Track and Field Blogs - Flotrack Blogs

This is not exactly how I envisioned it I thought to myself as I descended down the cement path into the quiet of the tunnel that would lead me into the Birds Nest. I had never physically been into the Olympic Stadium before but I had run through this tunnel thousands of times in my minds eye during training. For the past decade, whenever I ran through a tunnel I would always picture myself running into the Olympic Stadium, of course, in my dream world I was always winning the marathon, not struggling in 10th place. Never the less, as… more »

The Umass Lowell xc guys assure me that a Hammer fest refers specifically to a run or workout where a group hammers on each other and that it is only a one run event as such I can not call a twelve day cycle of training a hammer fest. I am pretty pissed about this but they are better with that sort of stuff then me. Like knowing what a Salty Pirate is ect.. So I will defer to them on this and call my 12 day killer cycle a Festival of Hammers instead. It was that or a Foss… more »

Hey all, Just a quick final post before this whole thing is all over and I'm back in Boulder. I'm didn't stay one day too short or one day too long. I'm ready for it all to be over but happy for each day with its own adventures and lessons. Last night a few remaining USATF team members walked to the dining hall together for a final dinner. We were such a small group! Then, just when Billy and I thought the trip was getting way too long and were really longing for that beautiful Boulder Valley, we ran into… more »

Entering this cross country season I was driven to lead my team to both fast times and many more fun times. I was eager to create an atmosphere fun for any member of the group, touch bases with all levels of runner, and share my knowledge and experience with anyone who had questions.Being a senior captain on the Kodiak cross country team; my hope is to go out with a bang and leave behind me a storied legacy of cross country supremacy. The perfect opportunity to begin such a quest was our annual ferry trip. This year's version was one… more »

Hey all, Well, just like last year I'm here in Asia for my birthday. I'm not really sure if I get to count it as my birthday quite yet because I still have four hours to go before it's really the 23rd of Aug. on the East Coast. Better yet, how about we start my birthday last night at 12am here in Beijing and let it go until 12am tomorrow night in Boulder. That would give me a 38 hour day to celebrate :). The past few days I've not done as much crazy rush-around sight seeing as I might… more »

My running the past few weeks was more enjoyable, more impassioned, more free-flowing than it had been in a long time. I can’t exactly explain why and even less so put it eloquently into words, but there was deep bliss involved with it that was separate from any goals or ambitions I may have. I woke up each morning not just looking forward to the run, but craving it. I would have to distract my mind throughout the day, as I waited for my next run to roll around. This is not necessarily uncommon, but is often fueled by the… more »

First off, I'd like to thank everyone for all their emails, letters and wishes before and after the race. I read them all and they all put a smile on my face. As most of you know, the race did not exactly end up the way I dreamed it would. When I arrived in the Olympic Village I slammed my knee pretty hard on a metal part of the arm of a seat in front of me as I was getting off a shuttle. It was pretty swollen for a few days, but after some anti-inflammatories and plenty of ice,… more »

I have always dreamed about what the whole Olympic experience would be like. I have seen portrayals of the Olympics in many movies, the most memorable of which was "Cool Runnings," but to experience it for myself has been both exciting and boring. I know that "boring" wouldn't seem to be the adjective of choice when describing the Olympic experience, but the truth must be told that the Olympics is not all excitement, all the time for us athletes. I have been telling people that I want to go back to the Olympics sometime when I am not competing so… more »

Ni-hao, The morning after my 2am recap of my race I woke up at 6:30 bright-eyed and ready to make the trek over to BNU where my coach has been staying. I caught a bus an hour later and bounced in my seat like a 5-year-old anxious for the warm welcome of a proud coach. My expectations were met when I saw Mark in the lobby and he was indeed very happy with my race and with my whole season. We communed over breakfast before he caught his Chicago-bound plane later in the afternoon. More importantly, Mark was Buffalo-bound. His… more »

