Thursday morning, and Clara Grandt Santucci glimpses out of a hotel window, noticing the Hollywood sign jutting out of the Santa Monica mountains.
She’s headed out for an early training run. Last week she felt hamstring tightness, but no one expects a perfect build-up to these Olympic marathon trials. She woke up to the news that American record-holder Deena Kastor had withdrawn because of a strained glute. Four years ago Kastor edged her by six seconds for the final Olympic alternate spot.
Four years hasn’t dulled the thrill Santucci felt racing alongside her idol, trying not to act starstruck yet catching herself thinking, “Oh my goodness—she’s awesome!