The Line is DISTINCT and the MESSAGE is CLEAR!

SHARE THIS so we can have a VOICE in USATF’s Decisions regarding Women’s Competitive Marathoning- Specifically the 9 minute Reduction of the qualifying standard- or say goodbye to a group of women who were once inspirational to communities and states- I know this is how my career was inspired- by women in this “sub” group!

USATF- Raise the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying Standard back to a reasonable time of 2:45 so that the small group of women who need that 5-8 minutes you reduced the time to in order to keep the balanced career, family, and running life that is an inspirational energy for their varying communities- especially for those who are affected by the ripple of energy that is created from these women's’ ambitions within their towns and states.

Surly you can see that this time reduction draws a distinct line between career marathon runners and those who are also just as talented but have chosen a multi passionate life that simply cannot accommodate the time off feet and recovery lifestyle that the career marathoners must include in order to execute the training required to be competitive at the Olympic games.

Understand the impact you are having on so many states and communities by drawing this distinct line.

I know there are much more important topics to argue, but at the same time, hear me out: I believe giving a voice to small energies that set a heart and possibly a community on a passionate journey toward a goal can be pretty powerful. I know this because I was a young girl impacted and encouraged at one time. Now 40, I want to let other gals - all ages that we can still compete at a high level just as before. But, the standard has been reduced to send a clear message: We only want runners who have a chance at stamping their Olympic Ticket. Yet, only 5-10 minutes behind is a whole hive buzzing and ready to fly!

Anyone who knows me understands my love of training for sport- specifically in my adult years as a road and trail marathoner. I do it because I love to set goals, challenge my physical and mental limits, and interact with a group of other runners- who are smart, strong, and kind.

As an adult, we sometimes lose touch with our passions- thinking that this should now be left to the younger generation- our time is done; but- I strongly disagree. In fact, I think our younger - to older generations needs grown humans who can model what choosing a craft, working at on it with discipline, kindness, and humility- then sharing the sweet, blood, and the glory of chasing a dream or crafting a gift.

Especially during a time in our society and culture when both mental and physical health are causing a large number of our people much suffering. Too many times we see ourselves or those around us using destructive ways to cope with past trauma or just the day in and out of a life that is too demanding and overwhelming to feel joy from the simple things in life like that first cup of coffee in the morning, a good book, or a run with a friend.

Although different- running, cross fit, volleyball, reading, yoga, chess, reading, gardening, painting- each process provides us with a creative purpose that has the power to move us in a hopeful, happy direction: One where we feel most alive working, accomplishing- even if others just don't understand it.

I walked into the gym bathroom the other day, I saw a little red sign that said, “you can't out exercise the crazy.”

This made me curious: the person who posted this or created this - of course trying to be funny- was also shaming a group of people who enjoy and use exercise as a creative outlet- not as punishment.

For me, exercise is not the same as training. Training entails purpose with a goal in mind. Exercise is great but with more of a haphazard, “have to” approach. I gently look at my running as a “get to” race, run, train.

Oh geez I digress!

Ok so we know how important goals are in the marathon running community.

In fact, there is a HUGE group of runners who target, train, and attempt to qualify and run for the Boston Marathon, maybe a personal best time; another group targeting the Olympic Marathon Trials; and yet another group targeting the Olympic Marathon. These targets literally provide purpose, joy, and energy to not just the athlete's life, but those around them watching the passion, sacrifice, and discipline it takes to reach a fantastic goal. Watching not just the success, but the inevitably messy process that entails a work of art. It's important to see all of this. Not just the victory.

These are goals that are rare and that cannot be reached by cutting corners. We need people who commit to goals like this to show others they can chase dreams instead of losing hope and turning to “band aids' ' in life that are those distractors: drugs, alcohol, smoking, technology, hate, divisiveness, ect. (notice exercise is not on this list - haha)

So you have a huge group of inspiring individuals in your community spreading that energy by aiming for Boston.

Then the next level up are those sub elites who -like me- have a lot of running talent but decided to take the family + career path while still being able to train hard. This path requires a lot of balance especially for marathon runners due to the need for an elite marathoner in training to get off his or her feet any time he or she is not training. A general person with a family and career is not able to recover the way an elite athlete can and does and this is a choice - no argument. Then there are the elites- those whose career is running. They live, train, eat, sleep, recover in groups with support from shoe companies and running programs with professional coaching and trainers. They do deserve this - they sacrifice a lot. BUT, the pool is SMALL. ELite distance runners don't make a ton of money and again, they must sacrifice a lot, like making hard decisions with when and if to start a family or a career.

