Ask Lauren Fleshman | The Evolution of A Dream

The Evolution of A Dream

Background: Last summer I finished 7^th at the World Championships in the 5k, tying the highest finish ever by an American, becoming a favorite to make the 2012 Olympic Team. I’m 30, and have qualified for three previous Olympic Trials without making it.

This is a little view into my world this year, told in brief snapshots from the 24^th of every month between Worlds last September and today. This year I hoped to write a story that featured the flawless preparation and rock hard confidence of a woman on a mission, concluding, of course, on the medal stand in London with a tearful National Anthem and lots of medal-biting in photos. What I have is an unfinished story of chasing a dream, of adaptation, of being stretched and pulled. This is a story about rewriting the story in response to life, one ridiculous month at a time.

The Evolution of a Dream

September 24^th: Right after finishing 7^th in the World

Only four more places and I can get an Olympic Medal! All I need is strength. I can’t wait to get home and train for the NY marathon so I can be stronger for next year! This is my year baby! Whoop whoop!

October 24^th: 2 weeks before NY Marathon

Holy crap my knee has stabbing pain, but I’m in the best shape of my life so I’ll go to NY and do my best and then heal up and train for the Olympic Trials so I can kick ass in London! Yeah!

November 24^th: The end of my season break.

Day one of training for the Olympics? That’s right, I’m gonna kill it! I’m a beast! Oh wait my knee still doesn’t work. Shit. It’s IT Band syndrome. Ummm…rest alone isn’t going to heal this one. Ok, let’s revise the plan and take more time off running and do aggressive rehab! And then I’ll train hard and be extra rested and kick ass in London. Yeah!

December 24^th: Six months before the Olympic Trials

I’m out of running shape but I’m SUPER strong from rehab and all this massage is going to keep me as loose as a goose! Flexibility…check! There’s still plenty of time. Weaknesses are basically gone but stuck at 25 miles a week. Cortisone injection will put me over the top and I can train hard for six months and kick ass in London. Yeah! Keep it positive!

January 24^th: Rain, rain, rain.

WTF. I’m freaking out here. Why can’t I just have one season where I can train for the whole time?! Whaaaahhh! This was supposed to be my flawless year. Don’t I deserve it? I’m doing everything in my power and still can’t get over the hump with this knee! Damn it Fleshman! Get a hold of yourself. Nobody “deserves” anything. You trained an abbreviated season last year. You’ll just have to do it again, but this year you are stronger. Focus on the now. Now I need Kleenex. F&%*. The box is empty.

February 24^th: Slipping away

Gotta adjust the plan. Let go of the Olympic Medal; let’s just try to squeeze by and make the team. I can’t run now but I can do this. Just put my head down and cross train hard and stay fit and then I’ll come back running and get in shape for the trials and make that damn team. Ok cross training plan…Can’t aqua jog. Can’t bike. Thank God ElliptiGo doesn’t hurt or I’ll have to resort to swimming full time!

March 24^th: 12 weeks to go. In Phoenix for treatment on IT Band.

Now ElliptiGo hurts. I can’t believe this. Did someone just punch me in the stomach? Damn you IT Band. Looks like it’s swim or perish (I stare at pool for indefinite amount of time) ARGH! Why can’t I just quit?! Just go get some fancy goggles, Jesse’s lucky swim cap, a fast Nike two-piece and try not to think about it. People do this all the time. Swimming is a thing. Do it.

April 24^th: 8 weeks remaining. After a few weeks in Phoenix seeing Dr. John Ball.

Halelujah! Can’t run slow but I can sprint pain free. Time to start sprinting! It feels so good to run, even if it’s for one minute at a time with walk breaks! Surely this means my knee will be better any day now. Any day. Not much time to get ready for the trials, but eight weeks isn’t impossible, especially once I’m able to start doing easy runs. Any day now.

May 24^th: Four weeks left.

I can ElliptiGo and bike again, but still can’t just go out for an easy run or warmup jog before a workout. If I decide to go through with this, I’ll definitely be the only chick at the Trials power-walking her warmup! Ha! Ugh. Really? Ok.

