USA Nationals

This may be my last ever post about how to watch one of Rich's races. That's really weird.

Tomorrow, Rich races in the prelims of the USA National Championships. This is different from NCAA Nationals because this includes professionals, actually is for professionals. Like Walter Dix. And distance runner Galen Rupp (He just signed a $1 million contract with Nike with a $2 million signing bonus. Sure, that's nothing compared to what LeBron's about to get, but for a runner?!)

Rich's goal for this race is to run his heart out in the prelims to get a new personal best time. If that gets him to the finals, then we'll see what he can do there.

You can watch his race online tomorrow from this address:

http://www.usatf.org/events/2010/USAOutdoorTFChampionships/video.asp

He races at 3:15 MT, and he'll be in the first of two heats. The video isn't exactly the best, but at least it's something!

There will also be some coverage on ESPN tomorrow night from 6-8 MT. They might (though I'm not sure) do a recap of the steeplechase.

The steeplechase finals are on Sunday. Could be Rich's first Sunday race... That will be shown live on ESPN at 11:50 AM MT. Finally, a channel that people have.

It's really weird to think that this might be Rich's last steeplechase. I really don't want it to be. As much as I hate it when he goes on trips, running is a big part of him and of our family, especially the steeplechase. I just don't think either of us are ready to see that end. But it can't last forever, right?

I Love this Dress

Remember that dress I was going to make someday? Made it.

Well... I technically helped my mom make it. She had just gotten a new sewing machine and "needed to test it out" so she did most of the work. Plus, I didn't want to mess it up. End result - a pretty stinkin' adorable dress.

I killed two birds with one stone with this project. I made the adorable dress, and I used Becca's fabric. That fabric was perfect for the dress. You're amazing, Becca (and Melissa)!

So, I now have my first piece of baby clothing... just no baby and not even one on the way. Maybe I should give this dress to a niece.

Two-Time All-American

Last week, Rich competed in NCAA Nationals, and he finished 8th place, earning his his second All-American title in the steeplechase. This is, of course, an amazing honor. But it was a little bittersweet for us in the Nelly household. Rich had the potential to be one of the top competitors in the race, but it just wasn't meant to happen this time. Still, he obviously gave the race everything he had, and Rich can now proudly display his trophy and a second All-American plaque (although if it's like the last one it will take about a year to get it!

We got a pleasant surprise on the morning of race day. I knew Rich's parents were driving from Spokane for the final race, and I was pretty sure little sister Andrea was coming, too. But, we didn't know who else was coming! As we were waiting for them to get there, I looked out the window and saw the infamous Nelson van (lovingly nicknamed "The Shaggin' Wagon"), and I wondered why they needed a van for 3 people. Then Rich says, "I think that's Scott..." We both ran outside and found there was a reason for the Wagon - inside were Mom and Dad Nelson, Grandma Nelson, Andrea, Andrea's friend, and Scott. It's always great to have a large cheering section!

Rich was so excited to see everyone there, but seeing Scott really meant a lot to him because Scott is probably Rich's second biggest fan (of course, I'm number one). Awesome job, family, on keeping Scott's trip to the race a secret!

Here are some pictures from our trip to green, wet, rainy, track-loving Eugene.

The most beautiful water jump I've ever seen (they LOVE track)

Rich doing a water jump during prelims

Getting his trophy

Coach Eyestone and us with the loot

Next week, Rich is going to Des Moines, Iowa, for USA Nationals. He's main goal is to get a personal best that will get him on the BYU top-10 board!

On to Finals

This is just a short post to say that Rich had a great race yesterday in the prelims here at Nationals. He finished 5th in his heat, which is just what he wanted to do, though it made his family nervous (especially Scott). They're used to Rich giving it his all to finish on top. However, that was not the plan for the race yesterday. He knew he needed to do just enough to qualify for finals while still saving as much energy as possible for the race.

After the race, Rich's sister Christine called me to say that he had made them nervous when they were watching because he was hanging back. They weren't sure how he was feeling and was afraid he wasn't going to qualify. I assured her, and many others, that he knew what he doing and was watching his back to make sure he was in the top 6.

So, the final race is tomorrow! We're pretty excited here! Rich's parents get here tonight, and we've just been taking it easy here, making sure Rich is plenty well rested for the race (which means we see plenty of the hotel room).

If you get CBS College Sports, you should definitely watch this race. Tune in tomorrow night at 6 PT and look for Rich in his white BYU uniform!

Welcome to Track Town, USA

Well, we're finally here in Eugene, Oregon, for the NCAA National Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This place is nuts. I've always heard people talk about how they call this place Track Town, USA. (Well, not always... Let's face it - I knew practically nothing about track pre-Rich.) I thought the stories had to be at least a little exaggerated.

WRONG. Eugene, Oregon, LOVES track.

If the signs around the town welcoming one and all to the meet weren't enough to prove this, the fact that the key card for our hotel room was made for this week and looks something like this

definitely gave it away. Seriously. It's so cool to be in a place that actually cares about track. It's so... different. And awesome.

Rich races tomorrow in the prelims, and then, with any luck - no, with any skill - he'll race again on Friday in the finals. The steeplechase prelims are tomorrow at 6:15 PM (PT), and Rich races in the second of 2 heats. The top 6 in each heat qualify for the finals, and then the top 2 times after that. I'm pretty sure that the race is going to be broadcast online, and this link should get you there:

http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=ncaa&media=182243

The finals, on the other hand, will only be available on TV on the CBS College Sports channel that very few people actually have. But, if you have it, watch the race. It's at 6 PM (PT) . GoDucks.com will have real-time race recaps and video interviews, so you can turn there if you have . (I stole a lot of this info from Rich's devoted brother. Thanks, Scott).

This should be really good competition because there isn't really a favorite to win and it could be anyone's race, including Rich.

The good news for me is that I don't have to scramble around trying to find the broadcast of the race. Nope, I'm going to see it up close and personal. I am so excited to be here! This is going to be a great week!

Thank Goodness for Fire

For Memorial Day, Rich and I thought it would be fun to go fishing with Cami and Ethan. Let's just say an hour drive to Strawberry Reservoir, yards of tangled line, the loss of a brand new $6 lure, and no fish later, it was a bad idea.

At least we had a backup plan. Bonfire. We drove into Provo Canyon and found the PERFECT spot. We brought hot dogs and marshmallows for roasting (though we had been planning on cooking up some of the fish we caught). I was afraid Rich's frustration would last through the bonfire, but, seriously, nothing cheers a guy up like fire. Our food was delicious (why does cooking things over a fire make them taste so good?), and we had a fun time.

At least some of our Memorial Day was a success.

At the bonfire site (you can tell because Rich is smiling - fire works miracles). Yes, I like this picture, as you can probably tell from seeing it at the top of the page.

Cami, Ethan, and me around our bonfire (sorry the picture is so blurry - our camera doesn't do well in the dark)