My
pre-competition view of the
Olympic Trials Experience
BEFORE...
With
only a few days before the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Women's Marathon,
I know exactly how things will go. Here's my attempt to bring
you my positive
visualiztion and hoping I don't curse myself...
PRE-RACE:
Upon
arrival in Charlotte, NC we visit with family we have not seen
in a while.
They live on Lake Norman and of course, the weather is perfect
while we lounge
on their deck in our shorts and sweatshirts and enjoy the scenery.
I
visit the class that has adopted me as their athlete for the Trials.
The fourth graders of Camden Primary School are welcoming and
friendly and come loaded with so many questions about running,
I just can't possibly answer them all! I get to the class on time
without getting lost.
There's
plenty of time to catch up with old friends - many I have not
seen since the Trials in 1996. Ann Schaefers-Cole, with whom I
trained when I lived in Chicago (who happens to be an A qualifier
this time); Anne Flynn, who ran for a different high school near
mine in Western NY; Alysun Deckert whom I hung out with at Grandma's;
Sue Kelly - turns out we have a mutual friend - in West Virginia
of all places!
Have
a relaxing pasta dinner with my dad in Columbia. Settle into my
room and chat with Laura Bell before calling it an early night.
I have no trouble actually sleeping a whole entire night without
getting up to put a wandering toddler back in her room.
RACE
DAY:
The
weather is perfect. Low in the 40s and high in the lower 60s.
Low humidity, and a smattering of clouds during the race - plenty
of sunshine afterwards. Some of the runners based in the warmer
states are actually wearing gloves!
The
crowds are thick and enthusiastic. I'm able to see Casey, Abby
and Mark once we are out of downtown and wave to them as I pass.
That makes the kids laugh.
Kathy
Rink and I start out at our own pace and don't care that we are
bringing up the rear of the pack. We know we'll be passing people
in a few miles. I get every one of my special fluids bottles without
a hitch. Water is plentiful. A GU at 13 miles and I'm set until
lunch.
With
just a few blisters and feeling great, Kathy and I cross the finish
line at about the same time. We ran just a little faster than
we planned, but in a smart race. We both felt great around 16
miles and picked it up slowly. I'm glad I didn't have to do it
by myself!
We
mix and mingle with the other runners and find out who is going
to Syndey and exactly how the race up front went. I get autographs
on my race number by Joan Benoit-Samuelson and Janice Klecker
(a former Olympian and current mother of twins). I'll get to the
others later.
After
a shower and some quiet time with the kids, we head to the lunch
held for the qualifiers.
After
lunch, we go to dinner with the many friends and family who have
come to watch and participate in the spirit of the Trials.
The
family members who are staying in Columbia Saturday night hang
out at the pool in our hotel and we just visit. Then, we'll probably
eat again before calling it a night.
I'll
let you know EXACTLY how it all really went when it's over. Look
for the next installment "AFTER.." in a few weeks.
Laura
Murphy does her running in Rochester. She lives there with her
husband Mark and their young twins, a daughter and son. After
attending Romeo's Powell Middle School, she moved to Buffalo,
New York, where she graduated from High School. She went on to
compete in Track and Cross Country at Bowling Green State University
in Ohio. She moved to Michigan in 1989. Laura holds a Master's
Degree in Labor Relations. Her current full-time job is being
a Mom to her 2 year old twins.
