Jim Ryun Running Camp

Journal Entry, November 30, 2005:
We (Ian, Alicia, Sara and myself) left for Japan at 4:30 in the morning to catch an early flight out of SFO. It would be a long travel day. Our intial flight would take us from San Francisco to Portland. We had a four hour layover in Portland followed by an 11 hour flight to Narita, (close to Tokyo) Japan. The time change was a bit of a concern for us since we would only be arriving on the Sunday before our Wednesday race. We found that we had a very easy adjustment going to Japan since we got in fairly late in the afternoon and could easily stay up until 8pm or so before going to bed at a normal time. Coming back from Japan was much harder to adjust to the time change.

The flight was long, although it was rather nice to have forced relaxation for a long period. We got in at 4:15pm and were surprised to see many Christmas decorations. I have realized that I went to Japan with a lot of cultural misconceptions, in this case I thought that Japanese don't really get as excited about Christmas as Americans. After experiencing just a little bit of Japan I feel like I have a lot better feel for the personality of the country. I have a whole new respect for the type of people they are and the quality of their country.

The Chiba Ekiden relay is a big deal to Japan. It fits perfectly into their group oriented culture since it is a relay. The race is a marathon that is divided up into six legs (5K-10K-5K-10K-5K-7.5K). I ran the first leg and handed off to Matt Gonzales, who handed off to my teammate Ian Dobson, who handed off to Brian Sell, who handed off to Fernando Cabada, who handed off to our anchor Josh Moen. Going into the race we knew that we had a very solid team and were hoping to place in the top three and set an American record for the event. The US has been sending teams to Japan for this event for many years and had previously never broken two hours or placed in the top three. Japan always runs the best team they can put together and then the Kenyans, Ethiopians, and Moroccans all enter solid teams as well. I think there were about fifteen teams at the race.

The event is run very well. They took amazing care of the athletes.

We stayed at a very nice athletic complex the first two nights we were there. The facilities were great and the cafeteria had a variety of western and traditional Japanese food. Everything came in very small portions, which was very different from the States. In fact, it seemed that everything was very small. We stayed in modest sized cabins with tiny tables, chairs and small beds. They had various activities that athletes could watch/participate in throughout the day. There was a karate show, athletes could try on kimonos, make flower arrangements, watch movies, write their name in Japanese and other little things. They did a good job of making the race a whole event. Sara and I were saying that if we couldn't enjoy this race than we wouldn't be able to enjoy any race since the atmosphere was relaxed. Little things like taking a group picture of everyone there and having a post-race dinner celebration made the event very intimate and enjoyable.

The night before the race we stayed in a nice hotel in Chiba (were the race was). It felt odd to be racing again since I hadn't raced since the World Championships. I was getting a little intimidated as Ian and I finished our easy pre-race workout only to watch the Kenyan team run 2 by a 1000 at 2:30 with 200M jog in-between. I knew then that I was not nearly as sharp as their guys. I was a little nervous but excited to see what kind of shape I was in after five weeks at altitude and excited to see what the Lord would have for me. I put my trust in Him.

The day of the race we ate a pre-race meal in the hotel and suited up to be driven to our various legs on the course. Before we left we had to sit in these plain white rooms in our assigned chairs to be given instructions. I began to get very nervous as the Japanese director told us our instructions and checked our uniforms. I think the runners from Great Britain and Australia and I were the only one who understood what he was saying since he was speaking in English.

We got to the track (where the start was) significantly before the start of our race. Upon arrival we were assigned a Japanese high school student who watched our belongs and followed us wherever we went. I didn't know that they would also go on our warmups with us. Halfway through my warmup I noticed someone running behind me but didn't think anything of it. About fifteen minutes into the warm-up I did a three minute pickup. When I finished and started jogging back to the stadium I saw my faithful follower bent over breathing heavily in the bushes. I applauded his efforts and he muttered in broken English that he was very tired.

