Olympics-Bound Runner Desiree Davila Struggles With Injury

It's less than two weeks until the 2012 Summer Olympics marathon event, and Rochester Hills contender Desiree Davila is battling a right hip flexor tendon injury that could affect her entry in the race.

Davila, who trains with Kevin and Keith Hanson, owners of  and leaders of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project based in Rochester Hills, has not been able to train on solid ground for the past few weeks, a coach said.

Don Jackson, general manager of Hanson's Running Shop and an assistant coach with the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project, said Davila has spent the past few weeks training on an AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, which gently lifts her to avoid putting pressure on her hip.

"When she gets to London and has to run on solid ground, it's going to be a different story," Jackson said. "We are hoping for a miraculous turnaround."

Davila was scheduled to leave for London on Tuesday. 

The timing of Davila's injury did not leave an opportunity to bring on an alternate to replace her, Jackson said, so Davila still plans to represent Team USA in the Olympics marathon on Aug. 5. If she decides to withdraw from the race it won't be before she gets to London and has a chance to see if she can work through her injury on hard surfaces.

Davila is the fastest American distance runner. In 2011 she . In that race, she clocked the fastest time ever by an American woman: 2:22:38.

She is one of in the Olympics, which begin Friday.

The women's marathon is scheduled for 6 a.m. (eastern time) Aug. 5.