Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Wearing my Heart on my Sleeve With Pride

It’s been a long, exciting road the last few months; lets me honest here. I got back from Europe and took 10 days completely off. It was amazing! I not only physically benefited from it but mentally also. The next 10 days I took and ran every other day while cross training on the opposite days. My first week back was a 45 mile week. Which was easily entertained by visits to both Rogue Elite in Austin, Texas and Team USA Arizona in Flagstaff, Arizona. I was able to see each program from the inside out. I felt very fortunate to be able to travel to both of these elite programs to see where I might fit the best. In the back of my mind I knew I could make it work in Salt Lake City as well; although once I got to Austin I knew what my next step had to be for my professional career. They met for team functions, encouraged and sought out each other when they needed help with things. Wow! That is something I only got the opportunity of experiencing at Utah my final year of collegiate competition. I knew then that the change of scene had to be made, no matter where that might lead me. It also helped me realize the mask I had been hiding behind in Salt Lake City. I love the city but am not feeling completely 100% happy there. I’m such a feel person so when I felt this I buckled down and tried to feel out every little thing about each group that I possibly could. Ultimately I knew that I would feel what was right at the right time. This is an all too familiar feeling for me. Every big change or step I’ve made in my life I’ve had this feeling; it’s a feeling of belonging and ultimately owning something as my own. It’s a feeling of buying 100% into something that is placed in front of me. This is what I was searching for. In that I felt comfortable because in that I have never regretted trusting myself and my feelings.

Rogue was my first stop. I had already met Kara June(6th place in 2008 Olympic trials steeplechase, and roommate this year at the Prefontaine Classic) and knew she would be a great option for a training partner. While in Austin I took a run through “scenic” with Kara and some of the guys on the team, ran one day with my old teammate Scott and on the final day took a run through the city because of the monsoon we encountered that morning(flooded trails). The team did fun stuff together such as cheering Joe on during the triathlon on Labor Day, dinner at a local pizza shop and a bbq at the Rogue store! It was apparent that everyone really enjoyed being part of the team and being in Austin. Another perk of being in Austin was the opportunity of joining a great track program at the University of Texas. Coach Sisson asked if I would be interested in continuing my second passion of coaching at UT. I had the great opportunity to meet the women and watch them workout. I was SUPER impressed by them. I could tell that they had a tremendous amount of respect for coach Sisson and what he was doing. It was pouring down rain at 6 a.m. when they started their workout and not one of them complained about the task at hand. It was fun to see how exactly Coach Sisson interacted with every single one of the women and that he gave feedback to every one of them. It was apparent that he believed in them individually just as much as they believed in him. How cool!

I left Austin feeling pretty excited about my options. A) I knew I had to make a change and B) knew that I already have such a great option! I then made my way to Flagstaff later that week. This is where I met up with the McMillan Elite/USA Arizona crew. They welcomed me with open arms. My options here for training partners were virtually endless. Lindsey Allen, whom had been there for a couple of years now while Erin Bedell had most recently joined (2 of the nations best steeplechasers). Those are only 2 of the 9 women team members. When I got there they took me straight to dinner. The team meets 8 or 9 times a week. I was thoroughly impressed since one of my main things I am looking for is structure. Everyone shows up, everyone is happy and helpful to one another. I realized when I got home how spoiled I had been by having coffee freshly brewed for me every morning before our 8 o’clock runs. One day we ran with some local runners, what they call “bagel run”, this is a run that goes along the urban trail around town. The next day we went to Lowell conservatory to run on the trails there. It was absolutely beautiful and all too familiar to Utah<3. The last day I was there we went to “A-1”, this was a more difficult run for me. It is at 7,500ft. Enough said. We were running pretty fast in the beginning as well. It’s weird how the altitude can catch up to you fairly quick! Through my Flagstaff journey I was also able to partake in a team dinner at Coach McMillan’s house. From what I heard this was rather rare for most of the athletes to be together in one spot! I got Very lucky!!

The next day after I left I kept debating back in forth but knew that there was one place that I got that perfect feeling of belonging that I oh so often had felt in other chapters of my life. I think I realized where I belonged when in the middle of this blog entry the flight captain announced we were flying over Flagstaff and I got immediately excited with butterflies in my stomach. The excitement of what’s to come, this great opportunity that has been placed in front of me. Will I accept the challenge of having people push me every single step of the way? Absolutely! I’m ready and very excited to get started with the next chapter of my life.