When the gun went off I settled into the middle of the front pack. The pace felt reasonable. One of the Kenyans who I had seen workout took off from the gun putting a quick gap on the field. We did two laps around the track and I heard the USA coach yell 2:12 for my 800 split. At that point I knew that I hadn't gone out too fast. The Kenyan lead by about six seconds or so. We headed out onto the roads and the race started to pick up. The Ethiopian went to the lead and I went right with him. I noticed at this point that the Kenyan was no longer going away from us and that gave me all the motivation I needed to start chasing him. It felt weird to be racing on the roads. I hadn't done a road race since the beginning of my sophomore year in college. The Ethiopian sat right on me as the pack behind us began to string things out. The course was mostly a gradual downhill which I think worked to my advantage since I wasn't quite as sharp as some of the other athletes. Right around 2.5K we caught the Kenyan and it was the three of us running in the lead pack. I set myself to sit right on the Kenyan and wait for the fireworks. At this point the pace was still reasonable so I was expecting a big burst by one of the other athletes. I kept telling myself to relax and wait. The only other sign that we passed was the 1K to go sign. I was still sitting and waiting and was surprised when the pace really didn't increase. I remember even being a little concerned that we might let some of the other runners back into the lead pack.

Before I knew it I saw the Kenyan runner rip off his sash and begin to sprint. I removed my sash from over my head and answered his surge. I was not able to see the waiting runners because of the lead vehicles and turn that we were running around. So it was me, Kenya, and Ethiopia sprinting toward our fellow countrymen waiting to run the next leg. We still had no idea where the actual finish was. I could feel the Ethiopian right next to me and had lost sight of the Kenyan. We both came barreling into the transition zone, handing our sashes off to our teammates. After we had finished both the Ethiopian and I had no idea who had won the leg. It turned out he had edged me out, but we were both given the same time of 13:22. I was very pleased with the result and thankful to God for His blessings. One of the most memorable parts of the trip for me was the brief cool down I took as I waited for Sara to finish her leg.

I was running on the sidewalk next to all the Japanese spectators who had just watched our race. The unique thing was that it was completely silent. I have never seen or heard a street so dead silent. I was wondering if they were having a moment of silence or if there was some ritual going on. I felt like I was in a movie as I ran down the road packed with Japanese spectators all staring at me in complete silence. It was one of those weird experiences I will never forget.

After I finished my leg I watched Sara finish her brilliantly run leg, in which she finished third behind an Ethiopian and a Kenyan. She also ran a very good time of about 15:30 or so. We both took a bus back to the stadium to watch the rest of the race on a jumbotron. I was thrilled to see our guys running so well. We ran with Japan for most of the race (tied for second) so we got a ton of air time on national television. All the guys ran great races, including Ian, who actually won his leg. With about 2k to go (after an entire marathon) we were still tied for second with Japan but their anchor leg was very strong and ran a masterful last 2k to pull away. We still managed to set an American record of 1 hour 59 minutes and 8 seconds and place third, beating both Ethiopia and Morocco. I was proud to be a part of this team. It was special to stand on the podium of a world event such as this. When I was up there I felt like I got a taste of what it’s like to win an Olympic medal. It was sweet to share the experience with my other teammates and coaches. That night there was a closing banquet and a lot of fun with all the athletes from around the world. I thank the Lord for giving me the opprotunity to run there and see another part of His beautiful creation.

Journal Entry, September 12, 2005:
Well, I have been back from Europe for about three weeks now. It seems Like it all happened along time ago. I am still feeling extremely blessed to get the opportunity to see other parts of the world and to get to run in the places I did. Altogether I got to see the London, Dublin, Helsinki, and briefly, part of Denmark and Sweden. It was amazing for me to see different parts of the world. However, I remember thinking about how blessed we are to live in America. It was great to be back in the states.

