remember 6 years ago when nicole blood burned out???

Agreed, people seem to "forget" how many haters she had. She had so much to go through in HS, the pressure was incredible. Amazing how she has consistently improved each year, and what a team player she is. Third is spectacular (and her 5k last year was great too) and let's see what she can do in the 5k!

I am impressed. I am not persuaded the 10K is her best event, but she runs it tough for 3rd. Nice to see her really lay on the line for her team, and really, that is what makes college running different than pro. Good for her to show this kind of maturity all the way through the ranks. Given the number of high school stars that simply never progress, I think her achievements are really positive.

what she posted on dyestat in 2006--

Imagine spending time everyday posting on a high school message board to put down young runners. You must feel powerful! I've been picked apart since 7th grade. It was always the same routine...I'd hit a fast time and it would either shut you up or you'd decide to blab on about how I wouldn't be able to hold it. If I had a tough race, you'd simply declare I was burned out. Headlines of message boards would be "Blood Loses" rather than some other girl breaking a record. That doesn't seem right...to either of us. And then of course someone would have to add that I was some selfish brat or something. Wait. I’m sorry. Have we met? I guess I wouldn't know since you all like to hide behind these member names. Why is that...you're not ashamed of what you say, are you? True...it would look pretty pathetic if you were some adult ripping on a teenager.

My question is...what joy do you get out of it? You're obviously running fans to be on this website, so why would you root for people to fail? Parents, friends, and coaches have always advised me to stay off the message boards. But let’s get real here...if you know people are talking trash about you, wouldn't you be curious to check it out? Besides, I used it as motivation. But sometimes it just got out of hand. Have opinions on who will win, how the race will play out, root for your favorite runners, and even criticize racing styles. OK, cool. That's what these boards are for, I get that. But nobody has a right to trash another person’s character. To be honest, all the negativity is pretty hurtful and hard to ignore. Bottom line...none of you know my whole situation in the past year nor are you aware of half of the crap I've been through. It was my decision to be respectful and leave it between myself and the people involved, and that should be respected. I'm excited to clear my head this summer and move on to college. This is why I'm typing this post. To get everything off of my chest and look forward to an atmosphere that is 110% positive at Oregon.

I wanted to make sure and thank everyone who didn't buy into the rumors and gossip, and everyone who realized that the bashers were people who obviously have way too much time on their hands. I'd like to add that I've always been a Dyestat fan and supporter. It's done great things for our sport. Let's keep it that way.

Nicole Blood

Every time an Oregon athlete steps on the track there is some sort of BS thrown around on here. Whether they lost or won there are a million excuses slapped on this forum... STFU already! The nut-hugging is really f'ing annoying! Wow!!!! She got 3rd in a race she has been expected to win since she came to college! Congrats on being the second loser!

Wow you are pathetic. This is only her 3rd 10k EVER, and she takes 3rd in the NCAA 10k running strong and steady to pass the runners at the end. She was expected to burn out a long time ago... and she was ranked 5th coming into this race and took 3rd, scoring BIG POINTS for the Ducks. She is a team player and a great runner through and through.

I do feel bad for the girl for the ripping she, and many others, have taken. However it happens to every top athlete. I didn't want my prior post to sound like a rip on her, more so a STFU for the nut huggers. She has battled a long way through HS and college and for that I give her props. But Oregon fans are f'ing obnoxious and annoying as hell. They bash Andrews constantly but complain the second one of their own is "hated on." HYPOCRITES!

Awesome runner......better person!...Great job Nicole!

She ran a great race!

I do feel bad for the girl for the ripping she, and many others, have taken. However it happens to every top athlete. I didn't want my prior post to sound like a rip on her, more so a STFU for the nut huggers. She has battled a long way through HS and college and for that I give her props. But Oregon fans are f'ing obnoxious and annoying as hell. They bash Andrews constantly but complain the second one of their own is "hated on." HYPOCRITES!

