Thursday, September 3, 2009

Blog Roll: Dathan Ritzenhein - 12:56.27!!!!!!

Wow, I am still a little in shock. I did not want to talk myself up too much before the race but I knew I was ready to go. But I even surprised myself. I though I was capable of getting close to the 13-minute barrier, but everything just finally came together. To tell you the truth I didn’t feel incredible leading up to the race. Before Berlin I felt like Superman, but in the week and half after I just was OK. But now that I think back you always feel a little crappy after a 10k. I think St. Moritz may be the place for me, though. I was able to go back and refocus in such a short period of time and that made such a difference mentally. I though it would be difficult for me but really I just have been enjoying everything so much that I just had fun training and racing and did not even think about the outcome too much. It is funny how sometimes things really just click when you are not trying to force them. I think it is hard to go out and put the pressure on yourself to hit a certain time and that is why so many record attempts fail. In the race I didn’t even really think about breaking the record until I had about 4-5 laps to go. At that point, however, I just told myself over and over again that I could do it. I actually felt awkward in the beginning of the race because it was so fast and I was off the back. But by the middle of the race I was almost just in “the Zone”. It was such an amazing feeling after so many years to actually be in the moment that I have dreamt about since I was a teenager. I almost felt like I was watching myself from the stands. I am so happy that my family was there to be able and celebrate with me. It was such a special night and I think that even if I run faster and do better in the years to come, this one will always be one of those moments in my career that I will look back and be the most fond of. It was a moment that reinforced in my mind that, yes, I can run with the best runners in the world, I belong on that starting line and I am as good as those guys who sometimes seemed unbeatable. Being able to see Bekele, the greatest distance runner of all time, within a reasonable range…

I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me over the years. I could not have done this without the people I have surrounded myself with. My coaches, friends, family, support crew and my fans. I am so thankful to all of you for sticking with me through everything and giving me the motivation to prove what is possible. Until next time…
 
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