Made first US Team! Marathon- Pan American Games

Thrilled to announce…. I made my first US Team!!!! I was selected to represent the US in the marathon at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Oct. 23rd!!! It is a huge honor to represent the US in international competition and one of many goals I set for myself when I made the commitment to running 7 years ago. This means a lot to me personally, and also my family and friends in Oklahoma, sponsors, and those who have supported me all these years (thank you for believing in me!). The biggest credit goes to my hubby, Conor, who has properly coached and guided me since 2004 (he’s now getting into private coaching, if anyone is interested). He believed I could do something special, and that made me believe in myself! It is getting increasingly more difficult to earn a spot on a US Team, as we are currently in a “running boom”. I am grateful for this opportunity, and considering where I was a year ago (following hernia surgery), it feels especially good to be rewarded in a big way for all my hard work. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel!

Guadalajara will present a unique racing situation. The race is at 4pm… at 5,138 ft. elevation…. and has an average high of 80 degrees on Oct. 23rd (dew point in the 40s). Fortunately, I have experience with heat training and also training and racing at high altitude. I will likely be doing more runs with a tracksuit on at 4pm! I have a new sponsor I am about to announce, so I believe their products will also help prepare me well.

<———Click to the left to link to Pan Am Games website. Funny enough, the guy who sold us his brewing kit 2 years ago, Russ Winger, is representing the US in the shot put (GO RUSS!). We will have to size up the competition and see whether it’s possible to make a podium finish. The other American (~2 of us) is Brett Ely, who ran 2:40 at Cal International, while I’ve run 2:38 (Twin Cities) and 2:41 (Mississippi Blues- most difficult road course I’ve run, excluding Mount Washington!). I’ve worked a lot on my speed lately, and with my recent 10K PR, it will be interesting to see how it translates to the marathon. The Pan Am Games takes place every 4 years (the year before the Olympic Games) and represents countries from North and South America. In 2007, the women’s marathon was won in 2:43, although the race took place in late-July, meaning it was a hot marathon. The heat, radiant sun, and higher altitude will most definitely play a role in the outcome, so I will do my best to prepare.

The other important factor to mention is…. I am going to attempt the double with NYC! I’m fired up for this challenge! Having done Mercedes, a 5K (PRed), and Napa Valley within a 3 week period…. I believe I can do it. I felt fantastic when I ran my 5K PR after Mercedes– I basically was in recovery mode after Mercedes, so I was a lot fresher for the 5K than usual.  In 1976, Bill Rodgers won NYC in 2:10, and came back 2 weeks later to run 2:08 at Fukuoka (course about 200m short). I will have to do everything possible to recover following Pan Am, which means lots of hamburgers, fluids, easy running, and sleep! I will also have to be careful not to get food or water poisoning in Mexico!

Wish us luck!!!! GO TEAM USA, wahooooo!!!