I find myself right off the capitol of Habana at the Inglaterra hotel blogging through the internet world. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind adventure, and the adventure continues. . . After a glorious road trip back from San Francisco at my Orff training, I made my way home to Mendocino to visit the folks. We went canoeing up the Big River on outgoing riggers, then we almost burnt down the sauna I built next to the house (flu fire)! Hay Dios! Next, Kelsey and I stopped off at Fickle Hill in Arcata to visit long time friend… more »

Those are two things you’re assumed to have gained during your first Olympic experience. When I walked off the track, the common question among reporters and tv crew was, “What did I gain from this?” I came into this year only wanting one thing, to make it back from my surgery and to qualify for my first Olympic Games. Once I achieved that feat, it was then about making the semi-finals at the Olympics. After the semi-finals, I wanted nothing less than to be in the Olympic 1500 meter finals. In my first round, I beat World Champions and Olympic… more »

I walked into that stadium tonight and it was like the whole world showed up to watch our final. I had to smile because I felt like I was being introduced to the planet. There's really no way you can prepare yourself for the significance of the race I was about to begin. And surprisingly, it wasn't the pressure but rather the presence that hit me. I didn't feel expectations, I felt millions of eyes. Millions of eyes focused on a line of skinny, strong, serious women staring down nine lanes of imminent pain. What kept me sane was that… more »

I will be down at the Bird's Nest tomorrow night, the nerves will grip me as I settle into position, eyes and arms at the ready. The race starts and I stand up in anticipation not as an athlete but as a spectator observing the action, in one of the world's greatest sporting events. In a long journey that involved time in Kenya mingling with some of the greatest distance athletes in history while creating a documentary that still hasn't come to fruition, who would have thought that 4 months later I would be watching some of those athletes at… more »

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! All of the love and support from around the USA (and beyond) has been so touching and encouraging. WE have made it to the final on Sunday. Myself along with the investment of so so so many other people. The race was crazy to say the least. There were several messy pile-ups and I'm really blessed to have made it though 99% unscathed. I'm off to catch a nap. Rest and recovery so I can rock on Sunday. I'm also so happy for and proud of Anna for making it through to the final… more »

My wife and I just got new cell phones. They're sweet. I hated my old phone, and I decided to sell it on ebay. After doing some research to find out what kind of price point I should put it at, when to list it, how long the auction should last, etc. etc. I put it up for $19.99 as a starting bid with a "buy it now" option for $29.99. It sold in less than 12 hours with the buy it now option. I thought it was awesome since I hated that phone (rated 3.5 out of 5 by… more »

It's the day before my prelim and I don't know what the next few days will bring. I will update you up until now but I make no promises about getting a blog up between now and after my final. It's time to be totally selfish about my time. Yesterday was a pretty big day. I ran early and later, did a walk-through of the transportation to the official warm-up track and did actually get to go onto and see the warm-up track and the call rooms. No big surprises. The track is nice and located just meters outside of… more »

Thursday, August 14, 2008 Our adventures are getting less and less adventurous as we draw closer and closer to our competition dates. Leo and Lindsey found out what heats they’re in. Both are in the first heat which is probably the worst. The third is the best because you can see how fast the other heats have run, and then run for a time to make it to the next round. Usually each heat will take 3 or 4 automatically from each heat and then like 4-6 qualifiers on time. The steeple will be top 3 from each heat auto… more »

8/13/08 Wow, today was crazy hectic for me. As usual I wake up and think about all the things that I have to do today. There were was a lot on my mind. Either way the day started off by getting up and heading over to Normal University to do small workout. Actually it’s more like a test run making sure all the burners are functional and ready to go. As is tomorrow will be the day that I go off and we normally do something that gets the legs going and the heart beating. I started off the workout… more »

There is an illness sweeping the Olympic Village. It manifests itslef most clearly in the dining areas and international zones. It causes people to jingle as they walk and randomly stop other pedestrians with a tarret-like outberst of "pins? pins?" Really though, pin trading in the Olympic Village has been a fun new experience and can easily sweep one into obsession. When we arrived at team processing every athlete received pins for our event area along with some pins from USATF. Also, in many sponsor gift bags there would be included an Olympic themed pin. I remember getting pins when… more »

