Around the World

On Friday, Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia ran 2:04:23 to win the Dubai Marathon in his debut at the distance. He led an Ethiopian sweep of the podium, as four runners broke the 2:05:00 mark, with a remarkable 13 runners inside of 2 hours, 8 minutes. Ethiopians comprised all but one of the top 10 positions, as Kenyan Jonathan Maiyo slotted into 4th (2:04:56). Abshero negative split the race, running 2:02:22 for the first half, and covering the last 21.1km in 2:02:01. Interestingly, Martin Lel was in the race, was dropped before 30k, but finished, crossing the line in 2:34:57.

The women's race was a similar story: Ethiopian domination as 6 of the top 10 spots went to runners from the east African nation, including the winner, Aselefech Mergia Medessa. The defending champ, she set a Course Record, stopping the clock at 2:19:31, just 3 seconds ahead of Kenyan Lucy Kabuu. The top 3 women were all under 2:20:00, and 10 women broke 2:26.

Two things stand out from this race:

1. Considering how dominant Kenyans were last year at the marathon, this is an great result for Ethiopia early in the Olympic year.

2. It brings up the debate we had last April: what is it going to take to see women run fast times?
The answer to that question is: about a million dollars.

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, held in the oil-rich UAE, features a huge purse ($250k top M/F, money 10 deep), and as such, can command a field of comparable quality. As they say in The Wire, "follow the money." But, as Brennan might say, "I hate when the money's there."

With that kind of payday on the line, the fact that a "21 year old" first-time marathoner was able to win is incredible. Setting a Course Record is even more impressive. This race is no stranger to quick times, Haile Gebrselassie won here in 2008, 2009, and 2010, running the previous CR (2:04:53) in 2008. He returned to Dubai to break the World Record, but could never match his 2008 result. In 2009 he ran 2:05:29, and in 2010 he ran 2:06:09. Only last year's champion, Kenya's David Tumo, was even close to Geb's 2010 time, running a 2:07:18. On Friday, 2:06:29 would have earned you 10th place.  There were 13 runners under 2:08, and 17 under 2:10.  Imagine running that fast and not getting paid?  In all of America's running history, 17 men have run faster than 2:10.  Incredible.

Not only is this a great boost for Ethiopian marathoners, but it sets 2012 up to be another banner year globally for the distance.

Americans Take Flight in Houston

I'm pretty sure the Kenyans and Ethiopians aren't too concerned with the US Marathon Trials, I doubt they watch much television, but both the men's and women's races in Houston served as notice that maybe they shouldn't be counted out just yet.  While the times are not as eye-popping as the Dubai results, a few things should be considered:

1) This was a race comprised solely of Americans.  2 of the top 4 finishers ran PRs, and, for the first time ever, 4 men were under 2:10 at an Olympic Trials race.  Not only that, but there were a number of superb marathon debuts in the field.  Same for the women, PRs for a few (albeit, Shalane and Kara have together only run a couple of marathons) and a fast race.

2) It was a winner-takes-all event.  You never really know the effect of tactics when you're fighting for a spot on a team, rather than just looking for a payday. 

3) No rabbits!

4) The US is, I believe, the only country to host an Olympic Trials race for the marathon.  The other countries generally choose their athletes based on performances or other qualifying criteria throughout the Olympic cycle.  So at least 16 of the 19 Kenyans featured in the 2011 Top 20 times list will be sitting at home, and just because you can run 2:03, doesn't mean you will on one smoggy day in a late London summer. 

Millrose Games, and the new Millrose Games

Indoor track fans - all 1,000 of them - were stunned last year when the Millrose Games announced that they were going to leave their home of the past century, Madison Square Garden, in favor of heading 120 blocks north to the Armory.  Why would you take this great event out of the World's Most Famous Arena, only to move it to a venue that hosts literally dozens of meets each month, from high school to college, from alternative lifestyle meets to professional meets?

USATF then announced that they would no longer support the Millrose Games, and they were going to put on their own event.  An all too familiar situation for meet organizers.  USATF was going to hold the US Open at Madison Square Garden, so basically reincarnate the Millrose Games, but, you know, make it different.  Even the announcers couldn't get used to it, because all they did was draw parallels to the former Millrose events, like the showcase Wanamaker Mile.  I went to the Millrose Games a couple of times in high school, and it was cool, but was a little long in the tooth with all the heats of 4x400s.  This meet seemed more streamlined, and it appeared to have a decent number of fans in the stands.  Even if they had 5,000 in attendance, that's more than the Armory can even hold. 

But the Armory likely stands to benefit from faster times.  The short track, tight turns, and formerly wooden boards of the MSG track made Millrose notorious for slower times; for most athletes, the thrill was in getting to compete in the Garden.  The Armory is built for speed, and with the depth of the field competing at the new Millrose Games, plus a few races in the legs, next weekend's event should be a good one.  Of course, not all the athletes are psyched about the venue swap, as Bernard Lagat made his preference for the allure of Madison Square Garden known.

