Before I begin, a little fable.
Once upon a time, there was this ancient blogger who called himself a Luddite.
This person uses his computer all day & all night--but knows almost ZIP on the intricacies of using it.
This person is weird.
One day, he spent much time typing out his latest post of his blog.
He was about to type his last sentence when--POOF!--he hit some key which made the whole thing just go KABLOOEY---and disappear!!
He spent a LONG time trying to get back all the hard work he'd just done--to no avail.
He gave up and wanted to cry.
Then he thought--I have this loyal group of readers who read my blog---and I can't let them down!
Even if they shake their heads & think---Jeez, why doesn't he LEARN how to use his computer?---I had to go back to work & produce that post---as close to the original as possible!
He did that--and lived happily ever after.
The End
Okay, dear friends--because of the above FIASCO (a true story!)--this post will be somewhat truncated (shortened), but will contain everything ESSENTIAL to knowing what went down in the NCAA's Conferences---plus some other items.
A few Conferences saw the individual leaders who SHOULD make up the front-runners in the NCAA's--just 19 days away!
(The Regionals come first, and I'll have a post about those too!)
As this blog doesn't do much XC, I'll concentrate here on those runners who I see as the REAL contenders for the individual crowns on November 18th.
MEN
Justyn Knight and Grant Fisher won their Conferences with hard "last lap" kicks!
While times aren't really important, sub-24:00 for 8K courses are considered good---weather & terrain differences notwithstanding.
Knight won the ACC in 23:13, with Brent Demarest closing in 23:15, and Colin Bennie another 2 seconds back.
Fisher's 23:44.9 whipped past Joe Klecker's 23:48 to take the PAC-12!
Steve Fahey, Alex Ostberg, and Mahmoud Moussa all ended around 23:51.
But if you're placing bets, don't discount the African trio (Kenyan?) from the SEC--names of Vincent Kiprop, Gilbert Kigen, and Alfred Chelanga.
These 3 have been running fast times all season--and generally finishing in some order on the podium.
Another to watch--though I'm not aware of super fast track PR's from him--is Jerrell Mock, who won the Mountain West race in 23:49 by one second over Cole Rockhold, another unknown quantity!
In previous posts, I've noted the high placings by such as Rory Linkletter and Connor McMillan.
In the West Coast Conference, McMillan's 23:23 beat Daniel Carney, Casey Clinger, and Linkletter, all of whom ran close to 23:29.
Add those two to the clan of possible leaders at the NC's.
A few other names to watch on the Men's side--
Cooper Teare, Tanner Anderson, Austin Tamagno, and Reed Brown from the PAC-12.
Colin Bennie from the SEC.
Josh Kerr from Mountain West.
Edwin Kurgat.
The Big 12's Hassan Abdi, Luis Martinez, and Sam Worley.
And the Big 10 winner--unknown to me!--Oliver Hoere, whose 24:09 beat Joe Hardy's 24:13.
Abdi is probably the most serious contender from the above little group.
WOMEN
Once again, the PAC-12 might provide a bunch who will finish in the Top 30 on November 18th!
Dani Jones--like Grant Fisher--kicked out of the crowd on the final stretch to win, time of 18:57.3.
Also under 19 were Katie Rainsberger and Amy Eloise-Neale.
Vanessa Fraser and Grayson Murphy followed 4 or 5 seconds behind!
Further back--but fairly fast--came Lilli Burdon, Fiona O'Keefe, Bethan Knights, and Brie Oakley.
Karissa Schweizer dominated the SEC's, her 19:36 beating Taylor Werner by 31 seconds!!
Katy Kunc finished another 6 seconds back.
Then came the Drop Twins--Jessica & Samantha.
(I googled them--they're fraternal twins--and both run for Georgia--the same Georgia team that scored 62.5 points at the OUTdoor NCAA's this year---ALL in the Field events! That could change in 2018!!)
Three other Conference winners (& assorted leaders) to watch are---
Sharon Lokedi from the Big 12.
She ran 20-flat, beating Anna West by 6 seconds!
Callie Logue, a Frosh, was 4th--but led the race early on!
Destiny Collins--alum of the Great Oak (CA) team--was 7th in 20:23.
The Mountain West was won by Ednah Kurgat, another one to watch in Louisville!
Her 19:58.8 beat Weini Kelati by about 13 seconds!
Charlotte Prouse took 3rd another 3 seconds back.
But Allie Ostrander may NOT be a serious contender this year!!
Her 20:27.9 took 4th, but was far off what she's capable of!
Alice Wright was 5th, but divided by 27 seconds from Allie O!!
Elinor Purrier--who recently beat Ms Schweizer with a hard kick--won the American East race by 48 seconds!!
It was a 5K.
Charlotte Imer also won a 5K race--time of 16:52, with 2nd a full 28 seconds behind!!
Paige Stoner, Dorcas Wasiki, and Dominique Clairmonte all went sub-20 in the ACC race, as did Catherine Rocha in the Big East race.
Rocha beat the 20:12 of Brianna Ilarda, and the 20:19 of Bella Burda.
The San Francisco State duo of Charlotte Taylor and Weronika Pyzik took the top 2 spots in the West Coast Conference race.
Taylor's 19:10 beat Pyzik by 20 seconds!
Both should be added to the "contenders" list!
Finally, do NOT overlook Katherine Receveur from Indiana, who won the Big 10 Conference in 20:10.
She led the entire way!
Madeline Strandema was 2nd in 20:13.
Sarah Disanza is slowly improving, taking 8th in 20:31.
The Frankfurt Marathon saw a quartet of Americans run good times.
Shure Tola won the Men's race in 2:05:50.
The NAZ Elite comprised the US group among the Men.
Scott Smith's 2:12:21 was a two-plus minute PR!
Scott Fauble ran 2:12:35 in his initial 26.2.
And Matt Llano--returning from THREE surgeries & months of lay-off--ran just a minute off his PR--time of 2:13:42.
Vivian Cheruiyot wanted a 2:20--or faster!--but fading over the final half, had to "settle" for the win, time of 2:23:35.
Gradually moving up from below 10th place early on, Sara Hall ended in 5th, less than 4 minutes behind Cheruiyot!
Her 2:27:21--run with steady pacing--took 45 seconds off her PR.
She moves from 22nd A-T US to 15th!!
I have just one HS XC result to report--but it's a doozie!!
Katelyn Tuohy took down the Course Record at the Bear Mountain (NY) race--her 15:55.3 run over a 3 Mile course!
BTW, one of Bob Dylan's earliest songs is called "Talking Bear Mountain Picnic Massacre Blues"!!
I'd say Tuohy MASSACRED that course!!
LOL
And yes, I have more Society items to report!
Molly Ludlow gave birth to her first child--a son--on October 23rd.
Alysia Montano should have her 2nd child in November!
Wayde Van Niekerk got married to a woman named Chesney Campbell this weekend!
Don't know anything about her (except that she's quite beautiful!!), but they became engaged last December!!
