This is a weekend to remember for so many reasons. Some moments thrilling, some devastating... this weekend was one of emotion and everyone agrees that this weekend is one that defines the future of track and field. The weekend started off with a trip to Albuquerque which is almost a homecoming for me as I get to visit Brittany in her hometown and race in front of a crowd of friends and family. Coming into this weekend, I imagined it would be one that exhibited the greatest American track had to offer and a joyful reunion of athletes and family.
I started off with the 3000m. Over the last few years I have been training to learn how to transition from mid to longer distances and this was another step on that journey. I had the chance to compete with an incredibly large field (20 athletes all racing on a 200 meter track- unbelievable!!) but unlike most championship races it was an hard, HONEST race. I truly commend my teammate, Andrew Bumbalough (Bumbi), for his couragous racing and putting it all on the line. Nobody could capture it better than my teammate, Ryan Hill - "Bumbi wanted to go out hard... well [Shoot]... He's our teammate... Let's just do this like a team would do this...". And I am so proud that Bumbi took the race at an honest pace and should be recognized for his hard work and a brave race plan.
I finished a somewhat disappointing 4th, as I had hoped to make the team in the 3000m (only top 2 go to World Champs) but I was overwhelmingly proud of the tough racing of my younger teammates. They inspired me to look to the 1500 meters the next day not just as an athlete but as a warrior fighting for the purity and transparency of our sport.
I started off with the 3000m. Over the last few years I have been training to learn how to transition from mid to longer distances and this was another step on that journey. I had the chance to compete with an incredibly large field (20 athletes all racing on a 200 meter track- unbelievable!!) but unlike most championship races it was an hard, HONEST race. I truly commend my teammate, Andrew Bumbalough (Bumbi), for his couragous racing and putting it all on the line. Nobody could capture it better than my teammate, Ryan Hill - "Bumbi wanted to go out hard... well [Shoot]... He's our teammate... Let's just do this like a team would do this...". And I am so proud that Bumbi took the race at an honest pace and should be recognized for his hard work and a brave race plan.
I finished a somewhat disappointing 4th, as I had hoped to make the team in the 3000m (only top 2 go to World Champs) but I was overwhelmingly proud of the tough racing of my younger teammates. They inspired me to look to the 1500 meters the next day not just as an athlete but as a warrior fighting for the purity and transparency of our sport.
Most would think that track is the purest of sports and usually it is - a start line and the finishing tape... only sweat and blood in between. But this weekend left many confused and wounded in the track community. Thankfully it seems now that some justice has been restored to the women's 3000m race and we are sending our strongest team to represent Team USA at World Champions. I am a Nike athlete and I am proud of my company for enforcing transparency in our sport. My teammates and fellow athletes are dedicated to stand up for good sportsmanship and this sport that we all love. Together with Nike and USATF we are fighting to preserve track and field as the purest of sports and the greatest show of athleticism. What happened this weekend is not what Nike or USATF represents...
I grew up in Africa where I fought daily with corruption. For ten years I struggled to survive in a refugee camp in Kenya, eating rubbish, and learning to work with together with friends to make it through the good times and the bad. We ran to keep our minds away from depression and hunger - it was our salvation. To have the opportunity to run full of joy and represent the greatest nation on earth has been a blessing in every way. Every time a tie up my shoes and run on the beautiful trails in Portland I am reminded of the blessing of second chances and redemption. So, this weekend when I laced up my spikes and stepped onto the track for the 1500 meters I ran with only joy and for the virtue of the sport. I expected a tough race and respected the talent of all of my competitors - whatever the outcome of I would have been happy. When I broke the tape at the finish line I was realized why I do this sport - to wear the jersey of a country that good and honest and inspire a young generation to fill our shoes and be good roles models. Hard work pays.
Thank you for all of the friends and fans who have shown support for what I represent on the track. Keep in tune for the indoor World Championships in Sopot, Poland, from 7 - 9 March 2014 and send up your cheers for Team USA!! GO USA!! Let's continue making history!!
I grew up in Africa where I fought daily with corruption. For ten years I struggled to survive in a refugee camp in Kenya, eating rubbish, and learning to work with together with friends to make it through the good times and the bad. We ran to keep our minds away from depression and hunger - it was our salvation. To have the opportunity to run full of joy and represent the greatest nation on earth has been a blessing in every way. Every time a tie up my shoes and run on the beautiful trails in Portland I am reminded of the blessing of second chances and redemption. So, this weekend when I laced up my spikes and stepped onto the track for the 1500 meters I ran with only joy and for the virtue of the sport. I expected a tough race and respected the talent of all of my competitors - whatever the outcome of I would have been happy. When I broke the tape at the finish line I was realized why I do this sport - to wear the jersey of a country that good and honest and inspire a young generation to fill our shoes and be good roles models. Hard work pays.
Thank you for all of the friends and fans who have shown support for what I represent on the track. Keep in tune for the indoor World Championships in Sopot, Poland, from 7 - 9 March 2014 and send up your cheers for Team USA!! GO USA!! Let's continue making history!!
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