As far as the running goes I have mixed feeling about my European summer. It never feels good to not have your best stuff in big races. I struggled to stay in a positive frame of mind after I started feeling a little tired, which is so important to compete well. It wasn't all bad though. I ran my third fastest time ever for 5k in London and did it the hard way too. Going out hard and then hanging on for dear life is never a fun way to run, or an easy way for that matter. I was pretty beat up after that and never really felt the same again. Running a mile in Dublin was fun. I hadn't run a race other than the 5k all season so I was excited to give it a go. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a confidence downer. It started to set in that my speed was not very good (I ran 4:05) and I would have to close my last mile of the prelim of the 5k close to equally as fast as I had just raced it. As I look back on it though I think it was a good thing because it really helped me identify some areas I need to work on for next year.

Heading into worlds I was hoping for big things and believing that the Lord could use me in whatever way He wanted but was having difficulty enjoying running on tired legs everyday. Usually I am hungry to run and enjoy every step. However, at this point in the year I was ready to be down, take a break and then get back to training. Racing at Worlds was an incredible experience. Just being in the stadium gave me chills. I will never forget walking out of that tunnel and into the stadium to do some strides before the gun went off. I told Sara (my fiancée) before the race that I was going to find a way to enjoy the race even if I wasn't feeling that good. A few laps into the race the pace felt like it was lagging a bit and no one was really wanting to lead so I decided to hop in the lead and enjoy myself, as well as keeping the pace honest since that was my only hope of qualifying since I was in the first heat. I enjoyed running in front. It gave me a taste of what it is like to run with the best. I really got a taste of it when they hammered me the last mile and I finished far down the straight in nearly last place. I learned a lot running in Europe and I am anxious to return when I am feeling good and preparing my training to peak there.

One of the biggest lessons that I learned was that those guys are just like you and me. They are by no means unbeatable. I know that not only I can run with them but that many Americans can. But to run with those guys it is first going to take the belief that you can and then the consistent training to get there. And not just consistency over a month, but over years and years. I think that the only way to be this consistent is to not pressure yourself to improve too fast, but rather just let your body improve at its own rate. Forcing things only leads to frustration and the body's lack of ability to adapt to all the hard work you are putting in. Lastly, you have to have fun doing what you are doing day in and day out to be that consistent. If you are not having fun you will have a hard time enduring the necessary training and you won't do it as hard. Find a way to enjoy what you are doing!! I am writing to myself here just as much as I am writing to anyone else. If I, or anyone else, can implement this advice than who knows what is possible. I thank God for teaching me these valuable physical lessons that I am also trying to learn in my spiritual life.

I often find myself wondering 'if I could just obey everything God commands me to do in His Word how incredible would life be?'

Journal Entry, July 26, 2005:
Well, I have been here for a week and a day now. I raced in my first European meet this past Friday. It was a tough introduction to European racing. When I was back in the states I was under the impression that you just come over here and then immediately pop some huge times effortlessly. Well, that is not the case.

I ran at a great meet in London. It was an incredible experience. I remember watching videos of Sebastian Coe and other great runners running ridiculously fast on that track. It was a dream come true to walk through that tunnel into the packed house at the Crystal Palace.

It was a stacked field. I was waiting to warm-up in the company of Ian, Abdi, Broe and Bekele. It was crazy to be a foot away from the world record holder. He is a very quiet guy. I didn't really talk to him but Abdi is friends with him. It was fun to be in the same race. Although, I felt like I was watching more than running after the first mile.

Those guys are impressive athletes. I realize just how much training and talent it takes to run at that level. The race went out really hard. I felt pretty tired from the beginning. I came through the mile in about 4:12 and then through 3K in 7:57. I was slowing down after the mile and by the time I had two laps to go I was falling off the second pack. I thank the Lord that I had enough strength to not completely fall apart. I think it was a good way to start my European races. It was a good slap in the face.

It was crazy afterward though. I was cooling down and I got swarmed by little kids wanting autographs. I signed autographs for about fifteen minutes. It’s funny because these kids didn't even know who I was or how fast, or slow, I had just run. I felt like a big league baseball player. Track is definitely a little different over here.

Now I am staying over at St. Mary's college, just outside of London. It has been a great trip so far. My legs have felt a little tired after the race. Pray that I would keep having a thankful heart and that God would be glorified. Thanks for your prayers! All the best!

