Chapter One

Since my experience with my first major injury - which occurred the week before my pinnacle race at the 2020 Olympic Trials, my training has been at best spotty.

I was at the top of my mountain, putting in more mileage including 3 days of pace variation work for a 16 week build up, I was in superwoman shape. I felt I could hold a 5:45-50 pace for 26.2. ANNNNDDDD, Life. Running. Sports. Life! Just like Steinbeck quoted on the first page in his phenomenal novel Of Mice and Men- taken from a Robert Burn's Poem, Even the best laid plans often go Awry- or something like that- ha- the point is rarely in life, sports, or ah yah a marathon build up- does the plan unfold without some hiccups. And, well, this is what makes us runners and athletes so resilient, dependable, and tough. We don't fall when something doesn't got our way. We may throw a little pity party, but it doesn't take us long to give ourselves that tough love self talk- get up, wipe your tears, pull up your boot straps and figure it out! We go back to the drawing board not with shame, guilt, or over judgement, but as a reflection to dial in on where exactly our limiters are. Some of us keep doing the same thing over and over again (what we want instead of what our body really needs in order to progress) until we are sick and tired and ready. Ready to take some responsibility to get the root of our issues.

For me, nutrition- reading, hiring and working weekly with a well known expert endurance nutritionist- to really look at my motivations and habits- my way of thinking around food and how it fuels my body and brain to live life to fullest.

Check.

Mobility- moving my stiff body in several plans of motion while keeping my postural and spinal alignment along with my core engaged.

Check.

Body awareness - finally being open to listen and work HARD- real HARD to rewire my neuromuscular connections that allow for my running form to become more economical and efficient.

Hips and Glutes - once I learned how to brace my core, neutralize my pelvis, engage my glutes, get long in the spine and stop dumping into my hips, I was able to run stable, strong in the torso, and extend the leg behind my body instead of wasting energy taking choppy steps- also due to tight hip flexors! In other words, I worked on becoming a human sling short like Jay Dicharry says in his book, Anatomy for Runners."

Check.

Strength - No longer am I JUST lifting for muscular endurance- that has its place- lower weight that you can handle for 15, 20, 25 reps, but also really loading the bar for 3, 4, 5, 6 reps for power, central nervous system fatigue, and overall athleticism in my tissues, tendons and just to get stronger- build my foundation.

Check.

Now, body work. Body work is an absolute must if I want to get to the end of my book I am beginning to write today. With Tross Chiropractic- Dr. Ben Hendrix and Dr. Austin Conrod- I am able to get an array of techniques that allow for healing, tissue pliability, and check ins on my progressions on my musculoskeletal loading- to ensure we are staying in touch with my body as we hammer in training. Without their support- there is absolutely no way I would even have any hope that I can "finish my book". By December sub 2:37 with 2x week at Tross and check ins with my progress and body as we increase miles and workouts. Doctor and Coach all in one! This is a first. With all my knowledge in run training and my experience with training for 3 past Olympic Marathon Trials - we will be a great team! I can't be more grateful to get these guys help and support. It doesn't matter how much you know - youve got to have someone to answer to- especially when things get sticky. And these guys have made this commitment to me as I have to them!

So what book am I attempting to write: well, its figurative, and chapter one really starts at the Houston Chevron Half Marathon. I last minute decided to do a trip t visit one of my athletes and girlfriend Rachel who resides in the state and is running the full - I will run the half. At first I thought, I will just go out hard and hang on for dear life.

But Dr. Ben and I decided- this is not my super bowl, my goal is not anyones but mine- my goal is to figure out how to keep my body strong, healthy and able to handle the training that is required to run a sub 2:37 for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials. If I do this, I may feel that I finally was able to express the hard work and fitness that I was unable to express in 2020.

And while this attempt may seem crazy, to me it is full of life, energy, and hope and most important- one that will allow me to further understand how do something that is so elusive and rare: how to reach our running goals through adversity, doubt and time- not giving up, and really embracing the process of it all no matter how curvy the road.

It's not ALL about the goal. Its about the underlying motivations, roots, and making a decision to do something that you really aren't sure is even possible- by hiring and surrounding yourself with the best to catapult ourselves to that next level which is in the process- which is different at different phases and times in our lives.

So, wish me luck - Chapter 1 means running a solid Goal Marathon Race pace effort on Sunday no faster and walking away feeling really strong- knowing, I have 11 months to stretch that 5:59 pace to 26.2.

Why am I even doing this? Because it is my passion and goal to run- hard, easy, competitive, social - for very long. To do this, I have to find some things out about my body as a woman, athlete, and trainer/coach. I am my own Guinea pig? - sure- ha!

And no matter how chapter one ends- I will return with more info and a fire in my heart! Now- off to Emerge to work with Matt Pirtle to get strong!