New York Distance Project

Give Me "Adverse Cardiovascular Effects" or Give Me Death: A Response to a Mayo Clinic Proceedings Article

2012-06-30T00:04:00.002-07:00

Do distance runners have an innate death wish?

I ask this question in light of a recent article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, written by a bunch of M.D.s (O'Keefe, Patil, Lavie, Magalski, Vogel, McCullough). Since I'm not exactly up-to-speed on the Latin translation of various body parts and afflictions, and since I have a strong distaste for anything that looks or smells like biology or chemistry, I hope you'll excuse my overly simplistic layman's response.

And I hope that the aforementioned doctors will forgive me, because I disagree with them. Medically, of course, their findings are likely completely accurate and totally sound. Bravo for that, gentlemen, but let's look at what you really did here.

Their article is titled "Potential Adverse Cardiovascular Effects from Excessive Endurance Exercise." In it, they argue that runners who engage in repeated long-distance races or training are doing more harm than good to their bodies. In a recent Competitor Running magazine article about their findings, Dr. O'Keefe surmises that "aiming to run even three marathons every year is 'not a great goal.'" The doctors find that running less than 20 miles per week at an 8:30-10:00 per mile pace is "ideal." They paint a doomsday portrait of freak endurance runners (like those who run marathons, ultra-marathons, Ironmans or even run more than 45 miles per week for training) who are destroying their bodies by engaging in "over-exercise."

Yet the doctors in the Mayo Clinic article fail to put their snapshot of medical analysis and data into a larger perspective.

My grandfather had a saying while I was growing up: "You reap what you sow." From the agricultural revolution, through the Bronze Age, past the Iron Age, a few centuries after the Industrial Revolution and into the Information Age, human beings have changed. Not just socially, technologically or politically. Human beings (that's homo sapiens, I think) have changed structurally--bones, tendons, cartilage, etc--over the course of thousands of years.

In his seminal work, Chris McDougall points out that human beings were "born to run." Our bodies are predisposed to bipedal endurance work, and indeed, before we learned how to garden, mankind had to hunt for our food. Ever so gradually, though, we began a settling process. First, we settled into civilizations. Then into empires and eventually nation-states. From there, we continued our gradual descent through states and provinces, cities, towns, villages and businesses until we arrive at today: into our own houses, automobiles and couches with built-in laptop computer trays, so we never have to get up.

And then, of course, came the accessories to our gradual settling: processed foods, elevators and escalators, taking the bus to school and the advent of running shoes.

I'm sure I'm remembering this from the National Geographic Channel, but animals raised in captivity who are re-immersed back into the wild without any proper training or preparation are far more likely to die quick deaths than those animals of the same species who spend their lives outside of captivity. Why? When you adapt to changes in your environment--and that environment becomes less taxing--you lose the skills required to survive. Do animals simply lose their survival instinct? Or does living in captivity structurally bind them, too?

Human beings, by and large--and especially in the United States--can hardly be said to be living in captivity. And yet, after centuries upon centuries of ignoring our endurance running capability, an attempt by some intrepid athletes to re-capture and push the envelope of human cardiovascular achievement will be seen as un-natural.

But is this suicide? Or is it selfless?

The doctors in the Mayo Clinic article rightly allow that not exercising is a big problem in America. Certainly, exercise is a positive endeavor in an attempt to stay "healthy." Yet, a growing percentage of the population each year is either obese or overweight--and whether we like it or not, this gradually changes the way our bodies are structured; in turn, it changes the way our children will develop and grow, and changes the physical opportunities available to them. Good genes will only take you so far--if the species is on a downward trend, your super-human athleticism is simply an impressive outlier in a genus of lethargy.

Endurance runners run for a number of reasons, and each one is personal. But between runners, there is an undercurrent--the great unspoken truth, if you will--about what we do that will get zero publicity in Runner's World or Flotrack: we are taking it back.

What are we taking back, you ask? How about our ability to be the people our ancestors once were? Hard workers, prolific athletes whose bodies were wired to run far and long and fast--not because they were getting a multi-million dollar shoe contract, but because life demanded that trait.

And here we are, today: in an era where the world is at your fingertips, you do not need to run to exist.

But you can't truly live without running.

And if the structure of our heart muscles begin to degrade because we run too much, so what? If we all run, and continue to run, and teach our children to run far, and they teach their children to run even farther, aren't we expanding the bounds of human achievement? Aren't we increasing the cardiovascular capacity of our posterity?

So yes, Mayo Clinic doctors, there are "Potential Adverse Cardiovascular Effects [of] Extreme Endurance Exercise."

But there is at least one Potentially Awesome Cardiovascular Effect of Extreme Endurance Exercise--and I don't want to toot our own horn too much here, but hear me out:

Mile after grueling mile, day after day--distance runners may be saving humankind.

Men's 5000m Olympic Trials: A Lesson in History

2012-06-26T17:15:00.001-07:00

On Thursday evening, the Men's 5000m Olympic Trials finals will be broadcast at around 10:38 PM Eastern Time.

It will feature two men who have proven themselves superstars in the distance world: Galen Rupp, already a 2012 Olympian at 10,000m and Bernard Lagat, a 3-time Olympian, vying for his second 5000m spot on the US Olympic Team.

But listen to this: only TWO (2) Olympics in the past ONE HUNDRED (100) years has seen an American man win a medal in the 5000m (Bob Schul won the gold and Bill Dellinger won the bronze in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics). The United States is experiencing an Olympic medal drought in this distance that has long since passed epic proportions.

How have we gotten ourselves into this rut?

No man has ever run faster at a US Olympic Trials in this event than Steve Prefontaine, way back in 1972--he ran a 13:22.8, around the same track these 2012 Olympic hopefuls find themselves in Eugene. Since then, the American record has dropped well below 13 minutes--Bernard Lagat currently holds it at 12:53.60; Galen Rupp briefly held it at 12:58.90. Of the men in Thursday evening's finals, only those two have ever run sub-13:00.

In the years since Pre's Olympic Trials record, male 5000m competitors have fallen into what track critics might call "the sure doom of a tactical race." This happens when one seems to place a priority on making the team, rather than running a fast race. And, in the end, this strategy does a disservice to an American distance program that should be sending its fastest boys to the Games, with a culture of running the fastest when it counts.