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 I almost got 9 hours of sleep last night. I almost missed the bus to the practice track too. I set my alarm for 7:40AM, and then thought I set it for 8:05AM after it went off. When I woke again, my watch said 8:26AM. I said, “Ah poop!” Leo asked what was wrong I told him I had 4 minutes to make it ½ mile for he 8:30AM bus. He said, “It’s only 8:05AM.” Well I guess instead of resetting my alarm, I set the clock to 8:05AM and so my watch was 20 minutes… more »

8/13/08 I decided to sleep in till 9am today went for a 15min run and then went to check my e-mail. I think it was probably about 60 emails that I have received usually 40 is the average. I had set up two appointments to do interviews one with KXAN news station back home in Austin and the other with Telivisa a national Mexican television. When I finished up with KXAN the Telivisa crew was ready for the interview. I think they were a little anxious to start rolling because they were shooting me as I was doing the KXAN… more »

8/8/08 So I guess ill start off by letting everyone know that Jao Ming came into the cafeteria while I was eating and grabbed a Coke and McDonalds, def a publicity stunt, but way cool. Needless to say that was only a precursor to what was to come during the day. We had a meeting at 3pm about the opening ceremonies which took about 30min. After the meeting is when it all started. We were all rushed to make sure we got a quick bite to eat before we left for the opening ceremonies since we knew they were going… more »

Monday, August 11, 2008 I’m not sure if it was the weather or the half tights or Coach Eyestone being there or perhaps it was the Rice Krispy cereal cause I got the snap, crackle, pop back in my legs. Today was the first workout in China that I felt sharp and relaxed the whole time. I warmed up for 20 minutes. Then I did a warm up 800 meter at 2:09. After a lap jog, I did a 1200 meter with the first 800 meters at 2:10, then the last lap at 57 seconds. I finished with 2x200 meters… more »

before i get this started, everyone needs to open up a new tab and go to www.jhern.com thanks! Olympic Village- ok, it’s been a busy week over here in Beijing. i haven’t really even had a good chance to get some good videos done. but the good news is that training is going great! on the track, we’re just doing some things to sharpen up my timing; in the field, we’re fine tuning some cues to make sure my coach and i are on the same page. there will be about 29 rows of seats, 9 lanes of track, and… more »

It feels like that past few days here at the Village have gone by quickly and have been full of... well, .... a lot of the same. This is one of the few times when a lot of the same is nothing to complain about! Billy and I have been waking up in the mornings to catch a bus to the USA training facility at Beijing Normal University. If you're going to compete in the Olympics, make the USA team! USATF and the USOC have done everything in their power to make our lives comfortable and convenient. The track that… more »

I am in most aspects of life a patient person and in most aspects very persistent, I think my family would say stubborn but I'm being positive. But in running I tend to struggle with patients, both in the short term in terms of racing and long term, in waiting for improvement and success. I do better in running with persistence. Both are absolutely important to running success, but what are they and how can we use them. Patients the ability to wait with a calm feeling for something you want desperately, thats not the websters definition but its how… more »

The driving in Beijing is pretty crazy. The horn is more of a tool you must use to survive and not seen as rude but more as a, "Heads up, just letting you know I'm behind you and I'm gonna pass so don't merge left." . China is a county of 1.3 billion people and almost every driver on the road is a basically a new driver bc the cars were never the norm until China's recent economic explosion. Bike is still a huge part of most Chinese people's lives and they are just as much part of the street… more »

Saturday, August 10, 2008 After hitting the sack at 2AM, 8AM was pretty early for getting up, but as the Kenyans say, “You better be up and running before the lion or you’ll get caught.” No wonder they are so incredible at distance running. We just missed the bus going to the practice track at Beijing Normal University so we had an hour wait. I called Whit and the opening Ceremonies were just about to start in Utah. I let her go and cracked open some Twighlight to kill the hour wait. On the bus some female freestyle wrestlers sat… more »

