I’m not a fan of a blogging, but this is a special occasion, and Fenton made a request. Today, as I prepared serum samples for dialysis in a laboratory at Penn State, my mind wondered back to the emotions and feelings I had four years ago at this time. Four years ago, I was a lot more nervous, more fit, and more confident in where I was going in life. I’m glad my nerves are getting a break, but honestly, I miss the feeling of being on the edge of something big. Since my retirement from running, life has moved on. I graduated in December from Penn State (could be seen as a positive or a negative right now) with a Master’s degree in Biotechnology, I have two healthy kids, and both my wife and I are closer to our families. At first, there was a bit of panic and uncertainty getting back to the academic grind, but that has passed. However, thinking about this upcoming weekend my mind wonders back to life four years ago. There was something to be said for the gratification of being in the best shape of my life; knowing that because of the work that I put in, I could run 5 minute mile pace for a marathon. It was nice to be at the top of something, and being there is something I miss greatly. I never had even a faint hope of a comeback. I did what I wanted to do, and after the Olympics (and especially the 2009 New York City Marathon) my body said it was time to be done. But running has not left me. I still get those competitive juices flowing every time I crank out a workout (albeit short and slower) with one of the guys I run with here in the mornings, and it makes me think that I might still be able to give it a go. But then I remember that it took three hard workouts a week, as well as 160 plus miles of volume to get there, and that makes me change my mind in a hurry. I suppose the point of this rambling is to say congratulations to all of 2012’s qualifiers and enjoy the moment on Saturday. I’m rooting for (just about) everyone in the field, as I have been on US teams, college teams, or at Hanson’s-Brooks with just about half the field. I know how much I miss my “moment” and I wish everyone the best of luck in reaching their goals this weekend.

More athlete blogs for Olympic Marathon Trials