Pre's 1972 performance in Munich was the closest an American man has come to a 5000m medal--a heart-breaking 4th place at the line. Since then, this is our record:

1976 (Montreal): 12th
1980 (Moscow): Boycott
1984 (Los Angeles): 7th
1988 (Seoul): 5th
1992 (Barcelona): 12th
1996 (Atlanta): 6th
2000 (Sydney): 13th
2004 (Athens): 11th
2008 (Beijing): 9th, 13th (only time since 1964 that 2 Americans qualified for the Olympic Final)

These are fantastic individual finishes from great men and great runners. But on the whole, the American 5000m trend has been decidedly flat.

Can this change in 2012?

In the words of Pre, this 5000m must be a "guts race" to deliver the three best American men at this distance to London. We cannot afford to send another 5000m team to the Olympics that runs a slow-ish (compared to the fastest times this year) tactical race at the Olympic Trials, with a kick from 200-400m out.

Only 4 men in this field have run faster than 13:22 this year, while an additional 3 have run that quick in the past 7 years.

Ostensibly, the favorites are Lagat, Rupp and Lomong. Fastest times for the first two are noted above, while Lomong has run the next-fastest time this year in 13:11. The only other American man to be "Pre-quick" this year was Heat #1's winner, Andrew Bumbalough, who blazed a 13:16 around Stanford's track at the end of April.

But the dark horses are strong. Robert Cheseret, US Army runner and brother of Bernard Lagat, ran a 13:13 back in 2005 though hasn't been close to as fast since then. In that same year, Ian Dobson ran a 13:15. And back in 2008, Brent Vaughn ran a 13:18 in this distance.

The truth? For the first time in nearly 50 years, not just one, but two American men have run some of the Top 10-fastest 5000m times of the past 2 years. With Lomong and Bumbalough improving each year--and proving very adept at running a fast, tactical pace--this Olympic Trials final cannot afford to be run at 13:30 pace any longer.

Put Farah, Koech, Merga, Gebremeskel and all the others on notice: the biggest statement race of these Trials will be Thursday night, if three prospective American Olympians can break Steve Prefontaine's Olympic Trials record in the 5000m final.

Saddle up.

American Records, Foreign Soil: What's Wrong with American Track?

2012-06-26T07:46:00.001-07:00

I remember vividly watching the Payton Jordan Invitational on May 1, 2010. I was rooting hard--like many others--for Galen Rupp, who was shooting to break Meb Keflezighi's 9-year old American 10,000m record on the track. He did, of course.

But so did Chris Solinsky. In one of the most improbable track victories of this century, Solisnky--whom everyone thought was a 5000m specialist--became the first American man to break 27 minutes in the 10,000m. The fact that he ran so fast at Stanford was a thrill to the few thousand people who were either physically there or watching the live stream on Flotrack, but here is another troubling fact:

For American men, breaking American records on American soil has become exceedingly rare.

How rare? In the "post-Pre era" (which we'll define as post-1975), American distance runners in the mile, 5000m and 10,000m have broken an American record 21 times. Of those 21 times, only 4 of them have been broken in the United States: 3 times in California and once in Eugene, Oregon.

This is a remarkably low ratio for a country that has for decades prided itself on being the best, the biggest and the fastest with the best facilities and quickest tracks. How do we explain that more American records have been set in Norway or Belgium than the U-S of A?

More than a few track junkies will consider this statistic and explain, "Well, that's where the world-class competition is!" I would first point out that, of those 21 American records, none were set at an Olympics and most as of late have not been broken at a World Championship meet, either.

As to a perceived lack of world-class competition here in the United States, my question then becomes: why can't we consistently attract the type of superstar track athletes that will lead to more broken US records? Why is an American distance runner more than five times more likely to set our nation's records overseas, on foreign shores?

Many will point to lackluster publicity, handling and support by USA Track & Field. Given what the major media outlets in the United States have remarked about their recent handling of the Women's 100m tie situation at the Olympic Trials, USATF would be a convenient scapegoat and whipping boy. Undoubtedly, as the standard bearer of our sport, they share a great deal of the blame for failing to think outside of the box.

But what of our private industry? There have never been more major sports companies sponsoring athletes--this is definitely a fantastic thing. But you mean to tell me that between Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Newton, Saucony, Brooks, et. al., we can't put on multiple killer outdoor track events each year?

The bottom line consideration has to be this: How much pride do you have in American distance running? If your heart is in it, then why are you willing to accept our runners being forced to travel to Europe in order to run a fast, competitive race?

Unfortunately, I don't have the precise answer--yet. Whether it's more money, flashier tracks, better international promotion and relations or better quality of life and/or domestic treatment of our athletes, I'm not sure, but I'd be willing to bet it's some magical combination of all those things. Or maybe, in some romantic, literary fantasy world, the answer is simply: "If you build it, [they] will [run]."

Whatever the answer, once these Olympic Games are over, we've got a common cause to build around. American records, American runners, American soil. Let's do it.

#7: BERNARD LAGAT and ANN TRASON

2012-06-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

Greatest American Distance Runners of All-Time

#7

Bernard Lagat

Bernard Lagat, who got his start running in his native Kenya, may be the most patriotic American runner you've ever met. "I just wanted to raise my family here, live here, work here and, you know, just be one of the American people...I love this country."

And indeed, no American citizen has been faster than Lagat in the past 7 years than Lagat. He owns commanding American records in the indoor mile, and both indoors and outdoors in the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m. (A 1500m he ran while a dual-citizen still stands as a Kenyan national record, even in that speedy African land.)

His success at nearly every competition has been well-documented: the Millrose Games, the World Championships, the Continental Cup, the NCAAs. While competing as a Kenyan in 2000 and 2004, Lagat won bronze and silver Olympic medals, respectively.

Yet at 37, while this 3-time Olympian has proved himself as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all-time, he doesn't show signs of being done. "In the Olympics, I don't have a gold medal," Lagat said [in a recent LA Times interview]. "When I wake up every day, I know this is what I want."

Even today--with an incredible fourth Olympic Games in his sights--Bernard Lagat is just as lethal on the track as he was nearly a decade ago. And we are looking forward to watching him break more records and attain his elusive gold this summer.