Every three days I hit the track and it’s basically all out, and the other days I cross train. Can someone really run the Olympic Trials off 10 miles a week? Training manuals have long ago been thrown out the window here. What the f%!* am I doing?! What’s the point? Am I only doing this because of momentum? Being positive and being delusional are two different things. This has to be about more than the Olympics or there is no point racing. Is there more to the Olympic Trials than the Olympics?

June 24^th: The day before the 5k prelim at the Olympic Trials:

I’m still here. My spikes are loaded. My Nike uniform packed. The harder you grab onto sand, the faster it falls through your fingers. Relax the grip. I’m still here. I’m racing. Why?

Because I can.

Because it’s on my home track.

Because I want to see how the story turns out.

Because there is no reason this can’t be really fun.

Because I want to set the world record for fastest 5k on least weekly mileage.

When you recognize that failing doesn’t make you a Failure, you give yourself permission to try all sorts of things. 🙂

C for Courage, ya’ll. Put it up!

Thanks to everyone for the support on ALF, twitter, facebook, email…this year had high potential to be a shit sandwich without you, but strangely, it’s been pretty awesome.

XO Lauren

114 comments on “The Evolution of A Dream”

I am so jacked! Can’t wait for Thursday to get here. Good luck!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:

Thanks Dave!

Couldn’t watch the Trials last night, but I made sure to see the rebroadcast this afternoon. It was a thrill and inspiration to see your gutsy performance in the qualifying 5000m race. It’s truly amazing what you’ve been able to accomplish on minimal running. Whatever happens in the finals on Thursday, you’re already a champion, and I hope to see you prevail on the roads and track for years to come.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:

Thanks David!

Will be sending you good vibes Thursday along with a strong tailwind behind your back all around the track !

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:

Thanks Paul! It was great seeing you out there.

Watched you last night and cheered you on the whole race – very proud of what you’ve done so far. Thursday is going to be epic, so zip up your woman-suit and run fast!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:

Thanks Kent!

“I LOVE to compete. I LOVE how I can tolerate pain. I am strong and tough and freaking awesome.” – Nice mantra btw

We’ll all be shouting for you!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:

Thanks Andrew!

Sorry for the length of this. It was posted on another popular running website (you can guess) in response to a critic who questioned whether Fleshman = courageous. …

Let me explain this as simply and as clearly as I can.

Who is Lauren Fleshman? A 30-year-old professional distance runner.

Her classmates from Stanford are now practicing medicine, working for nonprofits saving people in obscure countries, inventing crazy technology, and doing a thousand and one other cool things. Lauren has run around in circles, a lot.

What is the first question someone asks you after they learn that you are a professional track and field athlete? “Have you been to the Olympics?”

The Olympics and the Olympic Trials are the top two track meets that this country pays attention to. Everyone who knows Lauren, directly or indirectly, will wonder if she is going to make it to the Olympics (finally) and how she is going to do at the Trials.

And because Lauren’s thing is running, everyone can see for themselves exactly how she does. If your thing is microbiology or engineering or HVAC installation, it’s basically only other people in your field who can tell if you’ve done a good job, a great job, or a mediocre job. But in track, it’s out there for the whole world to see. Literally, even a five-year-old can tell how well you’re doing in a track race.

Lauren has been injured and virtually unable to train. She hasn’t blamed anyone else for that, and she has specifically asked people to not feel sorry for her.

The easy route would be to bow out of the Trials. She didn’t do that.

Instead, she ran.

She ran knowing that she was going to get her ass kicked. She was going to do the one thing that has defined her – running – and she was going to do it in front of her whole world, and she was going to suck at it.

That takes courage, and lots of it. To know that you are going to fail very publicly at the one activity that defines you, but to do it anyway … wow.

It’s not more courageous than being a firefighter or a cop or a soldier (nobody, least of all Lauren, would suggest that). But in the world of sports, the world we’re talking about, that’s about the most courageous thing I can think of.

