West Coast racing trip

• I went west to run a series of races - 1500m in Los Angeles one weekend and an 800m and 1500m in Oregon the following weekend. My sister generously let me stay at her place in LA for the week between races, which was a lot of fun and very much appreciated both financially and emotionally. My mom also agreed to come with me, to be my "handler".

• First 1500m race

  My first shot at the 1500m this season was at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Los Angeles. Raceday weather was disturbingly reminiscent of the New England spring that I had traveled so far to escape - chilly, windy, rainy. The rain and wind mostly let up during my race, which was fortunate. Since I was placed in a slower heat, my goal was to win the race. The pace was not quick through halfway and I took over the lead shortly after that. I worked on increasing speed each 100m over the last lap, in the hopes of shaking my competitors. That worked on everyone but 2021 US Steeplechase Olympian Valerie Constien, who blew by me in the final 80 meters. I placed 2nd in 4:13.9, falling short of both my goals to win the heat and to run sub-4:12 for the Olympic Trials. Nevertheless, it was a good race and I gave it my all, as dramatically evidenced by a fair amount of post-race puking.

• A week in LA

  My mom and I enjoyed sightseeing in LA during the week between races. We saw art at The Broad, ran at the Hollywood Reservoir, drove around looking for an open track (to no avail), walked in Elysian Park overlooking Dodger Stadium, and ate some great food. One day, I had what I’m told is a classic LA service experience. I went to a high-end, well-known cafe in Echo Me ordering at Canyon Park called Canyon, which celebrities are known to frequent. On the menu they have a variety of “toasts” - salmon toast, avocado toast (obviously), tuna toast etc. I ordered a tuna sandwich. The cashier said, “So funny you should ask for that! We’re actively working on a tuna sandwich recipe. Unfortunately it’s not ready yet. Can I get you something else?” I said, “Um ok. How about a tuna toast?”, to which she replied merrily, “Coming right up!” With some effort, I refrained from any further commentary.

  We visited the Huntingon Gardens in Pasadena, which were incredible. As my mom put it, they spared no expense. We spent half the day walking around the cactus garden, rose garden, Japanese garden, and Chinese garden. It’s hard to do it justice in words or photos but I’d highly recommend it, even if you’re not a “garden person”. I was blown away.

  Although the weather was great, I had trouble finding places to train in LA. I couldn’t get onto a track, the neighborhoods are very hilly, and the flatter main roads are busy and with long traffic lights. Stretching and enjoying the sun on my sister’s amazing deck I also couldn’t find a reliable source of information on running routes online. The dilemma reminded me of a project I was working on a few years ago: a local’s guide to running. I was making one for Rhode Island, where I have a good knowledge of things like: which tracks you won’t get kicked off of mid-workout, quiet dirts roads, flat bike paths for workouts, scenic routes, etc., since I’ve lived and run in Rhode Island most of my life. My grand vision was to repeat the project for other areas around the country, with help from local runners in each spot. I made some prototype maps and text, some of which you can see on my website here. I was working on this in 2021 while waiting for an avulsion fracture in my foot to heal but progress stopped once I was able to run again. My LA running experience makes me want to rekindle the running guide project.

• Oregon races

  I flew from LA to Eugene, Oregon to run both the 800m and 1500m at the Oregon Relays. I stayed at a lovely AirBnB in Eugene with a few former teammates from California who were also racing. The 800m was first, on Friday night. The field included 3 women who have run 1:59 or 2:00 in the past two years and Halfway through the 800m with Raevyn Rogers ahead in blue (credit: Tim Healy) Raevyn Rogers, one of the best 800m runners in the world, with a 1:56 PR. My goals were to place in the top 3 in the race and to run under 2:03.5 for the Olympic Trials. Similar to the 1500 the weekend prior, I achieved neither goal but had a good race and was fairly pleased anyway. I placed 4th in 2:03.8 which, surprisingly, earned me $900 in prize money - a welcome consolation.

  The next day, Saturday, I ran the 1500m. Again, my goals were to place in the top 3 and run under 4:12. The race (YouTube video) went great - the weather was good and my legs felt full of life. It was a crowded race so I had to maneuver around people a fair amount. During the last lap, I was stuck in a large group but managed to break free in the last 100 meters and sprinted to 2nd place and a new PR of 4:09.6! I was delighted with the race, the time, and to receive another bolus of prize money. The stadium - Hayward Field - hosts the Olympic Trials and college championships every year, along with many other high-level international meets. It’s one of the most famous tracks in the world and it was a lot of fun to run there. Although, race management made the strange decision to strobe the stadium lights during the races so that it alternated between being light and dark every few seconds.

  

  Will 4:09 qualify me for the Olympic Trials? It is not guaranteed but, based on previous years, I’d give it a 75% chance. The top 36 times in the country qualify. As of the writing of this newsletter, my time is #34 in the country, but that includes times run by people who will race a different event at the Trials. I also hope to improve on my time over the next few races before the Trials, and thus increase my likelihood of qualifying.

  The most encouraging thing about the trip was that my legs felt great; much better than the indoor races in February and March. This gives me confidence in my analysis described in Newsletter #3 and subsequent modifications to my training schedule. On my race quality scale from 1 to 4 (1 being a terrible race and 4 being an excellent race) the first 1500m and the 800m were both a “3” and the second 1500m was a “4”. Overall, it was a great start to the outdoor season and I had fun hanging out in LA and Oregon with friends and family. My next race will likely be an 800m in New York City, info here.

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In the wake of the successful west coast races, I’d like to thank some people who help me. The Battle Road Track Club and coach Fran Cusick welcomed me into their fun, hardworking group a few months ago and have generously supported me in every way since then. I’m not sure I could have survived another winter training alone outside. Dena Evans has been my coach and mentor and she organized the Oregon trip, as well as other racing trips over the years. My family has always been encouraging of this pursuit, they often feed me, and some have even traveled with and hosted me. And thank you, dear reader, for following along!