Lolo wants to run

 DES MOINES - Rain.

Cold.

Suspense.

Radar maps and up-to-the-minute predictive models will help determine whether Des Moines Roosevelt star-turned-world champion and Olympic hurdler Lolo Jones will compete in Saturday's 3:07 p.m. special invitational 100-meter hurdle event at the Drake Relays.

The prospects aren't promising - with forecasts calling for wet conditions and a high in the 50s, but Jones vows to make every effort to reacquaint herself with the blue oval.

“I wish I could control the weather, but I can't,” the 11-time NCAA All-American said. “I'll just focus on what I can control and that's just going out there, warming up and communication with my coach (Dennis Shaver of LSU). He's the one who has all the pressure.”

Atmospheric and otherwise.

Jones, the No. 7-ranked American hurdler, underwent spinal surgery in 2011.

The 29-year-old fan favorite also tweaked a hamstring late this indoor season, making adverse conditions even more nettlesome.

“I'm from Iowa, but I'm not ‘Rocky' and I'm not trying to run in the snow,” Jones said, smiling. “I actually have lived a life of luxury now. Training in Louisiana it's 110 degrees, but you've seen me run here. I've run in conditions that were almost snow and you saw what happened. I was injured and I was out for the year.”

Injuries and mishaps have marred an otherwise sterling world championship-filled career.

Jones appeared en route to a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but she clipped a hurdle, dashing her dreams.

She hopes to return to the Olympics this summer in London and is training differently this time.

“I'm not trying to travel all around the world and beat up my body,” said Jones, USA Track and Field's most followed athlete on Twitter. “I'm definitely more cautious in my preparation.”

No less ambitious, however.

Jones sees another chance to medal in sight - but doesn't feel it's necessary to “validate” her career.

“As a track and field athlete, that's our goal,” she said. “There's not a higher goal than having an Olympic medal. I have world indoor medals, I have U.S. national championship medals, I have the (indoor 60-meter) American record, but I would really like to have that Olympic medal added on to my resume. Who wouldn't?”

The same attitude applies to fans who hope to see her compete today.

The larger goal transcends that personal preference.

Her devotees have told her so on Twitter.

And whichever way the wind blows this afternoon, they're with her.

“I will do my best,” Jones said. “I will go out there and warm up. You know, that's all I can do.”