Monday, June 6, 2011

The hard...is what makes it great

All packed and ready to head to Des Moines tomorrow for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships. Three women will compete in the 400H, the PV, and the TJ. Send positive thoughts their way on Wednesday and Friday as they represent us all in one of the greatest track meets around.

As you embark on week two of your summer training, I think about what lays ahead. Being twenty-some years removed from my competitive days, I remember most the many memorable times with my teammates and coaches. I can read through meticulous training logs and see the immense commitment that was made, but really, the training is just a blur. Still, it's not lost on me what each of you choose to undertake, and you have my respect for that choice. Truthfully, I'm also envious of your youth, your healthy knees, your ability to pursue such an endeavor.

Watching the NCAA Women's Softball World Series on TV today, I saw a quote taped to the wall in one of the team's dugout. It's from the movie 'A League of Their Own', with Tom Hanks playing a baseball manager named Jimmy Dugan. And I immediately thought of you, and what the upcoming year promises...

"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great." - Jimmy Dugan

If you don't understand that now, in time, you will. I promise you it's the truth.
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35 comments:

  1. CameronJune 10, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    32 for the week. Felt pretty decent. Been meeting up with Joe Stowe and Alec at GT to get runs in in the morning, anyone else in the area is more than welcome to join!

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  2. AlecJune 10, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    30 for last week

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  3. patrickJune 11, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    35

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  4. MaryJune 11, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    24 this week with those 2 off days!! It's extremely hot and humid here, so I've been running before work. SO. EARLY. Hope everyone is doing well!!

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  5. JoeJune 11, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    36... Got ya patrick

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  6. AnonymousJune 12, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Rachel- 24! nice and cool here in Chicago!

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  7. MeganJune 12, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    30 miles last week, 25 the week before

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  8. GreerJune 12, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    28 miles... what time do ya'll meet in the morning?

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  9. joe stoweJune 12, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    30 magical-miles in HotLanta with fellow pavement-hungry comrades "cakewalk" Cameron, "accelerometer" Alec, and "méhari" Mark.

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  10. CameronJune 12, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    8:15 am Greer

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  11. EricJune 12, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    27, feeling good. Joe Stowe, what does mehari mean?

    Also, I thought it would be worth noting that history was made today. In his final race before heading off to Oregon this fall, prep phenom Lukas Verzbicas became the 5th high school runner ever to break 4 minutes in the mile, running a 3:59.71 in the Dream Mile at the Adidas Grand Prix. Verzbcas joins Jim Ryun, Tim Danielson, Marty Liquori, and Alan Webb in one of the most elite clubs in high school running.

    Be inspired.

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  12. joe stoweJune 12, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    "A Méhari is a type of fast-running dromedary camel, which can be used for racing or transport."

    "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_M%C3%A9hari"

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  13. HayleyJune 12, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    24 this week

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  14. JamieJune 12, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    ran 19 miles plus about an 60min total of biking, 30 min total swimming, and 15 min rowing for the week

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  15. RyanJune 12, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    15. Trying to stay patient.

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  16. BrandonJune 12, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    31 Miles for week 2. My knee is feeling great now so I decided to catch up the total.

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  17. Morgan JJune 12, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    24 this week and 20 last week

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  18. RachaelGJune 13, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    26 for the week

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  19. NiallJune 13, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    36 this week

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  20. NiallJune 13, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    sorry I wrong number I actually ran 34

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  21. Katie VJune 13, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. Katie VJune 13, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    30 for the week.

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  23. ChristianJune 13, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    27 slow but painless miles...finally getting back into it!

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  24. ObiJune 13, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    30 for the week. Trying to take it easy.

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  25. NatJune 13, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    40 for the week, nice and easy.

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  26. KGJune 13, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    20 miles this week

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  27. KellyJune 13, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    20 for the week

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  28. mcmeekinJune 14, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    28 for the week

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  29. DougJune 15, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    0 for last week. As per physical therapist's instructions I took 7 days off. Ran 5 miles today with no pain so I think I'm back to normal. I'm planning on hitting about thirty this week so hopefully I'll be back on schedule in two weeks.

    Eric Austen and especially Gomba: I got a smoothie blender thing for my birthday so we can still make delicious fruit smoothie/protein shake goodness even though Patrick's lame ass is moving out with Niall's lame ass and taking the magic bullet. I know you guys were super stressed about how we'd make smoothies but I got it covered.

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  30. DougJune 15, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    *did about 180 minutes on the bike last week.

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  31. bKJune 15, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    lo siento for the late post. españa is gorgeous... running by the bay every morning as the sun comes up sure doesn't suck... 16 for last week.. hope everyone is having a great summer so far!!

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  32. Austin OJune 15, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    32 nice and easy last week

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  33. AustenJune 15, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Sorry I forgot about last week but 33 this week and 30 the week before that.

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  34. RobertJune 16, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Week of Jun5-11 : 25 miles
    mostly on the treadmill (first time I really ran on one) cause running on the beach was much less desirable... first soreness of summer :)

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  35. AdonisJune 19, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    27 gaines

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