Ryan

Journal Entry, July 14, 2005:
Last night Ian (my teammate) and I had our last substantial workout of the season. We ran 3 miles worth of work with a couple fast 800s in there. The legs have been feeling like they are going to come around nicely once we start backing off the weights and mileage.

As far as the rest of life goes, I am just trying to get a lot done before leaving for Europe on Sunday. It is amazing to me that I will be there in a few days. I have no idea what is to come, both in running and in life. It is really exciting living the dream that God has put in me since I was a kid. I remember going out and throwing baseballs against my tarp in my backyard, convincing myself that I was going to be a professional pitcher. There was another time when I set up a mini-track around the snow burms at the end of street and pretended to set world records. God has created me to run-I know that.

I genuinely enjoy the grueling workouts and all the other intense training that I do. I feel blessed to get to do what God has given me a passion to do for a living. All the glory to God!

Ryan

Journal Entry, July 10, 2005:
I am outta here in a week. Taking Sara to the airport yesterday really made the anticipation of traveling/racing in Europe increase. I have been pretty tired from a crazy wedding planning week but the runs have felt good. I hadn't had a day off in a while so I took Saturday off and did a hour and forty-five minute long run today. I can tell that when I back off the milage and prepare for Europe the legs are going to come around...or at least I am hoping they will. This is all new ground for me so I have no idea what to expect, but I am excited to find out. Ian and I are working out tomorrow and our last really hard workout of the season is on Wednesday. It should be a tough one. I think we are doing repeat miles.

All the best!

Journal Entry, July 7, 2005:
It has been a busy couple of days for me. I am back at Stanford now staying with my teammates Ian Dobson, David Vidal, and Chris Emme. It has been fun but busy. My parents were in town for a couple of days so I enjoyed some good quality family time in the midst of exciting wedding planning and training. I had a my second workout of the week this morning and I am heading out for an easy 1/2 hour shakeout here in a little bit.

Training has been tough. I am increasing miles this week and doing five morning runs this week. I like to gauge my training volume by the amount of morning runs I do rather than by mileage. Last week I did four morning runs, this week I will do five, next week four and then over in Europe I will stay between two to three per week. The training hasn't been super aggressive but it has been a little challenging to get into a training mentality when you are out there and not everything feels great like in a race. For example on Tuesday in the middle of the workout Ian and I ran a couple of 800s at 5k race pace and it felt a lot harder than it did a week and a half earlier in the middle of the race at USAs. It takes time to adjust back to hard training, but it is important to put in the hard work now so I can back off a lot once we are in Europe. I can't wait to get on the plane!

Ryan

Journal Entry, July 4, 2005:
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind! Everything is just starting to set in now...NCAAs...USAs...getting engaged...going to Europe...planning a wedding. This morning I went out for a five mile easy morning run and it finally hit me that I am going to Helsinki...I still can't believe it. Every time I have run or walked through a tunnel since my freshmen year of high school I have pictured myself walking out into an Olympic stadium with the crowd roaring. It has been a lifelong dream that has finally come true after many years of struggles. I feel tremendously blessed.

Reflecting on when things started to really click for me this season (NCAAs) I am still a little mystified. I don't feel like a different person or like I really even did anything differently to prepare this past spring. Everything just clicked perfectly and I know that the Lord has been with me, directing me every step of the way.

Before NCAAs I was very nervous because I hadn't felt that good leading up to the race (or at least not as good as in past races). The prelim felt tough and I was very uncertain if I would be able to run the plan that coach had set for Ian and me. We set out to run 64s until we either dropped the field or exhausted ourselves. Basically, we had the mentality that if anyone ran faster than 13:20 to beat us than we could live with that and they deserved to win but we weren't going to let anyone “steal” the race.

