Projo Running Blog

Heidi Westerling checked in following her 26th-place finish at Sunday's U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the women's marathon.

Here's what she had to say about the race and life in general: ``The trials went well. I still think I could have done better after my performance at New Bedford. I wanted to run under 2:40, but to run a p.r. by just under 3 minutes on an off day is still really good and I am still really happy. I have vacation this week so I am resting up and getting ready to run Burlington at the end of May. 33 days and counting. Matt (Pelletier) is running too.

``The trials were an amazing experience and I am really gearing on getting more experience in the next 4 years and doing them again. Of course, if all goes well.

``I miss RI and the ocean and (URI) coach (Laurie Feit-Melnick) and her kids. But I love teaching. I am teaching 5th grade at North Charlestown Community School (in N.H.). I teach 17 students every basic subject, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, spelling and it keeps me very, very busy, but I love it.''

Westerling and Pelletier, a Warwick resident who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the men's marathon, will both attempt to defend their titles a second time at the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, Vt. next month.

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