Ann Trason

When ranking the greatest distance runners of all time, most individuals polled will think of those in the more "mainstream" races and distances: Olympians, the 5K, 10K, marathon, etc. Ultra-running--while still crazy--has seen an uptick in participation in recent years. However, our #7 American female runner of all-time was an ultra-runner--before ultras were "cool."

Ann Trason didn't run in college, but she was very much a runner. She entered her first ultra-race--a 50-miler--before she had even won a marathon; she won and set a course record. Over the course of her career, she has set an incredible 20 world records in ultra-long distances.

What has she done? Only won the Western States 100--a race many consider to be the hardest ultra-marathon in the United States--a record 14 times, setting the women's course record in the process. Not only that, but in 1996 and '97, she completed perhaps the most impressive ultra ultra-distance feat in the world: back-to-back wins at the Western States 100 and Comrades Marathon in South Africa, just 12 days apart.

And yet, she wasn't without her imperfections, either: illness and injury has cut more than a few of her races short, and at 52, she is dealing with the same injuries that more "mortal" runners have dealt with for decades. But it is her flaws that make Trason more real, and more accessible, to American runners. She is a role model--an American woman pushing the envelope, exploring and discovering the bounds of human performance and running right past them.

US OLYMPIC TEAM DISTANCE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

2012-06-20T13:24:00.001-07:00

With the United States Olympic Trials for Track & Field less than 24 hours away, elite distance runners and trackies from all around the world focus their sights on Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Tracktown 2012 will see dozens of distance runners duke it out for the privilege to be one of three Americans per event to represent the United States in London next month.

Every year there are superstars and surprises. This year will be no different. From Galen Rupp and Shalane Flanagan to Chris Derrick and Deb Maier, we provide you with our US Olympic Trials forecast. Hate it or love it, here's what you have to look forward to:

Women’s 1500m

Best Team: Morgan Uceny, Jenny Simpson, Anna Pierce

Keeping It Competitive: Alice Schmidt, Shannon Rowbury, Gabriele Anderson, Katherine Mackey

Dark Horse Favorite: Phoebe Wright

New York Runners: Grace (NJ/NY), Charnigo (NJ/NY), Schappert (NYAC)

The women's 1500m race looks to be one of the most competitive races of the Trials. More than a dozen ladies will toe the line in Eugene with high hopes of making the team. Uceny is our favorite to win this event at the Trials and make her first team, while both Simpson and Pierce--both 3000m steeplechase Olympians in Beijing 2008--look to round out the remaining 2 Olympic team spots. Schmidt and Rowbury will keep things very close, and the recent success of Gabriele Anderson suggests she is peaking at the right time. Keep an eye out for 800m specialist Phoebe Wright, who has run a 1500m time within striking distance of the American lead.

Men’s 1500m

Best Team: Leo Manzano, Russell Brown, Andrew Wheating

Keeping It Competitive: Matt Centrowitz, Robby Andrews, David Torrence, Will Leer, Jordan McNamara, Kyle Merber, Garrett Heath, Jack Bolas, A.J. Acosta

Dark Horse Favorite: Jeff See

New York Runners: Boylan-Pett (NJ/NY), Gagnon (NJ/NY), Gonzalez (NJ/NY), Van Ingen (SUNY Binghamton)

From the outset, this looks like the most competitive race of the entire Trials. 20 runners are within legitimate striking distance of American leader Leo Manzano. For our money, Manzano pulls this one out in the end to make his second Olympic Team--he ran this event in Beijing four years ago, failing to make the final. Russell Brown has been too strong to ignore, and has proved that he belongs on this Olympic Team. The wildcard here is Andrew Wheating, who has yet to run to his full potential in this event after making the US Olympic Team in 2008 at the 800m distance. With a friendly crowd cheering him on, Wheating has the potential to win this event and will round out the third spot on the team.

Just take a look at the guys who won't make this team, though: Centro? Andrews? Torrence? Leer? Merber? Jeff See is our dark horse who has run impressive times lately, but will we see a 10-man sprint to the line, or a dive to the finish a la 2008?

If you only watch one event at the Olympic Trials this year, make it the Men's 1500m Final.

Women’s 5000m

Best Team: Lauren Fleshman, Julia Lucas, Molly Huddle

Keeping It Competitive: Jen Rhines, Julie Culley (NYAC), Jackie Areson, Amy Hastings, Lisa Uhl, Liz Maloy, Angela Bizzarri

Dark Horse Favorite: Magdalena Lewy Boulet

New York Runners: Koons (NYAC)

This is another fairly competitive race, with some big names and fast runners who will undoubtedly miss the cut. Teammates Lauren Fleshman and Julia Lucas are the favorites here, and have run the two fastest 5000m times this year--an amazing feat considering that the American record holder is the third-fastest. Huddle will make the team if she can hold off a big-time dark horse of marathon fame, Magdalena Lewy Boulet. And just look at the folks who will miss this team--it's heartbreaking: Jen Rhines, Julie Culley, Areson, Hastings, Uhl, et. al. This is the strongest field of 5000m runners the United States has ever seen.

Men’s 5000m

Best Team: Galen Rupp, Bernard Lagat, Lopez Lomong

Keeping It Competitive: Matt Tegenkamp, Andrew Bumbalough, Chris Derrick

Dark Horse Favorite: Dathan Ritzenhein

Watch out, London--this may be the best US Olympic 5000m Team assembled in the modern era. Galen Rupp (2008 Olympian) and Bernard Lagat (3-time overall Olympian, 1-time US Olympian) will battle it out for the top spot on the team, and both have the ability to compete with gold-medal hopeful Mo Farah (Rupp's Oregon training partner) and the inevitable slew of Kenya and Ethiopian runners who will run this event. At 38 years old, this may be Lagat's swan-song Olympic Games; will he end on a high note?

Lopez Lomong is a touch slower than these men, but he has a killer kick capable of rounding out an American 5000m medal sweep at the Olympic Games. The dark horse here is Dathan Ritzenhein--a disappointing fourth finish, or first-runner up for the Marathon Team, Ritz is the only guy here outside of Rupp and Lagat to have run a sub-13:00 5k. If he can muster that type of time, redemption--and a second appearance on a US Olympic Team--will be his.

