2011: Turning Dreams into Realities

Most people have dreams. Or at the very least goals. But too often, I think that people give up on these dreams or goals that are difficult or seem unattainable. Either that or we talk things up, but don't make them happen. Im guilty of it. We all are. But for me, as the year turned from 2010 to 2011, I have decided that it was time to start making things happen. For you never know when your chance will slip away...

I have been in Colorado a year and a half. Enough time to get settled and adjusted to the altitude. Most of what I will be trying to make happen has to do with fitness goals, for 2011 is a big year if you are an elite runner. If you haven't qualified for the Olympic Trials for your event, this year is your last chance to have a shot for 2012.

So after the Chicago Marathon, I finally found a small group of training buddies in Boulder, and got the consistency of workouts, long runs, etc. back. In December, I decided to apply to the Runner's Roost Elite Racing team, a team which represents, in my opinion, the best running store in the state of Colorado! If I made this team, I could have not only the support of a team and a store, but some help with shoes, local race entries, and apparel discounts. Not that I need those things to be successful, but it would be a nice perk to have!

On Monday, I got word that I had been chosen for the RR Elite Team and was elated. I will also be joined by my buddy, Heather Utrata, who will also be making a run at the OT Marathon time, as well as other teammates that I am unaware of yet. When I moved to Colorado, I would drive an hour or more every Weds night for the Weds night fun runs. These runs are not only fun but they are very quality workout followed by post run refreshments and good times had by all. In the past year, these people from the Weds night runs have become like a family to me. So for me to have the opportunity to promote a store that has provided me with so much, is exactly what I need out here. This team also provides the opportunity to have comp'd entries to many local races in the area, ones that I may not have even been able to do last year, simply due to the cost issue.

I am looking forward to having an actual racing schedule planned out! Thus far, my big races will be the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA on March 20th, where I will reunite with my dad, and he will attempt to not only beat his daughter at age 47, but also, pace me to a 1:20 half marathon. In May, I will be making my first run at the Trials at the Vermont City Marathon on May 29th, the same marathon that my dad won and qualified for the trials for in 1998. I have the Chicago Marathon on my schedule for the fall marathon, in case I need one last chance. I have a ton of local 5ks, 10ks, 5 milers, and even 10 milers on my schedule, which I look forward to trying to lower my times at altitude in preparation for my sea level races.

I have the resources out here to get better and capture my dream, I just have to utilize them. I have a team, a coach, training partners, a gym, and a supportive boyfriend. And luckily, I have a job that is flexible enough that I can run on my lunch hour, and I get to sit at a desk all day (Im truly thankful for this because I used to hold jobs in which I would stand for hours upon end).

If you are a runner or endurance athlete, you know that the Olympic Trials is a dream for many but a reality for few, and that in reality, most people only have a limited window of time to make it. It seems like it has been so long since I have performed to the best of my abilities, and to be honest, I know that the only person I need to prove this to is myself. And if in the end, I do not make it, I know that I will have given it my best shot. So here's to 2011 and attempting to make dreams come true!