by Larry EderLauren Fleshman is an articulate and tough middle distance runner. Over the past two years, Lauren has faced an injury that could have ended her career. While she has recovered from that injury, the other aches and pains of getting back into elite distance running shape are still there, and Lauren believes that, while she has a future in distance running, she is not ready to race at the level she needs to accomplish her goals. Here is her statement, provided by her agent, Ray Flynn:
Photo by Photorun.net.
” I’m disappointed not to be competing, as I was hoping to kick off my comeback here at the USA championships.
The good news is, I feel confident that my foot is fully healed from the injury that ends so many careers. The navicular is behind me now. I can’t overstate what a friggin relief that is, and it is entirely due to a cautious long term approach. I have Nike to thank for “getting it” and being patient and supportive through the whole process. With the foot taken care of, its only a matter of time before the rest of my body can handle the training load required for me to race at the level I expect to.
At this time, weakness and pain in my lower leg is the only thing holding me back from that, so I’m putting my head down, aggressively rehabbing, and moving forward with determination and tenacity. Its the best I’ve felt about myself in a year.
USAs was always going to be a long shot this year, but things have been going so positively mentally that I had a glimmer to race in recent weeks. The reality is that the body just ain’t there yet.
I will return to the top. I know it in my soul.
Look for me this winter and spring. There is a lot of fast in these legs.”
Special thanks to Lauren Fleshmann and Ray Flynn.
