Adarq.org

I stood on the starting line of yesterday’s #boilermaker15K calmer than ever. I had nothing to lose, no fitness to prove. 4 days ago I had finished 4th at the #ajcprr 10K - the National Championships on the road - in a stacked field, placing between two of America’s best endurance athletes in history.
.
In #Atlanta @coach_hudson said to get to mile 5 not knowing if I could finish. I wasn’t sure how you finished when you felt like you couldn’t, especially in humidity and hills, but I committed to the game plan. I matched every move that was made, even what I thought was a tactically poor 4:52 3rd mile, until I literally couldn’t.
.
I collapsed at the finish line with a 10K road PR in stifling conditions. I had run aggressive and risky, but still survived. After a sub par build up I had placed 4th in the nation. Coach told me it was the best 10K he thought I’d ever run. I was thrilled.
.
The game plan yesterday was the opposite - to run for top American honors, but not worry about the leaders. Last year, at the same race, I placed 11th overall & 1st American. 4 days after an all-out 10K, and with a tough 🇺🇸 contingent, duplicating the podium position seemed like plenty of a challenge. I figured I’d sit back in the pack and run controlled. The Africans would drop us early and I would let them go, staying focused on the goal.
.
I started slow off the line and a determined, charging American woman went flying by me. I picked it up a notch. Eyes on the prize. The leaders took us out hard, then settled, then pressed, then settled, then sprinted, then settled. My American competition hung, so, so did I.
.
I started hurting at mile 5. I thought to myself, ‘well then, for the next 4.3 you’re going to run through pain’. No excuses. In the past when I’ve felt uncomfortable I’ve slowed down, but not this time.
.
Going uphill near mile 7 I got dropped, but caught back up quickly on the downhill. On a sharp turn someone tried to cut me off and I threw an elbow up to protect my lane. I started envisioning myself breaking the tape and being draped in the 🇺🇸. They broke me for good at mile 8 & I clawed to the finish, placing 6th, 5 spots 🆙 from last year.
.
Watch out next year🥇💪

It’s been a heck of a year! Grateful to be able to travel the world doing what I love. When I was at Buchanan High School (c/o 2000) @buchanantrack in Clovis, CA, my coaches would get on me because I would sneak in road races on the weekends. We raced so much already, I constantly just loved it. I would wake up the next morning early just to see my name in the @thefresnobee from the road race results from the day before. For over 20 years I have just wanted to race, it’s what makes me happy and makes me feel alive/free. Always do what makes you happy. You only live once. Shout out to all the beautiful people I met and connected with along the way ❤️
.
.
.

2018 Race Season
3/3 Fresh 15k (Tyler, TX) 46:36
3/25 Warsaw Half (Warsaw, 🇵🇱) 1:06:20
4/22 London Marathon (London, 🇬🇧) 2:17:39
5/5 Newport 10k (Newport, NJ) 30:11
6/3 Rock N Roll SD 1/2 (San Diego, CA) 1:04:56
6/9 La Leche 10.5k (San Jose, 🇨🇷) 33:48
6/16 Garry Bjorklund 1/2 (Duluth, MN) 1:03:22
6/24 San Juan 21km (San Jose, 🇨🇷) 1:06:09
7/08 Boilermaker 15km (Utica, NY) 45:48
.
.
.
Next up is @missoulamarathon Half July 15th. The show is not over. Til the wheels fall baby!