The best runners are athletes. Sand and Strength. Percy Cerutty-like training.
British columnist asks why the IAAF continues to honor the steroid drenched world records. Link.
There is no purpose in work unless it absorbs you, like an absorbing game. If it doesn't absorb you, if it is never fun, don’t do it. ~Coach D.H. Lawrence
Fascinating new findings on study habits. Story.
How to discourage volunteers. Story.
Why Trainers Say, 'Slow Down'
Pro football. There's a stench of facism in the partnership between government and the owners. Who pays?
Dave Wottle, Bowling Green, and The Age of Innocence.
Our spy was again at COC for the Tuesday night track workout, and writes: "The cart was on the track again, but their workout seemed a bit mellower. still a lot of yelling - didn't hear too many F-bombs. Football is always so much more important than other sports."
So what is it about football with the culture of swearing? It's a macho thing, like boot camp (at least when I was there in the 60s) the idea being to shock guys, to, in a sense, divorce them from the kindly world of parents and other nurturing forces. But is it really necessary? Runners are frequently naughty and profane, but I can't imagine any runner tolerating such verbal abuse from a coach.
Man up
I now own a Concept II rower. Though I've never rowed competitively, I've always wanted one, it being a necessity, the gold standard in rowing as spikes and intervals on the track are in running. And, who knows, maybe training on it might help my waning running talent. Consider. ...BTW, one of the best books I've ever read on sport is The Amateurs
How the 1960 Olympics Changed America. It also changed distance running forever. It was then that we first learned about Lydiard, Cerutty, and Bekila. Read.
Swing sets are too dangerous. Story.
Cheers for all the Santa Claritians competing today at the Fullerton Invite.
Deena Kastor answers your running questions. Link.
For most of us, for training, it doesn't get better than going The Long Way.
If slower running times and the scale aren't enough motivation, perhaps we need a Personal Activity Monitor to get us moving. I read that information is available via most smartphones and apps.. More.
Kaylin Mahoney is ranked 21st in the nation. Link.
Thanks, Erik, for the results in Comments.
Thanks, Isamu, for the Fullerton Invite photos.
Master's College coach Zach Schroeder writes: he Mustangs opened up their 2010 Cross Country season today at the Fullerton Opener, hosted by Cal State Fullerton at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea, CA. Today’s race was one for the record books for TMC’s women’s squad, as freshman Hannah Kellerman of Minnesota raced to the front of the pack on the 6k course. UCLA’s top four women took out the race, followed by Kellerman leading the chase pack. Kellerman ran a tough race on a tough course comprised of several sections of thick grass and loose sand. Finishing 9th place overall, with a time of 22: 55, Hannah was bested only by athletes from division I UCLA and Long Beach State; Kellerman put all athletes from the GSAC Conference behind her. This is the highest individual finish the Mustang women have had in a division I race.
Not far behind Kellerman was freshman Hayley Parkinson of Canyon High School. A fierce competitor, just coming off a senior year of high school plagued by injury, Parkinson looked incredibly sharp her first race back. Parkinson finished 34th, with a time of 23:52, among a large field of 219 female athletes. Look for Parkinson to continue to race down the front of her competition as the season progresses.
Sophomore Sarah Pattison also had a solid performance on the 6k course. The lady Mustangs finished 15th place as a team, in spite of the absence of sophomore scorer Erika Pizzo, who sat the day out due to injury. The remaining four athletes from the women’s squad were all freshman making their collegiate debuts; all four ran very well, and are expected to continue to improve and contribute throughout the season.
On the men’s side, racing against division I competition, and the likes of a new and much improved UCLA distance program, John Gilbertson of TMC turned the heads of the crowd as he put the entire field of collegiate competition behind him. The 1st collegiate athlete to cross the line, Gilbertson completed the 8k course with a time of 25:42. Racing a very tactically sound race, Gilbertson ran the majority of the race in the midst of UCLA’s top five. Making surges at strategic points on the course, Gilbertson began to drop the UCLA men one by one. Coming through the finish line, Gilbertson had a lead of more than 50 meters on UCLA’s number one runner.
As a team, the Mustang men were without three of their top five. Competing today for the Master’s men was a predominantly rookie squad, in what was for many their first time racing 8k. Soon to return to competition for TMC are 2010 Marathon National Champion Jeff Jackson, All GSAC Anthony Pizzo, and freshman standout Paul Jesson from Royal High School. As the Mustangs bring out their entire squad later in the season, watch for what will be one of the strongest forces in the Nation on November 20th.
Women's results: Here.
Men's results: Here
Brando's Blog has more here.
Nutritional food for runners. Link.
How long does it take to benefit/recover from a hard workout? Link.
