WXC Withdrawl
by Dathan Ritzenhein | Feb 27, 2010 |
I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. I am very disappointed not to be able to lead the team that will be going to Poland to compete for Team USA. I have had a series of setbacks this winter that have held me back from training at 100%. A nagging injury as well as a stomach virus have caused me to miss training over the past couple weeks and I have not been able get to the level of training that is required for me to be at my best.
To reach the goals I have set out for the year, I need to be completely healthy and ready to train as hard and smart as possible. After talking with my coach Alberto Salazar we decided that it was more important for me to refocus my goals of having another successful track season and most importantly, preparing for a return to the marathon in the fall. I love cross country and I was very excited to represent my country; however this is the right decision for me to have a successful year and continue my development to the highest level possible. We decided it was not worth the risk for me to continue to train through these problems at the expense of being fully prepared for the summer and fall. This was a very difficult decision for me but I look forward to being back 100% and ready to go again soon.
February 27th, 2010 on 3:52 pm
I am so sorry to hear that and I know it must be rough. Get back to full health and I wish you the best..
February 27th, 2010 on 4:35 pm
Sounds like a smart decision — good luck getting better!
February 27th, 2010 on 5:05 pm
Im sorry to hear that you aren’t healthy. Good decision though, although dropping WXC must be extremely tough its a very smart decision to be level headed and keep the main goals in mind, good luck getting healthy again and tearing it up on the track
February 27th, 2010 on 6:24 pm
I am so sorry to hear that — get well soon.
I damaged a tendon in my foot a couple of weeks ago, and instead of pushing through, I’ve chosen to rest/swim until it comes around. Your recent article on cross training gave me sufficient pause to do the right thing. Thank you.
Looking forward to watching you on the track this summer.
February 28th, 2010 on 2:36 am
I follow your races and I think that you are really talented. How do you deal with these injuries emotionally? I am injured right now and I am having trouble dealing with the time away from running.
February 28th, 2010 on 11:52 am
Ritz- There’s a whole country of distance runners wishing you a speedy recovery and great success later this year. Keep that chin up!
February 28th, 2010 on 12:09 pm
Smart decision. Disappointing – but put it past you and focus on getting healthy. You will have a fantastic year!
March 1st, 2010 on 8:37 am
Sad to hear. There are times to push through and times to pull back, and sometimes the hard choice has to be made. The team will miss you.
March 1st, 2010 on 1:12 pm
Dathan
Really sorry to hear you aren’t running World XC. I was looking forward to seeing you taking on the World’s best. I was fortunate to watch you live at the World Half Marathon champs. I shouted pretty loud, as YouTube will attest, at you around the 11km mark.
Making the decision to not race is extremely tough. As athletes, no matter how experienced, we always have this niggling feeling that “maybe it will be ok on the day” and end up racing carrying an illness or injury or just under-prepared, hoping things will work out fine on the day. They never do and you never get the 100% performance you are after. So rest assured you and Alberto have made the right decision.
I am really looking forward to seeing you in the summer and hope you spend some time in Europe on the track circuit as well.
Stay well.
therealmince
March 1st, 2010 on 1:43 pm
D….here’s a blast from the past; it’s been great following you and your career. Too bad about the Worlds, but it sounds like you’re taking care of a career, not just a race. Good to see all the writing advice I gave you in middle school paid off. The blog’s a great idea to keep in touch with fans (and former teachers!) Continued good luck with an already great career!. P.S. Martin (now officially “Mr.” Martin the history teacher, of course) says hey!
March 2nd, 2010 on 1:21 am
That’s bad news, I gotta say I was ecstatic at the prospect of seeing USA in the medal hunt, but I still can’t wait to see what the next race will bring for you. Get healthy and keep up that awesome momentum you’ve got going. You’re one of the people keeping me glued to running news!
March 2nd, 2010 on 10:55 am
Good decision of you and your coach. I hope this is last setback in this season and that you’ll run even faster than last year in the summer. I look forward to see you in the marathon in the autumn.
March 2nd, 2010 on 2:56 pm
Hi Dathan,
Congrats on all your recent success! It’s been a lot of fun following you. I’m a “competitive” distance runner and work for a new recovery drink called Athletes HoneyMilk. We have a strong sponsorship budget and I suggested we try to bring you on board. Every one was excited about the idea! If you’re interested please send me an email (michael at athletesmilk dot com) and we can talk about the details.
best,
Michael Don
Social Media Specialist
athleteshoneymilk.com
March 6th, 2010 on 6:45 pm
Thanks for everyone’s support. I always comes back better than before through these things. I was asked by Chris how I deal with all the injuries emotionally. It can be very difficult at times. When you love something and you cannot do it, that can be very difficult. I think staying positive is something you have to work on. It doesn’t just happen. If you leave your mind to doubting it will get depressing. There are good days and bad, but I always say, “If this is the worst thing that happens to me I am a blessed man.” I always try to look at the gifts I have been given and the people who love me and that makes a little injury not so bad. Trying to put that energy into something productive also helps. Usually for me that is cross training, but other projects helps a well.
Great to hear from you Mr. G. Hope all is well in Rockford. Michael, that sounds very cool. Get in touch with my agent at Peter Stubbs Management at lilot@attglobal.net. There may be some problems since I am sponsored by Powerbar, but it might work. sounds like agreat product.