Watching Val Constien go through a solo track workout one hot morning last week on an empty Potts Field track as she put in her final preparations for the U.S. Olympic trials, it was clear that the road to the Paris Olympics is an arduous one.
It can only be undertaken by those rare few who have not just the physical talent, but the mental make-up to put in the years of training needed to become among the best in the world. Mike Sandrock / On Running Few epitomize the road of trials and tribulations more than Constien, a University of Colorado graduate and 2020 Tokyo Olympic steeplechaser who remained unsponsored for two years even after placing 12th in the Olympic final. Then, shortly after winning the U.
S. indoor 3000 meter title early in 2023 and finally landing a professional contract with Nike, Constien landed awkwardly coming off a hurdle at a Diamond League meet in Qatar, tearing her ACL. She underwent double knee surgery soon after and was unable to walk for a week.
That was a little more than a year ago. Now, Constien is back and running well heading into Friday’s preliminary round of the steeplechase at the U.S, Olympic Trials, which selects the team that will compete in the Paris Olympic Games.
After each race (NBC / USATF.TV), we’ll see the jubilant celebrations of those making the team, without often knowing the backstories of how the athletes got there. Constien got to the Olympics through perseverance and discipline, coaching and teammates, friends and fami.