Fast Track

5/29/15

Hello Everybody! I feel like SO much has happened in the last couple weeks since I have updated my blog, and now I don't know where to begin :)

I had literally zero time to bask in the glory of winning gold and breaking the American Record in the 4X800 relay at World Relays, because a few short days later I was on a plane. This time, right back down south to Kingston, Jamaica for the Jamaica International Athletics meeting. It was a decent race for me. I placed second and ran 2:01.06. You can watch it here:
https://rutube.ru/play/embed/7691265?isFullTab=true

Next, I was off to Shanghai, China for another 800. I had never been to China before so I was excited to see the culture. On Friday before the race, me and a couple girl friends took a cab to what the locals call the "Fake Market."

Here, there were hundreds of designer bags, sunglasses, clothes, and jewelry tucked away in the side streets. As to no surprise, I was in heaven. Kate Spade, Tory Burch, you name it! The race went just "ok" again, and I placed 4th and ran 2:01.3. You can watch it here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy0Q-e7n_cg

The last couple races have been a little frustrating for me. Although I am in the best shape of my life, my race tactics and the risks I have not taken, have put me in difficult spots in racing. My goal is to take more risks in my last two races before USA Championships (June 25-28). I am racing June 4th
in a local Indianapolis road mile just for fun, then heading to Nashville, Tennessee to the Music City Distance Carnival. I think there will be a live feed with the races this year at: http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/252290-Music-City-Distance-Carnival-2015

I race around 7:20 PM, and I am racing the 800 meters!

In addition to all of my international track & field adventures this Spring, my sister had her baby boy!  Meet Caleb William Hass, 6 LBS 14 OZ. This completes her little family of 5 (I think, and I kinda hope not). 

It has been so wonderful to be back in the United States for a month or so before heading off to Europe after USA Championships in June. Until next time,

BLUE SKY DAYS,

Molly :)

It's Been a While...

Hello again! Since my previous blog, "A Beautiful Oblivion," went into retirement over the past three years, I have had an incredible ride. Life as I know it since August of 2012 (in a nutshell):

 

1. September 2012: My sister gave birth to ANOTHER perfect human being, Tessa Mary Hass. She is a total Beckwith girl; a tom boy, a risk taker, a snuggler...

2. September 2013: GETTING MARRIED to an amazing man and changing my name to "Mrs. Molly Ludlow." Nice ring to it, eh?

3. January 2014: My contract with Saucony was renewed through 2016, and I will continue my professional track & field career with their expertise and support. I could not have asked for a better company to work for.

4. April 2014: My new hubby and I move an hour north from Bloomington to Indianapolis and purchase a high-rise condo right in the heart of downtown. We are loving this new chapter of our life together!

5. June- August 2014: My professional track season is in full swing again, as I place third in the 800 meters at the USA Championships in Sacramento, CA. I raced all summer in Europe, and came home with a personal best time in the 1500 meters of 4:07.88 as well as a Top 10 world-ranking in the 800 meters for 2014.

6. February 2015: My sister-in-law, Robin welcomes her first child and it is my THIRD time as an auntie. Welcome Samson Glenn Ludlow to the world!

Samson sporting the onesie I purchased for him on a trip this year to Australia :)

7. May 2015: My sister is due with her third baby, a boy, and I am anxiously awaiting his arrival any day now!

All these babies entering the world makes me anxious to have my own children...but my day will come. There is some track business to attend to before that chapter starts!!!

Blue Sky Days will be my new blog name, and this name has great meaning to me. Over the span of my 27 years, my family has always looked forward to those clear blue sky days in Worthington, Ohio. We didn't have the pleasure of cloudless skies very often in the midwest, but when we had them, my Dad made sure we acknowledged it. When my sister or I would come down with the flu, my Dad would say, "Go sit outside and the sun will make you better." When my Ohio Premier Club team (soccer) lost in the State Championship game, my Dad would say "It's a blue sky day...get over it." And when my Dad walked over to me after tearing my ACL for the second time, realizing my soccer career would be cut shorter than I ever dreamed, he said, "Blue sky Mol." It became a phrase that took the place of "remember how beautiful your life is," and to this day we still use it to remind ourselves how lucky we are in our lives.  What I have learned being a professional track and field athlete is how rewarding, intriquing, rare, and amazing this profession is. I have also learned that it is inconsistent, painful, disappointing, and tragic. Sometimes, those negative feelings towards the sport find themselves at the forefront, especially when I have set-backs in training, injury, or disappointing races. My husband always bring this to my attention when I come home excited about a break-through work out or race. "Last week at this time you were crying about ____." He is right! This sport has taken me through so many twists and turns the last 5 years, and my goal is to get to a place of "equilibrium." Blue sky days will remind me of this place when I start to lose my cool.

I just returned from The World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas. I competed with Team USA in the 4X800 relay and we won Gold, and broke the American Record. You can watch it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKYcixjDNaU&list=PL4qgpavbHONASqxl0lqE3FHjiQUAgafWQ

 It was without a doubt the most fun I have ever had. Jogging our victory lap with the American flag draped over my shoulders was an unforgettable experience. It the following moments standing on the podium singing the national anthem, I felt very special.

Currently, I am in Kingston, Jamaica racing an 800 Saturday May 9th. I leave next week for Shanghai, China (my first time ever to Asia!) for the IAAF Diamond League meeting. It should be a fast one! My race is Sunday, May 17. I hope to keep this blog updated as timely as possible throughout all of my travels this season, and my website should be up and running in the next week or so. Here, I will post my upcoming schedule, links to race videos and/or live feeds! Stay tuned! Until next time,
Blue skies from Jamaica :)