That was the one thing everyone agreed upon Saturday morning. I’d run the Houston Marathon 10 times back in the day and the weather can be very fickle to say the least. I think most of us have seen the results by now so I’ll just give you some of my impressions from the weekend, not necessarily in chronological order:
Kaci Lickteig in the first of hopefully many more Olympic Trials experiences.
Desi, Shalane and Kara on the final loop, having made the breakaway that would send them to London.
Dathan Ritzenhein just after being gapped slightly, his 4th place finish only :08 behind third was a real heartbreaker. He broke down into tears after crossing the finish line.
Abdi and Ryan with Meb obscured, doing their thing on the final loop.
Bridget Easley was all smiles on the first of her three tours of the 8 mile loop. I was fortunate to have an excellent spot for pics even though my camera isn’t very good.
Ann Marie Chappell, Lincoln Marathon Champion in 2010 and 2011.
Deena was everyone’s fan favorite and showed she still has the wheels to run with America’s best.
Other notes:
18 Brooks Hanson’s athletes in the Trials. Wow.
3 Time Olympian Dan Browne limping home last in 2:42:21. Maybe the most inspiring performance of the day.
Shots of Don Julio with my old buddy Fernando Cabada celebrating his 7th place finish.
Catching up with Keith and Kevin Hanson, telling them how they have inspired generations to come to dream Mike’s dream.
The Brooks post race party! You had to be there to believe it. Suffice it to say that I absolutely torched the dance floor. The oldest guy in the room busting the best moves, shoot me some pics Derek.
The friendships renewed, possibly the highlight of my trip. The question most asked- When are you coming back? And answered- No not yet, still too much good work to do in Nebraska.
Knowing over half of the combined Men & Women’s field by their first name. This race perhaps being the pinnacle of my last 15 years of service for/working with elite athletes from across the U.S.
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