Who expected her to burn out? I don't/didn't.... I expect a kid going to a school like Oregon to get better. Surely the facilities are better than a HS, the coaching is top notch, the Nike sponsorship is a huge help as well. I wouldn't say she was expected to burn out. If you did then you're a pessimist who has no clue how to bring out the best in young adults.

ATTN west coast dreamers wrote:

I do feel bad for the girl for the ripping she, and many others, have taken. However it happens to every top athlete. I didn't want my prior post to sound like a rip on her, more so a STFU for the nut huggers. She has battled a long way through HS and college and for that I give her props. But Oregon fans are f'ing obnoxious and annoying as hell. They bash Andrews constantly but complain the second one of their own is "hated on." HYPOCRITES!

this is totally unrelated to oregon... more of a defense of the even-more-hated/attacked saratoga spring hs program

ATTN west coast dreamers wrote:Who expected her to burn out? I don't/didn't.... I expect a kid going to a school like Oregon to get better. Surely the facilities are better than a HS, the coaching is top notch, the Nike sponsorship is a huge help as well. I wouldn't say she was expected to burn out. If you did then you're a pessimist who has no clue how to bring out the best in young adults.

you're an idiot.

people were saying she was doomed to burn out when she was in 8th grade. got even worse after winning the indoor hs 2 mile and outdoor mile her sophomore year, then going through a couple of not-quite-as-amazing years. all before there was ANY connection between her and oregon

What? Are you knew around here?, NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE TOOK MORE CRAP THEN NICOLE 4 and half years ago!

what again...you didnt expert her to burn out....come-n...Almost all talented girls in HS burn out...where have you been?....to be honest you sound Full of it...or shit.

Nicole prove a lot of people wrong

Seems like you might be a dick.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO town

I'm an idiot? Ok douche digest this, almost any elite runner is going to hit a period in which they plateau. A period in which there needs to be a transition from what works for SOME to what is going to push this INDIVIDUAL on to the next level. GOOD COACHING and an understanding of that athlete's physiological/psychological make up is what helps him/her get out of said plateau. IE- finding ways for her to keep improving without injury, allowing the body to develop without suffering from nutritional deficits, and fixing the psychological effects from falling off the top unexpectedly. Yes, there were rumors of her burning out before she came to Oregon. BUT SHE WAS STILL AN AMAZING ATHLETE and obviously still is! It just kills me that you guys jump on anyone's back who shows a second of brilliance for UO... but the second a Robby Andrews 1:45 thread comes out it is time to down-play it and try to knock it as a lesser accomplishment. I haven't read any Hassay threads on here recently either. But I'm sure the second she does something slightly above average (for her that is, she is already way above par for everyone else) there will be a million threads worshipping her.

you're an idiot.

people were saying she was doomed to burn out when she was in 8th grade. got even worse after winning the indoor hs 2 mile and outdoor mile her sophomore year, then going through a couple of not-quite-as-amazing years. all before there was ANY connection between her and oregon

I'm not even going to try and respond to a post as grammatically treacherous as this one.

RuKiddingMe! wrote:

What? Are you knew around here?, NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE TOOK MORE CRAP THEN NICOLE 4 and half years ago!

what again...you didnt expert her to burn out....come-n...Almost all talented girls in HS burn out...where have you been?....to be honest you sound Full of it...or shit.

Nicole prove a lot of people wrong

You don't understand. Were you even here back when Blood was in HS? The things that that young lady had to deal with are something no high schooler should have to go through (and thankfully no one has come near that level of bashing since then). She has gone through a lot and time and time again proved the haters wrong. It has nothing to do with Oregon.

maybe it was grammatically treacherous, and maybe your are a good writer but you are igorant of this topic!....I notice you tried to back peddle your way out of it!...but it is to late!

who else has 2 top-10 footlocker finishes and 2 top-10 ncaa xc finishes?

just looked up her 8th grade times-- 4:50y and 10:24y

amazing she's been so good for so long