The race itself was weird because it went so perfectly. It had been arranged with other competitors to make it a fast early pace. I really respect what those guys did because they ran with heart, pushing the pace early. I remember thinking around lap 6 or so that the pace felt surprisingly easy, yet we were still running pretty close to the prescribed pace. When Ian and I started to pull away I was a little stunned because we had anticipated a majority of our competitors still being with us until a lap to go. I checked the jumbotron when we turned the corner onto the backstretch on every lap. I was surprised every lap when our lead increased to the margin it did. Having Ian to help with the pace was huge. If he wasn't there to do some of the work the race would have turned out much differently. We both run so much better as a team by sharing the lead. With a lap to go I was pretty sure we were going to go one-two and was just hanging on for the ride. With a hundred to go I looked back to see how much of a gap we had on Willis and realized that we were indeed going to accomplish our season long goal. The only thing in question was who was going to win and would we hit the A standard. I briefly thought about what I should do (whether or not to attempt to out-kick my teammate for the win) and decided that we both wanted to know who was the fastest. He kind of swung out into the outside of lane one...that kind of turned on my competitiveness. When we finished I saw that we had not hit the A standard but it didn't matter. I remember turning to Ian and saying “We did it.” That was a great moment because in a sport where it is all about the individual we shared a team accomplishment.

It was funny because the night before my race at NCAA's, when most people are so nervous about the race that they can't sleep, I was nervous, but it wasn't about the race...it was because I was thinking about what I was going to be doing a week from that night.

A week later was engagement day. I had been planning this day for quite some time and now it was finally here. The weather, unfortunately, canceled a morning hot air balloon ride but we made do with a special breakfast underground beneath the Stanford quad. That evening we went to Santa Cruz for dinner and afterward I proposed at a special spot for us. That was the most exciting day of my life and I will never forget a thing about it. The next day I made another big life decision and turned professional. It was exciting to think of fulfilling a life long dream of being a professional athlete-getting paid to do the thing I am gifted to do and love to do. It was special that Sara and I get to enter this new phase of life together as she turned professional as well.

A couple of days later we left for USAs. Leading up to that race I was equally unsure of how things would go but excited to see what the Lord had in store. My confidence in what He was doing through me was growing. I was feeling good before the race but feeling abnormally nervous before the race. Sara helped a lot to keep me from getting too nervous. She had had a great race the night before and gave me some encouragement that really affected the way I ran that race...she told me to "be bold."

The race was delayed about 30 minutes or so and that actually helped to loosen me up. I think I was so nervous because the incredible field I was racing against and because we didn't have a very concrete plan like we had previously had for other races. Basically Ian and I just wanted to cover moves and hope that pace was fast. The pace was fast as Tim Broe took us through the first 400 in 62 seconds. I was feeling very good and watching him for the first mile, through in 4:16. It was during lap five that I remembered Sara's advice and decided to put it all on the line and go for it. I made a big move to catch Broe and then when the pace felt easy and I felt good I decided to take the lead and press it a little bit. "I decided" is probably not the best way to describe it...I kind of just sensed this feeling in me that it was time to run and run hard...sometimes I feel like doing crazy stuff in races...it makes them exciting and sometimes dreams come true as a result. Fortunately, Ian had moved up with me and was there to help with the lead for a couple of laps when I was ready to take a break. Again, I was amazed when we opened up a substantial gap on the field. It was one thing to do that at NCAA's but this was the USA champs...these were the best guys in the country...Goucher, Torres, Riley, etc. were all in the chase pack. I felt very good the whole race until about 800 to go when Broe made his move. I tried to go with him but was concerned that I might not be able to keep the pace until the end so he made a small gap on Ian and me. With 400 to go I was really hurting but I knew that Ian and I were going to make the team if we didn't completely die. When I hit the finish line it was just pure elation. I couldn't believe what had just happened! My dream had come true. It was a special night.

The next day Sara and I got up at 4am to fly to my brother’s wedding in Northern California. It was really fun but tiring after not much sleep. Now Sara and I are planning our wedding and training. We are in Santa Rosa right now but about to head back to Stanford for next weeks workouts. I am about to head out the door for another easy 50 minutes or so. All the best! Ryan