn’t want it any other way."

It's Not "Just Running..."

One of the things that annoys me is when folks refer to our sport as "just running." You know the sentiment, kids and old dudes alike kind of cast off our sport into the playground as if any one can do it.

I love it when our runners begin to think their way through a season. It rocks when it's obvious that they are absorbing all that is being taught to them. I love it when they pick up the "why" ... as in why we are training the way we are, or why we pick the the races we do. It's easy to sometimes get lulled into "just running" and giving little thought to all the rest that goes into making us better athletes and competitors. Cross country is soooo much more than "just running."

This came to my mind when I came across this description of the elite runner's routine, written by Lauren Fleshmen, one of America's top 5,000 meter runners and Olympic hopeful. Read it. Notice just how many factors and people are involved in getting Lauren to the starting line ready to roll.

Though not all of what she does at the world-class level would apply to you, what does?

We're not "just running..."

2 Mile National Record Falls ... 29 years later

One of the longest held records in HS track and field fell finally, as Jeff Nelson's 8:36 for a full 2 miles (not the shorter 3200 meters race) was crushed by German Fernandez. Watch this historic race here! This guy is AMAZING! Be inspired.

Some of our graduates

Something to think about

Last season we tried to think about and act upon helping others within the larger community. Our "shoe drive" netted over 200 pairs of used shoes which we donated to the homeless of Los Angeles. We raised over $2,000 toward the digging of drinking wells in Africa through BloodWater:Mission.

I came across this quote regarding our charity from the famed English writer, CS Lewis (writer of The Chronicles of Narnia among many other works). It kind of hit me betwee the eyes, as I realized that I've got a long way to go to get to that place in my charity, my giving.

Think of these words as we approach another season and another opportunity to give to others:

“If our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little.

If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charities expenditure excludes them.” - C.S. Lewis

Fuzzy Math!

Finally, someone who's worse with numbers and math than I am! Whoo hoooo!

I am only one...

Very cool.

The German Army

Did you see German Fernandez' State finals races? My goodness. Dyestat's official word was "there are no words." Mine would be "speechless." I don't think I've ever seen anyone on this side of world class run like he did. 4:00 for the 1600 meters, then, 2.5 hours later, 8:34 for 3200 meters. His first mile in the 3200 was 4:18, his second was in 4:15. Both were state records, the 32 was a National record. Both were run "alone" (there were, officially, other guys in both races, but was anyone -- including their own coaches -- watching?) The German army was storm trooping through Cerritos and it was a sight to behold. In events where few can break 4:10 and 9:00, he made very good runners look mediocre.

I had to remind myself he's a high school kid. Other than talent, not much different than you, the high school kid who may be reading this. When asked after his incredible day "what made the difference this season?" his answer was "I ran more last summer." Wow.

If you haven't seen his races yet, go over to these links to see the video. 1600 meters. 3200 meters