Finally, Kate Grace became the latest "Bowerman Babe"--the self-described nickname given to the growing group of female Superstars running under Jerry Schumacher at the Bowerman Track Club!!
Besides Grace, that gang includes Shalane Flanagan and Amy Cragg, Courtney Frerichs and Colleen Quigley, as well as Emily Infeld and Shelby Houlihan!!
Assuming I avoid another traumatic event, my next post will be my report of the NYC Marathon--and the LOADED Road 5K the day before!!
Then follows the NCAA Regionals (plus 3 of the 7 NXN Regionals).
A week after that comes the NCAA Championships of XC!
But intermixed with those will be my usual series of INdoor T&F Previews--Age and Class records--World, US, Collegiate & HS records--and what it takes to make my INdoor Top 24's--plus a detailed Schedule!!!
See you soon!
Monday, October 30, 2017
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Results Indicate Strong XC Finish
Joyciline Jepkosgei has run SEVEN World Records!
She didn't break any records enroute--as she did when she ran her 64:52 WR in Prague a few months ago--but her 64:51 clipped one second off her astounding WR!
Using a 3 minute per Half slowdown rate, this indicates a potential Marathon time of 2:15:42---just 17 seconds off Paula Radcliffe's WR!
And SOME athletes are capable of sustaining a 2:30-per-Half slowdown rate, which would give Jepkosgei WR potential time of 2:14:42!!
But what can Tirunesh Dibaba--or Almaz Ayana--run?
Jepkosgei's time breaks her own National Record of Kenya, her own Age 23 record, besides her own WR!!
She of course remains 1st A-T World!
Fancy Chemutai was 2nd in a 65:38 PR.
She moves from 9th A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 6th!
Abraham Cheroben won the Men's race in a non-PR of 59:11.
Leul Gebresilase was 2nd in 59:17, four seconds ahead of Fikadu Haftu!
But in 4th came Norway's Sondre Moen!!
His 59:47 is the 3rd fastest non-African Half!!
And it's Norway's National Record, obviously!
The Amsterdam Marathon was won in Course Record time by Lawrence Cherono.
His 2:05:09 was also a PR!
Nobert Kigen was a close 2nd in 2:05:13, with Abraham Kiptum's 2:05:26 taking 3rd.
Tadelech Bekele won the Women's race in 2:21:54.
In today's Toronto Marathon, Philomen Rono's 2:06:52 took 2 seconds off the Canadian Soil record, and was a slight PR!
Early leader Dickson Chumba faded to a shuffle over the last few K's, but still took second!
Well, friends, the Collegiate and High School Championship season is looming into view!
Less than 4 weeks to the NCAA's, and another 2 to 3 weeks for the NXN and Footlocker races!
So let's see what this (and last) weekend has brought us!
The Crimson Classic 8K saw an-all-Kenyan podium finish!
Jacob Choge's 23:22 led Vincent Kiprop's 23:26 and Gil Kigen's 23:34--fast times all!
Marta Freitas ran unattached, and won the Women's 6K by 30 seconds!
Her 19:53 was well clear of Brenda Kigen's 20:23.
But maybe the best result came way back in 262nd place!
(There were 280 finishers!)
Kayla Montgomery has returned to competition after a long lay-off following a serious relapse of her Multiple Sclerosis in the fall of 2015!
Her time of 26:16 (close to 7:00 per Mile pace!) is NOT impressive, UNTIL you remember that many MS victims can't even walk without use of a walker--and many need a wheelchair!
I hope this marks just the beginning of a huge comeback for this incredible woman!!
The Penn State races found Hassan Abdi's 25:12 and Bella Burda's 20:20 leading the way!
The Nuttycombe "B" races were won by Luis Vargas in 23:41 and Vallery Korir in 20:37!
Vargas was 57 seconds ahead of the runner-up!!
As for the "A" races---
Ednah Kurgat continued her strong season, her 19:23 winning by 16 seconds ahead of Grayson Murphy---who is unknown to me---or was!!
GB's Charlotte Taylor finished 3rd in 19:40, with Alice Wright's 19:45 edging Weronika Pyzik's 19:46 for 4th!
Pyzik is another "find" of this Collegiate XC season!!
Some big names finished further back--
Bethan Knights was 8th in 19:55
Allie Ostrander was 9th in 20:00, but seemed okay with that!
Fiona O'Keefe ended 12th.
Amy Eloise-Neale and Weini Kelati were 14th & 15th in 20:06 and 20:08!
Brie Oakley ran 20:19 in 26th.
Sarah Disanza was just 94th, time of 21:16!
Justyn Knight and Grant Fisher might be THIS close at the NCAA's too!!
They ended a sizzling sprint finish well less than a second apart, Knight edging Fisher, both around 23:39!
But Andy Trouard---another "unknown"!!--was just 2 seconds back, his 23:41 taking 3rd!
As with the Women, several "names" followed---
Aidan Tooker was 10th in 23:53.
Alex Ostberg was 12th, one second back of Tooker!
Jerell Mock was 16th in 23:58.
But Josh Kerr's 24:57 found him in 132nd!
And Noah Affolder's 26:05 was a bit further back--in 217th!!
The other "big" meet from a week ago was the Pre-Nationals!
The "B" races were won by Emmanuel Rotich and Hanna Christiansen.
Rotich's 23:47 was 16 seconds ahead of Austin Tamagno's 2nd place time.
Christiansen ran 20:49.
I mentioned awhile back (a year or two?) that I was impressed by Morgan Coonfield's performances in HS---as she was from McKinleyville (CA), just one town up from my former home in Arcata!
So I'm happy to report that she's running well--as her 7th place time of 21:15 indicates!
The main races produced an upset---of sorts!
Karissa Schweizer has all but been handed the Winner's Trophy for the NCAA's!
But Steeplechaser Elinor Purrier maybe has other ideas!
Schweizer took the lead about halfway through, and held it until Purrier's Miler's kick---um, kicked in!!
She beat the vaunted Schweizer by 1 second--19:28 to 19:29!!
Two others expected to finish high at NCAA's are Dani Jones and Katie Rainsberger.
They were 3rd & 4th here--times of 19:33 and 19:40!
Other top name finishers were---
Charlotte Imer in 5th (19:48)
Caroline Sang 6th (19:57)
Lilli Burdon and Sharon Lokedi--both 20:00 in 7th and 8th
The Drop Sisters of Georgia--Samantha and Jessica, in 13th & 14th (20:06 & 20:07)!!
And in 75th came Destiny Collins, time of 20:59!
The Men's race found Rory Linkletter continuing a strong season--as he won in 23:08!
Peter Seufer was 2nd in 23:10.
It was a tight finish, as Aman Kemboi and Azaria Kirwa were 3rd & 4th in basically the same time--23:11.
Dillon Maggard was next in 23:12, one second ahead of Conner McMillan!
Three stud (former) HS'ers performed well--
Casey Clinger's 23:17 took 7th.
Cooper Teare ran 23:45 in 30th, one second ahead of Reed Brown, who ended 32nd!!