Women’s 10,000m

Best Team: Shalane Flanagan, Amy Hastings, Janet Cherobon-Bawcom

Keeping It Competitive: Lisa Uhl, Alisha Williams, Deborah Maier, Meaghan Nelson

Dark Horse Favorite: Alissa McKaig

There are quite a few questions surrounding the women's 10,000m Olympic Trials. Can Shalane Flanagan compete it both the 10,000m and the marathon without sacrificing her medal hopes? She was a bronze medalist in this event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Amy Hastings is a woman on a mission after finishing a disappointing 4th in the Olympic Marathon Trials this year; she will make her first Olympic team. And rounding out the final spot on this team should be very interesting--distance specialist and Kenyan-born Janet Cherobon-Bawcom will have her hands full holding off Lisa Uhl (training partner to Olympians Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher). The third spot here is pretty much even odds, and add to that mix our dark horse--Alissa McKaig--who will need the race of her career to make her first Olympic career.

Men’s 10,000m

Best Team: Galen Rupp, Bobby Curtis, Dathan Ritzenhein

Keeping It Competitive: Tim Nelson, Matt Tegenkamp, Brent Vaughn, Ben True, Joseph Chirlee (US Army), Ryan Vail, Scotty Bauhs, Aaron Braun

Dark Horse Favorite: Chris Derrick

Unless disaster strikes, Galen Rupp's times this year have been so far ahead of his American field of competition that this result is almost a lock. Rupp should win this event handily, but from there, it's a toss-up. Bobby Curtis has run the second-fastest qualifying time this year, and Ritz needs this event to ensure he makes his second straight Olympic Team. Chris Derrick, whose heart was broken--twice--by that pesky Canadian Cam Levins, is our dark horse favorite here. However, the men's 10,000m field is comprised of several tested and savvy distance runners who are all capable of making a US Olympic Team at this distance.

Tuesday Workout and Playlist

2012-06-18T20:48:00.001-07:00

Workout

We've got quite the doozy planned for today: 1 mile warm-up, 4 miles of musical fartleks, 1 mile cool-down. All before 7 AM.

Playlist

This is why you love us. Motivation is provided free of charge:

Every American distance runner is required to watch this, weekly. Go ahead.

You just can't put a premium on a happenin' beat.

At one point in this video, an attractive woman carries a full cake in front of 50, who is running on a treadmill. So, as you can see, this is totally applicable to your training.

Run Smart, Run Free

#8: CRAIG VIRGIN and SHALANE FLANAGAN

2012-06-18T17:46:00.001-07:00

Greatest American Distance Runners of All-Time

#8

Craig Virgin

Craig Virgin dominated as a high schooler and never look back. Still perhaps the greatest prep school runner in Illinois state history, Virgin is the only United States runner to win the World Cross Country Championship--a feat he accomplished twice.

He broke numerous American records, especially at the 10,000m where he bested marks set by the late Steve Prefontaine. In 1981, he was a second-place finisher at the Boston Marathon--one of the highest finishes by an American man in the last three decades.

Unfortunately, like many athletes of his era, Virgin was struck a competitive blow by the 1980 Olympic boycott. Just before the Olympics that year, Virgin had run the second-fastest 10,000m ever--in the history of the world--but unable to compete internationally, was never able to realize his dream of Olympic gold.

Shalane Flanagan

A little rivalry and humor between #9 and #8. You've gotta love our Olympic Marathon Team.

It is always a challenge to rank a current competitive athlete. But with Flanagan, there can be no doubt--she is already one of the best ever, and her stock is only rising with each passing stellar performance.

And what has she done so far? Flanagan is the current American record holder indoors at the 3000m and 5000m distance, and outdoors at the 10,000m. In 2008, she won a bronze medal in the Olympic 10,000m--something that only one woman before her had ever done. She has finished an incredible third in the World Cross Country Championships, and her marathon-debut at the 2010 New York Marathon was the fastest-ever and good enough for an inspirational second-place.

This year, Flanagan has already turned heads by winning the Olympic Marathon Trials in record time. She will highlight a strong women's team that--for perhaps the first time--has the potential to sweep the Olympic Marathon podium. An inspiration and a talent, Flanagan is the present and the future of American women's distance running.

Nuun Kona Cola Float Recovery Treat

2012-06-17T17:39:00.001-07:00

This is an absolutely amazing idea from a runner-coach-chef-ideas girl over at RunWiki. Nuun Cola and Vanilla Ice Cream make an outstanding guilt-free recovery dessert. Yeah, you heard me, I said DESSERT!

Nuun Kona Cola Float Recovery Treat

QUEEN MARY

2012-06-17T14:13:00.004-07:00

Mary Cain was in Bloomington, Indiana this weekend to compete at the USA Junior National Championships and qualify to represent the United States at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain July 10-15. It was her biggest national test of the year.

In her trademark style, Cain shot out to the front of the field early and toyed with them the rest of the way. When she crossed the finish, she had set a meet record held since 2007 by now-famous Oregon runner Jordan Hasay. Her time of 4:14.74 outpaced her nearest competitor by nearly 4 seconds.

Here's the video--it gets a little testy with 400m to go, but Mary brushes it off like it ain't no thing.

Long Run Sunday--Do it For Dad!

2012-06-17T08:32:00.003-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. The greatest gift you can give a child is love; the second-greatest gift you can give is a love for running, and a dedication to physical fitness and healthy eating. Those things become much more difficult to instill after decades of taking the "cheap, easy" way out.

We're doing 15 miles today, how far are you going? Enjoy this song from "A Silent Film" while you're getting your trials of miles in for today.

Run smart, run free!

#9: GREG MEYER and KARA GOUCHER

2012-06-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

Greatest American Distance Runners of All-Time

#9

Greg Meyer

29 years ago, the last American man won the Boston Marathon. That man was Greg Meyer.

This Michigan native set 10 American records and 2 world records in road racing during his career, was a 2-time Boston Marathon winner, and also a Chicago Marathon champion. On top of all that, he was also a consistent sub-4 minute miler. Meyer in his prime could do it all.

He was also active in pushing better representation for runners. He was instrumental in developing the ARRA, one of the earliest efforts to unionize runners who sought better conditions for travel, pay and scheduling autonomy. Meyer was a pioneer who helped open running up as a career field for dedicated American athletes.

