Running after College - Need advice from older guys

Women are dream killers.

If you really want to make the Olympics, then go for it.

You will never get another chance to be young.

Find info on, and apply for every Olympic sponsorship and development program you can.

Look for companies that hire Olympians.

Champions make it happen for themselves.

Why can't you get a job and still qualify for the OTs? Most of those runners except the very top ones have jobs. There was a great article in RW about the marathon OTQ women that was quite inspiring. Some had more than one job with more than one kid, yet they still made the time to run the miles and do the workouts, mostly on their own. To do this balancing act, you do need the support of those important to you, so the GF might have to go.

I ran 31 in cross country and got All-American, only in Div. II. Like a 4:30 mile, who doesn't have a 31 XC time?

Listen to your girlfriend. Start a career. You can still run, and still probably do pretty good. But there are way too many runners with buckets more talent than you. There's no money in it for the also rans, and really, what does a trip to the Oly Trials get you except a bib number you can show your kids? Do you really think you'll be a contender in 2012, or just one of the other 50 also-rans?

You got outta high school to run in college. That's a lot more than most of your teammates did. You rode the wave; it's time to get off.

Pro sports are a pyramid: Every kid in high school thinks they're the next Kobe Bryant. If they even make a college squad, only a small handful of every college player will even get a chance to talk to a pro team. Een those that get out might make a pro roster.

To clarify my times I ran 30:mid in XC for 10k. I have also beaten guys who run professionally now.

I realize I'm not a Ryan Hall and there's no money in it for me.

But it's about seeing how good you are at something, and I think I can reach (what I consider) a high level.

I think If I trained hard enough I could be a contender yes. If I was an also ran than atleast I know where I stand with the sport.

Right out of college I got a 45 hour a week job in and worked there for a few months and couldn't make running happen.

I could get a part time job but that won't be enough to start a life with someone.

Live the dream as long as possible. 2012 is coming up very fast. To take these three years out of your life to try to do something great like this is easy. Its only three years. The real life can wait.

Whatever you decide, wether it is running "full time" or a full time job, do it 100%. You will be upset at yourself if you only do either half way.

I would choose the running.

Also check out this site to connect with others looking at OT 2012.

http://2012otm.ning.com/

one of our alums is a pretty dec steepler and managed to work out a deal where he works part time and his company sponsors him. His boss is British and so all he had to say was, "I'm training for the London Olympics." He gets sweet work hours, makes more than he would by working formally full time and is living the dream. If you are lucky enough to find a situation like that it'd be ideal and you could run semi pro for at least a few years out of college at a pretty high level and not screw your other career goals and aspirations in the process.

I was in your exact position, 20 years ago back in Nebraska. I decided to follow my dream and moved to Arizona where I trained with a Track Club and pursused my goal of making the OT in the marathon. I missed qualifying by 2 minutes my first shot and in my last year of trying, missed by 45 seconds. In between there were lots of satisfactory races on the track, roads and cross country and I picked up lots of local hardware for placing in many local and regional road races. I would do it all over again, even knowing what I do now. I had to leave my hometown because nobody there-family, friends, etc. cared either and thought I should put on a suit and start the 9-5 for the next 40 years. You have to really want it and be dedicated with no doubt in your mind or forget it. It's tough enough when you are 100% committed, let alone trying to please everyone else. There is an old saying; "You can't please everyone so you might as well please yourself".

Ogamii,

I don't want to come across as harsh or judgemental of this girl that I obviously have never met; however, you should ask yourself how much she really cares about you if she's not encouraging or supportive in regards to your running. I am currently training for the '12 Trials as well and it's something I'm extremely dedicated to at the moment. I don't have a boyfriend right now but I can't imagine being in a relationship with someone who doesn't care about something that brings a lot of meaning to my life.

I think this decision goes beyond what 10k time you ran in college. Don't let people on this thread tell you that you can't do something based off of your time because that's crap. I never ran in high school and was definitely NOT a good runner my first two years at college. I coudln't even qualify for the state meets. I had a boyfriend who complained that running was taking up too much of my personal life with him. He actually convinced me to quit at one point. I was miserable for about 4 months and tried to forget about competing but I thought about it constantly. Long story short, I dumped him and trained very hard through the spring and summer and am now an All-American in XC and Track. My times in college may not have been great but I'll be damned if someone is going to tell me that's a reason I should "grow up" and not chase a dream that I think about every day...

If you really want it, go for it.

I hate saying this because I don't want to come across as critical, but if this girl is willing to let you throw something away that you obviously care about or else you wouldn't be seeking advice on here, then she's not the one for you....I truly believe that. Even if I never qualify for the 2012 Trials, I can honestly say that I would never take back any minute I've spent running. I can't imagine my life without it.

