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Kate O’Neill: Re-living Childhood at Red Robin
(Elite Athlete Blog Entry 12)

Posted July 7th, 2008 at 10:41 AM by Kate O'Neill

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Elite Athlete Blogs, Kate O'Neill

Hi, this is my blog in TFS’s Elite Athlete Blog Series. Bookmark kateoneill.thefinalsprint.com and check back every other Monday for my latest entry as I strive for the 2008 Summer Olympics!

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials have been addicting. As much as I would have preferred to have a spot on the starting line rather than the living room couch, I still found myself enjoying the viewing experience. I was cheering along with the amazing Hayward field crowds; feeling inspired at the breakthrough performances of Christian Smith in the 800 meters, Amy Yoder Begley in the 10,000 meters, and Billy Nelson in the steeplechase; feeling awe at the survival story of 1500 meter Olympian Lopez Lomong; and smiling at the pure joy that registered on Abdi Abdiriham’s face as he celebrated after his victory in the 10,000 meters.

I had been afraid that watching the Trials would be emotionally difficult. For some moments, it was. I kept re-living the last Olympic Trials and wishing the intermittent four years had brought more success. For the most part, I tried to re-direct those thoughts toward the next four years. The thought of all that I want to accomplish makes me excited, but does not completely vanquish the feelings of nostalgia for the past.

Since Saturday’s track events took place earlier in the day, I found myself taking part in someone else’s nostalgia for the past. When my boyfriend Adam was growing up in eastern Washington, his favorite restaurant was called Red Robin. Since meeting him three years ago, I have heard him reminisce numerous times about his favorite burger joint. We grew up on opposite sides of the country so I had never heard of this chain. My childhood equivalent was probably Friendly’s, but Adam had visited this chain with me and said that it pales in comparison. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to prove this to me because there weren’t any Red Robins near Palo Alto, California where he lives now.

Or so we thought! Adam recently discovered that the nearby city of Santa Clara had a Red Robin. Last night, he suggested that we go. I tried to talk him out of it. I was convinced that it would not live up to his fond childhood memories and pointed out that in Palo Alto we were within walking distance of so many other nice restaurants. When my friend Colleen called to see if we wanted to meet up for dinner, I thought that I had my excuse. I was sure that she would not want to drive all that way either, but being the good sport that she is, she laughed and said that the outing sounded like a great idea.

We went to Red Robin and it did not disappoint. The burgers were surprisingly good and there was a great drink called Cookie Magic – an oreo cookie milkshake with crème de mente and Irish Crème. Adam talked me into trying the drink and I really enjoyed it! (Of course as a child, he had never tried this drink. He had the kids’ version called the Rookie Magic.) The best part was seeing the joy and nostalgia that he was experiencing while we visited the restaurant and learning more about his childhood.

Which brings me back to the Trials. Running has been something I have enjoyed doing since I was a child, and it’s fun to think back on times when I was a relative unknown having a breakthrough year in 2004. In some ways, I was able to relive some of those experiences in watching athletes run to a new level of competition at the Trials. That same level of excitement can be lost when you’ve been doing the sport for a while, but seeing these performances and viewing the Trials reminds me about what is special in the sport – competition and striving to run at a new level and reach for new personal bests. I look forward to my next opportunity to race and progress in this sport that I still deeply love.

- Kate

Be sure to check back on Monday, July 21, 2008 for Kate’s latest entry at: http://kateoneill.thefinalsprint.com/

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