T&F Olympic Trials (July 1 – 10, 2016): Sitting on the sofas of several teammates, over Ragnar team meetings, holed up on sunny days, yelling at the NBC Sports Live Extra app which completely went rogue during Day 7, as I’m itching to catch the Men’s Steeplechase Final and the all-too-stressful 1500m prelims – what excitement! So many clipped ankles, stumbles, and flat out falls. Hands-to-face fret or hands-to-face disbelief. So many of equal caliber with a story you want to see through to a successful end, so much passion, heart and angst, evident in the “slightly” better broadcasting, and endless release of news regarding doping, who’s clean, who isn’t, who’s a bully, who’s on the comeback from injury. I was reminiscing over the 2012 Trials; how T&F didn’t feel (to me), as vital, as intimate, as connected. I felt more for the tiny sculpted gymnasts, the era of RBF, of swimming & Phelp’s scandal, all of which felt current, and of-the-time. But something in the 2016 Trials revolving around Track and Field feels really important. Very Now. On the verge of great change. There seemed to be, of course, hyper focus around Nike athletes, though front runners get their time. There was disappointment in how the rest of the field, once 1-3 were determined, didn’t get an apparent conclusion to the at-home viewer, which was irritating, but is always the case. I got this weird, uncomfortable feeling in watching Rupp or Gatlin. It’s not to say I fully believe in the rumors that surround them, it just didn’t feel (for me), like true American grit. Like, “Now there’s an American.” Which is weird to say, because I don’t even really know what could classify as American characteristics, it’s just a feeling. I think it’s more about my ideal American characteristics – humility, power, kindness, not of secrecy but of transparency, family and friend oriented, someone who gives back to the community, and, this is definitely personal – someone who has suffered, had to work their way up, the comeback, or the come-from-behind athlete, who perhaps isn’t afforded the massages, bodywork, science, coaching, all eggs in one basket lifestyle. For some reason this is my kind of American. And that’s why these are a few of our fangirl moments:

1. Brenda Martinez is going to the Olympics in the 1500m – If you tuned into the 800m Final, you’ll know why this was a comeback of true grit from Martinez. Edging out Eccleston by .03 seconds, Martinez took 3rd, securing her spot on the Olympic team, in what will be her first Olympics. She’s a fight-at-all-odds powerhouse with a good attitude. From www.nbcolympics.com‘s article titled, “Brenda Martinez’s emotional week at Olympic Trials ends in triumph,” “…After the 1500m semifinal, Martinez spoke with NBC’s Lewis Johnson and refused to blame Montano, who appeared to initiate the contact. Instead she called the adversity a ‘blessing in disguise.’ ‘The track doesn’t care about your feelings,’ Martinez said. ‘You’ve just got to move forward.'” Jenny Simpson, after winning the 1500m, rushed to Martinez’s side, exclaiming, “I’m so proud of you!” Helping her to her feet. It was really beautiful to watch: teamwork, humility, tenacity, thankfulness. Watch the race HERE!
2. Youth Emergent – So many incredible young athletes were present; none should go unnoticed. I tend to harbor a little fear when it comes to big stages at young ages, and what toll it might take on the developing mind/body, but you can’t not encourage the sheer natural ability of athletes such as Ajee Wilson, 22 (2nd in the 800m), Allie Ostrander, 19 (8th in the 5,000m, after she took off 2 mo’s this spring from a knee injury), Courtney Frerichs and Colleen Quigley, both 23 (2nd & 3rd in the Steeplechase), Jenna Prandini, 23 (3rd in the 200m, edging out Allyson Felix), Devon Allen, 21 (1st in 110m Hurdles), to name a few.
3. Emily Infeld takes 2nd in the 10,000m – This young woman has endured so many injuries, and is able to bounce back. Diagnosed back in March with a stress fracture, and with the next 2 months off, it’s incredible that she could compete with such power and secure a spot on the Olympic Team.
4. Bernard Lagat, at age 41 is the 5,000m Champion – Heading to his 5th Olympics, Lagat will become the oldest U.S. distance runner in history. His finish was tear-jerking. Out of all performances, it would be hard to find a finish as emotional, inspiring, captivating and hilariously goofy as his was in the 5,000.  Such a joy to watch. This is definitely the year of the 40’s Take All.
5. Boris Berian takes 2nd in the 800m, after tumultuous legal BS – On June 23, 2016, just days before the T&F Olympic Trials would begin, Nike dropped their lawsuit again Berian, citing that they wanted to, “…eliminate [the] distraction,” in regards to his competing at Trials. Despite all stressors, Berian showed up and competed with heart, earning a well-deserved spot on the 800m team. To catch up on the story go HERE and HERE. All we can say is thank god for Merhawi Keflezighi, a true athlete’s advocate.
6. Molly Huddle makes history with 10k, 5k wins – No other American woman has ever done it. Though she will likely drop the 5k at the Olympics, allowing the 4th place hopeful a spot on the team, Huddle is still the best when it comes to depth in distances. She is also slated to make her Marathon debut at this year’s NYC Marathon, which is why she might drop the 5k at Rio.

There were so many other performances that were phenomenal to watch; these were just a few of our favorites. We hope you tuned in and geeked out with as much excitement as we did. What were your favorite performances? How do you feel about this year’s Trials? We love all the buzz and can’t wait for the Olympics next month!