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.In the fell clutch of Circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud.Under the bludgeonings of Chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade,And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley more »

Hey Everyone, This is going to have to be a quick one. My computer availability has been compromised for a day or two but I wanted to sneak in a quick post. Last night was quite an event. I'm so glad that I went and participated in the Opening Ceremonies. Between transportation, staging, marching, and the end of the ceremony it's about a 6 hour commitment for the athletes. But it was so worth it! I think the best way for me to describe my experience being a part of it all is that I felt like a stargazer... in… more »

Opening Ceremonies Man oh man. I can’t tell you how awesome the whole evening was. It was long and my feet and legs felt like a full days work - that’s 5 hours for me - at the Home Depot. We got all spiffed up like high schools boys before prom and headed to the fencing hall to meet the President of the United States. That’s right. George W Bush and George Bush both showed up to wish us luck, shake hands, and snap a few photos. As I shook the President’s hand, he wished me luck. Regardless of whatever,… more »

One week to race day! I am feeling great, excited, and honored to be here. Currently I am staying in Dalian, China with the rest of the US Track and Field team. We are all very well taken care of here and I am getting all the rest I need. I get a nap every day and I go to bed at about 9:30. The country of China is on one time zone so the sun rises each morning at about 4:30am in Dalian. This means that I am up and ready to start the day no later than 6am.… more »

Beijing: So the journey to my first Olympics started at LAX at 12PM Pac on Wed, which I think is yesterday for you guys but two days ago for us. Anyway the flights were pretty uneventful. I flew from LAX to Tokyo to Beijing. I was a little scared I might get denied in Beijing bc my passport is a little weathered but it was pretty ez. My brother Martin and Garrett who run wrestling and swimming sites respectfully arrived on a different flight so I had to run around trying to find them at the airport, bc our phones… more »

Thursday, August 7, 2008 Leo and I were out by 9:40pm and up at 6:30am. Pluses and negatives to that. The plus is that I get to talk to Whit first thing in the morning. The negative is that you sit around until 8:30am when the bus leaves for the practice track. Then you don’t start your workout til about 9:45am and it’s hotter and more humid than ever. The workout wnet okay. 8x400m@59-60 seconds with 90 seconds rest between each. I went over the hurdles on the even laps. I hit all the times I needed to, but I… more »

It’s hard writing about running when you’re on downtime. I like to use downtime for non-running thoughts and activities. Recent thoughts; biodiesel fuel, geometry and getting another degree. Recent activities; eating Girl Scout Cookie Blizzards, training Ozzie to stop chewing electrical cords and installing new door handles and hinges on our interior doors. Nothing very exciting is going on at the moment. School starts in 2 weeks for private schools and 4 weeks for public schools. I’ll be tutoring again but until then things are quiet. Over the next month I’ll be training for the 20k champs. It will be… more »

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Slept til 5:15AM and then couldn’t sleep anymore. I guess that’s what happens when you go to bed at 9:10PM. It’s just hard to stay awake when 1, it gets dark at 7PM since the whole country is on one time zone, and 2, the meals by our chef flown in from Denver are so good you just eat until you get droggy. So I Skyped, internet phoned, Whit and read some. At the track I did a hard interval workout. I warmed up by pacing Lindsey Anderson through 800 meters of her 1500 meter time… more »

I was listening to a mix of music this afternoon and on it is Jack Johnson's "Breakdown." Recently that song strikes a chord with me. The lyrics talk about a train rushing through town and how he needs "this old train to break down" so he can take a look around. I kind of feel like this entire experience of being at the training camp (which wasn't mandatory) and being in the Olympics is a bit like that speeding train. The scenery is so beautiful and it's a thrilling experience but it's all rushing by. If only time could just… more »

If you've been reading the other blogs, you've basically heard everything from Josh, Leo, and Jenny but I wanted to throw a blog up as well while I'm here in Dalian! It really has been great here! We've had a few days where it's been pretty hazy, but we've also had some very clear and beautiful days. It's been pretty hot and humid but not as bad as I thought it was going to be, so that's been a nice surprise! The resort place that we're staying in is nice, the food is good, and I've adjusted to the time… more »

