I wrote a race recap about my 10k PR at Payton Jordan earlier this spring - read on below or check out the original piece on the rabbit blog:
https://www.runinrabbit.com/blogs/rabbit-chatter/back-to-the-track

Back to the track
After last summer, I had every intention of hanging up my track spikes. I’d competed in not one but two events at the 2016 Track & Field Olympic Trials—more than I could have hoped for. I’d raced my way across Europe, running in track meets from Belgium to the UK to Finland. I’d even run the Olympic Standard in the 10,000 meters. With so many bucket list items achieved, many people (including myself) assumed that after 2016, I’d retire the track spikes and move on to the marathon.

Yet as I was planning my spring schedule, the track kept calling me back. Despite having success on the roads, and having opportunities to race in some fun road events, I couldn’t ignore the track’s beckoning. I still had some unfinished business—faster times to chase, more laps of the oval to circle.

So in early May, I made my annual pilgrimage to Palo Alto for the Payton Jordan Invitational 10,000 meters. I have raced on the track at Stanford every spring since 2002, in high school 4 x 800 meter relays, college 5ks, and pro 10ks. Running on that track feels like being at my grandma’s house–it’s familiar, comfortable, and a place where I feel relaxed and at ease. This year it was no different–the familiar smell of the eucalyptus groves, the Palo Alto evening chill causing me to reach for a zippity-do-dah for an extra layer. As I sat on the picnic tables in the athlete area, sipping my coffee before it was time to warm up, I was happy, relaxed, and ready. Racing can be nerve-wracking, but when I'm competing on a track so familiar and friendly, I feel in my element.

The crowd was full of friends and family–Strava TC teammates, my mom and brother, friends, coaches. As I toed the line, I couldn’t help but smile, so happy to be back on the track where I had run many a hard workout and fast race. And that smile stayed plastered on my face for the ensuing 25 laps–I was grinning as I found myself a spot on the rail in the lead pack, tucked in for the ride. I was smiling as we came through 5k right on target in 16:00, just as planned. The grin continued as I moved up in the field, passing women lap after lap. Don’t get me wrong, the race was HARD–I was working for those splits, grinding away at a personal best. But I was smiling my way to a new PR–truly running joyfully out there. I crossed the line in 31:55, my first time under 32:00, good for the IAAF World Championship Standard and 4th in the US this year. That feeling of running faster than ever before, to the cheers of my nearest and dearest, in my favorite place to race—that is why I came back to the track.

I’ve got one more track meet ahead of me–the USA Outdoor National Championships in Sacramento on June 22. My track spikes live to run another race!

My spring season kicked off with two road races, the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Florida in mid-March, and the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, South Carolina on April 1. The common denominator in these two races was a big bridge -- for some reason, this girl who grew up in flat-as-a-pancake Davis, California decided to run races with huge hill climbs. Huh?? Yeah, that's what I was asking myself as I looked at the course maps and elevation profiles...

The Green Monster Bridge in the Gate River Run

Traditionally, hills have not been my forte - but since training in Providence and zig-zagging my way up and down the hills of the East Side every day, I've come to realize that maybe hills aren't so bad. Sure, I still get dropped by my training partners on hard hills, but the gap isn't as big as it used to be... so going into these spring road races, I tried to convince myself that I wouldn't succumb to the monster hill climb on the big bridges.

The 2 mile long Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge in the Cooper River Bridge Run

And as it turns out, maybe hills are my friend now! In both races, I made a move on the uphill and was able to put some separation between me and my competitors. I powered up the bridges, embracing the climb as I tried to stay strong despite nasty headwinds. At Gate River, I solidified my 7th place finish on the Green Monster (as the bridge is affectionately known as), and at Cooper River, I opened up a gap on the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that I held to the finish. Maybe hills aren't so bad after all...! Still, I'm looking forward to moving to the hill-less track very soon :)

GATE RIVER RUN

Gate River Run was a fantastic way to kick off 2017 -- I always love going down to Florida for some sun and Vitamin D as the New England winter rages on. This race serves as the USA 15k Road Championship and the elite athlete coordinator, Richard Fannin, pulled out all the stops to bring in arguably the strongest women's field in recent years. I was feeling pretty anxious the morning of the race, but I tried to take comfort in the fact that training in February and March had gone great. The race started out slowly, no one wanting to lead for the first 800 meters. A pack started to solidify after the first mile, and I stuck myself in it with the top 10 women.

