After what I think was a sucessful season this past year, I have been not doing anything physical the past 2 weeks since I returned from Europe. The time off has been really nice and relaxing, well for the first week. The last week I have had alot of internal dialog with myself about when to start training again. With this being an Olympic year, me not making Team USA, and with events and competition starting in Beijing I've definitely got the itch to workout. So Sunday I started with some basic strength and core and today I went to the pool to swim some laps.

After watching Natalie Coughlin and the men's 400 free relay win gold over the past couple days I was itching to get into the pool. In the past I've mostly done aqua jogging and once in a while some breathing exercises. This year I want to do alot more of lap swimming to get my body a little more used to working with smaller amounts of oxygen. I like free style because of the rythm you have to develop of breathing.

The Olympics

Ever since the amazing opening ceremonies I, like many other Americans, have had my eyes glued to the tv. So far the 400 free relay has been the most exciting but for the first time I find myself emotionally invested in any event that USA is in, and track and field hasn't even started yet. The urge I have for all of Team USA to do well has developed over the past few months with my experiences with the Olympic Trials in June and the feelings I've had during and since my races.

After I failed to qualify for the finals of the Trials I was upset but it was the upset that I've had any other race that I didn't accomplish what I wanted. But after watching perhaps one of the most exciting races I've ever seen, the finals of the 800m, where the 3 Oregon guys made the team, the emotions came. At that point I realized a couple things. One, I didn't realize just how bad I had wanted to become an Olympian and two, I hadn't realized how good of a shot I had had I only made the finals. I watched and trained with Nick and Christian all year and knew where I was compared to them. I was super stoked for both of them, and Wheating, but I knew that it could have just as easily been me diving across that line to claim the third spot.

The important part of what happened at the Trials and since, is that I've taken away so many positives for my future in running. Up until this point I have been taking things year by year but now I have found a new level of determination and motivation. I have committed to myself to run for another 5 years, which will take me through 2013. Throughout my life I've always been able to accomplish anything I've really set my mind to. And now I have my mind set on Eugene 2012 and London 2012. I want to be an Olympian and I'm prepared to do whatever necessary to do that.

The Oregon Track Club is in the process of making several changes for next year, including a new coach. However things turn out, ultimately I know that it comes down to the athlete. I have 2 years of experience now on the pro circuit and I think next season will show my full adjustment not only to the 800, a new event, but to the differences between the college and pro lifestyles. It is such a different kind of transition than from high school to college and I've been lucky enough to be under Nike's wing and with all the support I've gotten because of that it has been a fairly easy transition.

I am so excited for next year. I am ready to run every workout better than I did last year. Tempo runs, hills, repeat K's, a better supplemental program, everything is going to be better this year. I already have my number one goal for next year: 1:44. Even though I haven't even ran a 1:45 yet I felt that I was ready and capable to do it this year, the right race just never came. Because of that I already feel like I am a 1:45 guy. So it only makes sense to set my sights on 1:44.

Go Team USA, Go Nick, Andrew, and Christian. And Go ME for 2012!