Track and Field Blogs - Yolanda Flamino

Running confidence is a tricky thing. For some, a single workout can tear it apart, yet they require multiple workouts to build it up. Some will look for an outside source, be it a coach or confidant, to erect the tenuous pillars upon which this trait lies. Others will look inside and set their own standards and measures upon which they determine their level of running confidence. Perhaps, I should pause and clarify what I mean by running confidence. I don’t mean a broad sense of surety in the general meanderings of the world, but simply certainty as it applies… more »

Missing time running was a drag, but it really makes me appreciate being able to get outside and back to an activity I enjoy. I'm 4 weeks into being back running and I have to say it has gone better than I could have hoped. My mileage has steadily progressed and my body seems to be adapting quite well. It's always tricky coming back, not knowing if another aspect of your body will compensate for the prior injury. The only little ache I have is my IT band, but it is in-check and I am being cautious with it. It… more »

Unfortunately, I haven’t run the last four months. I irritated a sesamoid bone in the ball of my foot, which wreaked havoc on my tendons, and essentially prevented me from putting the necessary force on my foot required for running. My trusty and much appreciated podiatrist explained that it is a fairly uncommon injury, but one that has the potential to linger. Linger, it did. But, I received the green light to take off my walking boot two weeks ago with the instructions to walk around for a week and then if that felt okay to give running a go.… more »

My running the past few weeks was more enjoyable, more impassioned, more free-flowing than it had been in a long time. I can’t exactly explain why and even less so put it eloquently into words, but there was deep bliss involved with it that was separate from any goals or ambitions I may have. I woke up each morning not just looking forward to the run, but craving it. I would have to distract my mind throughout the day, as I waited for my next run to roll around. This is not necessarily uncommon, but is often fueled by the… more »

Yesterday’s Run:
16 miles
Entertainment: getting George Michael’s song, “Faith” stuck in my head and trying to remember more than 4 lines from it.
QuiP: One & done.

Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials:
Very cool experience…not pleased with my performance.
QuiP: I was praying a lot for humility (true statement), that wasn’t what I had in mind (true statement).
Follow-up to quip: I’m thankful I don’t solely rely on my limited vision and understanding.

Current Running Smack Talk:
Mile battle between me and one of my… more »

As I write, I'm sitting in the lobby of the Sheraton Boston, where we are staying for the Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. It is the day before the race and I am trying to casually think about the race, while containing my nerves, excitement, and energy, as I'm sure I'll need all I can sequester for tomorrow.

There are a lot of hard things about marathon training, but sometimes I wonder if the taper isn’t the hardest part for a lot of people. One becomes so accustomed to long and hard efforts, that general underlying fatigue… more »

The first official day of spring was yesterday. In southeastern Michigan, we tipped the mercury over the freezing point, so it seemed appropriate. The mornings have still been cool (low 20’s for morning runs), but it has been sneaking up to the mid & upper-30’s in the afternoon, which, if the sun is shining, feels nothing short of glorious.

I didn’t realize it was the “official” beginning of spring until I heard it on the news the day prior to spring’s triumphal arrival, but I was starting to notice a few signs indicating that spring may… more »

All of the women on the Hansons-Brooks team are currently training for the marathon trails in April. This week we headed south to get a reprieve from the winter weather, which, as of late, has not been on short order in southeastern Michigan. Here’s a recap of the trip, thus far.

We woke up around 5:00 am on Sunday to head out for a few miles before our flight, but didn’t even make it 200m before we realized the impossibility of getting in a run, especially with a specified time window due to the flight. Thanks to… more »

With our blogs recently changing location, I should probably introduce myself, but rather I think I’ll let my monthly blogs-for better or worse-slowly paint a Monet of myself.

Running-wise, the next thing up is the Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials in April, which specific training for will begin this upcoming week. Since I qualified for the Trials, I’ve thought a lot about my goals for that particular race, but this week I’m working on solidifying these goals...really hammering down on the specifics. Either way, I’m very excited to see how things pan out.

While… more »