Her love for running hasn't hit the bell lap

Kelly Fullerton didn’t quite get there — to the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials. Still, the Roseburg High graduate felt she gave it her best shot.

The 26-year-old was hoping — not expecting, she says — to qualify for the trials in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Her time of 10 minutes, 16.36 seconds ranks 36th on the qualifying list, but only the top 24 will get to compete at the trials.

The meet, which will determine the U.S. team for the Beijing Olympics later in the summer, will run from June 27 to July 6 at Hayward Field in Eugene.

“It would have been wonderful to be there, but I never had that as an expectation,” said Fullerton, now a Eugene resident who’s running for Team XO. “I’m not disappointed in myself. It was a big accomplishment to make the provisional list and I’m happy with that.”

Fullerton, in a final attempt before the trials qualifying deadline, traveled to Indianapolis last Saturday for an America Milers Club High Performance Track & Field Series steeplechase race at Carroll Stadium.

Running after 10 p.m. Indiana time, Fullerton cut over 13 seconds off her personal best in the steeplechase with the 10:16.36. She placed third behind Brittany Somers (10:09.87) and Andrea Parker (10:10.07) in the six-runner race.

Fullerton, fit at 5-5, 120 pounds, was prepared for a fast race, and that’s what she got.

“I knew I was in really good shape and wanted to take advantage of it,” she said. “It was pretty cool (weather-wise). The lights were on, there was zero wind and the temperature was perfect for running. I knew who the other girls were and how fast they’d run, and if I wanted to think about running fast I’d have to go with them.

“It was really an even race. I felt strong throughout the race, but I was definitely hurting (at the end). I wasn’t expecting to go that fast ... that’s the biggest PR I’ve ever had and was a big step for me. I thought it would be a huge accomplishment to be at 10:20 and I got four seconds under that. Everything just worked out perfect.”

Fullerton developed a love for the steeplechase after beginning her running career at Seattle University. She was a two-time All-American in the event, placing fourth in 2004 and sixth in 2005 at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships. Her college PR was 10:36.95.

Pretty impressive, considering she didn’t run track at Roseburg. Fullerton was a second-team all-conference outfielder for the softball team as a senior for the Indians in 1999.

“The steeplechase is what I’m best at, and where I have the most opportunity,” she said.

After graduating from Seattle University, Fullerton landed a fulltime teaching job at Arbor Heights Elementary in Seattle and that limited her running time. She realized the desire to train and run competitively was still there, and left that position after a year.

“I decided to do other things than teaching,” she said. “I think the whole time I was anxious to train again.”

Fullerton volunteered on the Gulf Coast, in Louisiana and Mississippi, and did some substitute teaching in the Roseburg School District over the next year. She started training last September with a group from Team XO and Oregon Track Club Elite. Team XO, created in 2003, is for post-collegiate track and cross country athletes looking to continue their careers while competing at the highest level.

Fullerton was putting in around 65 miles a week in April and May. She owns PRs of 17:01 in the 5,000, 9:50.59 in the 3,000, 4:36 in the 1,500 and 2:17 in the 800.

“It has been wonderful,” she said. “My No. 1 focus this year is running. I love the team. I feel I have a lot of resources (with Team XO), a lot of fantastic athletes to train with. My coach (Ross Krempley) reminds me a lot of my college coaches and it’s been an easy transition for me.

“I think I’m probably in the best shape I’ve ever been in and am a better runner than I was in college. As you get older and your body matures it makes a difference. Also, I didn’t start running until later on and I know more about racing. I have more experience.”

Fullerton will take in the trials as a spectator, and is looking forward to the atmosphere and watching the races at Hayward Field.

“I’ve always said I’m going to keep training and competing as long as I still love it,” she said. “I still do.”