Galen Rupp left Portland on Monday, bound for Prague and a second chance.
Rupp, the two-time Olympic medalist from Portland, felt ready for a big performance two weeks ago in the Boston Marathon only to have the weather intervene.
Runners that day in Boston were greeted with temperatures in the 30s, a headwind and driving rain.
Almost everybody struggled, and the winning times reflected it. The conditions were particularly hard on Rupp, an asthma sufferer.
Cold temperatures can trigger an attack, which is what happened in Boston.
"Even training in Portland, we try to do everything we can to minimize the risks," Rupp said, "whether that means running inside or wearing a mask or doing anything I can to get the air warmer.