Several HUGE names in Women's HS distance running have graduated, and are now in College!
But have no fear---as there's a slough of "replacements" to excite we rabid fans!!
In fact, some of these young ladies may even make us FORGET such HS greats as Mary Cain, Alexa Efraimson, Sarah Baxter, etc etc!
(Okay, maybe "forget" is a bit hyperbolic!! LOL)
But let's begin with last week's Manhatten Invite in historic Van Cortland Park!
Katelyn Tuohy merely SHATTERED the 2.5 Mile Course Record (13:53 by Jess Lawson in 2015) by 32 seconds!!
Her 13:21 finished ahead of 2nd place by a mere---95 seconds!!!
Not sure where, but Jacqueline Gaughan ran the fastest 5K time of the season--16:48.
(She's another name I'm not familiar with!)
Have any of you watched the full race video (with a SHOUTING announcer blaring out Sarah Baxter's progress toward her (then-) record-shattering run!) from the 2012 Mt SAC Invite??
Please google it.
Makes you wonder what has happened to Ms Baxter these past few years!!
Anyway, you now have Claudia Lane's astounding 15:49 to behold!
Run on a VERY slightly different course (only the very end was changed, due to the Mt SAC track construction--and people have said that the altered course makes maybe a 1 second difference---if any!), Lane broke Baxter's time by 11 seconds!!
And just like Baxter in 2012, she won by a HUGE margin---53 seconds!
(Baxter's margin was about a full minute!)
The Men's race was fast too.
A mouthful of a name--Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau (!!)--won in 14:33.
Colin Fitzgerald was 2nd in 14:40, with Carlos Carvajal's 14:43 taking Bronze.
Back to Katelyn Tuohy again!!
This time--in the Bowdoin race--her 17:28.6 finished 91 seconds ahead of Silver!!
But maybe more interesting is that this was the 3rd fastest time ever run on this course---and that it broke one Mary Cain's Soph Class Course Record!!
With Tuohy and Lane, add London Culbreath, Kelsey Chmeil, and even Grace Ping--and you have the nucleus of another HS Elite Class that might see the HSR's (INdoors & OUTdoors) of Cain, Efraimson, and several others of recent vintage, broken during the 2018 seasons!
(I could probably add 5 or 10 more names to the above list!!)
Call this the "Comebackers Race"!!
Today's Mayor's Cup XC meet in Boston produced not one, but two comeback stories of some note---maybe three!!
Molly Seidel--injured the past year or more--won the 5K race in 16:18.
While 30 seconds back, it was a happy sight seeing Rio's "Fair Play" award winner (Co-winner--with Nikki Hamblin!), Abbey D'Agostino return to action after some SERIOUS surgery in a big way!!
She edged out Chelsea Blaase, whose 16:49 was 3rd, two seconds ahead of Violah Lagat!
Marathon specialist Des Linden ran 16:53 in 5th!
Another "comeback" story is that of Sarah Brown!
If you recall, she had an unexpected pregnancy to deal with prior to Rio, but despite giving birth in March, she ran in the Trials just 3 months later!
But a tweet today (by husband Darren) stated she'd ALSO had a bout with osteoporosis, plus 1 or 2 other problems!!
So her 17:20 time in 13th place bodes well for a possible strong return in 2018!!
The Men's 8K race (WHY this discrepancy in distances run in XC by Men & Women??) saw Ryan Mahalsky's 23:37 beat Tommy Curtin's 23:50!
Julian Oakley was 3rd in 23:57, while former Division III star Ian Lemere was 4th in 24:10.
Speaking of former Div III studs, "retired" Nick Symmonds won a small Half on the Oregon Coast (Newport).
His time of 1:24:17 in his first Half won't exactly scare anybody--but Old St Nick was impressed!
Isn't that what counts??
LOL
Okay, here's MORE "Society" news for you---
Two more "Athlete Babies" arrived--
Lauren Fleshman gave birth to daughter Zadie on October 8th!
And Valerie Adams had daughter Kimoana Josephine Adams-Price (KJAP---sort of the next generation SAFP??? LOL) on October 11th.
New training partners and groups were announced recently--
Kaela Edwards will train in Colorado with Emma Coburn and Aisha Praught-Leer, under the guidance of Coburn's new husband (as of their October 14th wedding in Hawaii!!), Joe Bosshard!!
I don't believe this indicates a switch to the SC, however!!
And Kendra Chambers now has Ajee Wilson and Charlene Lipsey as her new training partners!!
Chambers is represented by Oiselle!
Wilson Kipsang has said he's running the NYC Marathon--after he DNF'ed in Berlin!!
Finally, the venerable Ruth Beitia--Age Records icon--has retired!!
So this means the Age 39 and Age 40 HJ records are safe---unless she changes her mind!!
Most likely, my next post will be immediately following the NYC Marathon!
But next weekend, most of the major Conferences will be having their XC meets!
If results warrant, I MIGHT have a brief report!
See you soon!!
She didn't break any records enroute--as she did when she ran her 64:52 WR in Prague a few months ago--but her 64:51 clipped one second off her astounding WR!
Using a 3 minute per Half slowdown rate, this indicates a potential Marathon time of 2:15:42---just 17 seconds off Paula Radcliffe's WR!
And SOME athletes are capable of sustaining a 2:30-per-Half slowdown rate, which would give Jepkosgei WR potential time of 2:14:42!!
But what can Tirunesh Dibaba--or Almaz Ayana--run?
Jepkosgei's time breaks her own National Record of Kenya, her own Age 23 record, besides her own WR!!
She of course remains 1st A-T World!
Fancy Chemutai was 2nd in a 65:38 PR.
She moves from 9th A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 6th!
Abraham Cheroben won the Men's race in a non-PR of 59:11.
Leul Gebresilase was 2nd in 59:17, four seconds ahead of Fikadu Haftu!
But in 4th came Norway's Sondre Moen!!
His 59:47 is the 3rd fastest non-African Half!!
And it's Norway's National Record, obviously!
The Amsterdam Marathon was won in Course Record time by Lawrence Cherono.
His 2:05:09 was also a PR!
Nobert Kigen was a close 2nd in 2:05:13, with Abraham Kiptum's 2:05:26 taking 3rd.
Tadelech Bekele won the Women's race in 2:21:54.
In today's Toronto Marathon, Philomen Rono's 2:06:52 took 2 seconds off the Canadian Soil record, and was a slight PR!
Early leader Dickson Chumba faded to a shuffle over the last few K's, but still took second!
Well, friends, the Collegiate and High School Championship season is looming into view!
Less than 4 weeks to the NCAA's, and another 2 to 3 weeks for the NXN and Footlocker races!
So let's see what this (and last) weekend has brought us!
The Crimson Classic 8K saw an-all-Kenyan podium finish!
Jacob Choge's 23:22 led Vincent Kiprop's 23:26 and Gil Kigen's 23:34--fast times all!
Marta Freitas ran unattached, and won the Women's 6K by 30 seconds!
