SUMMER is upon us!

Every time I update my blog I get this guilty feeling because it has ALWAYS been so long since the last time I have updated it. I know there aren't TONS of people reading it, but after about a month of leaving it unattended people start giving me a hard time. That means I am overdue for blog updating. My Spring season has been super busy so far. I have been traveling quite a lot lately. I started my season out with a few rust busters at Georgia Tech and Florida Relays. My first REAL opening 800 was at Mt. Sac Relays and I led the race wire to wire to win in 2:00.3.

 This was the first time I have ever really led from the front with confidence, and I can honestly say it made me feel really good. After this race I noticed a chance in the way I thought about each race, and of my competitors. Never before in my track career have I ever felt such confidence in my ability as an elite athlete.
My sister has always told me that I have lacked confidence. It seems crazy to say such things. If you ask 95% of the people who know me, they would tell you that she was bonkers and that I radiate with confidence. I never realized how "dead on" she really was until I had that first "feeling" this year of real, genuine confidence. I guess it wasn't surprising to me that my sister knew me better than myself...that's why she is my oldest and most important friend, right?
Anyway, next I took a trip to The Penn Relays and ran a mile. I never thought I would admit this, but it was actually really fun. I ran a personal best mile time of 4:36 for the W. 

Pretty clear who the 800 meter runner is...

 Next stop for me was the first Diamond League race of 2012 out in Doha, Qatar. After a 13 hour flight and a 7 hour time change, I managed to run 1:59.53 for 6th place.  The winner, reigning Olympic Champ Pamela Jelimo from Kenya ran 1:56! whoaaa. If you want to check out my race, it is here: The quality isn't very good, but if you can pick me out of the two blondes in the race, you will find me :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w2KldtoDtc

There is one word to describe the city of Doha...HOT!!! It was 120 degrees during the day, 95 degrees at 10 PM. The people of Qatar were very accomodating to the international athletes, and the city is very very rich. They are hosting the next World Cup and they are VERY excited about it. I am sure whoever has the opportunity to experience it will get treated very well.

A little Mother's Day treat for the best MOM's ever!!

   

Mom, Dad, and I enjoying the weekend!

Off of the track, life has been pretty low-key. My parents, Jen, and Ty came to visit me in Bloomington on my off weekend and we had a blast! Reed's mom, Dian cooked up an amazing meal. It was the perfect distraction in my life at a time where it is getting pretty hectic. My sister and parents make me feel so relaxed and at home, and to find this escape was just what I needed.

Reed and I at the Ludlow's Mother's Day dinner.

Up next, I will be traveling to the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon to run an 800 on May 2nd. I am very excited for the opportunity to run at this meet, it will be my first time! There will be live results on http://Flotrack.org