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February 12, 2016 Desert Wings 9
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Do base trails lead to Olympics

by Rebecca Amber “You get all the same high-caliber, best-in- he said. make that standard.
Staff writer the-world athletes to show up,” recalled Reyes. Eventually he found a specialist that offered Runners who make the B standard are in-
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Sergio Reyes, 412th Test Wing Range sporting the red, white and blue and represent- an innovative, non-invasive technique that ac- vited to compete, but must pay their own way.
6DIHW\RI¿FHUKDVEHHQUXQQLQJVLQFHKHZDV LQJ\RXUFRXQWU\,WZDVGH¿QLWHO\WKHKLJKOLJKW celerates healing in the area. 7KH¿UVWWKUHHPHQDQG¿UVWWKUHHZRPHQ
a young boy. of my career I would say.”
“With that, patience and slow timing to let WRFURVVWKH¿QLVKOLQHLQWKHLUUHVSHFWLYHUDFHV
This Feb. 13, he’ll run for a spot on the 2016 He continued to work on his marathon time the body heal, I’ve actually been able to start will make the team.
Summer Olympic Marathon Team at the trials from there. He achieved his personal best to running again ... This weekend I’m hoping to
in Los Angeles. date in 2013 running the Medtronic Twin Cit- MXVWUXQVWURQJKRSHIXOO\¿QLVKLWVWURQJEXW “It’s all happening in one day, in one race
LHV0DUDWKRQ86$&KDPSLRQVKLSVLQ0LQ- I’m really just happy to be there.” — both the men and women’s Olympic
“I think I was a couple years old when my neapolis, Minn., at 2:13:34. marathon trials in L.A. this weekend. Once
dad took me out on the track,” said Reyes. In order to make it to the Olympic trails, you’re in that’s all that matters, it’s just the
Meanwhile, the competition has continued a runner has to achieve one of two Olympic ¿UVWWKUHHDFURVVWKHOLQHWKDWPDNHWKHWHDP´
Since those days, he’s dreamed of running to improve as well. standards. Those who make the A standard for said Reyes.
on the Olympic team. the men’s category, 2 hours and 15 minutes or
A little over a year ago, Reyes faced a major less, are invited to compete with all expenses Reyes runs twice a day, anywhere he can get
“Watching [the Olympics] on TV as a kid, challenge to his running career when he was paid. Reyes was one of less than 30 men to the miles in, the trails at Edwards or in West
I remember telling my dad, ‘this is so cool, diagnosed with achilles tendonitis in both feet. Palmdale. This weekend he will be joined by
someday I want to be there.’ I’ve always been
fascinated by it and had in my mind that’s “I [sought] every kind of intermediate band his wife, parents and sisters to
where I wanted to be.” DLGEDVLFDOO\WKDW,FRXOG¿QG´VDLG5H\HV cheer him on.
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He continued running, eventually at the tor said, ‘biomechanically your body is work- “[Running is] probably
collegiate level. After graduating, he joined a ing against you at this point.’” more than anything a time
post-collegiate running team that helps athletes RIUHÀHFWLRQ´VDLG5H\HV³,
with Olympic potential develop into higher- Still hopeful that he might someday make appreciate that time to clear
caliber runners. His coach saw that he had the Olympic team, Reyes decided to undergo my head and then go places
greater strengths over longer distances so he surgery in May of 2015 on his left foot. The I wouldn’t normally go. To
gradually moved up from 5K and 10K races doctors performed a calcaneal resection to be able to go to a city, run to
to half-marathons and marathons. correct the Haglund’s deformity (a bony en- the top of some peaks or some
largement on the back of the heel) as well as hills, and see some awesome
This year’s Olympic trials will be Reyes’ a gastroc achilles recession. In the operation, views; that part is really cool.”
third time trying out for the team. In the off the surgeon removed part of Reyes’ heel bone
years between the Olympics, Reyes has par- and lengthened his tendon. Air Force photograph by Rebecca Amber Sergio Reyes, 412th Test
WLFLSDWHGLQWKH860DUDWKRQ&KDPSLRQVKLSV :LQJ 5DQJH 6DIHW\ RI¿FHU
where he won in 2010, securing him a spot in The recovery time was extensive, leaving will compete Feb. 13 in Los
the World Championships in 2011. him unable to train at the level he needed for Angeles for a spot on the
the marathon. 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon
According to Reyes, the World Champion- Team.
ships are “basically like the Olympics in the “In the back of my mind I’m thinking, ‘I’ve
off years.” got to get healthy, I’ve got to get running,’”

Try a little

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