Boston Dreams

Olympic Marathon Trials Dreams

Olympic Dreams

Since 2009, I've been training for the Olympic Marathon trials. I qualified for my first in 2012 after my first baby and during my 6th year teaching. I missed 2016 by 13 seconds during a year when I switched school districts and was working late nights and only within the 6 months before the deadline decided, well maybe I could go for it again! That year was 2020 OMT in LA and it was a HOT HOT trials- I remember watching the runners drop out like flies as the miles accrued as the heat was just unbearable for them to stay cool enough to exert the energy needed. Then, I qualified for the 2020 trials much ahead of the deadline as I was more established in my new career role and on my second baby. After the 2020 trials, I thought I would be done, I am 40 now and well, shouldn't I be done.

But, I don't want to be done. Not because I have anything to prove to you or to myself but because I love to shoot for goals, be a part of an amazing community of other women runners who are also juggling family, career, and run training. To me, this has always been the inspiration- women, we can have it all - if we are balanced and have grace with ourselves. I remember the first time I read about the women in the trials back before I was even close to hitting a fast enough time and thinking - wow, are you serious, that girl wakes up at 4 am, trains, goes to teach 5th grade all day, comes home, trains, and does it all over again - and look, she is killing her marathon PRs and dreams. Traveling to cool places, racing with the best in the country and doing what she loves: training and training hard yet purposefully. I wanted to do this too! The stories of the worm of the past trials inspired me, saved me, showed me who I was and what I wanted for myself and life.

Fast forward to today, we know the B standard for the women's marathon trials has floated around 2:45-2:46 in the last 4 Olympic cycles or so. This is a 6:17 per mile. We know that with better shoe technology, training groups, and maybe even the flexibility of schedules that Covid perhaps encouraged has produced more fast women marathoners. 2020 Atlanta saw a record field of women competitors. Some people scoffed and said there were too many runners- that the race should be just for those who actually have a chance to make the Olympic Team, but I disagree.

To me, 300 plus women in the Olympic Trials may have been a lot of competitor to accommodate financially, but change the perspective to- wow look at all these women from all over the country who are probably inspiring and modeling what hope, discipline, character, tenacity, and community, and health looks like. Each one of the women in that race lives and runs and trains in a small community.

I was born, raised, and currently train in a small town, st. Charles, Missouri. The weather is not always great for running and it's hard to find training partners and groups to fit my pace and training schedule, but I do it and I share it with my family, friends, school, work, and community. And while I get a lot of peace, creative outlet, and fun from my own running, I do believe my running is a way to give back to some other little girl or grown man for that matter who wants to aim for a goal- whatever that goal is and understand that life is one to be lived.

Adventure and natural high comes from showing up for ourselves and when we fail, getting up, dusting it off, reflecting on lessons learned and marching forward with a new found light and path.

It's 2023 and the deadline for the 2024 Olympic marathon trials is Dec 5th 2023. The committee has reduced the time to 2:36! This is a 5:59/mile. Which means,, if you are not in that “career elite runner group I explained above” You are going to have to sacrifice family and career due to the amount of recovery required to sustain the training required to get the body ready for 26.2 plus miles of load at this pace. The line has been drawn and it is thick and dark.

I know I can run a sub 2:36, I have no doubt, but am I willing to become a career marathon runner over the next year to do that - well, some people may say yes to this. BUT I say NO. Just on the precedent of it all. Again, why is the committee digging their heels in to make this race - only for those who could possibly make the team when sport is about energy and unexpected performance. Allow- no I mean ENCOURAGE- this small group of “sub Elite” multi career women to qualify! PLEASE I am begging you- this may be your opportunity as an organization to impact the country in a way that is so powerful yet elusive. Even a few of these women who are encouraged by a standard like a 2:44 would bring so much positivity and the ripple effect to her community is worth the extra financial burden on the committee.

Again, Boston- Huge group of inspiring individuals.

Olympic marathon Trials Group is in between that Boston and Career elite group and thus sometimes is forgotten! 2020 brought the record number of over 300 women. The current 2024 lists only about 100 women (I would say a majority who are career athletes- due to the drastic 9 minute time reduction (from 2:45 now to 2:36!)

I see on facebook my fellow competitors not even going for the standard - just like the committee wanted, but again, I urge the committee to bring that standard back up so these women can do what God made them to do: run, train, race, and inspire.

Please share this if you are like me and care so much about this. I don't want it easy, trust me, I like it hard, but sub 2:36 is drawing a line that should definitely be erased considering the gift and power these women can share with those paying attention around them - it's time to look at the big picture - the ripple effect. Is an extra 200 women that much of a financial burden on your race funds? Consider the mental, emotional, and social paycheck we will all receive in return. Please, we need it now more than ever!

Also, if someone who is more articulate, less wordy, and less emotional than I who wants to rewrite this and share with people who care and might be able to give us a voice- please do so!!!!

This is a picture of me in 2011 crossing the line i California (CIM) to my first Olympic Marathon Trials - I quickly joined these girls from all over the country in a huge group hug after we worked together to get hit this standard. I couldn't wait to get home to my baby and husband not to mention all 180 students in my literature classes back in Florissant, Missouri- the kids and staff were so excited!