2012 Bloomsday 12k: Elite Runner?

Yesterday, I learned that my petition for elite seeding in the 2012 Bloomsday 12k in Spokane, WA was accepted and I will be racing alongside the professionals come May 6th. Last year, the top nine spots went to Kenyan/Ethiopian runners. Only 11 Americans finished in the top 25 (for men). The winning time was 33:58. When did I earn the right to join these ranks?

I'm not complaining though. Hell, I am the one who ASKED to be put there. But, now that I am there, it's very intimidating. I'm about to race international caliber athletes. Some probably have a legit chance at Olympic teams. All the Americans entered have run well under 13:45 in the 5000m. Most near 2:10 in the marathon. What am I doing mixed in with them?

Then again, why wouldn't I take this opportunity? I finally get to put myself in a position where I HAVE to step my game up. I have to push. I get to see where I really stack up. Plus, the longer the race, the better I usually perform. So maybe this isn't such a bad idea. No, I don't intend on winning. Or even getting top 10. Top 25 would let me leave the race more than satisfied. So, here we go. Barely over a month left. And I am going to do this. Wish me luck?

Home

It's spring break! No, I am not spending my nearly two weeks (which I only got because of an early final) in Cabo or Miami Beach partying. I went home! And there is no other place I'd rather be.

There is something special about coming back home. Back to your comfort zone. Back to where this all began. My running career started here in this town and it's nice to get back to do what I love best in the place where it all began. There's just this since of familiarity in it and every run seems to be good.

Well, that's all I really wanted to say. Still have a long time until I race, since I am redshirting this outdoor season (April 12th is the first race!). As for now, I will go run the old trails and paths I used to tread in the good ol' days (high school, even though it wasn't that long ago...)