To be exposed out there in front of family and friends, acquaintances and rivals, doing the thing you’ve devoted your life to, and doing it badly. But doing it just the same because, quite simply, you can. Because the true essence of running is to say, here is a race, let’s see how fast I can run it. Nevermind the limitations imposed by injuries, training, age, ability, or the other thousand things that limit us all. It’s a race. You run it. You live with the result. For Lauren to be able to see that, and do that, when it would have been so very much easier for her to just bail and go hide somewhere …

That takes courage. And balls.

Disclaimer: I don’t know Lauren nor have I ever met her.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:

Wow. Thank you so much for posting this. In the week following the Trials, and the unwinding and doubting that comes with the whole thing, this message made me feel so much stronger in my decision. Seriously, thank you for taking the time to post that. Sincerely, Lauren

I am just so happy for you, and so impressed by everything you’ve said publicly since the prelims. You are a total charger and an inspiration to us all–and I hope you feel that, sincerely. There will be literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of people cheering their hardest for you on Thursday and I’ll be one of them!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm said:

Thanks Kaarin. I appreciate your message very much.

I was not surprised you made the final. Your mileage may be way lower than anybody else’s, but you have way more heart (and balls, of course!). And the body remembers. We are looking forward to seeing you race on Thursday. Whatever the outcome, you are already a winner.

I wonder what the record is for the fastest 5k on the least amount of training. And what must it feel like to get beat by somebody who is only running ten miles a week?

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:

Thanks Monica! It would be a fun record to have if I have it! Funny.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm said:
  
  Also, I love what you said “The body remembers.” It does.

Lauren I always say do the least amount of training to obtain your goal and sometimes less is best. One doesn’t get injured from walking but they sure do by overtraining running and there is a fine line between too much & too little as you very well know.
See you Thur. and have the race of your life and then have it again in London.I will be cheering for you alone.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:

Thanks Ellis.
Lesa on May 11, 2014 at 3:00 am said:

Lauren,It was such a pleasure menteig you and having you as part of Lauren’s wedding. These pictures are wonderful. It seemed like you became part of the family in just a second or two. I hope that you will come visit us again, when ever you can. Can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures. You are extremely talented. Such an honor to see your work. Best of everything.Gene

Lauren, I have a teammate who runs less than 10 miles a week and is always stuck on the bike and elliptical or in the pool but she still kicks ass in every race she enters. Last cross season she was second at regionals and became an all american. You both are the perfect example of how running is a crazy sport and that as long as you have heart, anything is possible! Good luck tomorrow!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:

Thanks Margaret!

Hey Lauren, you ran with the heart of a champion on Monday and proved that there is still lots in the tank. I’m still on a buzz about it! Dig deep tomorrow night and try to enjoy what is happening… We’ll be rooting for you at Hayward!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:39 pm said:

Thanks a million Jeff. Love you!

Go get ’em , Lauren! Just getting to the line shows you have balls!
D

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:18 pm said:

Thanks Donald!

Your amazing Lauren!

It is unbelievable you are even in the finals, seriously, with the actual time running to get prepared for OLYMPIC TRIALS. Total Badass should be your nickname. Wishing you an awesome race and tons of fun on your home turf.

Matt

P.S. I have picked up some of your Picky Bars at Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland- Love them on the trails- way better than Gu.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:18 pm said:

Thanks Matt! I really appreciate the message, the nickname, and the Picky Bars support! Enjoy the trails for me…I hope to be out there soon.

What Matt said….Ditto…Except I haven’t got my Picky Bars!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:17 pm said:

You need to order them to get them silly!

Thanks a lot for doing what you do. Giving it your all and showing so much heart out there at the trials was incredible to watch. Most of all though, thank for being someone to look up to. You’ve helped me in so many ways over the last couple years. One, I began my website because of you and two, I too suffered a major injury last year but didn’t quit running because of your help. Words can’t tell you how thankful I am. Get better soon, I can’t wait to continue to watch you run fast. 2016 is your year!!!