Kara Goucher

I debated where Ms. Perseverance should place on this list. Should she make it at all? Does her career so far justify her here over ladies who ran before her time, but ran slower?

Kara, together with her various Olympic counterparts, is leading the resurgence of American female distance running. Her spirit and work ethic are part of the reason the United States is the next greatest talent in the world behind Ethiopia and Kenya--and our women are closing the gap quickly.

If you need me to recount Kara Goucher's medals, records and victories, you obviously don't know her that well. She is fast--just recently winning the American Half-Marathon Championships in Duluth--but she is also a runner who wears her heart on her sleeve. Whenever I need motivation to train, I go watch Kara's performances or listen to her talk about her own training.

She's a role model and an inspiration to young distance runners. She has overcome perseverance. And she's not done yet. Kara Goucher is simply one of the best American women ever to run long distance.

New York Runs Nationals

2012-06-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

After the biggest high school outdoor track meet in NY last weekend, our runners split up between the New Balance Outdoor National Championships in Greensboro, NC and the USA Junior Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Bloomington, IN.

The following is a distance review from Greensboro at New Balance:

Big news from the first day came from one of the top distance harriers in all of New York: Peru senior Dan Lennon. He finished an incredible third in the 5000m Championship, running 14:37.32. He was followed by another standout--and NY Second Team All-Distance runner--Paddy Grandinali of Warwick in 7th (14:48.16). Mitchell Kun (Sheepshead Bay) rounded out a great showing from our New Yorkers, in 17th place.

Three girls placed in the 5000m Championship: Jessie Smillie (Connetquot) ran an 18:31.34, followed closely by Stephanie Gerland (Garden City) and teammate Erin Melly.

Section IX Champion and NY Second Team All-Distance runner Gianna Frontera is the 28th fastest 2-mile runner in the country! She came across the line in 10:49.17. In the "Emerging Elite" category, Staten Island's own Christina Melian won in 10:54, followed by state-mates Henna Rustami of Syosset in 4th, Meagan Jaskot of Blaurvelt in 20th, Elizabeth Stirling of Wantagh in 21st, MaryKate O'Meara of Pearl River in 22nd and Briana Hayes of Manorville in 28th. Anoush Shehadeh (Larchmont) finished 2nd in the Freshman 1-mile race, while Jazmine Fray of Freeport won the Freshman 2-miler.

Thomas Awad finished an impressive 3rd in the 2-mile Championships. The Chaminade senior and NY First Team All-Distance runner finished in 8:59.38--wow. He was followed by Kris Moran (North Babylon) in 10th and Dan Lennon (Peru) in 15th.

In the 1-mile "Emerging Elite" category, Austin Lane of Greenwich took second place in a quick 4:17.44. Derek Palafox (East Patchogue) came in 6th and Marc Violone (Byram Hills) in 18th. In the 2-mile "Emerging Elite" category, Mitchell Kun of Sheepshead Bay finished 10th while Evan Little (LaSalle) and Kyle Collins (Suffern) went 22-23. Marco Pompilj (Collegiate School) won the Freshman 2-miler, while James Burke (Port Jefferson) and Luke Gavigan (Tappan Zee) finished 1-2 in the Freshman 1-mile race.

On the final day of competition, our girls showed why New York is the Steeplechase Capital of the World: The top three girls were from New York, and were the only ones to finish under 7 minutes. Keelin Hollowood of Saratoga Springs is your NATIONAL CHAMPION, followed by runner-up Leila Mantilla (Penfield) and Amber Goodspeed (Middletown). Absolutely incredible!

Ditto on the boys side: the top 9 steeplechase finishers were all New Yorkers, led by our NATIONAL CHAMPION from Fayetteville-Manlius, senior Brendan Smith--who BROKE 6 MINUTES! He was followed by runner-up Steve Rossettie (Corning) and Ross Wightman (Chatham).

Delphi Cleaveland (Arlington) placed 5th in the girls 1-mile Championship with a 5:03.24. This caps off an incredible high school career for Delphi.

In the final event of NB Nationals, New York dominated again, with one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend. New York boys swept 1-2-3 in the 1-mile Championship, with Thomas Awad (Chaminade) out-leaning Eric Holt (Carmel) to take the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, 4:11.84 to 4:11.90. Third place was taken by Kris Moran (North Babylon) in 4:15.30!

Now over to Bloomington, for the USA Junior Nationals:

Fewer runners here, and the event won't be over until tomorrow. That being said, Mary Cain has run the fastest 1500m prelim time, edging out national rival Cami Chapus.

Our lone national champion so far was a convincing one: Brianna Nerud (North Shore) destroyed the elite high school field, finishing the 3000m steeplechase in 10:23.87. She qualified for the World Junior Championships with time to spare!

We'll finish up out USAJNC coverage tomorrow, but to all our national champions and intrepid runners:

WELL DONE!

#10: BILLY MILLS and LINDA SOMERS

2012-06-16T13:55:00.004-07:00

Greatest American Distance Runners of All-Time

#10

Billy Mills

One of--if not THE--greatest American distance finishes in Olympic history. Bill Mills was a virtual unknown prior to the meet, who qualified for the Olympic Team in 1964 in the 10,000m and marathon. He wasn't even supposed to be the best American in this event, but Gerry Lindgren was suffering from a bum ankle and would fall behind the pack.

Mills would go on to break the American 10,000m record again, and had a pretty speedy 5000m as well. Many critics call his career a "flash in the pan," which is valid, but this finish is the epitome of what American distance running should be.

He became the second Native American to ever win an Olympic medal, and at the time was serving in the United States Marine Corps. Mills is the only American ever to win an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000m.

Linda Somers

Women's distance running in America is still relatively young--an unfortunate consequence of our country and the world's male-dominated past. Hundreds of pioneering women, however, continue to push the envelope of incredible long-distance performances.

Linda Somers is a two-time national championship in the marathon, and has won at Chicago, California International and Grandma's. A recent inductee into the Road Runners Club of America Hall of Fame, and continues to set records as a Masters runner. She has run in an impressive seven Olympic marathon trials events.

At present, she has been pushing American masters records in events from the 5k through the half-marathon. She stands out as one of the greatest examples of life-long running.

