Well I finally feel like I’m getting something done, at least if you consider racing to actually be working. The first two races of the year are in the books. After a long period of head-down, rubber to the treadmill training I’ve finally been able to show off some hard earned fitness the last two weeks.

This year I helped with the USATF Nats XC Course but took a step back from the 12hr days of actually putting the course on the ground so that I could focus on having a good race there and at the Olympic Trials. It paid off in a 5^th place finish on a modified course from the 2013 USATF Club Champs. While not quite as technical, it was still a good cross course and a ton of fun to run. After a quick adrenaline fueled start from me I settled in on the third lap and let the chase pack catch up so I wouldn’t blow up too bad on the last two

laps. Maybe not the smartest move going out so hard but I held on for 5^th and earned a spot on the Pan Am Team going to Venezuela next month. I wasn’t expecting that and had to quickly decide between a ski race I’ve been wanting to do for a few years and an xc race. It truly was a tough decision. I know it seems insignificant but because they were opposite ends of the spectrum it created a conundrum for me. Not a big deal but in the end decided that cross country would be more beneficial and a great opportunity. Skiing will be there next year.

After a few days respite I headed to LA for the Olympic Trials Marathon. Another of those BIG races that fry my nerves before hand. When you compound a lot of high stress factors into one race it has a tendency to over exaggerate the level of anxiety you feel going into it. The race is possibly the most competitive race in the country, it’s held only every four years, and I’ve been training hard for several months with no tests to confirm that I’m doing the right stuff. Being able to control that anxiety is what sets athletes apart. I’m lucky at this point in my career that I’ve been through all that before and I’ve got other stuff on my plate to where I still want to have a good race but the next four years don’t rely on what I do on that day.

So, being in LA was a chance to focus on the race but also learn how to relax a bit before hand. I hit the beach for an evening, watched a movie, and worked on some business stuff I needed to get done, successfully taking my mind off the upcoming challenge. Not even missing the bottle drop off for fluids on Friday could derail my race plan (my own fault). I had a back up.

Ranked 50^th or so based on my recent marathon time going in it was my goal to not only beat that but to hopefully redeem myself from my 2012 Olympic Trials Marathon where I placed 19^th. I knew going in due to the temperatures that a marathon PR (2:14:34) probably wasn’t doable but I can still have a strong race and make sure that I’m reeling people in over the last 10 miles. So, that’s exactly what I did, splitting the race into each lap.

Lap 1: Well we’re just getting warmed up and it was right on my pace so I sat right on the back of the lead pack.

Lap 2: Just hangin on the back. Stay on my own pace and run my own race.

Lap 3: Fading a bit more than I wanted until Ben Payne and Malcom Richards came up on me. We worked together for all of Lap 3 and half of Lap 4. They both looked strong.

Lap 4: Just have a good lap. Running with Ben and Malcom worked great. I was surprised to find them fading the last couple miles after looking so strong earlier but I managed to hold them off and pick off several more people, ultimately moving up to 12^th place in 2:17:18.

While just missing the top 10 was a bit disappointing, being up that high was huge for me despite the slow time. It was slow for everyone. I executed a well run race for me. I was patient but I pushed when I needed to and was smart about my nutrition (6 gels, 1 ever 3 miles starting at mile 9).

Needless, to say now but I’m happy with it and it shows me I’m in good shape heading into the rest of the season and Comrades coming up in May. Lot’s more road running to do but first, a ski vacation to Vail and then a little race in Venezuela.

Also, a plug for our Trail Running Camp. Yup, we announced it last week and it’s official. The Max King Youth Trail Running Camp is happening June 27^th – July 1^st. It’s going to be the all encompassing trail extravaganza that you’ve been waiting for…as long as you’re 16-20 years of age. Check it out though. We’re working on an adult version for the fall. Stay tuned.

www.MaxKingTRC.com

Thanks once again to sponsors making this kind of stuff happen.

The road shoes I had for the marathon were spot on and couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you Salomon

GU supplied me the rocket fuel in the form of Roctane Blue-Pom Gel.

Flora keeps all my cellular metabolism going with Seven Sources Oil, Greens Blend, and Tea.

And my unblistered feet are thanking Swiftwick for the lucky Red Aspire One socks that have now completed Western States, World 100k Champs, US XC Champs, Ultravasen 90k, and now the Olympic Trials Marathon. Yes, same pair, no holes, and washed between.

And it was a miracle and NormaTech recovery boots from Recharge that I was jogging around later on Saturday night. Contemplated running the LA marathon on Sunday but my flight time prevented it.