Kara Goucher's London Olympics

Four years ago, in 2008, I raced two events in the Beijing Olympics. I left Beijing with a feeling of regret and sadness for not enjoying an incredible opportunity in my life. I made a vow to myself that if I made the Olympic team again for London 2012 that I would have an incredible time and enjoy every moment. I'm walking away from London with an amazing experience that I will always treasure.

I had so many friends and family in London and it just felt like a very special race from the beginning. I knew that Shalane Flanagan and I were incredibly fit and that if the opportunity arose, we were capable of some special performances. I knew I wasn't a medal favorite; I knew it was the greatest female marathon field ever assembled. I thought that if other people made mistakes, and I had my best day, I could find myself inside the top 10.

About 30 minutes before start time we were greeted with heavy rains. It wasn't comfortable, but it made Shalane and I laugh. After all, we are from Portland! We were excited to get this race underway. We quickly found ourselves at the front of the pack. The race was going out slow, quite conservatively, and because of that there were a lot of women up front. We had no intention of leading, but there we were, in front and staying out of trouble.

Leading the Olympic Marathon for 12 miles is the biggest thrill I have ever had in my career. The crowds were literally deafening. The fans were so loud, cheering with excitement. I told myself to soak it all in, this was a moment in my lifetime that would never be replicated. It was incredible. The fans on the London course were the best this sport has ever seen.

Unfortunately, I started to cramp in the race. Around 16 miles I started to feel some unusual tightness in my adductors. As we started the final 8-mile loop my right calf began to seize up with tightness. Two miles later, it was my hamstrings, and as I pushed through the final 4 miles my back was cramping with intense pain.

I ended up 11th. No top-10 finish, no personal record. Not what I wanted. Not what I have dreamed of. Not what has gotten me out of bed for the last four years and what has motivated me to take hours of pain and spend literally days on my feet.

But I pushed to the end. I did all that I could. And unlike in Beijing four years ago, I left it all out there on that marathon course. I can walk away without regret. A little disappointment, sure, but no regret.

London was an incredibly positive experience. It was a step forward. I will always remember it fondly. It will be the race where I got a taste of what it is like to be the absolute best in the world, and that taste will motivate me to keep pursing my dreams. I have dreamt of running in the Olympics since I was a child. I have been fortunate to now have done it twice. Let's see if I can do it again.

Here are some of my personal photos from my time in London:


Adam and I kick'n it in front of Buckingham Palace.


On my way to drug testing at 7am day before my race.


Hanging out in front of Buckingham Place in front of Queen Victoria Memorial.


My support crew at the finish line!


Colt running around at the finish line.


Race-day morning.  Walking to the start with Jerry Schumacher and Shalane Flanagan.