Her 19:53 was well clear of Brenda Kigen's 20:23.
But maybe the best result came way back in 262nd place!
(There were 280 finishers!)
Kayla Montgomery has returned to competition after a long lay-off following a serious relapse of her Multiple Sclerosis in the fall of 2015!
Her time of 26:16 (close to 7:00 per Mile pace!) is NOT impressive, UNTIL you remember that many MS victims can't even walk without use of a walker--and many need a wheelchair!
I hope this marks just the beginning of a huge comeback for this incredible woman!!
The Penn State races found Hassan Abdi's 25:12 and Bella Burda's 20:20 leading the way!
The Nuttycombe "B" races were won by Luis Vargas in 23:41 and Vallery Korir in 20:37!
Vargas was 57 seconds ahead of the runner-up!!
As for the "A" races---
Ednah Kurgat continued her strong season, her 19:23 winning by 16 seconds ahead of Grayson Murphy---who is unknown to me---or was!!
GB's Charlotte Taylor finished 3rd in 19:40, with Alice Wright's 19:45 edging Weronika Pyzik's 19:46 for 4th!
Pyzik is another "find" of this Collegiate XC season!!
Some big names finished further back--
Bethan Knights was 8th in 19:55
Allie Ostrander was 9th in 20:00, but seemed okay with that!
Fiona O'Keefe ended 12th.
Amy Eloise-Neale and Weini Kelati were 14th & 15th in 20:06 and 20:08!
Brie Oakley ran 20:19 in 26th.
Sarah Disanza was just 94th, time of 21:16!
Justyn Knight and Grant Fisher might be THIS close at the NCAA's too!!
They ended a sizzling sprint finish well less than a second apart, Knight edging Fisher, both around 23:39!
But Andy Trouard---another "unknown"!!--was just 2 seconds back, his 23:41 taking 3rd!
As with the Women, several "names" followed---
Aidan Tooker was 10th in 23:53.
Alex Ostberg was 12th, one second back of Tooker!
Jerell Mock was 16th in 23:58.
But Josh Kerr's 24:57 found him in 132nd!
And Noah Affolder's 26:05 was a bit further back--in 217th!!
The other "big" meet from a week ago was the Pre-Nationals!
The "B" races were won by Emmanuel Rotich and Hanna Christiansen.
Rotich's 23:47 was 16 seconds ahead of Austin Tamagno's 2nd place time.
Christiansen ran 20:49.
I mentioned awhile back (a year or two?) that I was impressed by Morgan Coonfield's performances in HS---as she was from McKinleyville (CA), just one town up from my former home in Arcata!
So I'm happy to report that she's running well--as her 7th place time of 21:15 indicates!
The main races produced an upset---of sorts!
Karissa Schweizer has all but been handed the Winner's Trophy for the NCAA's!
But Steeplechaser Elinor Purrier maybe has other ideas!
Schweizer took the lead about halfway through, and held it until Purrier's Miler's kick---um, kicked in!!
She beat the vaunted Schweizer by 1 second--19:28 to 19:29!!
Two others expected to finish high at NCAA's are Dani Jones and Katie Rainsberger.
They were 3rd & 4th here--times of 19:33 and 19:40!
Other top name finishers were---
Charlotte Imer in 5th (19:48)
Caroline Sang 6th (19:57)
Lilli Burdon and Sharon Lokedi--both 20:00 in 7th and 8th
The Drop Sisters of Georgia--Samantha and Jessica, in 13th & 14th (20:06 & 20:07)!!
And in 75th came Destiny Collins, time of 20:59!
The Men's race found Rory Linkletter continuing a strong season--as he won in 23:08!
Peter Seufer was 2nd in 23:10.
It was a tight finish, as Aman Kemboi and Azaria Kirwa were 3rd & 4th in basically the same time--23:11.
Dillon Maggard was next in 23:12, one second ahead of Conner McMillan!
Three stud (former) HS'ers performed well--
Casey Clinger's 23:17 took 7th.
Cooper Teare ran 23:45 in 30th, one second ahead of Reed Brown, who ended 32nd!!
Several HUGE names in Women's HS distance running have graduated, and are now in College!
But have no fear---as there's a slough of "replacements" to excite we rabid fans!!
In fact, some of these young ladies may even make us FORGET such HS greats as Mary Cain, Alexa Efraimson, Sarah Baxter, etc etc!
(Okay, maybe "forget" is a bit hyperbolic!! LOL)
But let's begin with last week's Manhatten Invite in historic Van Cortland Park!
Katelyn Tuohy merely SHATTERED the 2.5 Mile Course Record (13:53 by Jess Lawson in 2015) by 32 seconds!!
Her 13:21 finished ahead of 2nd place by a mere---95 seconds!!!
Not sure where, but Jacqueline Gaughan ran the fastest 5K time of the season--16:48.
(She's another name I'm not familiar with!)
Have any of you watched the full race video (with a SHOUTING announcer blaring out Sarah Baxter's progress toward her (then-) record-shattering run!) from the 2012 Mt SAC Invite??
Please google it.
Makes you wonder what has happened to Ms Baxter these past few years!!
Anyway, you now have Claudia Lane's astounding 15:49 to behold!
Run on a VERY slightly different course (only the very end was changed, due to the Mt SAC track construction--and people have said that the altered course makes maybe a 1 second difference---if any!), Lane broke Baxter's time by 11 seconds!!
And just like Baxter in 2012, she won by a HUGE margin---53 seconds!
(Baxter's margin was about a full minute!)
The Men's race was fast too.
A mouthful of a name--Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau (!!)--won in 14:33.
Colin Fitzgerald was 2nd in 14:40, with Carlos Carvajal's 14:43 taking Bronze.
Back to Katelyn Tuohy again!!
This time--in the Bowdoin race--her 17:28.6 finished 91 seconds ahead of Silver!!
But maybe more interesting is that this was the 3rd fastest time ever run on this course---and that it broke one Mary Cain's Soph Class Course Record!!
With Tuohy and Lane, add London Culbreath, Kelsey Chmeil, and even Grace Ping--and you have the nucleus of another HS Elite Class that might see the HSR's (INdoors & OUTdoors) of Cain, Efraimson, and several others of recent vintage, broken during the 2018 seasons!
(I could probably add 5 or 10 more names to the above list!!)
Call this the "Comebackers Race"!!
Today's Mayor's Cup XC meet in Boston produced not one, but two comeback stories of some note---maybe three!!
Molly Seidel--injured the past year or more--won the 5K race in 16:18.
While 30 seconds back, it was a happy sight seeing Rio's "Fair Play" award winner (Co-winner--with Nikki Hamblin!), Abbey D'Agostino return to action after some SERIOUS surgery in a big way!!
She edged out Chelsea Blaase, whose 16:49 was 3rd, two seconds ahead of Violah Lagat!
Marathon specialist Des Linden ran 16:53 in 5th!
Another "comeback" story is that of Sarah Brown!
If you recall, she had an unexpected pregnancy to deal with prior to Rio, but despite giving birth in March, she ran in the Trials just 3 months later!
