Things have been going very well since the Trials. That is a pretty easy statement to make considering what the weeks since Pre were like. Leading up to the Trials I only missed one workout, so I was not losing fitness, it just added a lot more stress (dealing with aches and pains) to an already stressful event. However, I was able to get 100% the week leading up to the Trials–I knew that I had put in plenty of work in the months leading up to the all-important Trials and was ready to go. Everyone knows what happened at the Trials, and I want to forget about that and move on!
Since the Trials Jerry has started the sharpening process, and I am responding very quickly. Part of that process was finding a 1500. It was supposed to be in Europe, but for a lot of reasons it did not work out. This year is a little crazy, and there were not quality 1500s when we needed them. Unfortunately, meet directors over in Europe follow the motto “What have you done for me lately?” I have not run a fast 1500 (or a fast time in any event for that matter) this year. That really limited my chances of getting into a good field. I was on the wait list for some but it is a long way to travel without having the race set in stone.
Luckily for us, our group is very strong and capable of getting in what we needed right in Madison. The one-event meet was an awesome experience. It worked out so much better than we could have planned for. It was perfect weather, an awesome crowd and no stress!! It was pretty cool talking to people after and they would be like, “I found out 30 minutes ago this was going on, so I hopped in the car and rushed down here.” It is great to know we have that support in our community and we are really going to miss it. Portland is going to be a great opportunity and we are looking forward to it, but we will not forget what Madison has done for us!
The 1500 in Madison was a great send-off for Europe. I am in Stockholm now getting ready for a 3k tomorrow. It is a great field, and ‘m really looking forward to competing. I am also glad that I am running early (12:15 CDT) so I can watch the rest of the meet. It is good to see a field of this quality leading up to the Olympics. I will need this because the Olympic 5000 is so stacked and going to be way harder than last year. Plus, I have a feeling that the runners are not going to let it come to a kick like it did last year, as we know how that will turn out!
This will be a one-and-done trip for me, so I better make it worth it. Madison will be good prep leading up to my departure for the Games–it will be hot and humid! I love that weather–that is what I grew up in and have always run well in. Also, I get to be with my wife, sleep in my own bed and relax with the dogs. I will get 12 days in Madison, and then head off to Beijing. Luckily, I get to go to the Opening Ceremonies, which is going to be awesome. I can’t wait, and I am very excited in my training progression.
Leave a comment for me so I know what I should be talking about!! More in the weeks to come.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Matt,
it’s good to hear that you run well in the heat and humidity- because Beijing is cooking! This city is ready and waiting for the world to come and put on an amazing Olympics.
Questions: Does your wife ever travel with you to your meets overseas? Do you ever take a full day off of running or do cross training? What would be your ideal in how often you’d be running a race during the middle of a season?
Hope your 3k run is going well- you are probably running it at this moment!
July 22nd, 2008 at 11:42 am
Matt,
Yes that good old Missouri heat and humidity is just the perfect preparation for Beijing. We have plenty of it today! Good luck with your race today and your prep work for the games. All of us in MO are behind you! Rock it out on them and make anyone who wants to beat you pay!
Paul
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 am
Matt,
You’re as terrific in person as you portray yourself on your blog. It was a pleasure meeting you in the hotel lobby last evening outside of the restaurant.
Best of luck in Beijing.
Cheers.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:47 am
matt it was great to see you all run the 1500 in madison…great night great race.i hate to see you guys heading out to oregon but such is life in the running world.just wanted to wish you luck at the olympics and we will all be cheering for you in the madison area,travel safely and enjoy the whole experience …stick your nose in there and go for it…you never know what the future has in store for us all.
July 24th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Madison is going to miss you guys. It was great to see you and the crew race that 1500!
July 24th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I was curious as to where you train while in Europe. I mean do you just go run on the streets around where you are staying, when you are not on the track or do you try to find trails when possible? When you are doing track work, are you able to use the track you will be racing on or do you find other tracks in the area? I just bought my Hometown Olympian shirt from the Lee’s Summit Hy-vee, we’re all pulling for you. Best of luck the rest of the season.