Running Times, Online

Gomez Grabs 4th

Today at the US Olympic Trials for the Women’s Marathon RT Blog contributor Zoila Gomez ran a spectacularly strong and gutsy race and was rewarded with a 4th place finish. The top three finishers earn berths on the Olympic team, but the 4th place finisher is first alternate. If something should happen to Kastor, Boulet or Russell, Zoila will be the one to take her place.

Zoila started out running with the large chase pack. Magdalena Boulet was running slightly quicker for each mile and had built up a sizeable lead very early on in the race. The chase pack consisted of all the expected names and faces: Kate O’Neill, Elva Dryer, Deena Kastor, Mary Akor and Zoila. Around mile 15 Deena struck out from the front of the chase pack to chase Boulet on her own. Her move caused the pack to string out and Zoila seemed to be falling towards the back of the large pack.

She kept her cool though, and worked her way back up as slowly, others started to drop back or drop out altogether. O’Neill & Dryer were two notable DNFs. By the start of the last loop, around mile 20, Zoila was well within sight of Blake Russell in third place and seemed to have a shot at catching her. But it was not to be. Russell was too strong at the end this time.

Rounding onto Boylston for the final 400 meters though, another runner had caught up to Gomez: Tera Moody, a complete unknown coming into the race and sporting the bib (and therefore, seed number) 152, Moody was having the run of her life as well. Around the bend, onto the sunny section of Boylston as they entered Back Bay, the two were neck and neck, trading the lead on every stride. Zoila managed to cross the line one slim second in front of Moody to claim 4th in 2:33:53, a PR by over 1.5 minutes.

Alyanak 7th

Speaking of unknowns, we here at RT Blogs obviously know about Ann Alyanak, but she wasn’t getting a lot of press otherwise. That could change now though, if her runner-up performance at the US Women’s Marathon Championships here in Boston last year wasn’t good enough, Ann’s performance today was certainly notable. Knocking another 4 minutes off of her PR, Ann finished less than a minute back from Zoila in 7th place with a time of 2:34:46.

Emily LeVan did not come close to equaling her qualifying time, but she was thrilled with her race none-the-less. Her light training schedule this winter, and heavy cancer-treatment schedule for her daughter meant that her expectations for herself were not nearly as high as they have been in the past. She finished in 67th place in 2:45:45.

But in the past three months, the general public has come through and greatly surpassed all of Emily’s expectations for it. As of last Friday, Emily’s Two Trials project has raised over $64,000 for a Maine’s Children’s Cancer Center. Her total goal for the project was $52,400, and over the weekend, NBC aired a segment about Emily & Maddie on the nightly news. She expected to receive even more donations from that publicity.

Last, But Not Least

Finally we have Jackie Dikos, with perhaps the most valiant effort of our four bloggers. In her last post she mentioned the tendonitis she had been dealing with. In the lead-up to a big race, runners must, by necessity, talk down the seriousness of an injury lest she feel defeated before she gets to the line. Jackie was unusually forward about the gravity of her situation, but she toed the line this morning with determination — she was at least going to get the finisher’s medal.

As the race developed, she slowly started losing the pack she had been running with. One could see from the sidelines that her stride was short and awkward and the pain, both physical and mental, was obvious on her face. Throughout the field, runners were dropping out, from top contenders to the heartbreaking woman whose arm cramped and she ran with it frozen to her side for 10 miles in last place before finally dropping.

On the official results, Jackie is the last runner listed with a time: she finished last. But. She finished. And for that, in such a situation, with tens of thousands looking on and no where to hide, for Jackie I have the greatest respect.

Just over a week to go! I’m finally reaching a point of excitement for the race. A couple weeks ago I was forced into an early marathon taper. I had mentioned in the past running through what I once called tightness. Now I know it was hamstring tendinitis. The tendinitis flared up to the point I have not been able to run nearly as much as I would have hoped. I’m left with a regimen of cross training as to not cause any additional tendinitis flare up. There are moments I look back and think of the warning signs I decided to run through, but it’s too late to focus on the past.

I’m hopeful things will continue to improve. I’m calling it a blessing in disguise. I’ve gained a much greater appreciation for the opportunity to even compete with such a talented field. I can’t help but think this must be happening for a reason. I feel confident I put in the miles and training to still run a great race. It is probably just a need for a long overdue rest. Fresh legs will guide me to a strong finish. I’m really looking forward to experiencing my first Olympic Trials!

