The Future

As my boring consistent life goes on day by day, and without much to write about, I'd thought I would write up a quick blog about what I want my future to look like.

This summer I got accepted for a twelve week internship at an athletic performance center called Athletic Evolution. I will be spending twelve weeks living in Woburn, Massachusetts, which is just twelve miles north of Boston. My days will consist of leading groups of athletes through a multitude of workouts which include a dynamic warm-up, core stabilization- abs, trunk work. balance, plyometrics- power improving drills, agility and footwork drills- jumping rope, agility ladder, cones, speed- resistance running, assistance running, cardiovascular Endurance- conditioning, and flexibility...

Basically, I will be doing what I love every day, in a positive atmosphere, and I'm extremely excited. As I have been talking with the administrative staff at Athletic Evolution, they mentioned how many athletes they have, who run Track or Cross Country, and they don't have anyone on staff with the knowledge or background of these endurance sports. This may become a great opportunity to get a job and work at AE right out of undergraduate studies. At times like these, jobs don't come around much, and I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to start my career at such a great facility.

I've been doing a lot of research, and thought about my running career once I'm done with college. As of now, I have one year of eligibility left in Cross Country and one year in Track, and I'm currently on a club team called Runners Plus Elite during the off-season, which I run local races around the Dayton area -- But, if do plan on moving to Massachusetts and still want to pursue my running career I need to find a solid group to train with.

I've found an elite running club called New Balance Boston which has a moderately tight performance standards, and perks that go along with reaching different "levels" based on the times you've ran. This list has given me an extra motivational factor to lower my times in the next 15 months I have as a collegiate runner. Below you will find the three levels and the time unites associated with each one.

Men	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
.
.	800	01:54.0	01:56.0	01:58.0
.
.	1500	3:52	3:57	4:02
.	Mile	4:09	4:15	4:20
.
.	3000	8:20	8:35	8:50
.
.	5000	14:35	14:50	15:30
.
.	10000	30:40:00	31:15:00	32:30:00

Level 1 - Meets Level 1 performance standards * full kit (uniform, warm-ups and some alternative uniform options) * shoes: 4 trainers, 1 racing flat, 1 XC spike, and 1 track spike per year * entry fees paid for XC and track * discretionary equipment and travel funding * opportunity to purchase additional equipment at discount Level 2 - Meets Level 2 performance standards (or Top 5 team finish at New England XC Championships) * standard kit (uniform and warm-ups) * shoes: 2 trainers, 1 racing flat, and choice of 1 XC or track spike per year * entry fees paid for XC and track * discretionary equipment and travel funding * opportunity to purchase additional equipment at discount Level 3 - Meets Level 3 performance standards * annual club dues: $150 Upon payment of club dues, Tier 3 athletes are entitled to: * standard kit (uniform and warm-ups, optional equip available for purchase) * shoes: choice of 1 racing flat, 1 XC spike, or 1 track spike per year (expected to wear NB at all competitions) * entry fees paid for XC and track * opportunity to purchase additional equipment at discount

To be able to pursue my running after college, and work in a athletic based facility is absolutely my ideal world. I am extremely blessed to be given this opportunity and I'm going to work had to makes these dreams become reality.