Jess Minty - 6/9/09

The spring season is a great time to be at ZAP.  The weather is mild.  The parks we frequent are in full bloom.  Everyone here is arriving at peak form and performing very well in races all over the country.  For me, too, the spring has been very exciting.  I came away from both the Mt. SAC and Cardinal Invitationals with substantial PRs in both the 5k and 10k, respectively.

More than breakthrough performances, however, I am most happy with the process I have gone through in achieving those new best times here at ZAP.  In this first year I am learning more and more about myself as an athlete.  I am becoming stronger and fitter than I ever have been before.I spent so much of my first year at ZAP rebuilding my fitness.  During that time, I learned a lot about the role that patience plays in our sport.  Occasionally it was difficult to compete in races while knowing that a best effort could still be so far off a goal pace.  Luckily, the environment here at ZAP is wonderful for keeping everything in perspective.  Most everyone has dealt with an injury at one point or another that has kept them from racing at the level they want to be competing at.

Looking ahead, I am excited for another great opportunity to run a personal best this weekend in the 10k.  Most of the ZAP crew will be there with me in Portland, OR, with each trying to better their 5k or 10k times and secure a spot on the starting line at the U.S. Outdoor Championships.
It has been a wonderful spring track season so far and I am looking forward to hopefully concluding this season in Eugene, OR at the U.S. Outdoor Championships.