Today I saw a ray of sunshine through the dark cloud that has been hovering over my head. Ever since the Chicago Marathon last fall I’ve struggled a bit. I’ve never considered myself injured because I could always run with continuous gradual improvement. I’ve been chronically tight. Just feeling like I lack range of motion and speed. I’ve tried massage, adding strength, and even recent acupuncture. I practically carry the big foam roller wherever I go. To sum it up, I felt like running had been quite average for me.

Today I saw the light. It was a big ray of sunshine that has brightened my world. The workout was “Gatehouse to Gatehouse” in a local park that makes for excellent training ground. The course is a 4.4 mile out and back stretch that seriously puts your hills skills to the test. Very little of the course is on flat ground. It twists and turns so you also have to be on your tangent “A” game while watching for any potential traffic hazards. Gatehouse to gatehouse is one of those workouts we only do once, maybe twice a season. It’s that workout I see on the schedule and can’t help thinking about all week long.

I hoped by doing it today I would have an advantage by having the rest of the Athletic Annex Running Club there. The encouragement of my fellow club members frequently carries me through the tough days. As I made effort to conquer each hill, they cheered with kind words of support. Nearing the end I heard “Go get him!” Meaning for me to chase down my coach, Matt. It was a wonderful distraction from the task at hand.

Well, I did it! I ended up smashing my old course record. It’s not so much the time that means much to me. It’s the fact that I felt so smooth. The tight, stiff feeling I had battled for so long was gone. I just rolled right through it. I’m reminded why I love running all over again. I can tell brighter spring days are just around the corner.

There have been a number of occassions in my life I have turned to Greg, my husband, as my rock. Last week he was there for me yet again. I struggled through a rough workout. I phoned him instantly after the workout knowing there was no other voice I wanted to hear at that exact moment. I shared with him my disappointment. He paused almost in shock that I was confessing my sorrows of a less than perfect workout. After his pause he knew exactly what I needed to hear. Greg is outstanding at reminding me of who I am, what I am trying to accomplish, and to not lose sight of the big picture. This was no exception. I hung up the phone feeling like a new person.

I think it is easy in running to get caught up in a time or place. We all can use reminders to put the watch away and enjoy the world of just plain running. I’m sure there is a runner somewhere out there wishing they could even run a half mile. Who am I to complain about a less than perfect workout or race. All runners face their own version of hurdles in their running lives. It may be as big as a major injury or as minor as a tough workout. The real beauty is when you get to feel the warmth of the sun and hard pavement (or soft trail) under your feet. I feel fortunate to have a more than supportive husband who can laugh with me at the aches and pains of running and then pull me close for a congratulatory kiss.

So today I had the pleasure to enjoy a sermon in which I heard the words “Who do you believe in?” Of course this phrase was coined toward a higher power. But, these days, it seems quite easy to relate just about anything to running. I walked away starting to think of the people I believe in from a running standpoint.

There is no doubt I believe in my coach, Matt Ebersole. Quite frankly, I’m not sure where I would be without him. There has never been an occasion I have questioned a single workout. Even if I had asked a question regarding a workout, he always had a specific reason behind it. The evolution of my training is always thought through with great care. I truly believe in him as my coach.

But as I thought a little more, I thought back to yesterday’s workout and my recent mileage. Then it dawned in me. Really I am at a point I know the main person I need to believe in is myself. When it comes down to the last 3 mile repeat on a windy 21 degree morning…up that last grueling hill, there is no one else to believe in but myself. I have to know that I can do it - that I can push through. I can recall times I have said, “I don’t think I can do that kind of mileage.” Now here I am with what I once would have considered “crazy” mileage. I can’t deny, my believing in others as well as their believing in me is extremely motivational. It is a fuel that supports my positive frame of mind on a tough day. However, when it is all said and done, I have to believe in myself to make it happen.

What a great and glorious feeling it is at the very end of a workout well done. The memories of pain soon pass. It is that glorious feeling that seems to stay constant. Then I find I start to believe in myself even more. I start to have thoughts of how I can go faster next time. Or, how I can use that workout as a tool for my next race.

I absolutely believe in many people who support my running. I know without them it would take a lot more inner strength to achieve the goals I have placed. Testing my limits as a runner is not and never will be easy. Having others to believe and trust in certainly makes the task seem easier. But I do know that truly believing in myself is what will carry me across the finish line. I have to believe I can dig deeper and fight for a strong finish.