I want to take a moment to talk about diet and eating routine especially because I've had quite a few posts, e-mails, and general questions about it. I want to preface this with reminding you all that what I'm going to share is based on my own personal experience and opinions. I have found that if you asked five different athletes about diet you would probably get seven different answers. Actually, this is good timing for this question because just yesterday I woke up to a breakfast of pepto :(. That's not at all to suggest that the food isn't… more »

Heyo, I finally have some half-way interesting and funny stories for all of you, along with some answers to your questions. Dalian, while beautiful, isn't the most exciting place on earth (besides being the US training center!!!) and so I've been concerned about boring all of you back home. Your curiosities help me know what you want to hear about though so, ... here we go. Yesterday afternoon we all went out on a little shopping excursion. The team drove a little way into the downtown city with the typical army of escorts and security. Don't worry though, we didn't… more »

Okay now that Leo and I got these straightened out, I will share the last few days with you according to my journal that I've been sending home. The pics are of the girl who is predicted to take the gymnastic gold, Casey and AG with lil ole me, and the arcade at the Olympic Village. My Olympic Journal Wed, July 30 The last few weeks have been so busy. After making the team, I was bombarded with newspapers, interviews, photo shoots, and even a Sports Center crew coming out for a segment. On top of that, Whitney, my wife,… more »

Today i had a really good work out. This is for all of you that are intrested in what i do before a race. 2min warm up, stretch 15min, drills, 15 warm up 3by 1k, 2:47, 248, 2:52 then i had a build up 100-15 sec add two sec every 20m up to 180m 15min cool down Hurdle drills Tomorrow will be fun we are going back into Down town Dalian deeper than we went last time so im sure it will be an adventure.   Big shout out to everyone back home more »

Days of travel are finally moving out of my legs and today's track session was a sweet confirmation. My coach, Wetmore, got in last night and so that means I was back on the track this morning. With a spring in my step and Mark's thumb on the watch, I put in some good intervals in hot weather. The morning began again at 5:30am when I woke up after a solid 8 or 9 hours of sleep. Sleep and fluids are the most important prescription for recovery. So, I entertained myself again until breakfast and then met with Mark to… more »

HELLO! Man I feel like I have been out of the loop forever! I've been without internet all week and its been tough, let me tell you. We had internet access in Leuven but its not working anymore so the only way to get any vids to you has been through asking some of the random university to borrow their computers. But now I've got it back and ready to rock. I have a bunch of great footage from the trip that I am excited for everyone to see so I'll be getting it out to you soon. I hope… more »

Good morning everyone (for me at least), It's early here and when I originally wrote this blog it was even earlier... but I think I accidently deleted it or something... oh well. So, speaking of time, it's about 9am here on Aug. 2nd while it's almost 7pm the day before in Boulder. If anyone in the states wants to know if tomorrow is going to be a good day, just send me an e-mail and I'll let you know ;). The excitement of where I am and what I'm embarking on is enough to warp time. But, that in addition… more »

Good morning everyone! (for me anyway) It's 6:20am Aug. 2nd I'm just beginning the 5th day of my adventure and it feels like I've been traveling for a month but at the same time I almost remember having left just yesterday. The excitement helps warp the time but for this trip no help was needed. I've changed so many time zones and traveled through too many nights to know what day it is sometimes, much less what time it is! But now I'm finally settled in Dalian along with many other teammates. We'll stay here for a week before Opening… more »

i have left north america for the first time in my life. i am officially 13 hours from US Central time. there hasn't been anything to traumatic so far, except the 11 1/2 hour flight from san francisco to beijing. but that was a small price to pay for the priviledge. the chinese are pulling out all of the stops. putting on a smile with every task they perform. in the village, i've seen more volunteers and workers than i have athletes and coaches. the size of the city is hidden by the sleepy bus rides and greenery around the… more »