Who out there is actually hand on heart going to try and make 2012

So many of us post on here as competitive runners with opinions on everything but how many of us are gonna lay it on the line and go try make the next team in 2012?

Or at least the trials?

If not then why would we stay in the sport.

I'm going to try make the marathon team. I'm going to sacrifice four years of potential baby making and career paving to make running my priority.

The Brian Sell way (lots of miles) (although he did make a baby).

Baby making? Are you married? If you are a man, then don't worry about the baby-making too much. You can do that well into your 90s.

I will not be making a go of it. But I would like to run a PR in the half marathon this winter, if possible. Small goals for me.

I am engaged.

Already told my fiance and she fully supports it.

It is by no means going to be easy but I have run 14.08 in college (graduated 2 years ago) and struggled with injury since but I believe I can do it with hard work now i'm injury free.

Marathon runners like Sell are inspirational. I think in 4 years if I get the Olympic A standard (which I believe is inside 2.15) then regardless of being in the top 3 I can at least say I went for it.

You never know.

OneW wrote:

If not then why would we stay in the sport.

I find it pitiful that the only redeeming aspect of running you can come up with is the possibility of making the Olympic Trials.

I'm going to do everything in my power to make the 2012 Marathon Trials.

Sloetry in Motion wrote:

OneW wrote:

If not then why would we stay in the sport.

I find it pitiful that the only redeeming aspect of running you can come up with is the possibility of making the Olympic Trials.

What other targets are there for athletes coming out of college who dont turn pro?

Other than making the team, making the trials is as far as you can get.

Come on smart guy

you may say im a dreamer wrote:

I'm going to do everything in my power to make the 2012 Marathon Trials.

Where are you at right now with your efforts??

it's easy to say "i'm going to sacrifice everything and try to make the team." but if that's really the case, you'll probably need to relocate, join a training group, and do all the little things (stretching, massage, weights, etc.) that aren't always available to non-elites.

realistically speaking, there are only a handful of runners in each event with a legit shot at making the team (of course their are exceptions, like trent briney in 2004--wow!). the rest are just also-rans, which i definitely have been. doesn't mean we should give up on the sport, it just means that we should probably have goals less than the olympic team. there's more to running than the olympics and the trials. i'm not saying you shouldn't shoot for those goals, just keep running in perspective.

OneW wrote:

OneW wrote:

If not then why would we stay in the sport.

What other targets are there for athletes coming out of college who dont turn pro?

Other than making the team, making the trials is as far as you can get.

Come on smart guy

Off the top of my head, I can think of a few reasons to stay in the sport:

Health

Stress Reduction

Enjoyment of the Outdoors

Enjoyment of Competition

And who told you I'm smart?

I just graduated from college, ran in the 33:50s for 10k (female), and am looking at the 2012 marathon trials as a goal. I'll never make the olympics and am not going to put my life on hold and postpone starting a career to facilitate an optimal training schedule, but I am going to keep training seriously. The experience of qualifying and running in the trials is definitely worth a couple more years of effort to me, and IMO a respectable goal to strive for even if you know it's the end of the line.

Abandon all hope. There are only 3 spots and one of them is mine

OneW wrote:

I'm going to try make the marathon team. I'm going to sacrifice four years of potential baby making and career paving to make running my priority.

The Brian Sell way (lots of miles) (although he did make a baby).

I think I'm going to make a run for our badminton team

My goal is to qualify for the 2012 trials too. I am 35 and returning to running after about 7 years off due to injury, starting a family, getting situated professionally, etc.. I have a 5k PR of 14:30 and a 10k pr of 30:20 so I think that it is realistic to run 2:19, but I do not really have any chance of making the team or running the olympic qualifying time. I have 3 little ones at home and a demanding job, so I am definitely not going to sacrifice everything to make it, but I think that having the goal will make the journey over the next 4 years a little more interesting. I figure this is most likely my last chance to take a shot at qualifying for the OT. Like one of the previous posters said, you have to keep running in perspective, but you also have to have goals to chase in order to improve. Just my 2 cents.

I have absolutely zero chance of making the Trials in 2012. If I trained like a madman for the next 4 years I might be able to run the 5k in 15:30-16:00. So you're saying I should stop running? That doesn't make sense at all. I applaud your passion and willingness to sacrafice for your dream of qualifying for the Trials, but don't belittle us hobbyists just because running isn't our sole purpose in life. I enjoy running and racing and I enjoy watching track and field. But my life does not center around training.

sjq wrote:

it's easy to say "i'm going to sacrifice everything and try to make the team." but if that's really the case, you'll probably need to relocate, join a training group, and do all the little things (stretching, massage, weights, etc.) that aren't always available to non-elites.

Why does this guy need to relocate and join a group? It might make things easier on a day to day basis, but there are merits to training by yourself as well. In a group you have a greater chance of racing in practice and overtraining whereas an individual has an easier time backing off. Plus it isn't that hard to stretch regularly and join a gym. There is no reason why this guy can't get pretty darn close to his potential right where he is, assuming he is able to dedicate his life to the sport.

I would love to join you. I would do whatever it takes to experience the Olympics in my lifetime. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I train, I'll be 60 years old in 2012, so it's not looking good. I guess if I were to make the team it, it would be a great human interest story. (Take that Dara Torres!)

Brian Sell destroyed my dream in college. It was like he reached into my chest and pulled out my still beating heart. I've nothing left for competitive running....I am burnt out.

I graduated a few years ago and was very close to making a US champ. but never did. I decided to stop running when I realized the trials and olympics were not going to happen. I haven't trained since. Some people view the sport differently. I didn't see the enjoyment in continuing so I stopped. For some people that IS the only reason to run; to be competitive. For me it was about enjoying competition, not excercise or health. I personally find swimming and other sports more enjoyable and don't feel pressure to be competitive. I think it's a perfect reason to run if your dream is to make the trials in the marathon.

OneW wrote:

I am engaged.

Already told my fiance and she fully supports it.

It is by no means going to be easy but I have run 14.08 in college (graduated 2 years ago) and struggled with injury since but I believe I can do it with hard work now i'm injury free.

Marathon runners like Sell are inspirational. I think in 4 years if I get the Olympic A standard (which I believe is inside 2.15) then regardless of being in the top 3 I can at least say I went for it.

You never know.

I was in your shoes years ago. A more realistic goal for you is to try and qualify for the trials. Get that done 1st; it will be hard enough just to meet that time in whatever event you shoot for.

2ndly: are you in a place, city, job, situation, where you can devote the next 3 plus years to your running with support? I had to leave my hometown city and relatives and head to the coast and joint a club with like-minded runners to accomplish the right environment.