What’s track and field all about? It’s about passion -- for
the sport and for pure competition. In recent weeks, I've been lucky
enough to
experience that passionate fervor, first at the Occidental High
Performance Meet (Oxy) in LA two weeks ago, then at the Heart & Sole
Elite Mile in Santa Rosa two days after. They were two unique and
completely different experiences but both filled with
the passion our sport needs more of.
If you ever have a chance to go to Oxy, whether as an athlete or a spectator, I highly recommend it.
The track is a small, intimate venue; with the stadium plopped down in the
middle of crowded Los Angeles, there isn’t a lot of room for expansive bleachers.
Spectators and fans pack the stands on one side of the track, while the
athletes congregate on the opposite side. At a small track in one corner of the
world, some of the most talented mid- and long-distance runners talk, laugh,
stretch, meditate, and most of all RUN FAST.
Oxy
was a convergence of talent and passion. American collegiate records
fell, new US leaders emerged, and numerous Olympic A standards were
achieved. But the meet wasn't just about running fast; athletes also
sought competition, and in epic battles down the home stretch, the
athletes' passion for the sport was evident. Fans were treated to
exhilarating
finishes and the energy and excitement in the stadium was palpable.
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| (Photo borrowed from Jordan McNamara) |
My
event was one of the last races on the
track, so I had the pleasure of watching the races before my own, and
the magic on
the track served to inspire me. In the men's 1500, fellow Bay Area
athlete David Torrence ran 3:35.41, sneaking under the Olympic A
Standard by 9 one-hundredths. In his post-race interview, David's
passion was evident. He transferred his energy to the crowd, pumping up
everyone in the stands. His zeal and enthusiasm is just what our sport
needs more of! Fellow runners, take note!
As for my own race, it left something to be desired, but I’m
trying to be happy with it, since it was a personal best. I ran 16:12 for 8th place, but I unfortunately ran it the hard way. I went out with the pack and
came through the mile in 5:00. 15:35 pace is a bit
out of my wheelhouse at the moment, so I paid for the hot early mile in the later
stages of the race. Still, I gained experience running with America’s best and
have to be pleased with a new PR.
Two days after my race at Oxy, I traveled to Santa Rosa to
compete in the Heart & Sole Elite Mile. Although my legs were trashed from
running a 5k in spikes, I wanted to support the event, which was coordinated by
my former Aggie teammate Alex Wolf-Root. Although the meet wasn’t nearly the
caliber of Oxy, it brought the same passion and energy to the track.
The Santa
Rosa running community came out to cheer on the elites, and in return fans were
treated to the same exciting home stretch finishes as the fans at Oxy. High
school runners lined the infield to watch the elite miles and their youthful
energy helped power me through 4 laps on tired legs. My 3rd place finish netted me a nice $600 paycheck – always a good way to finish a weekend
of running :-)
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| High-fiving fans at the Heart & Sole Elite Mile |
At
both Oxy and the Heart & Sole Mile, I got to be a part of exciting
races and intense competition. The meets showcased passionate athletes
chasing dreams. At a time when public enthusiasm and fan support for
track & field is waning, we need more events like Oxy and the Heart & Sole Mile and more athletes sharing their passion for the sport.
Next up for me -- the Portland Track Festival on June 8th. I'll be giving the 10K Olympic Trials A Standard one last shot. Updates to come!