But a tweet today (by husband Darren) stated she'd ALSO had a bout with osteoporosis, plus 1 or 2 other problems!!
So her 17:20 time in 13th place bodes well for a possible strong return in 2018!!
The Men's 8K race (WHY this discrepancy in distances run in XC by Men & Women??) saw Ryan Mahalsky's 23:37 beat Tommy Curtin's 23:50!
Julian Oakley was 3rd in 23:57, while former Division III star Ian Lemere was 4th in 24:10.
Speaking of former Div III studs, "retired" Nick Symmonds won a small Half on the Oregon Coast (Newport).
His time of 1:24:17 in his first Half won't exactly scare anybody--but Old St Nick was impressed!
Isn't that what counts??
LOL
Okay, here's MORE "Society" news for you---
Two more "Athlete Babies" arrived--
Lauren Fleshman gave birth to daughter Zadie on October 8th!
And Valerie Adams had daughter Kimoana Josephine Adams-Price (KJAP---sort of the next generation SAFP??? LOL) on October 11th.
New training partners and groups were announced recently--
Kaela Edwards will train in Colorado with Emma Coburn and Aisha Praught-Leer, under the guidance of Coburn's new husband (as of their October 14th wedding in Hawaii!!), Joe Bosshard!!
I don't believe this indicates a switch to the SC, however!!
And Kendra Chambers now has Ajee Wilson and Charlene Lipsey as her new training partners!!
Chambers is represented by Oiselle!
Wilson Kipsang has said he's running the NYC Marathon--after he DNF'ed in Berlin!!
Finally, the venerable Ruth Beitia--Age Records icon--has retired!!
So this means the Age 39 and Age 40 HJ records are safe---unless she changes her mind!!
Most likely, my next post will be immediately following the NYC Marathon!
But next weekend, most of the major Conferences will be having their XC meets!
If results warrant, I MIGHT have a brief report!
See you soon!!
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Chicago extends US distance base
At the 13.1 Mile mark of this morning's Chicago Marathon (the 40th edition!), Jordan Hasay was 1 second behind Tirunesh Dibaba--in a pack of 5--who was then on pace to finish in 2:16, the 2nd fastest time in history.
Galen Rupp was jogging past the Half--not even at sub-2:12 pace--but in a much larger pack--between 15 and 20, including the temporary leader, Aaron Braun!
Things started picking up---from 15:30 5K's to 15-flats--after 25K!
This left just Rupp and Abel Kirui left to do battle.
Somewhere in that 10K, Rupp gapped Kirui by 15 seconds!
Then he started running!
A trio of low-4:30 Miles left him free to cruise home--all smiles--to a new PR of 2:09:20!!
Rupp's Halves were 66:06 and 63:14!
He moves from 16th A-T US, tied with 1 other, to 10th!
Kirui finished in 2:09:48, while Bernard Kipyego was 3rd in 2:10:23.
Braun faded to 12th, time of 2:13:41.
But Chris Derrick, in his first 26.2 race, was 9th in 2:12:50.
Andy Bumbalough was 13th in 2:14:04.
After the Half, Dibaba kicked into high gear, blasting away from Hasay--and everyone else--except Brigid Kosgei, a 24 year old whose PR was in the 2:24's!!
Hasay fell off by 21 seconds at 25K, but was still motoring at American Record pace!
However, the next Miles found Hasay slowing, fading to 4th, and no longer endangering Deena Kastor's AR!
She then picked it up a bit, returning to the Bronze position!
Dibaba ended in 2:18:30--her Halves in 68:48 and 69:42!
Not bad for running solo the final 15K, with not even any men around her!
She gets the Age 32 record!
Kosgei took a few minutes off her PR, cutting it to 2:20:22!
This makes her 23rd A-T World!
Hasay fell from her 68:50 first Half all the way to 72:07, but her 2:20:57 cut over two minutes from her Boston debut time of 2:23:00!!
She moves from 5th to 2nd on the A-T US list!
And she misses the newly revised World list by just 30 seconds!!
Maegin Kritchin was the next American, ending 7th in 2:33:41.
Alia Gray was 8th in 2:34:25!
The TV coverage (NBCSN) was generally excellent!
Nice scenes post-finish of Rupp with Alberto Salazar (who looked to be crying!) and Rupp's wife and children!!
Tatyana McFadden won her 8th Chicago Wheelchair race--and 7th consecutive---DESPITE having blood clot surgery earlier this year!!
The Cross Country scene is beginning to show who's who and what's what!
Especially at the Collegiate and HS levels.
Katelyn Tuohy ran 2 solid races in a row!
She won her state champs in 17:16 (5K).
Her brother Patrick won the Men's race in 16:28!
Tuohy would have ended 6th in that race, and 3rd on her brother's team!!
Even more impressive was her latest run--where she ran 14:06.88 over what was said to be a 4500 meter course!!
IF the distance is accurate, and IF she continued apace over the next 500 meters, her 5000 time would've been around 15:40!!
She's just a Sophomore!!!
In a Pennsylvania race, Marlee Starliper ran the fastest 5K course time of the year--16:50!
On the Men's side--in an Ohio race--Zach Kreft ran an impressive 14:30 for 5K!
Dustin Horter was 2nd in 14:37.
They're 1-2 in the US High school ranks!
Lexy Halladay ran 17:20 to take the Nike Portland race!
In North Carolina, Kelsey Chmiel won easily in 16:50.
Second was 36 seconds back!!
The most impressive Men's win goes to Brodey Hasty, a HS'er!
His 15:02 brought him home well in front (2nd was 45 seconds behind!!) of a group of Collegians!
Though, to be fair, these were NOT top-ranked Collegians!
This was in a race at Furman!!
The Notre Dame Invite saw Ednah Kurgat steam through 5K in 16:01.8, beating Alice Wright by 11 seconds!
Dani Jones was 3rd, just behind Wright.
Other big names were Bethan Knights (5th), Weini Kelati (6th), Brie Oakley (12th), Destiny Collins (33rd), and Ryen Frazier (55th)!
The Men's 8K at the Dellinger Invite found Clayton Young winning in 23:42, one second ahead of Rory Linkletter, who was in turn 1 second in front of Connor McMillan!
Casey Clinger was another 3 seconds back, but his 23:47 is a good time for a Freshman!
Alex Ostberg was 6th, with Cooper Teare in 9th, Austin Tamagno in 30th, and 3:59.30 HS Miler Reed Brown--also a Frosh--in 34th!
The Women's race's results showed Katie Rainsberger as having SMASHED the Course Record (6K) with her 18:47!
But when many people finished with massive PR's, UO coach Maurica Powell said the course was short by over 300 meters--proven true!
So NO Course Record---but still an impressive runaway victory by 19 seconds over Lili Burdon!
Amy Eloise-Neale was 6th, with Fiona O'Keefe in 7th, Ella Donaghu 21st, and 800 specialist Brooke Feldmeier back in 107th--and last!!
