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 2025 Indoor World Championships


Crossing the finish line on Saturday at the end of my 400 meter heat--a PR! My goal since my first indoor meet in January in Providence (where I ran 1:02), was to try to get under a minute--and I did it! 59.37 seconds. This time qualified me for the finals (the top 6 times from about 28 runners across 5 heats). 





From the start, lane 3--thanks to a couple of teammates, I had some lessons on starting from blocks since last month's Nationals meet. This helped a lot! 

I felt on top of the world after this race. I was so happy and grateful I had achieved the time, and qualifying for the final was TOTALLY unexpected. I calculated 10 or 11 guys who had run faster than a minute this indoor season and/or last outdoor season. 

Unfortunately, the final on Sunday didn't go so well for me. I mean--I was doing GREAT, definitely running strong and on pace, but approaching the top of the last curve, my right hamstring area seized up--I re-strained the hammy, or a muscle near the hammy (possibly my popliteus muscle--something I never knew existed if it weren't for a teammate's eye when I pointed to where the pain was later). Anyway, I had to slow, which made me 6th at 1:01--though, honestly, even that is an accomplishment because the pain was pretty bad!  I was EXTREMELY disappointed and sad this happened. And I don't really know why it happened. But . . . during the last stride-out I did in the center of the track just before getting into my blocks, I felt a tightness in my hammy area that I haven't felt since the fall, shortly after the hamstring re-injury at outdoor Nationals . . . and although it concerned me, I couldn't do anything other than get on the line and go for it. The high and low I experienced in less than 24 hours was astonishing. Almost operatic. What an amazing sport!

Anyway, I'm home now, doing the RICE treatment for 48 hours. Then I'll switch to hot baths with Epson salts, low heat, red light therapy, gentle walking. I will see Dr. Aaron this Friday for some help (acupuncture). I will see Dr. Josh next Wednesday for PT, so he can assess the situation & we can start some recovery stretches/exercises. I guess maybe the one positive aspect of this injury is that I already have the experience of how to recover, and I have great people in place to rely on for help. 

Had to cancel my Pilates lessons this morning and tomorrow, which is a bummer. Hopefully I will feel up to going on Thursday and Megan can help me work my core without involving that area too much. I'll have to see. A day at a time. 

Thanks friends, track fans, and anyone else visiting/reading this blog. It has been a year since I started my journey back to the track at 60. What an amazing experience it has been for me! I'm proud of what I have been able to accomplish, humbled by the setbacks and challenges, enlightened by what I have learned about training, technique, my body . . . and thrilled to have old and new friends in my life who have encouraged and supported me along the way. 








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