SalemNews.com : Blogs : Olympic Dreams

It’s back to business. I was able to celebrate my 10k performance for a few hours; then, before I knew it, I was quickly pulled from the clouds back to earth.

I had four days of rest and recovery, then I was back out on the track at the National Stadium in Beijing for the 5k prelim Tuesday night. I qualified for the final by taking an automatic qualifying spot, placing 6th in my heat in 14:59. It was one of the harder 5k efforts I have given in a while.

During my warm up, I knew my legs did not have much pop. But I told myself that if I convince my mind that I am ready to go, then the body will follow!

During the race I hung out in the back of the pack trying to avoid the bump and grind, but I still seemed to get thrown around like a rag doll. There were a few laps in the race where I didn’t know if I had it in me to make the final.

My competitive spirit however, would not let me give in. Like Larry Bird, I hate to lose more than I like to win. Everything in my body told me I did not want to move that fast — but of course, I made it.

I now have one day to get my body and mind rejuvenated for my last and final battle: Friday night’s 5K final. I plan on savoring my last tour in the “Bird’s Nest”. I just hope it’s a really fast tour and leaves me smiling at the finish!

My favorite Olympic memories thus far

* Before the 5k prelim Tuesday night, one of the great ambassadors for our sport, Meseret Defar, congratulated me by giving me kisses on both my cheeks!

* After 10k drug testing, I was able to cool down on the Olympic track with my husband Steve Edwards (no one was there anymore because it was 3 A.M.). My husband and I were able to savor the moment with an empty track to ourselves.

I just finished my last hard workout. I am relieved it’s behind me and the fun part is about to begin … racing!

This week my coach (John Cook) gave me two “big-time workouts”. On Wednesday, we ran a workout that combined strength and speed. It looked something like this:

1 x 800 meter
8 x 200 meter
1 x mile
8 x 200 meter
and finally 1 x 800 meter

I was most pleased with my mile and 800, which were in 4:34 and 2:13, respectively. This workout gives me confidence that I have the strength and speed that I will need in the later stages of my races.

Today, coach gave me a short but intense workout. I ran a small time trial, which consisted of a 2K and an 800. Fortunately, I had some help from my husband Steve and we were able to run the 2K in 5:39 (with the last mile in 4:28), while the 800 was run in 2:10.

These two workouts are great indicators of my fitness. But most importantly, I was able to practice how I will mentally attack the race.

For me, the mental preparation is just as important as the physical. I can go to the starting line knowing that I have some ammunition in my back pocket.

The great part about training camp has been the support from my teammates. Track can be a lonely sport, but here at our training camp we have loads of encouragement. I had everyone from the high jumpers, throwers and sprinters shouting uplifting words at me while I circled the track. It is such a privilege to be part of the world’s best track team!

– Shalane

The past few months have been extremely nostalgic. For an Olympic athlete, time passes in four-year chunks. Four years ago I was competing in the Athens Olympic Games. Now in less than two weeks I will be toeing the line in China’s “Birds Nest.”

The journey and transformation that have occurred over the past years have been amazing. In Athens, I was a senior in college, a doe-eyed pup who felt lucky to be there. I was awestruck. Rubbing elbows with the likes of Martina Navratilova, Michael Phelps and LeBron James can make a girl weak in the knees.

Over the past four years I have experienced many highs and lows. I fought my way back from a serious foot injury to set three American records. Records are nice, but I would prefer Olympic hardware around my neck. I am no longer content with just being in the Olympics, I have BIG goals and dreams. I am preparing like its just another race, but I am going to run like there is no other.

To this day, the highlight of my athletic career does not involve running but simply walking. Walking into the Athens Olympic Stadium for the Opening Ceremonies in 2004 is by far my proudest moment. I was proud to represent my country, family, hometown, and myself.

This time around, I do not plan on walking in the opening ceremonies. It breaks my heart that I will not be participating, but standing on my feet for five hours and acquiring massive “cankles” does not play into the training regime. I have worked so hard to prepare myself for three extremely hard races, thus, I want to save every ounce of energy for the battles on the track. I will, however, be watching and storing all my excitement for the big day.

With every athlete that competes in the Olympics an army of people stand behind them. The group effort and journey that is required to get each athlete to the Olympics is what I find the most compelling story.

For me, the journey started with valuable mentors in my hometown of Marblehead. I was fortunate to have my first two coaches of my athletic career be the most powerful and influential — Sue Guertin and Bill McCarthy.

Coach Guertin was my swim coach. I was not an exceptional swimmer but she taught me how to work hard and still lose with grace. Coach McCarthy was my middle school track coach. He showed me that I could be a serious runner but still have fun. Every practice was filled with smiles. Coach McCarthy and Coach Guertin nourished my athletic dreams.

Today, my support team consists of family, friends, coaches, and doctors. As an entity I am complete, the fierce competitor who can smile while winning or losing.