Top 10 American Male and Female Distance Runners of ALL TIME

2012-06-16T12:46:00.001-07:00

We will be announcing our Top 10 American Men and Women Distance Runners of All-Time over the next several posts. This is an absolutely subjective list--but the good news is that, by commenting, you can engage in this incredible debate! It was an inspirational journey looking back through the history of our country's distance running. If you are a runner, I highly recommend doing so as a reminder that you are running for far more than just a stopwatch--no matter how fast or slow you think you run.

Before we start, let's talk about who is not on our list: folks like Meb, Hall, Rupp, Solinsky, Ritz, Barringer-Simpson and others. These more "modern" runners may someday make our list, and many of them have either won an Olympic medal or hold American records. But so have other athletes from prior generations, and most of them didn't make our list, either.

Laugh, cry, yell, applaud, agree, disagree--whatever your feelings, comment here, on Facebook or on Twitter!

Wednesday Workout & Playlist

2012-06-12T22:49:00.001-07:00

WORKOUT

5 mi easy

High-intensity circuit (gym or body-weight exercises)

4 mi easy

PLAYLIST

This one's for perseverance.

This one's for cadence.

...And this one's just for fun.

RUN SMART, RUN FREE

Tuesday Workout & Playlist

2012-06-11T23:03:00.003-07:00

WORKOUT
1.5 mi warm-up
15x200m sprints w/60 sec recovery
1.5 mi cool-down
Core workout--at least 15 minutes
100 curl-ups

PLAYLIST

One of the greatest finishes in Olympic history. Gebreselassie is one of the best ever.

(Stop judging us. It's got a catchy beat.)

This should make up for it.

RUN SMART, RUN FREE

Just How Good Is Andrew Wheating?

2012-06-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

With the 1500m and mile race distances becoming more and more "sprint"-centric, runners with a strong base in the 800m and 1000m events seem to have a leg up on the competition (one of the sole remaining American exceptions to this rule is Bernard Lagat, an American-record holder in the 5000m who also maintains a killer 1500m edge).

Every year, race commentators postulate (like vultures, I think) about which 800m runners are past their half-mile prime and how good they might be in longer races. A runner like David Rudisha of Kenya, only two years removed from a world record of 1:41.01, is already being floated as somebody who might challenge the pesky 14-year old 1500m record set by Morocco's best ever, Hicham El-Guerrouj, of 3:26.00--as if it was as simple as running two back-to-back, even split world record 800m legs.

And yet here we are, asking a profoundly exciting question: just how good can Andrew Wheating get in the 1500m? With runners like Lagat the lone internationally proven American in that distance, Russell Brown, Matt Centrowitz and Jordan McNamara all comprise a green-but-maturing field of specialists in this distance. It is Wheating, however, who might be crashing their party.

At 6-foot-5, Wheating is a remarkable runner--a refreshing mixture of finesse and power. His personal best in the 800m is a respectable 1:44.62--super-human for 99.999% of the population, but well off the pace set by a world-leader like Rudisha or even fellow American Nick Symmonds. Yet his 1500m time is already comfortably fast even by American standards--3:30.90--and has many thinking he may be American's best chance to medal in this event in London.

Check out his latest race--at the Harry Jerome Classic in Canada--where he seems almost effortless in securing an Olympic Trials "A" Standard.

Watch more video of 2012 NTL - Harry Jerome International Track Classic on flotrack.org

Some elite runners continually surprise fans with their adaptation to change. Andrew Wheating was a terrific 800m runner--one of the best Americans so far in the twenty-first century. But as he tackles the 1500m and mile disciplines, America has reason to be excited as a half-mile standout could become our next greatest Golden Boy.

Best of luck to Andrew and all of our 1500m runners as they gear up for the Olympic Trials. You can watch the 1500m Olympic Trials Semi-Finals on Friday, June 29th starting at 7:25 Eastern and the Finals on Sunday, July 1st at 7:37 PM online or in-person at storied Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Monday Workout & Playlist

2012-06-11T03:18:00.001-07:00

Good morning runners! I know that many of you are like me--when it isn't marathon season, you wake up in the morning without a real plan for what your workout is going to look like during the day. You end up starting your workout too late and falling back on the same, repetitive thing that has long since stopped delivering results. It is summer racing season, and whether you're winning 5Ks or doing them to compete against yourself, you can't afford to let yourself fall off the pace.

As much as possible, I'll be posting workouts that mirror my own routine here. Keep in mind that I am an Intermediate-type runner with an eye on fall marathons--if you're a beginner, pare down these workouts appropriately; if you're an advanced or super-fast runner, rachet up the running days and train with a buddy or two to help get the most out of your training.

Also, we'll throw in a few musical or otherwise-motivating videos to get you rolling:

MONDAY WORKOUT:

Cross-training: 45 minute bike, 35 minute elliptical
Weights: Upper body circuit--10 exercises, 3 sets x 10 reps (modified 300 workout)

MONDAY PLAYLIST:

The only easy day was yesterday. Today is Monday--make it count. Work harder than your competition and kick some ass today.

Run smart, run free. (Or cross-train smart, cross-train free?)

New York High School All-Distance Teams

2012-06-10T20:11:00.003-07:00

It was a thrilling weekend in North Syracuse, where hundreds of high school track and field athletes descended for the New York State High School Track and Field Championships.

True to form--and despite damp conditions--the most dominant runners won the day. Yet the competition was fierce, with dozens of distance runners in contention for titles in the 2000m steeplechase, 3000m steeplechase, 1500m, 1600m, 3000m and 3200m races.

Choosing the Distance Runners of the Year and All-Distance Teams was incredibly difficult. Many factors were considered, but in the end, we put great weight on State Championship performances and prior outstanding races. Our teams this year are made up of 50 runners--25 boys and 25 girls--of which 25 are Seniors, 17 are Juniors, 5 are Sophomores and 2 are Freshmen. All are exciting, hard-working runners with a bright future as harriers--from the mile to the marathon, and beyond!

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, your 2012 New York High School Distance Runners of the Year, First-Team All Distance, Second-Team All Distance and Distance Honorable Mentions!

