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August 28, 2008
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I flew home August 19th.  I came home early with the intent to get some training done before I headed off to Europe for
some fast 1500 and 5k races.  However, when you don’t run fast they don’t let you into European races.  The day I left
Beijing, I was told I would not be let into the European races.  

At first, I was really disappointed because a goal of mine is to run in Europe.  In life, we like to make plans but God
always has his plan for us.  I am always amazed how things end up working out.   At the time you don’t understand why
it happened but eventually it makes sense.  The day after we arrived home Andrew hurt his knee at practice.  He had an
MRI and we will get the results back tomorrow.  He will probably need surgery because he can’t bend it or bear weight
on his leg.  Now, I am thankful I am not leaving the country to race.  I would not want to leave him alone with a hurt leg.  

After my race, I took 3 days off and started back running when I returned home to Portland.  My calf and Achilles has
been sore since the training camp in Houston.  I could not get my calf to loosen up the last couple of weeks.   All the
running on cement in Houston and Beijing did not help.  My shin started hurting when I returned home and after my long
run the pain increased.  It feels a lot like my previous stress fractures.  Alberto decided that now would be a good time
to take a break.  Mentally and physically it is a good time to take a break.   

So now I have to cancel all the road races that I had just signed up for.  But again, it is probably for the best because we
are in the process of moving into a new apartment.  (Thank goodness Andrew is a high school coach.)  I bought lunch
for the kids in exchange for having them help me move since Andrew can’t move things.  

Coming home from the Olympics is a different experience.  I spent 20 years trying to accomplish this goal.  Now what?   
I think it will take some time to really process the experience.  It went by so fast while I was there.  It is for the best that I
am going to take a break.  I think it would have been hard to move, take care of Andrew, and try to start training and
racing at a high level right away after the Olympics.

Mentally and physically I am tired.  A break does sound good!  I am going to take 2 weeks completely off.  Then I will
start back with a couple easy weeks of mileage (with the hope that my shin is healed).  During that time I am going to
do slide show presentations at the schools about my experience at the Olympics.  I will also head back to Kendallville,
IN for some hometown visits during Apple Festival and Home Coming at my High School.  It should be fun.

I will return to full training in October.  My goals for next year have not been defined yet.  But they will probably include
making the World Team in the 10k and running my first marathon.  Worlds for Track and Field will be in Berlin, Germany
next summer.  (Yes, we do compete every year and have a World Championship.  We don’t wait 4 years to compete
against the best.  The Olympics are a special event though.)

For now I am finishing up the packing of the little things, helping Andrew get around, and enjoying my break!  I will write
more updates that include some details about the Olympics.  PLUS I will start posting my pictures of the Olympics.  We
had to wait 3-4 days post before we could post them.  I can’t wait to share them with you!
Amy Yoder Begley - USA Olympic Distance Runner
Nike Oregon Project Athlete