* Shawnee Mission North's Micah Blomker won the 17-18yo 3K on Saturday at the AAU Junior Olympic Games
Photo Credit: David Nguyen/MileSplit
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Long distance running can often feel like a test. Sometimes, it's a never-ending test.
But on the other side is often a pursuit worth leading.
On Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa, Micah Blomker may have felt that sense of reward when he crossed the finish line of the boys 17-18yo 3,000 meter championship at the AAU Junior Olympic Games as the overall winner, a dominant performance under his wing in 8:39.45.
The Shawnee Mission North junior beat the field by 10 seconds, claimed a season best time by 26 seconds and finished with the best performance of his career by 14 seconds.
He was third in the 1,500m earlier in the week in 4:04.73.
"I've been through a lot over these last two years," he said. "I've had insomnia, Mono and the main thing was just the anxiety and the stress I put on myself ever since my sophomore year. Hardly being able to race. And just going out there, my muscles seizing up every race."
Getting there was part of the process, he said. It was a test worth taking.
"This summer, I was trying to have a re-set," he added. "While the race wasn't exactly the breakthrough I was wanting to get to (and) where I know where I am capable of, it was a nice step in the right direction."
Blomker has always been talented. A Kansas state cross country champion as a sophomore, this past fall he finished second in Class 6A, clocking a season best of 15:12 for 5K.
But over the last seven to eight months, he said, running wasn't always about what he could do in cross country or on the track. It was about more than that.
"I think after my sophomore year, I really wanted to be up there with those elite guys," he said. "I think I got in 8:55 shape before, but because of the stress that I put on myself, I've been sick constantly, chronically."
When he struggled, Blomker began putting his faith in the people who believed in him, like his family, coaches and teammates. The church also helped.
"Even though I've struggled, I just keep going," he said. "Because one day it's going to change. And that's when He's humbled my heart. The main thing for me is to just keep getting to the line."
Blomker didn't qualify for the Kansas state outdoor championships this spring, but after two solid qualifying races over the AAU season, he captured two momentum-building moments to finish 2023.
He was nine seconds faster than his regional 1,500m and 26 seconds better in his 3K. Part of that success, he said, was driven by his mentality.
"I've just starting visualizing my races and relaxation techniques," he said. "That's the routine I'm trying to set for myself."
Next up for Blomker is his final season of cross country in Kansas, where he won the Class 6A crown 2021. He's finished no less than second in any other year.
He said AAU has given him perspective that he'll use over his final year of distance running.
"When I was little, this was the meet," he said. "It's taught me that you have to keep a sound mind and stay calm when you're going against top competition."
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