The Notre Dame Men's 5 Mile (NOT 8K!!) was dominated by Kenyans--Gil Kigen, Vince Kiprop, and Albert Chelanga--all of whom finished in the 23:20's!
BTW, 5 Miles is about 8045 meters!!
The Chile Pepper races went to Alex George (10K in 29:45) and Aminat Olowara (5K in 16:23).
The Louisville KY XC races went to Matthew Baxter in a quick 23:10 and Allie Ostrander, who won by 8 seconds in 16:28.
Tyler Day was just 1 second behind Baxter, with Luis Grijalva 9th in 23:42.
Charlotte Imer was 2nd to Allie O, with Allie Buchalski next in 16:42.
Remember Sarah Disanza--the gal who ran an INdoor 5000 in 15:20 & change a few years ago?
She was 12th in 16:54!
Oh, forgot to mention---one of Ostrander's shoes came loose around 1K.
She finally kicked it off with a K to go!!
Karissa Schweizer won impressively at the Cowboy Jamboree in Oklahoma City.
Her 6K time of 19:56 found her ending 29 seconds in front!!
You might have heard that Emma Coburn had organized a 5K race in her hometown of Crested Butte, Colorado!
Well, it was a success, with Paul Chelimo taking the Men's race in 14:59.
Ian Butler was 2nd in 15:02, with Will Leer 3rd in 15:08.
Elvin Kibet completely dominated the Women's race, her 16:52 finished a full minute & 3 seconds ahead of the runner-up!!
Times slow?
Not so much if you take into account that Crested Butte is at 8900 feet of altitude!!
To wrap up my XC report, let me state that a VERY famous name finished in 5th place in the Men's 10K at the Carleton (MN) Running of the Cross meet!!
Ever hear of John Lennon??
No, not THAT John Lennon---but still...!!!
(He's a Junior at Grinnell College!!)
Speaking of races in Minnesota, I'll close my results report with the Metronic TC 10 Mile Road race!
Shadrack Kipchirchir won it in 47:32, with Len Korir 1 second back, and Emmanuel Bor another sec behind!
Haron Lagat ended next in 47:39.
Sara Hall took the Women's race in 53:41 over Natosha Rogers's 53:45.
Aliphine Tuliamuk was 3rd in 53:49.
Interesting trivia note--
This was a handicapped race, with the Women supposed to start 6:18 before the Men, with a $10,000 bonus to the overall winner!
At first, it was reported that Korir had won the cash---even though he was 2nd man!!--a mistake by the officials!
But that wasn't the only error!
You see, the Women started with just 6:10 headstart--NOT the 6:18!
Thus, Hall finally took home the $10 grand---although I've heard that Kipchirchir (??) also was allowed to keep his bonus!
(Let's Run people discovered the time error!!)
Oops, forgot one more race!
The Cardiff (Wales) Half saw John Lotiang winning the Men's race in 60:42.
The Women's race went to Edith Chelimo, who took about 3 minutes off her PR, running 65:52!
It's the Age 31 record!
She's now 9th A-T World, tied with 1 other!
Cut OFF my Half list was a real icon of the sport--Ingrid Kristiansen!!
Her 66:40 from 1987 was then the World Record!!
Okay, folks!
I don't want to turn this blog into a "Society" column---reporting on weddings, divorces, births, etc!
But when the wedding count moves into overdrive, you take notice!
Since the (former) Weeks twins (Tori & Lexi) began this trend with July & August weddings, respectively, there have been a few others, with yet one more soon to be!
I already reported on Phoebe Wright getting hitched!
Melissa Bishop--Canadian 800 star--wed a Nigerian man she met in College--Osi Nriagu, a former LJ'er while in college!
Kyle Merber joined the party--his wedding taking place in Ireland!
Don't know her name, or if she's Irish!
And of course, Emma Coburn will be marrying her long-time sweetheart (and current coach!) Joe Bosshard in a few days!!
While I'm at it, have I already told you that Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce (SAFP) gave birth to a son on August 7th??
(She's reportedly to begin training for 2018 sometime this month!!)
Jessica Ennis-Hill joined THAT party, as she had her child just last week!!
(And remember, Valerie Adams is due to give birth in November!!
And that IS a wrap!!
(Now less than 6 weeks to the first INdoor meet of any significance!!)
Galen Rupp was jogging past the Half--not even at sub-2:12 pace--but in a much larger pack--between 15 and 20, including the temporary leader, Aaron Braun!
Things started picking up---from 15:30 5K's to 15-flats--after 25K!
This left just Rupp and Abel Kirui left to do battle.
Somewhere in that 10K, Rupp gapped Kirui by 15 seconds!
Then he started running!
A trio of low-4:30 Miles left him free to cruise home--all smiles--to a new PR of 2:09:20!!
Rupp's Halves were 66:06 and 63:14!
He moves from 16th A-T US, tied with 1 other, to 10th!
Kirui finished in 2:09:48, while Bernard Kipyego was 3rd in 2:10:23.
Braun faded to 12th, time of 2:13:41.
But Chris Derrick, in his first 26.2 race, was 9th in 2:12:50.
Andy Bumbalough was 13th in 2:14:04.
After the Half, Dibaba kicked into high gear, blasting away from Hasay--and everyone else--except Brigid Kosgei, a 24 year old whose PR was in the 2:24's!!
Hasay fell off by 21 seconds at 25K, but was still motoring at American Record pace!
However, the next Miles found Hasay slowing, fading to 4th, and no longer endangering Deena Kastor's AR!
She then picked it up a bit, returning to the Bronze position!
Dibaba ended in 2:18:30--her Halves in 68:48 and 69:42!
Not bad for running solo the final 15K, with not even any men around her!
She gets the Age 32 record!
Kosgei took a few minutes off her PR, cutting it to 2:20:22!
This makes her 23rd A-T World!
Hasay fell from her 68:50 first Half all the way to 72:07, but her 2:20:57 cut over two minutes from her Boston debut time of 2:23:00!!
She moves from 5th to 2nd on the A-T US list!
And she misses the newly revised World list by just 30 seconds!!
Maegin Kritchin was the next American, ending 7th in 2:33:41.
Alia Gray was 8th in 2:34:25!
The TV coverage (NBCSN) was generally excellent!
Nice scenes post-finish of Rupp with Alberto Salazar (who looked to be crying!) and Rupp's wife and children!!
Tatyana McFadden won her 8th Chicago Wheelchair race--and 7th consecutive---DESPITE having blood clot surgery earlier this year!!
The Cross Country scene is beginning to show who's who and what's what!
Especially at the Collegiate and HS levels.
Katelyn Tuohy ran 2 solid races in a row!
She won her state champs in 17:16 (5K).
Her brother Patrick won the Men's race in 16:28!
Tuohy would have ended 6th in that race, and 3rd on her brother's team!!
Even more impressive was her latest run--where she ran 14:06.88 over what was said to be a 4500 meter course!!
IF the distance is accurate, and IF she continued apace over the next 500 meters, her 5000 time would've been around 15:40!!
