Dathan Ritzenehin: Putting Things Into Perspective
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #2)
Posted March 25th, 2008 at 9:30 AM by Dathan Ritzenhein
Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein
Welcome to the official blog of top U.S. distance runner Dathan Ritzenhein! Check back every other Tuesday for Ritz’s latest entry at http://dathanritzenhein.thefinalsprint.com/ as he prepares to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics!
Hayward Field is finally complete and track season has officially started in Eugene! Yesterday my wife, daughter and I spent the afternoon watching the Oregon Preview meet. It was a great day. It was warm and sunny and just so nice to sit in the sun and watch instead of competing. It still amazes me at how much the community of Eugene, Oregon supports track and field. No where else would you find 5,000 fans who turn out for a season opener track meet. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season brings. If this is the turn-out for the preview meet, having the trials here will be unforgettable. It will probably be like the Prefontaine Classic for 10 days straight.
With the trials just around the corner, the town is full of enthusiasm and pride. It really has made me look forward to having the Olympic Trials here in Eugene. Not only did the track get an update, the entire town seems to be sprucing things up as well. The trails are being groomed, new woodchips are being spread, and roads are being resurfaced. We live only a half mile from the Rexius Trail and every day it seems that more and more people are out running or walking on it.
The past two weeks have not gone as planned. I had to withdraw from the World Cross Country Championships on account of still being banged up. I came off the USA XC Championships feeling pretty good, but having a little injury and then racing just kept me on an ever extending path of interrupted training. I was in very good shape because of all the work that I had been doing on the Alter-G Treadmill, but I was favoring things and just delaying the inevitable. I knew that if I went to Scotland and raced I would need a bit of time off to make sure I was fully healthy and recovered. This would eat into my preparation for the Olympic Games. In order to train as hard as I am going to I need to be 100% healthy. Thus, we decided it was a good time to take my last break now, and then focus my attention to the next big task: Beijing.
Taking a break is difficult for me. It is especially hard right now because all my competitors are still training, but I have to look at the big picture and remind myself that my ticket is already stamped to China. My focus will be on August 24th. However, that does not count out July 4th - the date of the Olympic Trials 10,000m. I have a good amount of time to get ready for this summer, and being in really good shape just before this break means that I will be back in shape in no time. I have been trying to remind myself to take a break mentally as well because right now I am so excited for the Olympics and I want to be one of freshest athletes on the starting line when the gun goes off.
Being on a break allows me to feel like a “regular” person. No going to bed early, or waking early. No drills, attending the gym, or workouts. No Powerbars, Endurox, or Accelerade. For two times a year I get to enjoy the same lifestyle that so many people live. I get to wake up when I want, eat cereal and not Powerbars for breakfast, and not rush out the door for my run. It is hard because our lifestyle is really built around running so I still find myself doing things that may seem dull to some people. When I say I don’t have to go to bed early, I mean I go to sleep at 10:00 instead of 9:00.
This week I have spent my time with my wife, daughter and our dog. At the moment I am training my wife for the Fifth Third River Bank Run. It is a 25k held in our home town of Grand Rapids. MI. Being pregnant and not running much has really inspired her to get back into running. I have been enjoying being her coach and seeing the other side of the athlete/coach table. I do have to be careful and remember that she has basically been out for two years, and not give her too grueling of workouts. But she is doing really well and I think she will do great.
I have also been enjoying my time with our daughter Addison. She will be six months old this week. She is a very spirited child and keeps my wife and I on our toes most of the day. She has started sitting up, rolling over, and eating solids all this month. Each milestone is so significant, and the littlest things make me so proud. It’s amazing how quickly they grow. For instance, the other day she put her plug (pacifier) back in her mouth all by herself. Having her has really put things in perspective. She makes me realize what is truly important in this world, while at the same time pushing and inspiring me to be the best person/dad/athlete I can be. She makes me strive to be the best because I don’t want to be lying to her when I tell her to always give it everything. That’s why, when I have hiccups in my training I feel extremely fortunate to have them in my life. They are my rocks.
That’s all for now.
– Dathan
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PHOTO: Courtesy of the New York Road Runners
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March 25th, 2008 at 11:20 amThanks for writing the blog. I wanted to see if you had any adivice about improving my time of 9:50 in the 2-mile. If you had some advice or just some workouts that helped you in high school I would appreciate it. Thanks again
March 27th, 2008 at 2:46 pmHey Dathan I was just wondering if you are attending the Fifth Third River Bank run this year. I know your wife is but are you in attendance. My Cross Country team would like to meet you including myself. Your my running hero. Do you have a official email address?
March 27th, 2008 at 9:36 pmHey Dathan, I’m a huge fan of yours and think that you are fantastic and admire the things that you’ve accomplished…I would like soem input on how to improve my mile time I ran 5:01 and i’m 14 years old doing about 30-35 miles a week. and like the person above me do you have an official email address?
March 28th, 2008 at 9:00 pmHey Dathan, I’m a huge fan of yours and think that you are fantastic and admire the things that you’ve accomplished…I would like soem input on how to improve my mile time I ran 5:01 and i’m 14 years old doing about 30-35 miles a week. and like the person above me do you have an official email address? talk to u later…bye
March 28th, 2008 at 9:01 pmIt’s so great that you are doing these blogs, Dathan! Enjoy your break and your family, and I wish you all the best in the trials and in August.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:11 pmHey!
It has been a long time. I merely read your latest blog entry and wanted to say hi. Congrats on the wife and child! How awesome for you!
I have been paying attention to you for a long time now. Your grandmother is a good promoter. I have not seen her in a few years but did see Marv not too terribly long ago. I wonder how your mom and Brien are doing? Anyhow if you have the time pass my email along to your mom, it would be nice for me to say hi to her.
As for me I finally graduate college this may. I somehow found my way into music and have worked pretty hard to get here. No way have I worked as hard as you. The break you speak of is as important as your training. I am sure you know this.
I wish you the best of luck and I am trying to find a way to make it up to WA and see you run.
You rock Dathan!
peace,
Tony
March 31st, 2008 at 1:46 am“Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” EZEKIEL 20:12
Hi Dathan,
Maybe the Lord has provided this “sabbath” from training for you to focus on Him as well as your family. Please consider….We pray for your healing and protection. I join Mike & Bobby in requesting an email address. Thanks for sharing this part of your private life in addition to your Olympic preparations.
God Bless!
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmhi all, thanks again for all your support. i will be better able to reply if you leave your email addresses. thanks again, dathan
April 9th, 2008 at 6:02 pmtonybockheim@gmail.com
go far second cousin, go far lol!! I am so happy for you! Pass my email along to your Mom if you can, I would like to say hi to her.
peace,
tony
April 13th, 2008 at 2:21 am