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:15 pm said:

Wow, thank you so much for that message. I’m honored to have provided inspiration. There is nothing that makes me happier than paying it forward. Keep it up 🙂

Good balls Lauren. Didn’t see the race but by the look of the splits gave it your all. Must have been hurting bad those last 4 laps. Feel sorry for Julia — missing the Olympics by almost the toss of a coin. It can be a cruel sport sometimes. Beautiful at others though — I’m sure you’ll experience those times again. Another World Champs final perhaps.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:52 pm said:

I love that compliment “Good Balls.” Imagining a world where we pass one another on the trials saying that instead of “Good job.” Hahaha! 🙂

Great job gutting it out last night Lauren – your courage shone through. I am still amazed that on 11 miles per week you were only 54 sec off your PR (heck, wasn’t Molly Huddle about 30 sec off hers ?!) – I’m sure it hurt like hell those last few laps but congratulations on seeing it through. And it was really cool when my 8 year old looked up at the TV and said “Isn’t that Lauren Fleshman?” – awesome for her to have such a rock star role model!! Wishing you all the best as you go heal…

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:13 pm said:

Thanks Kathy! I’m so excited to heal up on my break. Ahhhh….so glad I raced but now it’s time for some beach healing. 🙂 Hi to your daughter!

Kicking back on a Saturday morning, reliving the Trials highlights so far. Your 5K finish in the prelims was awesome and inspiring. Now get healed up and ready for the next adventure.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:12 pm said:

Thanks joe.

Lauren, have you tried acupuncture for your itbs? I was skeptical, but it helped mine immensely.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:54 pm said:

Hi Greg,
I did try it for a month or so, and things were improving slightly but my progress was blocked because I had to keep hitting the track workouts every couple days and aggrevating it. It was a rock in a hard place situation, but I would recommend acupuncture to others with ITB. I’ve heard multiple people swear by it on my site.
Thanks for the comment!
Lauren

Congrats on making the 5000m final and doing the best you could in it!! You showed a tremendous amount of courage! You are a great inspiration to many non-elite athletes–and especially to those like me, who have dealt with injuries recently.

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 4:59 pm said:

Thanks Rima. I appreciate your message. All we can ask of ourselves is to step into the ring and fight with what we’ve got. It feels good deep down where it counts, even if the clock doesn’t reflect what’s inside.

Lauren, you rock. Enough said:)

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 4:55 pm said:

Thanks chick. Back at ya!

Lauren,

Actually found your website while searching for anemia and running. Just found out a little over a week ago that I’m anemic. It all started with a 10 day trip to Peru in March…

Anyway, your article on anemia was great. Thanks for sharing 🙂

I then read more of your blog and realized just how speedy you are! Wow!!!

Keep on doing great things!

Cassie

Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 4:35 pm said:

Thanks Cassie! I’m glad there was some useful info for you. Did you do an ultra in Peru?
- Cassie on July 9, 2012 at 5:40 pm said:
  
  Lauren,
  
  Nope, no ultra. I did the 4 day Inca Trail journey.
  
  Thanks again 🙂
  Cassie
  - Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:56 pm said:
    
    What did you think? Recommend it (with iron supplements in tow I assume)?

Lauren,

Sad to say I would not recommend Peru. While the country-scape is beautiful, the Inca Trail and Peru itself have major sanitation issues. Bathrooms are generally holes in the ground along the Inca Trail, and if you are lucky it might be sort of clean. Anywhere you have to have a yellow fever shot, bring along malaria tablets (visited the Amazon Jungle for a few days as well), carry your own toilet paper and make sure you only drink and brush your teeth with bottled water, I plan on avoiding in the future. 😉

I was lucky enough to be out in Eugene shooting photos, so got to see both of your races up close. They were both incredibly inspiring. It was easy to see that you were in a ton of pain just by looking at your face, but you fought through and made the final anyway. Sorry it didn’t work out better for you, it would have been great to cheer for you in London, but huge a congratulations on taking it as far you could go with this string of injuries. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Hi Lauren,
You were in my thoughts yesterday ,as I watched the finals of the women’s 5kms.
Work through your grief for the loss of a dream, in your own time and ownindividual way.It appears as if you are in transition towards other awesome goals for your future .Your courage and raw honesty in expressing your grief is inspiring. Take good care of your precious self.
Sandra

Dave on June 26, 2012 at 1:31 pm said:

I am so jacked! Can’t wait for Thursday to get here. Good luck!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks Dave!
David on June 26, 2012 at 1:33 pm said:

