Seidel, whom D’Amato is stepping in for, has faith that the 37-year-old will represent the U.S. “My husband has proudly been serving our country through the Air Force for almost 20 years now, I am beyond proud to be able to represent our country in my own way,” she says. Though the conditions of training aren’t ideal, D’Amato is feeling healthy and fit and excited for the opportunity. “With only two weeks until a marathon, I skipped ahead from the grind of marathon training right to the taper–a recipe for success? I guess we will see,” she jokes.

When she heard the news she admits running through the gamut of emotions. Unlike most of the other women competing in the World Marathon Championships, D’Amato has just over two weeks to prepare in total. Since then, she’s made podium after podium: 2nd place in the USATF 25K championships, 3rd place in the New York Mini 10k, plus an American women’s-only race record and most recently, 1st place in the BAA 10K. Keira D’Amato has been on a tear, starting the year off on a high with a record-setting run at the Houston Marathon in January. Here’s what you should know about the women heading into the World Championship Marathon on July 18 in Eugene, Oregon. RELATED: How Strava Fame Became a Burden for Molly Seidelĭ’Amato, the American record holder, joins Sara Hall and Emma Bates to round out the women’s marathon team. The Olympic bronze medalist also noted that the process for getting a Therapeutic Use Exemption from the US Anti Doping-Agency and World Anti-Doping Agency for her ADHD medication played a factor in stepping back. “Continuing to train and race on it would lead to a full fracture, and I’d waste a team spot being unable to race to a level Team USA expects of their athletes,” she wrote.

In an Instagram post Seidel cited a stress reaction in her sacrum as the main reason for withdrawing, not wanting to push it to a full stress fracture. Had she waited any longer, alternate Keira D’Amato wouldn’t have had the chance to take her place. But when it happened, word traveled quickly that Molly Seidel had resigned her spot on Team USA for the World Championships Marathon. In fact, she waited until the last possible day to do so. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

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