Perhaps my favorite post-race interview came from Women's Mile winner, Brenda Martinez.  She won the NB Games mile the previous week at the Armory, and owned this one from early on, setting an indoor mile PR (4:34.xx).  Afterwards, she was quick to thank the fans, and USATF, for their support in getting this meet going.  Compared to other interviews with athletes being critical of their race, even after a WIN, this was a very polished remark from a relative unknown.  She will earn herselves some sponsors for sure.

This Sunday, don't forget to set your DVRs for ESPN2 at 2pm for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, from Boston.  Forget about the Superbowl, we've got Track and Field!

Weekend Update

Greetings from chilly and windy Charleston, South Carolina!

Tom Stott asked me to delete his post about a long run Sunday.  He is no longer able to make it.  But don't let that stop you from running if you were planning on it!  Simply start a new post, or tweet at BMoreRunning and it'll show up on the blog.

The report from Houston is very good right now.  Chrissie is all set up with her personalized water bottles and the conditions seem like they are going to be very conducive to a good race.  There are 47 water tables at each aid station for the hundreds of athletes, and each aid station is a quarter mile long as a result!  Chrissie also went to get Meb to sign her picture (the one of him passing her at NYC 2009 that was published in Runner's World) and he inadvertently handed off the picture...AND his race packet, including his bib.  The two parted ways and quickly one of his entourage came back to retrieve the packet.  Phew!

Chrissie's bib is #200.  From what I understand, there MAY be runner tracking via www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com tomorrow, but I'm not totally sure.  However, every running news outfit and their mother is on site, so if you follow any running Twitter feeds, I'm sure you'll see it.  They started two new ones today, @USMenMarathon and @USWomenMarathon which are allegedly going to feed live splits.  Of course, if you don't want to know results, don't go on Twitter or the Internet!  And wait to watch highlights on NBC at 3pm.

GO CHRISSIE!

A Place Called Kokomo

In the Florida Keys, Arjun Majumdar ran the Miami-Key West Ragnar Relay with some friends.  While we were here, suffering through spring-like temperatures, Arjun got to run 3 legs of varying distances, at high rates of speed, with friends, surrounded by quietly beautiful scenery. 

This weekend also kicked off the indoor season for those athletes not averse to running fast around a small oval.  Ed Aramayo traveled up to NYC's Armory for the Metro Coaches Invitational.  Ed raced the 1000m, running 2:34.61 and finishing 3rd in his heat (10th overall).  He therefore established a Team record for the distance.  Later in the meet, he was tapped to run a leg of the 4x800m relay for Central Park Track Club, where he split 2:02.  In the same meet, Alan Webb made his return to racing, finishing 2nd in the 800m.

At the PG Complex on Sunday, Tristram Thomas (4:32), Tim Burns (4:38), and newcomer Chris Snyder (4:40) ran the 1600m.  Results may never show up for this one, as Potomac Valley Track Club no longer puts on these meets, but that was the report I received from TT.  And they channeled their inner Spider Sillery, arriving just 5 minutes before the gun.

Dave Ploskonka clearly feels no need to sit on his laurels, as he headed to Texas for the highly competitive Bandera 100k.  According to an ultra insider, Dave's 10h17m race and 11th place finish is "very, very good."  I'll take it!  Editor's note: I just found out that this event served as the 2012 USATF 100k Trail National Championship, so even cooler!

The BRRC was holding its Frozen Finger 5M on Saturday, but there were a few inconsistencies: 1) it wasn't 5 miles and 2) it was hardly frozen.  With morning temps in the 50s, and a course change to a more cross-country style loop course at the Park School, it wasn't quite the event some were expecting, but I did hear that Denise Knickman took the win.

In a land Down Under, Kevin Frick started his year off with the Sydney Resolution Run 11k, running 50:20 for 29th place. 

But the big result(s) of the weekend belonged to Pete Mulligan.  A few of Pete's long run friends were going to do two marathons this weekend.  The first was the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson, MS, on Saturday.  Pete described the course as "Baltimore from 16-22, except starting at mile 2 and not ending until 24"- in other words, very hilly!  With temperatures well into the 70s, combined with the course profile, Pete's goal of getting under 4 was scaled back.  He finished just over 4:08, and after a short break, hopped in the car for the 3.5 hour drive to Mobile, Alabama, for Sunday's First Light Marathon.  While the course was pancake flat, with a marathon already in the legs, and the temperature hitting 76 degrees, Pete was not feeling it.  Physically, he said, he was alright, but mentally it was a long day for him, as he finished in 4:12:35 for 135th place.  But, for doing the double, Pete was rewarded with an EXTRA medal, and with his bib from Sunday's race, he earned a complimentary ticket to the GoDaddy.com Bowl, featuring Arkansas State and Northern Illinois. 

With 52.4 miles of racing, 3 medals, 2 t-shirts, and a Bowl game appearance, Pete has earned the first Purple Drink Athlete of the Week.

This week is an exciting one as Chrissie Ramsey heads down to Houston for the 2012 US Olympic Trials Marathon.  And the Houston Texans head here, to Baltimore, in the NFL Playoffs.  I predict Houston is going to get blazed coming and going.  Go Chrissie!

