Four years ago I watched the women’s 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials race on television and, noting that a few of them were over the age of 40, thought maybe. Maybe. About six months later, when I ran a 3:19, I again thought maybe. Maybe. I embarked on the pursuit of a 2:46 marathon time, believing [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, olympics, racing, travel | Tagged: 2012 olympic marathon trials, jaymee marty, ruth perkins, susan loken | 6 Comments »
This year was not about racing, training, injury or mileage. It was about survival, observation, change, trust and taking risks. I ended 2010 with some resolutions. I didn’t do half bad at sticking to them. With the exception of Facebook. January I started the year by attempting to let go of all plans and expectations. [...]
Filed under: coaching, eating, elites, everyday life, humor, injury, inspiration, ny harriers, olympics, podcast, racing, training | 1 Comment »
Now we’re in the home stretch. There’s a month to go before my goal 5K race in Houston over Olympic Marathon Trials weekend. The emphasis now is on (in this order): Staying uninjured Making tweaks to training to address weaknesses Determining what a reasonable goal pace would be I’ve managed to remain uninjured since July. [...]
Filed under: ny harriers, olympics, racing, shoes, training | 5 Comments »
It’s come to my attention that a lot of people whom I kind of — but don’t really, but would like to — know are going to be descending upon Houston over Olympic Marathon Trials weekend. Since I just got turned down for a media credential, plus I’m only racing the 5K (although I will [...]
Filed under: elites, olympics, racing, travel | 4 Comments »
Jenny (Barringer) Simpson’s running résumé is so impressive that it’s difficult to choose among the highlights. A 2008 Olympian in the 3000m steeplechase, breaker of numerous collegiate records and one American record, and, most recently, gold medalist in the 1500m at worlds — the first American woman to win gold in that event since Mary [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, meets, olympics, racing, shoes | 6 Comments »
I interviewed Shannon Rowbury at last year’s Fifth Avenue Mile. This year she was as gracious and candid as she was a year ago. Rowbury was on the comeback trail for virtually all of 2011 after struggling with injuries, which were a central topic in our conversation last year. Rowbury finished seventh in the 2011 [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, inspiration, olympics, racing | Tagged: fifth avenue mile, nyrr | Leave a Comment »
Sally Kipyego, 26, originally from Kapsowar, Kenya, established herself as a standout runner at Texas Tech, becoming the first runner to win three consecutive women’s titles in the NCAA Division 1 championships, among other collegiate distinctions. But you probably recognize her more recently as having won Silver in the 10K at Daegu. She’s something of [...]
Filed under: elites, inspiration, olympics, racing | Tagged: fifth avenue mile, nyrr | 2 Comments »
Today I had the pleasure of sitting in on a NYRR press (tele)conference with Lauren Fleshman and another 5000 champion, Bobby Curtis (whom I met at last year’s Healthy Kidney 10K). Both runners were there to announce that they’ll be making their marathon debuts at the New York Marathon in November. I only got to [...]
Filed under: elites, injury, olympics | Tagged: 2012 summer olympics, 5k, daegu, elliptigo, paula radcliffe, USATF | 4 Comments »
It’s a Saturday morning in September and for the last hour I’ve been staring at the back of Khalid Khannouchi’s head. We’re being coached through a workout in the deep end of a 25m pool in Briarcliff, New York. Directing us is Sandra Khannouchi, Khalid’s coach, manager and wife of over 14 years. She’s in [...]
Filed under: coaching, eating, elites, everyday life, injury, inspiration, olympics, racing, strength training, training | Tagged: dathan ritzenhein, haile gebrselassie, khalid khannouchi, meb keflezighi, paul tergat, sandra khannouchi | 15 Comments »
I have a giant list of writing-related project to dos (plus some podcast prep stuff). But most of them are so daunting. I haven’t got it in me today. This fucking head cold is still here. It abated for a bit last night, but it’s back with a vengeance this morning. I spent three hours [...]
Filed under: elites, inspiration, ny harriers, olympics, racing, reading | Tagged: houston hopefuls, jen hitchings, julie wankowski, khalid khannouchi, molly huddle, running times | Leave a Comment »
