2016 Olympic Trials Marathon Recap
Happy Valentine’s Day! I got the sweetest text message at midnight Henri’s time and we had a breakfast Facetime date which both brought the biggest smile to my face even though he is far away today. Love you Henri!
Yesterday’s Olympic Trials Marathon was incredible! Two amazing races, and I’m so glad that I was there to experience it in person!
Our morning started off with breakfast at The Filling Station. It ended up being right next to the hotel where all the athletes were staying so it was really cool to watch them file downstairs and outside for their warm-ups leading up to the race.
I got a latte with their 2-eggs any style.
Yum – o! (sorry I watched Rachel Ray the other day – haha).
After breakfast we headed out to the course and posted up right at the 2 mile/8mile/14 mile/20 mile/20 mile point (yes there were all the same!).
Both the women’s and men’s races started out with the leaders running together in a big pack.
But early breaks a little after the 14th mile in both races (Kellyn Taylor for the ladies & Tyler Pennel on the men’s side) broke the races open and from there on out there was a constant steam of runners passing our spot.
I even got to see my old high school teammate out there pounding the pavement which was pretty neat! She finished 32nd!! Talk about amazing!
After the men came around at mile 20 we headed down closer to the finish line area. We posted up right by the arch because we assumed it was the finish line but the finish was in fact allllll the way down on the far end of the street! (a lot of runners thought this too and the crowd had to help them along – KEEP GOING!!!) haha.
Henri was watching the live stream on his computer and sending me updates on what was going on as the leaders made their way back to us one more time!
I missed the pic of Rupp coming into win but I wouldn’t have missed this Meb moment for anything! I think he is just the coolest and seeing the joy on his face as he rounded the corner for second place was amazing!
Around the time the men were finishing the women were coming through mile 20.6. Amy & Shalane were still together and looking strong at that point!
By the time they got back to us Desi had gotten dangerously close to the pair so Amy took off and didn’t look back. Finishing first after heartbreakingly coming in 4th in Houston in 2012.
Desi rounded the corner fist pumping!! 2nd Olympic marathon team for her!
And the last qualifier of the day was Shalane – looking the most tired that I’ve ever seen her but strong and enduring nonetheless. She actually required medical attention and an IV following the race so you know that she left it all out there on the course!
We stuck around to see the first 40 or so women finish and then we headed home. After I got home I rewatched the last 45 minutes of the race online, read every recap article and watched every single interview possible! Here are my favorite articles…
Goucher Blasts Oregon Project After 4th Place Finish: ‘Justice is Coming”
I really hope that Rupp is clean, but I definitely think that Salazar does some sketchy things and something is going on within the Oregon Project. I am so proud of Kara for speaking her mind (even if her language was shocking to me!). Here’s hoping that justice really is coming for the dopers within our sport.
Meb Takes Rupp to Task and the Moment Turns Awkward
I love Meb and like I said above I hope that Rupp is clean but when MEB has something bad to say about you that makes me question for sure! And it’s not just what Meb says in this interview but how he says it… you can tell he’s not Rupp’s biggest fan.
Recap of all the Oiselle Runners out there yesterday
Oiselle interview with Kara after the race – I cannot wait to see her race the 10K at the track trials in July and really hope that she will make it to Rio!
What The Heck Happened at the Olympic Trials Marathon? (Women’s Running)