As I sit here in the library in Mammoth Lakes reflecting on my European summer I am struck by how different of an experience it was compared to years past. Instead of focusing on racing my summer was spent traveling to various races with Sara and starting my buildup toward the US Olympic Marathon Trials this November. While we stayed in the same city in Belgium (Lueven) it felt very different this year. The weather was not nearly as hot as last year had been and our group was joined by a host of fellow US Track and Field athletes. It was always fun to go down to the track and run into a variety of elite US runners.
The highlight of the summer was getting to travel to Madrid with Sara. While the race didn't go as planned, Sara was tripped up in her 1500m race; we still managed to enjoy the city. I had never seen such a vibrant night life. We went out after the race in search of a club and hot chocolate and churros (a Spanish tradition) and the streets were packed with not only youth but also senior citizens in search of a night of fun out on the town. The next day we had the opportunity to go to a Bull fight, which was quite an experience. I had no idea bull fighting was such an art and that they killed so many bulls. Sara and I found ourselves secretly routing for the bulls but unfortunately none prevailed.
The second annual Leuven 800 turned out to be the most widely anticipated and viewed race of the summer. With my coach Terrence, Deena's husband Andrew, Mark from Flocast, and our agent Brad Yewer facing off over the two lap tango (as Andrew Carlson put it). The race didn't disappoint as Terrence and Andrew battled down the homestretch with Andrew prevailing by the slightest of margins. I also had my first try at commentating as Andrew Carlson and I gave the play by play. I think Andrew might have a future with ESPN, as for me, I better keep running.
The hardest part of the summer was leaving my wife Sara as I headed to Mammoth to buckle down on my preparations for the marathon trials. We will be apart for nearly six weeks being the longest we have been apart since we have been married. While it is tough to be here without her I still feel strongly supported by her and the sacrifice we have made adds to my mounting drive to train harder than ever before and show up in New York City ready to run the race of my life. I have dreamed of making an Olympic team and winning a gold medal for well over a decade now and now, after years of ups and downs, I have finally arrived at this stage in my career with an incredible opportunity to take a swing at my goals.