She's just a Sophomore!!!
In a Pennsylvania race, Marlee Starliper ran the fastest 5K course time of the year--16:50!
On the Men's side--in an Ohio race--Zach Kreft ran an impressive 14:30 for 5K!
Dustin Horter was 2nd in 14:37.
They're 1-2 in the US High school ranks!
Lexy Halladay ran 17:20 to take the Nike Portland race!
In North Carolina, Kelsey Chmiel won easily in 16:50.
Second was 36 seconds back!!
The most impressive Men's win goes to Brodey Hasty, a HS'er!
His 15:02 brought him home well in front (2nd was 45 seconds behind!!) of a group of Collegians!
Though, to be fair, these were NOT top-ranked Collegians!
This was in a race at Furman!!
The Notre Dame Invite saw Ednah Kurgat steam through 5K in 16:01.8, beating Alice Wright by 11 seconds!
Dani Jones was 3rd, just behind Wright.
Other big names were Bethan Knights (5th), Weini Kelati (6th), Brie Oakley (12th), Destiny Collins (33rd), and Ryen Frazier (55th)!
The Men's 8K at the Dellinger Invite found Clayton Young winning in 23:42, one second ahead of Rory Linkletter, who was in turn 1 second in front of Connor McMillan!
Casey Clinger was another 3 seconds back, but his 23:47 is a good time for a Freshman!
Alex Ostberg was 6th, with Cooper Teare in 9th, Austin Tamagno in 30th, and 3:59.30 HS Miler Reed Brown--also a Frosh--in 34th!
The Women's race's results showed Katie Rainsberger as having SMASHED the Course Record (6K) with her 18:47!
But when many people finished with massive PR's, UO coach Maurica Powell said the course was short by over 300 meters--proven true!
So NO Course Record---but still an impressive runaway victory by 19 seconds over Lili Burdon!
Amy Eloise-Neale was 6th, with Fiona O'Keefe in 7th, Ella Donaghu 21st, and 800 specialist Brooke Feldmeier back in 107th--and last!!
The Notre Dame Men's 5 Mile (NOT 8K!!) was dominated by Kenyans--Gil Kigen, Vince Kiprop, and Albert Chelanga--all of whom finished in the 23:20's!
BTW, 5 Miles is about 8045 meters!!
The Chile Pepper races went to Alex George (10K in 29:45) and Aminat Olowara (5K in 16:23).
The Louisville KY XC races went to Matthew Baxter in a quick 23:10 and Allie Ostrander, who won by 8 seconds in 16:28.
Tyler Day was just 1 second behind Baxter, with Luis Grijalva 9th in 23:42.
Charlotte Imer was 2nd to Allie O, with Allie Buchalski next in 16:42.
Remember Sarah Disanza--the gal who ran an INdoor 5000 in 15:20 & change a few years ago?
She was 12th in 16:54!
Oh, forgot to mention---one of Ostrander's shoes came loose around 1K.
She finally kicked it off with a K to go!!
Karissa Schweizer won impressively at the Cowboy Jamboree in Oklahoma City.
Her 6K time of 19:56 found her ending 29 seconds in front!!
You might have heard that Emma Coburn had organized a 5K race in her hometown of Crested Butte, Colorado!
Well, it was a success, with Paul Chelimo taking the Men's race in 14:59.
Ian Butler was 2nd in 15:02, with Will Leer 3rd in 15:08.
Elvin Kibet completely dominated the Women's race, her 16:52 finished a full minute & 3 seconds ahead of the runner-up!!
Times slow?
Not so much if you take into account that Crested Butte is at 8900 feet of altitude!!
To wrap up my XC report, let me state that a VERY famous name finished in 5th place in the Men's 10K at the Carleton (MN) Running of the Cross meet!!
Ever hear of John Lennon??
No, not THAT John Lennon---but still...!!!
(He's a Junior at Grinnell College!!)
Speaking of races in Minnesota, I'll close my results report with the Metronic TC 10 Mile Road race!
Shadrack Kipchirchir won it in 47:32, with Len Korir 1 second back, and Emmanuel Bor another sec behind!
Haron Lagat ended next in 47:39.
Sara Hall took the Women's race in 53:41 over Natosha Rogers's 53:45.
Aliphine Tuliamuk was 3rd in 53:49.
Interesting trivia note--
This was a handicapped race, with the Women supposed to start 6:18 before the Men, with a $10,000 bonus to the overall winner!
At first, it was reported that Korir had won the cash---even though he was 2nd man!!--a mistake by the officials!
But that wasn't the only error!
You see, the Women started with just 6:10 headstart--NOT the 6:18!
Thus, Hall finally took home the $10 grand---although I've heard that Kipchirchir (??) also was allowed to keep his bonus!
(Let's Run people discovered the time error!!)
Oops, forgot one more race!
The Cardiff (Wales) Half saw John Lotiang winning the Men's race in 60:42.
The Women's race went to Edith Chelimo, who took about 3 minutes off her PR, running 65:52!
It's the Age 31 record!
She's now 9th A-T World, tied with 1 other!
Cut OFF my Half list was a real icon of the sport--Ingrid Kristiansen!!
Her 66:40 from 1987 was then the World Record!!
Okay, folks!
I don't want to turn this blog into a "Society" column---reporting on weddings, divorces, births, etc!
But when the wedding count moves into overdrive, you take notice!
Since the (former) Weeks twins (Tori & Lexi) began this trend with July & August weddings, respectively, there have been a few others, with yet one more soon to be!
I already reported on Phoebe Wright getting hitched!
Melissa Bishop--Canadian 800 star--wed a Nigerian man she met in College--Osi Nriagu, a former LJ'er while in college!
Kyle Merber joined the party--his wedding taking place in Ireland!
Don't know her name, or if she's Irish!
And of course, Emma Coburn will be marrying her long-time sweetheart (and current coach!) Joe Bosshard in a few days!!
While I'm at it, have I already told you that Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce (SAFP) gave birth to a son on August 7th??
(She's reportedly to begin training for 2018 sometime this month!!)
Jessica Ennis-Hill joined THAT party, as she had her child just last week!!
(And remember, Valerie Adams is due to give birth in November!!
And that IS a wrap!!
(Now less than 6 weeks to the first INdoor meet of any significance!!)
Thursday, October 5, 2017
T&F's Characters--The Videos
Are you a Social Media--or You Tube--or just an Internet junkie?
Some of these are "professionally" done--as in Carrie Tollefson's "C Tolle Run" videos and her audio podcasts!
For me, I think it began with "Catching Kayla", the ESPN 60 video about MS victim Kayla Montgomery!
Lolo Jones kept putting out videos of herself in funny situations!
Emma Abrahamson---a mid-class (16 minute 5K's) distance runner at Oregon--has just posted several "Day in the Life" vids of the Ducks XC team---the Women, but showing some of the guys!
UO Coach Maurica Powell says she approves of & likes them, but doesn't do Social Media herself!
Of course, there have been several movies made which are basically extended videos.