Couldn’t watch the Trials last night, but I made sure to see the rebroadcast this afternoon. It was a thrill and inspiration to see your gutsy performance in the qualifying 5000m race. It’s truly amazing what you’ve been able to accomplish on minimal running. Whatever happens in the finals on Thursday, you’re already a champion, and I hope to see you prevail on the roads and track for years to come.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks David!
Paul on June 26, 2012 at 2:02 pm said:

Will be sending you good vibes Thursday along with a strong tailwind behind your back all around the track !
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:47 pm said:
  
  Thanks Paul! It was great seeing you out there.
Kent Kurfman on June 26, 2012 at 2:10 pm said:

Watched you last night and cheered you on the whole race – very proud of what you’ve done so far. Thursday is going to be epic, so zip up your woman-suit and run fast!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Kent!
Andrew on June 26, 2012 at 4:29 pm said:

“I LOVE to compete. I LOVE how I can tolerate pain. I am strong and tough and freaking awesome.” – Nice mantra btw

We’ll all be shouting for you!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Thanks Andrew!
SomeActualData on June 26, 2012 at 5:16 pm said:

Sorry for the length of this. It was posted on another popular running website (you can guess) in response to a critic who questioned whether Fleshman = courageous. …

Let me explain this as simply and as clearly as I can.

Who is Lauren Fleshman? A 30-year-old professional distance runner.

Her classmates from Stanford are now practicing medicine, working for nonprofits saving people in obscure countries, inventing crazy technology, and doing a thousand and one other cool things. Lauren has run around in circles, a lot.

What is the first question someone asks you after they learn that you are a professional track and field athlete? “Have you been to the Olympics?”

The Olympics and the Olympic Trials are the top two track meets that this country pays attention to. Everyone who knows Lauren, directly or indirectly, will wonder if she is going to make it to the Olympics (finally) and how she is going to do at the Trials.

And because Lauren’s thing is running, everyone can see for themselves exactly how she does. If your thing is microbiology or engineering or HVAC installation, it’s basically only other people in your field who can tell if you’ve done a good job, a great job, or a mediocre job. But in track, it’s out there for the whole world to see. Literally, even a five-year-old can tell how well you’re doing in a track race.

Lauren has been injured and virtually unable to train. She hasn’t blamed anyone else for that, and she has specifically asked people to not feel sorry for her.

The easy route would be to bow out of the Trials. She didn’t do that.

Instead, she ran.

She ran knowing that she was going to get her ass kicked. She was going to do the one thing that has defined her – running – and she was going to do it in front of her whole world, and she was going to suck at it.

That takes courage, and lots of it. To know that you are going to fail very publicly at the one activity that defines you, but to do it anyway … wow.

It’s not more courageous than being a firefighter or a cop or a soldier (nobody, least of all Lauren, would suggest that). But in the world of sports, the world we’re talking about, that’s about the most courageous thing I can think of.

To be exposed out there in front of family and friends, acquaintances and rivals, doing the thing you’ve devoted your life to, and doing it badly. But doing it just the same because, quite simply, you can. Because the true essence of running is to say, here is a race, let’s see how fast I can run it. Nevermind the limitations imposed by injuries, training, age, ability, or the other thousand things that limit us all. It’s a race. You run it. You live with the result. For Lauren to be able to see that, and do that, when it would have been so very much easier for her to just bail and go hide somewhere …

That takes courage. And balls.

Disclaimer: I don’t know Lauren nor have I ever met her.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:
  
  Wow. Thank you so much for posting this. In the week following the Trials, and the unwinding and doubting that comes with the whole thing, this message made me feel so much stronger in my decision. Seriously, thank you for taking the time to post that. Sincerely, Lauren
Kaarin on June 26, 2012 at 6:54 pm said:

I am just so happy for you, and so impressed by everything you’ve said publicly since the prelims. You are a total charger and an inspiration to us all–and I hope you feel that, sincerely. There will be literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of people cheering their hardest for you on Thursday and I’ll be one of them!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks Kaarin. I appreciate your message very much.
Monica on June 26, 2012 at 6:54 pm said:

I was not surprised you made the final. Your mileage may be way lower than anybody else’s, but you have way more heart (and balls, of course!). And the body remembers. We are looking forward to seeing you race on Thursday. Whatever the outcome, you are already a winner.