-- Good Luck ---

A job and women will still be there, but your ability to run fast won't. Go for it if you want it. It's the journey man, not necessarily the goal, even if you don't qualify, make the team, ect, there are other rewards and you won't have to say "what if?"

At age 25, it is time for you to grow up, get a job, and move out.

Seriously, why are you still at home? You are 25 years old. I'm surprised any woman would date a man who is still living with his parents at 25.

Everything Neliah2507 wrote is spot on. I don't know the girl either, but I've been involved with that type, and I can tell you, she's not telling you to 'grow up' for your benefit. She's telling you that for her own selfish reasons.

As far as continuing to run, if you really want to do it, just do it. The details will work themselves out. If, as a 36 year old married father of two I can pass along any tidbit of wisdom to you, it is this: you will never have more time in your life to dedicate to this goal than you do right now, and you will never be able to live as inexpensively as you do right now.

I won't get into the details, but my and my wife's 24 hours are packed full of activity that is primarily dedicated to keeping ourselves and our kids fed, sheltered, and alive. We get approximately three hours to ourselves each day, all in one block between the 3:30-6:30am hours. In that time, we put in as much training as possible, do the best we can with it, and enjoy the hell out of the process. We don't regret not going for it when we were your age, but we don't waste an opportunity to tell people like you to seize the moment, either.

Good luck!

Just because she doesn't get it doesn't mean that she doesn't care. Many people's parents would tell them to quit BECAUSE they care. Nevertheless, others don't always know what's best for you. Only you can decide what you value in life and how much you value it compared to other things.

Just be educated about your decision. Think hard about what you're forgoing by making either choice. Imagine worst case scenarios, and assume that they're more likely than you probably think they are. People seem hard-wired to underestimate low-probability events. We assume that things that are unlikely to happen can't happen. There is a decent chance you will end up injured and frustrated, because many serious runners do. On the other hand there's a chance your girlfriend will henpeck you for the rest of your life and you'll sit in the garage, fondling your old awards, bitter and angry.

However, as others have said, if you do decide to go for it, make sure you're doing something else with your time too. If you're so inclined, graduate school is perfect for training. Even if you don't enroll in a formal degree program, you could take some classes that would be useful to you later. Maybe coach some high school XC/Track. It all depends on what you plan to do in 2013.

you need to simply answer the question, is running a part of who you are as a person? if the answer is yes, then your girlfriend should be accepting of that, as she loves you. if she can't accept that you are a runner, you probably shouldn't be getting married.

Ogamii Ittoo wrote:

Right out of college I got a 45 hour a week job in and worked there for a few months and couldn't make running happen.

Why couldn't you make running happen only working 45 hours a week? Get up early, get in an am run and then get in a workout when you get off work. You'd still have time to see your girlfriend, take care of things, etc. and you'd be putting in 120 miles a week. It can be done if you are dedicated.

Ogamii Ittoo wrote:

To clarify my times I ran 30:mid in XC for 10k. I have also beaten guys who run professionally now.

I realize I'm not a Ryan Hall and there's no money in it for me.

But it's about seeing how good you are at something, and I think I can reach (what I consider) a high level.

I think If I trained hard enough I could be a contender yes. If I was an also ran than atleast I know where I stand with the sport.

Right out of college I got a 45 hour a week job in and worked there for a few months and couldn't make running happen.

I could get a part time job but that won't be enough to start a life with someone.

I think you know the answer to your question based on what you are saying - you want to give it your best shot. And I think that you should follow your heart. And anyone that really cares about you will want you to do the same.

Go for it- you can run enough to get under 2hr 20 and work at the same time- I'm from the 70s era when it was routine for dreamers with ave college careers to get under 2 hr 20-

I don't believe Doug Kurtis, John Bramley, Dick Beardsley, Bill Rodgers, Bobby Hodge, Ron Tabb, and the list goes on and on were that great in college. What those guys had was a very high level of motivation to do the work. I am curious what you ran in track and if you've done any half marathons, etc. A 30 min 10K and 1h 06 min half predicts a 2hr 20 marathon so you need to be in that ballpark.

Why can't you run and have a gf and have a career? Lord, you can't spare 1-2 hours a day to run? Try road cycling bro. Then start talking about time/energy constraints.

The right woman for you would support you in chasing any dream, even if she didn't understand it. Let this girlfriend go if she can't delay her pedestrian goals for a few years.

go after your dreams. but get out of your hometown and find some guys to train with. if you're going to do it, do it like the great ones that came before you did...live poor for a few years and train with the best.