Does drinking fluids keep you cool? Link.
On the perils of cyclists, motorists, and walkers/runners. Story.
Bruin frosh women rated #4 in the NCAA. Video. ...Shannon looks very fit and will have an outstanding season.
The Signal reports on a Newhall church janitor chasing down and collaring a thief. Twice. Story. It reminds me of another gutsy vigilante in Venice, with more guts than you and me. Story. Years ago and rarely, I'd get caught up in such stuff. Such an adrenalin rush! The odd thing about such activities is that I've usually avoided fights, and hence, during a pursuit, I'd wonder, What if the jerk turns around and wants to tangle or has a weapon? Oddly, that never happened. A local Deputy once told me to assume everyone in Santa Clarita is packing. In one confrontation, a guy was. He was an off-duty Deputy hell-bent to get his family to an Easter service and just missed hitting my pardner, running in cross walk. I chased him down on Bouquet, in front of Albertson's, and observed to him that he was a maniac, jerk... In reply, channeling Clint Eastwood, he showed me his gun and asked what was I gonna do about it. I let the perp go.
Q&A with Robby Andrews The guy has wheels. Last year, a freshman, he slayed Wheating several times in the 800.
Best carbs for runners. Link.
Go Shannon! Link.
Update on Brianna and Keri. Here.
Do you need a form makeover? Consider. Most of us could benefit with an on-going program, or at least a yearly check up, under the eyes of an experienced coach. Pat Connelly is very, very good on form.
Steve Magness' journey as a runner, coach, and student in physiology. Link. Check out his blog.
Brother Colm O'Connell might be the best running coach ever. Link.
Meet twin trouble, Joe and Jim Rosa. Story. Sixteen mile training runs in the hills? Is that what you do when you're good, or what you do to get good?
Sprouts arrives. See here and here.
Should a public college, supported by taxapyers, pay an A.D. three times more the the Prisident of the United States, a softball coach a quarter million per year? Story.
Good read: Brando's Blog
Ditto: The Master's XC
The Week That Was
With a right arm paralyzed from the shoulder down, Jason Lester raced the 2008 Ironman World Championship. More.
A great coach is honored: Roy Griak
We thought skinny sorts were the model. Consider.
Fignon suspected the performance drugs caused his cancer. Obituary.
What does it take for females to get that scholarship? Link.
Ryan Hall: Perfect Moments
University of North Carolina does a tempo run on a dirt trail, next to paved trail. Video. Many locals would like to have the dirt trail option.
Should we stretch before running? Story.
It's the long run that puts the tiger in the cat. ~Bill Squires. More.
A Typical Training Week for Coach Jay Johnson's Elites. Link.
Science of Sports considers the two-hour marathon. Link.
How can the older athlete retain muscle mass? Story.
Caster Semenya unfazed by gender questions. Story. A conundrum. The IAAF says Caster can compete as a female, though the public is denied the medical evidence as to her gender. Competitors will seethe and fans will always wonder and question. ...New gender testing possible. Peek.
Laurent Fignon is dead at 50. RIP. Link. That 1989 time trial contest with LeMond was incredible. Fignon was on drugs and LeMond had the technology.
Ultramarathoning at Himalayan heights. Here. Quien es mas macho?
Tim Layden: Over RATED (Pre) and Under RATED (Steve Scott). Link.
Beware concussions, especially in youth. Story. It's a no-brainer.
For better nutrition... Story.
A big, slobberey, wet kiss for Marion Jones. Well, sure, she's sorry.
Yesterday we went to the Getty. Saw this. It really was spectacular. Who knew? His life-like sculptures are beyond excellent. My favorite painting, though hardly his best, was Lion on the Lookout. Gerome was crazy about lions, in part, he allowed, become his middle name is lion. Later in life, he bought a lion retired from a Paris zoo. See Photo Gallery. Especially if you've never been there, spend some quality time at the Getty, and take your spouse and kids.
How long can the elite female athlete defer motherhood? Story
It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, 'always do what you are afraid to do.' ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
When 'nope to dope" meant "no to sports' Link. What price glory to body and soul? That's still the question, then, now, and always..
Rudishi breaks his own WR and Symmonds PRs, while Lagat breaks the 3000 AR, with Solinsky recording a PR. Results. And more.
DyestatCal ranks the Valencia girls #72 in the state. Link.
Imagine you were in a race up Mt. Whitney (7851' to 14,500') against some of the best in the world. Racing the Pikes Peak Ascent (7815' to 14,505') is about the same. Link. Guts plus.
Women's tennis. The Beauty of the Power Game.
Mike Sandrock on running and meditation. Link.
OF digital depression.
Is the college sports bubble about to burst? Story. And pro sports too?
