Running training goes in cycles. Runners MUST enjoy the process, for each phase of training will be repeated again, and again.

I am finally starting to get excited about the process again. I think this is key, if I want to start training seriously again.

Next week my goal is to begin running 30' every other day and start a small lifting and core routine three times a week.

Right now, my back muscles are much stronger that my chest muscles, as is true for most female distance runners. With some simple weigtht exercises I should be able to even out this ratio.

Leo advised that I do about three sets of five reps to maximize strength increase and minimize bulking. Currently I am more slender than I have ever been. In college I carried a lot of muscle weight. If I can gain strength and keep off the bulk, this will benefit me, especially in longer race distances.

I think setting little goals like this is the best way for me to get back into things. I want every stride to be for me and no one else.

I officially decided to end my outdoor track season. A combination of factors contributed to this decision; the most decisive one being exhaustion. Ending the season the way I did was really hard for me. I was in the best shape I have ever been in and on the verge of breaking through to some fast times. I have not been writing many posts recently because I have not been feeling good about running. I haven't wanted to think about training at all.

I have started running easy and only when I want to. I am feeling better and beginning to think about my future running. I still need more recovery time, but I am glad I am starting to feel excited about running again.

I have been living in Atlanta, GA for about a month now. I was hired on the help start a new running store opening in Atlanta called, West Stride. I will be part of almost every aspect of starting a new business. I will be working closely with high school runners; helping them with their shoe and training needs. If you are in town, stop by. We open at the beginning of July.

That is my update for now. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

P.S. Congratulations to Stephie Morgan of Barnesville High School (my alma mater) on here State performances!

Ohio High School State Championship results

If you want to accurately keep track of your miles, this is a great website to map out and calculate the distance of your runs.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

When trying to compete at a high level, the stresses of life often get in the way.

My last two races, an 800m at the Oregon Twilight (5-9-08) and a 1500m at Georgia Tech (5-16-08), did not go well. I finished last in my heats in 2:13 and 4:38 respectively. Both races unfolded in similar ways. I raced mid-pack for the first half and then slowly fell off pace. With my breathing labored and my legs heavy, I was unable to finish competitively. There are many factors that contribute to performances on race day including: personal health, training volume and intensity, diet, travel, and quality of sleep.

Over the past three weeks I have traveled a lot. The day after finishing my finals week at The University of Akron I flew from Ohio to California where I raced to a PR in the 1500. The next morning I flew Eugene, OR where I stayed with my aunt for four days before racing at the Twilight on Friday. Early Saturday morning I flew back to Akron, OH. The morning after my return I started packing up my apartment. Two days later I caravanned with my mother to Atlanta, GA where I now live permanently with my fiance.

The past few weeks have been a hectic time and because of this I am unsure how the rest of my season will unfold. After my poor performance at Georgia Tech I have been trying to rest. But as every distance runner knows, it is hard to take down time without being over whelmed with guilt.

I realize it is important for me not to dwell on the OT in June. It is unlikely that I will be recovered enough or have the racing opportunities to qualify. Instead I need to relax, get rested and remember what it feels like to enjoy being a runner. Who knows what the summer will bring.

I have been in Eugene for five days now, and it has been nice to be home. I have been spending time with my cousin Jacque (we have been friends from birth) and taking some much needed down time.

Because I have had so little to do, I have been anticipating this race more than normal. How that is race day, I am a little anxious, but mostly excited to tear up the track. I do not officially know who is in my race, but it seems that it will be a fast one. Everyone in it wants to hit an OT mark, so weather permitting it should go.

My grandmother and aunts are coming to watch tonight. This is very exciting for me, since they rarely have the chance to watch me run. I lost my grandfather this time last year. It was a very hard time for me and it definitely impacted my life and my running. Since then my family has become even more important me. I hope I perform well, not only for myself, but for them as well.

A video of my Stanford race surfaced on Runnerspace.com.

My 1500 at Stanford was a success. I ran my first PR in three years (4:22.8) and I was in control through the entire race.

This race really helped my confidence. I put four seconds on the field in the last 200 and this shows me I am ready to run a fast 800m.

I am racing the 800m at the Oregon Twilight on Friday. I will find out who is in my race later today.

I am ready to prove that I deserve to be here.

Below is a link to a photo of my Stanford 1500m.
http://trackandfieldphoto.com/DisplayNextJpg.php?080505_0058_1424_RLM

Well, I'm here. I arrived at the San Francisco Airport this morning. It is really easy to get around the San Francisco area. I hopped on the BART, then onto the Caltrain and walked to my hotel. The walk was a little taxing. What I thought would be a 15 minute walk ended up talking me almost an hour. To make things worse, I don't own rolling luggage so I was carrying about 60lbs of luggage. Not only was the hotel was father from the Caltrain station than I thought, plus I also got lost. I ended up calling the hotel to come pick me up. I didn't know, but I was only about a block past the hotel.

For dinner, I ate potato salad and a BBQ chicken sandwich from a little deli down the street.

Now, I am trying to relax as much as possible. Hopefully I will be able to get a good night sleep and feel refreshed for the race tomorrow.

I am so glad the semester is over. Over the past week my final photography project took up every spare minute of my life. I was in the darkroom until 1:00am last night and there was still more work to do today. I turn in my 20 matted prints today at a 4:45pm. Now I have to get ready to leave on a week long trip.

I fly to San Francisco at 5:30am tomorrow. I will race at Stanford University on Sunday and then travel to Eugene, OR. On Friday the 9th I will race the 800m at the Oregon Twilight meet.

I am excited to be a running bum for a week. Hopefully with a less stressful schedule I will be able to bring down my PRs and hopefully hit an OT standard. More importantly, I hope that I can fully enjoy this time and just appreciate the fun of competition.

I am preparing to race again.

My next race will be at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational at Stanford University. I am declared in the 1500m, but I do not know what heat I am in yet.

If I am in one the two fastest sections I will be racing at 7:10pm. Generally at Stanford, this time of day gives runners perfect conditions to run fast. There should also be quality competition. For both these reasons, I am excited into get this race.

As I said before the Duke Invitational, I am in the best shape of my life and I think I have the capability to run under 4:20. I am no less fit now, so hopefully I will get into the fast heat and this race will truly test my fitness.