As we approached 5k, someone threw in a surge (we split 5:11 here) and I knew that was a bit hot for me, so I backed off to 5:25s, letting the leaders go. But I kept my eyes ahead and kept grinding through the neighborhoods, and slowly people started coming back to me. As we reached the base of the bridge, I was in a pack with Elvin Kibet and Liz Costello and we began the windy ascent together. The men, who started 6 1/2 minutes behind us as part of the race equalizer, caught us on the hill, and I tried to gain some momentum from them as they sped by. It was a long climb, almost a mile uphill, but once you reach the top, you have a sweet downhill mile to the finish.

I had felt so strong throughout the race, so smooth -- until about the last 500 meters. As I came off the bridge onramp onto the final straightaway, I was praying I could hold on for just a few more meters. Thankfully, I'd timed things just right, using up those final ounces of energy right before reaching the finish line. I was exhausted, but so happy (evidenced by a little fist pump as I crossed the line!). 7th place and a new 15k PR, it was a super day!

Post-race, I celebrated with running friends by lounging by the pool (reading some papers for grad school, as school doesn't stop for road races...), taking a boat tour of Jacksonville, and then enjoying ice cream and wine at the post-race party. Then it was back to Providence on Sunday -- back to school and back to training!

COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN

Earlier this year when I was invited to race in Charleston at the Cooper River Bridge Run, I jumped at the opportunity, as I'd never been in South Carolina before and was eager to check off a race here in my effort to run a race in all 50 states (I still have many to go!). The race fell during my spring break from grad school, so Avi and I made a little vacation out of it. I was thoroughly impressed with Charleston's Southern charm -- the city and its surrounding beach towns, the amazing food, the people's warmth and welcoming attitude -- it was wonderful!

I loved exploring Charleston on foot during my runs - I ran all around Folly Island, getting in some joyful beach miles, and discovered a lovely park near our hotel in Mt. Pleasant, with pretty dirt trails surrounded by moss-filled trees.

We lucked out with the weather on race day -- it had been quite windy and a bit rainy on previous days, but it race morning brought nice temps and only a bit of breeze. I warmed up with Becky Wade, a super sweet fellow competitor, speedy marathoner, and talented writer (if you haven't read her book Run the World, I highly recommend it!). A few drills, strides, and bathroom spots later and it was race time!

Becky, Katie Matthews of the BAA, and I all worked together for the first few miles, running strategically as we approached the big bridge. The winds on the bridge were fierce, so we tucked in single-file behind a tall guy (thank you, Tall Runner Dude, for breaking the wind!). Unfortunately, the wind took its toll on our tall guy, so as we approached the halfway mark I made a move. I had to battle the wind solo for a bit, but it paid off as I caught a Kenyan woman who'd gone out faster than me. We worked together for the remainder of the race, battling side by side til the last 300 meters, when I was able to pull away. I finished in 6th overall and as the top American -- overall, a fun and successful day!

Photo Credit Wade Spees, Post and Courier

Post-race, Avi and I explored Charleston - and by explored, I mean we ate our way across town (sense a theme here?? My post-race celebrations always involve food!). From fried chicken & waffles to shrimp & grits, we did not leave Charleston hungry. It was a truly beautiful, historic, romantic city, and I'd love to return someday.

Now I'm back home in Providence, logging miles, writing papers, and coaching athletes. Two of my Training Joyfully athletes are racing the Boston Marathon in just about a week(!!), and two more are gearing up for the Providence Marathon shortly after. It's an exciting time of year for racing :)

Speaking of exciting, I have a pretty awesome announcement that I can't wait to share with you next week - stay tuned for a post with the big news!! Til then, run some joyful miles and happy spring!