TRACK WORKOUT UPDATE: While it looks like the popular vote is to do a workout Tuesday, Ed and Arjun are going to look to Wednesday as their preferred day at the track.  If you generally do your workouts with them, get in touch with Ed for details.

It Just Got Serious

As we all know by now, there were some amazing performances this past weekend.  Two, in particular, sent shockwaves throughout the competitive racing circuit: Chrissie Ramsey's 1:14:57 Philadelphia Half Marathon, which qualified her for this January's US Olympic Trials, and Alyssa Godesky's 10:45:51 Ironman Arizona, which placed her 2nd 25-29 and earned her a trip to the Ford Ironman World Championships next October in Kona. 

There were obviously other performances, but these two blew them all out of the water, and as such, they earned the dual Purple Drink Athletes of the Week. 

But, to just gloss over the results would be an injustice to the hard work these two ladies have put in over the last few months (or years), and each deserves a little story, so here we go!  Note: this will actually come in two posts, one tonight and one tomorrow, because they are somewhat lengthy.

Part I: Chrissie's Race to Space

Only a handful of people that qualify for the Olympic Trials are really there to compete for a spot on the Olympic Team, but as we would all agree, qualifying is an extraordinary feat.  We know a number of people who have tried, but not many have succeeded.  Chrissie changed that on Sunday as she blazed to a 1:33 second PR (1:16:30 Parks Half 2009 was her previous best).  I asked her to give a little race recap, and so, in her own words:

"Coming off an accident and resulting injury last May, I took five months off to wallow in self-pity, let my bones and ego heal, and rehab some strained leg muscles. With full range of motion back in my legs and arms by early September, I recycled the empty bottles of wine that had accrued in my apartment, laced up my shoes, and set my sights on the Philadelphia Half Marathon on November 20th. I had only 10 weeks to train.

I started out with 3 weeks of base training, getting my weekly mileage up to 60+ and my long run to 2 hours, followed by 6 weeks of workouts, and 1 recovery week leading into the race. My primary goal was to get my fitness level back to where I had been before the accident, run a solid race, and go into the 2012 season feeling confident and ready to set some more ambitious goals.

Things changed in mid-October when I found myself hitting 5:30s for mile repeats and finishing out my progression runs at a 5:20/mile pace. I knew I had an OT qualifying time within my grasp, but I would need to have a near perfect race under ideal weather conditions to pull it off. A perfect race on a perfect day, I wasn't going to get my hopes up.

But, checking the weather report in the days leading up to the race, I was forced to admit that the universe doesn't hate me as much as I thought it did. The forecast called for temperatures in the upper forties to mid fifties, clear skies, and no wind: a perfect day for a race.

I usually try to avoid disappointments in life by setting my expectations low and taking Prozac. I err on the side of caution in my training. In longer races (10+ miles), I tend to start out conservatively for the first 1-3 miles and try to accelerate with each mile. I take days off when I'm sick, I stop workouts early if I'm too fatigued, and sometimes I skip my morning shake out run to sleep in. I undertrain. It works. While I've had my ups and downs, over the past 8 years since I started running I have seen consistent improvement, managed to avoid injury, and most importantly, I still get excited about running every day.

But it's been a crazy year so I decided to throw caution to the wind and challenge myself to qualify for Olympic Trials or crumble under the pressure. To have a shot at a sub 1:15:00 performance on a course with two major climbs in the second half of the race, I was going to need to go out aggressively trust my fitness, and not be afraid to take some risks early in the race.

Fortunately, the women's field was much stronger than in previous years (likely due to the upcoming OTs) and I was able to go out with a group running 5:35 pace through the first three miles. Over the next 3 miles, the pack started to string out, I settled into a 5:42/mi pace and moved into 7th place, where I would stay for the rest of the race.

I felt very comfortable as I went through the 10k in 35:08 (a 67 sec PR!) and started the first climb up 34th Street past the apartment where I used to live. I missed the mile 7 marker, but approaching mile 8 with an 11:32 split I got a surge of confidence knowing that I stayed on pace up the first hill.

In mile 8, I settled in again and prepared myself for the next climb. The fast pace early in the race started to catch up to me as I wound through Fairmont Park to the Japanese Gardens, willing myself to maintain the same effort and not even look at what I knew would be much slower splits. As I circled around the top of the hill and passed the clock at mile 10 reading 57:20, I knew it was my race to lose.

The fatigue was really settling into my legs. There was a slight reprieve as mile 11 was mostly downhill (5:32) as the course looped back down to the Schuylkill River. Just over two miles to go, all I had to do was make it up West River Drive. The task was too daunting. Instead I zeroed in on the two men about 20 yards in front of me and set out to bridge the gap - something to keep me focused on my pace but distracted from how much distance I still had to cover. Seemed to do the trick. I stayed on 5:45 pace with 1.1 miles to go. Winding up the hill from West River Drive and around the Philadelphia Art Museum the finish line came into sight. I saw the clock ticking up: 1:14:40, 1:14:41...if I was going to make it, I had to kick. With 2 seconds to spare I'm off to Houston!"