BOYS DISTANCE RUNNER OF THE YEAR

NICK RYAN

JUNIOR, FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS

Boys First-Team All Distance
Dan Lennon, Senior, Peru
Thomas Awad, Senior, Chaminade
Brendan Smith, Senior, CBA
Zavon Watkins, Senior, Liverpool
James Sommer, Senior, Plainedge
Brian Crimmins, Senior, Horseheads
Eric Holt, Junior, Carmel
Ryan Manahan, Junior, Marcellus

Boys Second-Team All Distance
Austin Lane, Senior, Greenwich
Cameron Bruce, Senior, Lansing
Patrizio Grandinali, Senior, Warwick Valley
Konrad Surkont, Senior, Stuyvesant
Connor Fuller, Senior, BGA
Kris Moran, Junior, North Babylon
Sibby Hanson, Junior, Arlington
Stephen Rossettie, Junior, Corning

Boys Distance Honorable Mentions
Cooper Roach, Senior, Honeoye Falls-Lima
M.J. Erb, Senior, Victor
Stephen Shine, Junior, Briarcliff
Conor Gordon, Junior, Franklin Academy
Sidharth Kakkar, Junior, Port Washington
Jason Lange, Junior, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons
TJ Hornberger, Sophomore, Lake Shore
James Burke, Freshman, Port Jefferson

GIRLS DISTANCE RUNNER OF THE YEAR

MARY CAIN

SOPHOMORE, BRONXVILLE

Girls First-Team All Distance
Lizzie Predmore, Senior, Shenendehowa
Kelsey Margey, Senior, Friends Academy
Rachel Paul, Senior, Sachem East
Brianna Nerud, Senior, North Shore
Keelin Hollowood, Junior, Saratoga
Holly Cavalluzzo, Junior, Valley Central
Kristiane Width, Junior, UN School
Gianna Frontera, Sophomore, Newburgh

Girls Second-Team All Distance
Lauren Mullins, Senior, Johnson City
Leila Mantilla, Senior, Penfield
Amber Goodspeed, Senior, Middletown
Christie Rutledge, Senior, Fayetteville-Manlius
Christina Melian, Senior, Susan Wagner
Alicia Clark, Senior, Granville
Georgia Tuttle, Junior, West Irondequoit
Laura Pierce, Sophomore, Canton

Girls Distance Honorable Mentions
Meghan McCormick, Senior, Canandaigua
Margaret MacDonald, Senior, Saratoga
Valerie Palermo, Junior, Webster Schroeder
Catherine Maloy, Junior, Holy Names
Jillian Fanning, Junior, Fayetteville-Manlius
Vicky Houser, Junior, Greenwich
Amanda Ashe, Sophomore, East Meadow
Kaylee Scott, Freshman, Holy Names

Congratulations to ALL runners. For those moving on to Nationals, show the country what NEW YORK is made of!

Run smart, run free!

A Preview to our Preview of the US Olympic Track Trials

2012-06-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

We couldn't wait to start hypothesizing about this year's US Olympic Teams in the 1500m, 5000m & 10000m events. So, we didn't wait, and instead provide a list of American athletes to watch for at the Trials, starting June 22 (if they so choose to run in these events):

Women's 1500m:
Shannon Rowbury
Anna Pierce
Gabriele Anderson
Morgan Uceny
Alice Schmidt
Katie Mackey
Jenny Simpson
Brenda Martinez
Julia Lucas
Nicole Schappert
Sarah Vaughn
Phoebe Wright
Brie Felnagle
Treniere Moser
Emma Coburn
Liz Maloy
Maggie Infeld

Wow. This impressive group of women have run within 5 seconds of each other this year. So far, Alice Schmidt has the top time (around 4:05). Early favorites: Schmidt, Rowbury, Pierce, Anderson, Uceny.

Women's 5000m:
Julia Lucas
Jullie Culley
Jackie Areson
Lisa Uhl
Molly Huddle
Jessica Tebo
Brie Felnagle
Abbey D'Agostino
Kim Conley
DEENA KASTOR???

This is a tough race to call--as the official start lists get ginned up, we'll make a better determination on our favorites for the team. Lucas has the fastest time by a few seconds so far this year. Notice the last name on the list--how incredible would it be for Kastor to make yet another Olympic team? Early favorites: Huddle, Areson, Lucas, Uhl, Culley.

Women's 10000m:
Amy Hastings
Lisa Uhl
Janet Cherobon-Bawcom
Deena Kastor
Kim Conley
Alisha Williams
Deborah Maier
Tara Erdmann
Alissa McKaig

Are you looking forward to "Redemption Race 2012?" Amy Hastings will look to rebound from a heartbreaking 4th in the Marathon Trials. Elsewhere on this list, Deena Kastor just keeps schooling people with her legs. Early favorites: Hastings, Uhl, Kastor, Cherobon-Bawcom, Conley.

Men's 1500m:
Russell Brown
Robby Andrews
David Torrence
Galen Rupp
Nick Symmonds
Leonel Manzano
Bernard Lagat
Will Leer
Kyle Merber
Jeff See
Bernard Lagat
Garrett Hearth
AJ Acosta
Jordan McNamara
Alan Webb
Matt Centrowitz
Craig Miller
Liam Boylan-Pett

Another stacked field in the 1500m run. You'll see Rupp's name here, but it's unknown whether he'll have a go at this event in the Trials. Some familiar faces like See, Lagat and Webb are questionable, also. Early favorite: Andrews, Brown, Torrence, Symmonds, Manzano.

Men's 5000m:
Galen Rupp
Bernard Lagat
Lopez Lomong
Dathan Ritzenhein
Matt Tegenkamp
Andrew Bumbalough
David Torrence
Chris Derrick

There is some big potential with this year's 5000m team. Again, the starting lists are still TBD, but just take a look at our early favorites: Rupp, Lomong, Lagat, Ritzenhein, Tegenkamp.

Men's 10000m:
Galen Rupp
Chris Derrick
Dathan Ritzenhein
Diego Estrada
Brent Vaughn
Ben True
Brian Olinger
Aaron Braun
Ryan Vail
Bobby Mack
Bobby Curtis?
Tim Nelson?
Scott Bauhs?

Lots of question marks for this event. Galen Rupp is clearly the fastest runner in this field, hands down. But who will join him? Can Chris Derrick bounce back from a 3rd place finish in the NCAA 10,000m Championships to make the team? Can Ritz come back from a 4th place Marathon Trials disappointment here? Early favorites: Rupp, Ritz, Estrada, Derrick, Vaughn.

