After a month of very hard work in Mammoth Lakes, CA, we have finally reached that critical moment - the start of outdoor track season!!! I am so sorry about missing a few weeks of blog posts - between the tough track workouts from Coach Schumacher, the killer core from Pascal, and the endless time in recovery, it seems like just a blink of an eye since I arrived here exactly 1 month ago. Training at high altitude has been great but the best part of training camp is the chance to train with the worlds best distance runners. Just wanted to give a shout out to all of my teammates who have been pushing me through all the tough workouts - you guys are amazing! 
       But now it is finally time to give up the mountain roads, the trainers, and the serenity of nature for a blazing fast oval, a new set of track spikes, and the roar of the crowds!  I will be opening up this weekend at the Re:Run race in San Diego, CA.  I will be running the 800m on Sunday May 5th starting at 11am in Balboa Stadium. If you are a Californian it would be amazing if you would be in the stands cheering me on as I hark back to my roots in the 800m.  The cool thing about this race is that if you want to be part of the fun, you can also run a 5k in Balboa park in the morning (starting at 730am) that finishes at the Stadium and then cheer us on starting at 11am!  (www.rerunsandiego.com)

American Record.  I don't think words can capture all of the feelings I have right now.  It is joy, fulfillment, and gratitude.  I cannot believe that just 12 years ago I only dreamed of this country...  
         Tonight's race in Armory was one of the greatest races of my life.  It was a wonderful meeting of America's greatest distance runners and an amazing opportunity to chase after the World Championship Qualifying time of 13:15.  But we didn't want to just stop there.  When our second rabbit dropped out at 3000m I felt great and could taste the American record so close... we were perfectly on pace.  I took the lead shortly after and started driving home.  Through all of the pain and the struggle around the track I knew that this was a gift I really wanted to give back to my family and the American people who have supported me through this whole journey.  And there was no better place to do this than in my Home state of New York!!  With 3 laps to go I had to hit 31 seconds per lap or faster to break the record and thanks to the amazing crowds and support I came through the finish at 13.06.99!! A new PR by 5 seconds and a New American Record! 
         I want to say thank you to all of the amazing people who made this possible.  First off, thank you to my coach and teammates who have put in all this hard work with me and were incredible competitors tonight. They drove me to these great achievements. Secondly, thank you to the Armory and NYRR for supporting us to come to New York to compete at this fantastic venue. Thirdly, thank you to the fans at the Armory and around the world who cheered me the whole way and were here to witness records broken tonight! Finally, thank you to my family who made this all possible and gave me a second chance in life so that I could line up on the starting line today and chase after dreams that were never possible before 2001.  This American Record is dedicated to all of you! 
       Now time for a little celebration and down time :)
Click to WATCH THE RACE!

       Back in New York again for the first time in the 2013 season and it feels great to be home!  There is nothing quite as thrilling as racing in your homestate.  As always the magnificence and beauty of New York City strikes awe and it is a pleasure to be here.  It was my first ever Millrose Games and I have to start by thanking the amazing crowd that really brought the whole Armory Stadium to life tonight!  The screaming of over 4000 fans was really amazing!  

As I am driving home from the 2013 Husky Invitational I am reflecting on the start of the 2013 season.  Today was my first race at the beautiful oversized University of Washington Indoor Track.  Going back to my college roots with the 800 meter I am starting off with a little speed work. The last time I ran an 800 was exactly one year ago at this same meet in 2012. This time, only tenths of a second off my PR (Personal Record), I start my season off with a 1.46.5 and a WIN!  2013 is off with a BANG! 
      The race went out quick with a rabbit setting a quick pace in front of the field.  I settled in towards the back of the pack staying connected but not overextending myself in the first 400 meters. One of the keys to racing is patience.  Through the 400 I remained in the 2nd half of the pack with my eye on the leaders.  I was watching for the leaders to make a move to pick up the pace so that I could respond quickly.  With just 1 lap to go I found myself in a box (surrounded by other runners) without a clear lane to move up, so I moved to the outside of the pack.  Feeling strong I made a gradual move along the backstretch and settled in again around the curve.  I saved my energy around the curve using the momentum of the pack. Slingshot-ing around the end of the curve I positioned myself in the second lane allowing a clear lane to the finish line.  I moved to my final gear, feeling smooth and strong and pumping my arms hard.  I was still several places from the front but I began to sail by the other runners who were feeling the burn of the race in their legs.  With about 10 meters to go I sailed into first place and secured a win.