From XC to 60m

Honestly, this has got to be the strangest post.  Yes, I was captain of my Division 1 college cross country team. Yes, I went to NCAAs in the 1600m.  Yes, I’m now running the 60m. SO SURPRISE EVERYONE!

This year past year has been ripe for change.  It’s not that I’m dumping the 1500m and 800m, it’s just that I’m taking a break because I found out that I’ve got major speed, you could say a huge undeveloped talent.  It takes speed to run the 800m, but the 60m is over before I can figure out what happened. I’m okay with losing a few races to get it right, but the change has been beyond strange; however, I remain committed to the idea that I will be running the 100m outdoor and that my chances are good.

Besides probably being the most unique and unprecedented move in track and field history, I find it kind of fitting. With my book coming out soon (which is all about controlling your destiny, once you figure out you can), making my move to the 60m (as a “skinny” white girl) is hilarious.  We all know I’m not really skinny, but I often chuckle when I hear someone refer to me as “skinny,” if only they could see my lift weights ( I’m up to eight plates on my leg press).

So the good news is that I’m disciplined like a middle distance runner and I can apply that to the sprints. The other good news is my fitness level is going to be hard to beat (especially now that I’ve written the book on getting healthy and doing the opposite of what everyone else does). At 32, I’m healthier and fitter than I’ve ever been in my entire life. As each year passes from my illness, it just gets better and better.

The only bad news is that it takes time to get used to a new event and honestly I’m feeling that right now.  For example, my old race (the 800m) is where you run hard and try to relax so that you can make two laps and have some gas left in the tank for a sprint at the last part of the race (sprinting when you are on EMPTY).  You try to hold on aerobically as long as possible (trying to stave off the anaerobic pinch).  The 60m is all about exploding out and leaving no gas in the gas tank. It’s a drag race and you don’t hold back at all.  It’s been hard to change my thinking because the two events are so opposite.

I’ve raced a few times thus far and while I have the speed to do it, I have to work on my drive phase. I didn’t even know anything about a “drive phase” until this month.  Funny, right?  I’m trying to laugh, but it’s a bit frustrating at times. Why does everything have to be a learning experience!  ….That wasn’t a question.

I’m optimistic about my future in these new events. I’m obviously eying the 100m, the 200m and the 400m.  My old coach ( US Olympic coach) said I had sub 50 sec quarter speed. Sub 50 gets you gold medals (if you didn’t know).  I just don’t think he really ever saw me as a real sprinter….just like all my other coaches. Is it my exterior? Does it go against the stereotypical thought?  I’m surprised at how many people in this world have thoughts that aren’t their own and they believe so deeply in them.

Well, I can just say one thing to that.  Don’t judge me so quickly.

Let’s not forget one of the fastest women of all times was a tall Russian woman. I grew up watching her run and I remember how excited people were to see her run.  If I were Russian, I doubt anyone would think it was strange.