Natosha Rogers, a two-time U.S. national title holder and 2012 NCAA Division 1 champion for Texas A&M in the 10,000 meters representing Hansons Brooks Original Distance Project, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing Nov. 17 in the second Michigan Pro Ekiden at Stony Creek Metro Park. Rogers will be joined on the host team by Amy Davis and Kathryn Munks, along with Ben Kendell, Zach Panning and Daniel Soto, as Hansons Brooks ODP competes against Nike Bowerman Track Club, HOKA ONE ONE Northern Arizona Eltie, Roots Running Project, Team Boulder and Minnesota Distance Elite. The co-ed relay consists of a pair of 6-kilometer legs, a pair of 5-kilometer legs and a pair of 10-kilometer legs, with NAZ Elite winning the inaugural event last year. Rogers shares how meaningful it is to be the host team and how grateful she is to be able to compete with her teammates on the relay, which shows the depth and versatility of each group. She also explains how her stay in Michigan will extend beyond the Pro Ekiden, in order to train with the group in preparation of the USATF Half Marathon Championships on Dec. 5 in Hardeeville, S.C. Rogers reflects on her recent three-race tour in the Northeast and the momentum she has created following fourth-place finishes Oct. 16 at the Boston 10K for Women, along with Nov. 6 at the USATF 5K Championships. She shares her encouragement for how well she closed in both races and looks to apply that speed during her leg of the Ekiden for Hansons Brooks ODP. Rogers also revisits her first race back following a break since the Olympic Trials, the U.S. 10-Mile Championships on Sept. 12, and how humbled she was following a 15th-place performance. She also examines the challenges, mentally and physically, that she endured during the 10,000 final in June at the Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., and how proud Rogers was to place seventh in extreme heat. Rogers analyzes how important it has been to regain balance between competition and training as well as supporting her own mental health during the second half of the year, and how much she has enjoyed her road racing opportunities. She also talks about how she recently took time out of her racing schedule to enjoy vacation in New York City, and how she looks forward to staying active with several events in 2022 after her attempt to qualify Dec. 5 for the World Half Marathon Championships in Yangzhou, China, scheduled for next November.

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