Documentaries like "Fire On the Track" about Prefontaine, or "We Grew Wings" about the 1985 & 2011 Women's UO teams!
But these are less spontaneous, more planned & plotted out than, say, Abrahamson's vids!
During the recent World Championships in London, Natasha Hastings turned out a few of her "Tea Time" videos!
These are basically Skype-type vids showing "Tasha" talking to the screen and holding intimate conversations with some of her friends---Allyson Felix, Jenna Prandini, Sharika Nelvis, Eric Kynard, Tianna Bartoletta, Kellie Welles (She has a married name now--can't recall it offhand!), and others!
A few of these were longer than an hour, and were as informal as you could get!
In case you haven't noticed, all of the above are by and/or about Women!!
Part of this may be due to my own predilections---I love women!!
But I also can't think of any MEN in our sport who have produced these types of videos!!
One "candidate" to do so might be Kyle Merber!
His Tweets are funny and honest--two ingredients that make us who we are!!
But are guys's make-up compatible with making self-deprecating style videos, showing their own "silly" side?
(Or even a sometime casual viewer!)
Then you probably have noticed an increase in the number of videos (lasting anywhere from a few seconds to an hour or more) being produced & posted by various Track & Field athletes!
As Usain Bolt's final (??) year of racing ended, talk abounded as to whether the sport could survive withOUT such a Mega-Star!
As Usain Bolt's final (??) year of racing ended, talk abounded as to whether the sport could survive withOUT such a Mega-Star!
Forget the "GOAT" discussions! WR's get broken---and SOMEday---Bolt's 9.58 & 19.19 will be surpassed!
No, I'm talking of a personality that more "austere" sports (baseball, golf, football) doesn't allow, or at least downplays!
Sport is "SERIOUS"---a "life or death" battle---can't be funny, can't be "different"!!
BULLSHIT!!
T&F keeps turning out "characters"--even if those dull NBC post-event interviews just bore you silly, and fail to show this spirited side of our elite athletes!
But turn to Twitter, and---as I have---you will find several examples of T&F athletes BEING human---offering unusual talents, a "all work & no play makes Jack a dull boy" mentality that might surprise you!
No, I'm talking of a personality that more "austere" sports (baseball, golf, football) doesn't allow, or at least downplays!
Sport is "SERIOUS"---a "life or death" battle---can't be funny, can't be "different"!!
BULLSHIT!!
T&F keeps turning out "characters"--even if those dull NBC post-event interviews just bore you silly, and fail to show this spirited side of our elite athletes!
But turn to Twitter, and---as I have---you will find several examples of T&F athletes BEING human---offering unusual talents, a "all work & no play makes Jack a dull boy" mentality that might surprise you!
Some of these are "professionally" done--as in Carrie Tollefson's "C Tolle Run" videos and her audio podcasts!
There are biographical informational vids showing athletes in training, with their coaches telling us how they're doing.
For me, I think it began with "Catching Kayla", the ESPN 60 video about MS victim Kayla Montgomery!
It made me cry, as it did Shalane Flanagan and many others!
Lolo Jones kept putting out videos of herself in funny situations!
I remember her InstaGram (??) vids when she was recovering from surgery!
There were those Flotrack vids (not all of them free!!)--their "Driven" series--especially the ones about Alexa Efraimson!
Sandi Morris showed her quirky side with videos showing her with her pet snakes!!
Sandi Morris showed her quirky side with videos showing her with her pet snakes!!
Then she put out some REALLY funny vids about stupid things people say to PV'ers!
And now she's turning out music videos, with her singing and playing acoustic guitar!
She is TALENTED!!
(Surely as good as Brigetta Barrett, another whose singing vids went viral!)
(Surely as good as Brigetta Barrett, another whose singing vids went viral!)
Emma Abrahamson---a mid-class (16 minute 5K's) distance runner at Oregon--has just posted several "Day in the Life" vids of the Ducks XC team---the Women, but showing some of the guys!
UO Coach Maurica Powell says she approves of & likes them, but doesn't do Social Media herself!
Of course, there have been several movies made which are basically extended videos.
Documentaries like "Fire On the Track" about Prefontaine, or "We Grew Wings" about the 1985 & 2011 Women's UO teams!
But these are less spontaneous, more planned & plotted out than, say, Abrahamson's vids!
During the recent World Championships in London, Natasha Hastings turned out a few of her "Tea Time" videos!
These are basically Skype-type vids showing "Tasha" talking to the screen and holding intimate conversations with some of her friends---Allyson Felix, Jenna Prandini, Sharika Nelvis, Eric Kynard, Tianna Bartoletta, Kellie Welles (She has a married name now--can't recall it offhand!), and others!
A few of these were longer than an hour, and were as informal as you could get!
In case you haven't noticed, all of the above are by and/or about Women!!
Part of this may be due to my own predilections---I love women!!
But I also can't think of any MEN in our sport who have produced these types of videos!!
One "candidate" to do so might be Kyle Merber!
His Tweets are funny and honest--two ingredients that make us who we are!!
But are guys's make-up compatible with making self-deprecating style videos, showing their own "silly" side?
(And is it sexist for me to believe that Women can, and do, better & more often than Men??)
If Seb Coe and other powerful "Athletics" execs want to change our sport "for the better", they might want to check out all of the above!!
He (they) will see current elite athletes as the "entertainers" they are---just like Usain was & is!!
BTW, while I've focused here on the visual (& audio, in the case of Carrie's podcasts), I strongly recommend you READ some VERY well-written, and informative, and funny, and serious, and PERSONAL (read "intimate"!!) blogs!
(Besides mine, that is!! LOL)
Start with Phoebe Wright!
Then add Lauren Fleshman.
He (they) will see current elite athletes as the "entertainers" they are---just like Usain was & is!!
BTW, while I've focused here on the visual (& audio, in the case of Carrie's podcasts), I strongly recommend you READ some VERY well-written, and informative, and funny, and serious, and PERSONAL (read "intimate"!!) blogs!
(Besides mine, that is!! LOL)
Start with Phoebe Wright!
Then add Lauren Fleshman.
And more recently, Morolake Akinosun and Tianna Bartoletta!
Speaking of the latter, I'm seeing Tianna's as the most LITERARY--at least in the way she presents her thoughts on the page.
It's like a poem come to life---ABOUT a life, a person, a human being!
As a writer, I've always seen the written word as being more than just the message of its words & sentences--it's in the FORM it's presented to us on the page!!
Speaking of the latter, I'm seeing Tianna's as the most LITERARY--at least in the way she presents her thoughts on the page.
It's like a poem come to life---ABOUT a life, a person, a human being!
As a writer, I've always seen the written word as being more than just the message of its words & sentences--it's in the FORM it's presented to us on the page!!
Form can add power & depth to what are just gray-type words!
And Ms Bartoletta--of the ones I've read-- does it best!!
So watch, listen, read!
And Ms Bartoletta--of the ones I've read-- does it best!!
So watch, listen, read!
And discover a whole new side to our athletes!!
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