I wonder what the record is for the fastest 5k on the least amount of training. And what must it feel like to get beat by somebody who is only running ten miles a week?
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks Monica! It would be a fun record to have if I have it! Funny.
  - Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm said:
    
    Also, I love what you said “The body remembers.” It does.
Ellis on June 27, 2012 at 12:27 am said:

Lauren I always say do the least amount of training to obtain your goal and sometimes less is best. One doesn’t get injured from walking but they sure do by overtraining running and there is a fine line between too much & too little as you very well know.
See you Thur. and have the race of your life and then have it again in London.I will be cheering for you alone.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ellis.
- Lesa on May 11, 2014 at 3:00 am said:
  
  Lauren,It was such a pleasure menteig you and having you as part of Lauren’s wedding. These pictures are wonderful. It seemed like you became part of the family in just a second or two. I hope that you will come visit us again, when ever you can. Can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures. You are extremely talented. Such an honor to see your work. Best of everything.Gene
Margaret on June 27, 2012 at 1:41 pm said:

Lauren, I have a teammate who runs less than 10 miles a week and is always stuck on the bike and elliptical or in the pool but she still kicks ass in every race she enters. Last cross season she was second at regionals and became an all american. You both are the perfect example of how running is a crazy sport and that as long as you have heart, anything is possible! Good luck tomorrow!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:
  
  Thanks Margaret!
Jeff on June 27, 2012 at 6:04 pm said:

Hey Lauren, you ran with the heart of a champion on Monday and proved that there is still lots in the tank. I’m still on a buzz about it! Dig deep tomorrow night and try to enjoy what is happening… We’ll be rooting for you at Hayward!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks a million Jeff. Love you!
Donald on June 27, 2012 at 10:41 pm said:

Go get ’em , Lauren! Just getting to the line shows you have balls!
D
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks Donald!
Matt on June 28, 2012 at 6:56 am said:

Your amazing Lauren!

It is unbelievable you are even in the finals, seriously, with the actual time running to get prepared for OLYMPIC TRIALS. Total Badass should be your nickname. Wishing you an awesome race and tons of fun on your home turf.

Matt

P.S. I have picked up some of your Picky Bars at Rogue Valley Runners in Ashland- Love them on the trails- way better than Gu.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:18 pm said:
  
  Thanks Matt! I really appreciate the message, the nickname, and the Picky Bars support! Enjoy the trails for me…I hope to be out there soon.
Kathy on June 28, 2012 at 1:15 pm said:

What Matt said….Ditto…Except I haven’t got my Picky Bars!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  You need to order them to get them silly!
Thankful runner on June 28, 2012 at 9:21 pm said:

Thanks a lot for doing what you do. Giving it your all and showing so much heart out there at the trials was incredible to watch. Most of all though, thank for being someone to look up to. You’ve helped me in so many ways over the last couple years. One, I began my website because of you and two, I too suffered a major injury last year but didn’t quit running because of your help. Words can’t tell you how thankful I am. Get better soon, I can’t wait to continue to watch you run fast. 2016 is your year!!!
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:15 pm said:
  
  Wow, thank you so much for that message. I’m honored to have provided inspiration. There is nothing that makes me happier than paying it forward. Keep it up 🙂
Ewen on June 29, 2012 at 3:33 am said:

Good balls Lauren. Didn’t see the race but by the look of the splits gave it your all. Must have been hurting bad those last 4 laps. Feel sorry for Julia — missing the Olympics by almost the toss of a coin. It can be a cruel sport sometimes. Beautiful at others though — I’m sure you’ll experience those times again. Another World Champs final perhaps.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:52 pm said:
  
  I love that compliment “Good Balls.” Imagining a world where we pass one another on the trials saying that instead of “Good job.” Hahaha! 🙂
Kathy on June 29, 2012 at 9:16 am said:

Great job gutting it out last night Lauren – your courage shone through. I am still amazed that on 11 miles per week you were only 54 sec off your PR (heck, wasn’t Molly Huddle about 30 sec off hers ?!) – I’m sure it hurt like hell those last few laps but congratulations on seeing it through. And it was really cool when my 8 year old looked up at the TV and said “Isn’t that Lauren Fleshman?” – awesome for her to have such a rock star role model!! Wishing you all the best as you go heal…
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:13 pm said:
  
  Thanks Kathy! I’m so excited to heal up on my break. Ahhhh….so glad I raced but now it’s time for some beach healing. 🙂 Hi to your daughter!
joe on June 30, 2012 at 11:24 am said:

Kicking back on a Saturday morning, reliving the Trials highlights so far. Your 5K finish in the prelims was awesome and inspiring. Now get healed up and ready for the next adventure.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks joe.
Greg w on July 2, 2012 at 8:07 am said:

Lauren, have you tried acupuncture for your itbs? I was skeptical, but it helped mine immensely.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:54 pm said:
  
  Hi Greg,
  I did try it for a month or so, and things were improving slightly but my progress was blocked because I had to keep hitting the track workouts every couple days and aggrevating it. It was a rock in a hard place situation, but I would recommend acupuncture to others with ITB. I’ve heard multiple people swear by it on my site.
  Thanks for the comment!
  Lauren
Rima on July 4, 2012 at 12:12 pm said:

Congrats on making the 5000m final and doing the best you could in it!! You showed a tremendous amount of courage! You are a great inspiration to many non-elite athletes–and especially to those like me, who have dealt with injuries recently.
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 4:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Rima. I appreciate your message. All we can ask of ourselves is to step into the ring and fight with what we’ve got. It feels good deep down where it counts, even if the clock doesn’t reflect what’s inside.
Sarah on July 4, 2012 at 8:54 pm said:

Lauren, you rock. Enough said:)
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 4:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks chick. Back at ya!
Cassie on July 5, 2012 at 4:23 pm said:

Lauren,

Actually found your website while searching for anemia and running. Just found out a little over a week ago that I’m anemic. It all started with a 10 day trip to Peru in March…

Anyway, your article on anemia was great. Thanks for sharing 🙂

I then read more of your blog and realized just how speedy you are! Wow!!!

Keep on doing great things!

Cassie
- Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 4:35 pm said:
  
  Thanks Cassie! I’m glad there was some useful info for you. Did you do an ultra in Peru?
  - Cassie on July 9, 2012 at 5:40 pm said:
    
    Lauren,
    
    Nope, no ultra. I did the 4 day Inca Trail journey.
    
    Thanks again 🙂
    Cassie
    - Lauren on July 9, 2012 at 5:56 pm said:
      
      What did you think? Recommend it (with iron supplements in tow I assume)?
Cassie on July 9, 2012 at 7:18 pm said:

Lauren,

Sad to say I would not recommend Peru. While the country-scape is beautiful, the Inca Trail and Peru itself have major sanitation issues. Bathrooms are generally holes in the ground along the Inca Trail, and if you are lucky it might be sort of clean. Anywhere you have to have a yellow fever shot, bring along malaria tablets (visited the Amazon Jungle for a few days as well), carry your own toilet paper and make sure you only drink and brush your teeth with bottled water, I plan on avoiding in the future. 😉
Robert on July 9, 2012 at 8:17 pm said:

I was lucky enough to be out in Eugene shooting photos, so got to see both of your races up close. They were both incredibly inspiring. It was easy to see that you were in a ton of pain just by looking at your face, but you fought through and made the final anyway. Sorry it didn’t work out better for you, it would have been great to cheer for you in London, but huge a congratulations on taking it as far you could go with this string of injuries. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.
sandra on August 11, 2012 at 8:25 am said:

Hi Lauren,
You were in my thoughts yesterday ,as I watched the finals of the women’s 5kms.
Work through your grief for the loss of a dream, in your own time and ownindividual way.It appears as if you are in transition towards other awesome goals for your future .Your courage and raw honesty in expressing your grief is inspiring. Take good care of your precious self.
Sandra

The Evolution of A Dream