Once the starting lists and heat sheets are put out by USATF, we will comb through and pick our "Dream Teams." Until then, pour over these lists of the fastest distance runners in America so far. Do you think we've missed someone? Leave a comment and tell us why. We are chomping at the bit over here for American Olympians to run themselves to the Gold!

NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships: New York Distance Style

2012-06-07T16:45:00.001-07:00

Every year, runners, sprinters, throwers, hurdlers and their requisite groupies all trek out to Iowa's Drake Stadium--proving once again that if you build a sports facility in the Hawkeye State, people will come.

A handful of intrepid New York collegians made the trip this year, and their stories are below.

Men's 10,000 Meters

Tito Medrano, Syracuse University--Tito originally hails from Lafayette, Indiana, making him a Hoosier. Like Rudy--also a Hoosier (see how we made that connection?)--Tito is a guy that just won't quit. Evolving from a cross-country runner to an oval-track runner, Tito has run impressive PRs since the beginning of his tenure at Syracuse, culminating in a 29:07.73 this year in the 10,000m. As of this posting, the Men's NCAA 10,000m Champion has been completed, with Southern Utah senior Cam Levins taking the cake. Tito finished 19th, and wrapped up an inspiring collegiate career.

Men's 1500 Meters

Kyle Merber, Columbia University--This product of Half Hollow Hills West may be New York's best shot at the NCAAs. His 3:35.59 in the 1500m earlier this year made him the second-fastest collegian ever at that distance. He waltzes into this championship meet as the early favorite. You can watch him run a semi-final race at 6:15 PM (CENTRAL TIME) on Thursday, and (cross your fingers) the finals at 11:17 AM CDT on Saturday.

Erik van Ingen, SUNY Binghamton--"I might consider myself the weirdest guy out there, because I have a large black man eating meat [set] as my computer background." That was Erik in a recent Runner's World Daily, talking about a picture of Reese Hoffa he has--and doesn't that really say it all about him?

Men's 5000 Meters

Mitch Goose, Iona University--Oh, the many (hair) stylings of one Mitchell Goose. One of the fastest 5K runners in the state, Mitch runs for a different flag in international competition--that of Great Britain, his home country. His flair backs up his hair, however--with PRs of under 4 minutes in the mile and 13:34 in the 5K, you can't ever underestimate this guy.

Women's 1500 Meters:

Lucy Van Dalen, SUNY Stony Brook--Like Goose, Van Dalen is an international runner--she hails from New Zealand. At Stony Brook, she holds nearly every record--indoors and outdoors--from the 800m to the 5000m. Last year, she finished second at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in this event, but this year--with a wicked lean at the line--Van Dalen earned her first NCAA Indoor Championship in the 1500m.

Women's 3000 Meter Steeplechase:

Katie Hursey, Syracuse University--This Maryland native holds Syracuse University school records in the outdoor 3000m steeplechase (10:08.44) and the indoor 5000m (16:40.95). A redshirt senior (and graduate student), Hursey placed 11th in her heat at these NCAA Championships recently, capping an incredible run as an Orange runner.

Genna Hartung, Cornell University--A native New Yorker, Hartung graduated from Seton Catholic High School in Plattsburgh. A dominant cross country runner, Genna has also helped Cornell to Ivy League dominance during the fall. She's got a PR in this event of 10:10.55, and her qualifying run of 10:12.59 last night in Des Moines nabbed her the last remaining spot for the NCAA Championship Final in this event! Good luck Genna!

Women's 5000 Meter:

Lauren Penney, Syracuse University: A former NY Distance Project Runner of the Week, we have sung Lauren's praises before. She holds 3 school records at Syracuse: the outdoor 5000m (16:09.44), the indoor mile (4:39.00) and the indoor 3000m (9:12.76). She was also recently named Female Athlete of the Year across all sports at the University. Well done so far Lauren--finish strong!

Women's 10,000 Meters:

Katie Kellner, Cornell University--One of the fastest distance runners in school history, Katie's 10,000m mark of 32:58.73 was the fastest ever at Cornell, and the fastest this year in the entire Northeast. She races tonight, and as a junior, has yet another year to build on an already incredible running resume.

Sarah Pagano, Syracuse University--Sarah, a junior, was the Big East Champion in the 10,000m this year. Hailing from New Jersey, she qualified for the NCAAs after running a 34:41.59 in the East Prelims. Can the Orange women bring home 3 impressive performances? A stellar night from Sarah will make that all possible. Tune in tonight on Flotrack.com to watch.

NY HS Distance Sectional Champions

2012-06-05T13:47:00.001-07:00

And now for the montage (s)...

FINAL: GIRLS NY High School Distance ALL-SECTION Teams

2012-06-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

Section I

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: MARY CAIN, SOPHOMORE, BRONXVILLE

All-Section I Distance
Molly Shine, Sr, Pearl River
Nicki Nesi, Sr, Pelham
Delphi Cleaveland, Jr, Arlington
Kelly Hayes, So, Pearl River
Emilie Hoffer, So, Bronxville
Kate Zendell, Fr, Suffern

Section II

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: KEELIN HOLLOWOOD, JUNIOR, SARATOGA
All-Section II Distance
Lizzie Predmore, Sr, Shenendehowa
Alicia Clark, Sr, Granville
Catherine Maloy, Jr, Academy of Holy Names
Vicky Houser, Jr, Greenwich
Kaylee Scott, Fr, Academy of Holy Names
Marianna Lansing, 8th, Shaker

Section III

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: JILLIAN FANNING, JUNIOR, FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS

All-Section III Distance
Christie Rutledge, Sr, Fayetteville-Manlius
Betsy Black, Sr, Westhill-Ludden
Nicole Watterud, Jr, Cicero-North Syracuse
Victoria Campanian, Jr, South Lewis
Madeline Adams, So, Skaneateles
Alana Pearl, So, Fayetteville-Manlius

Section IV

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: LAUREN MULLINS, SENIOR, JOHNSON CITY

All-Section IV Distance
Alicia Sutphin, Sr, Vestal
Molly Maguire, Sr, Walton
Sam Sauer, Jr, Thomas Edison
Maddie Zeitz, Jr, Windsor
Katie Butler, Fr, Corning
Jamie Farrell, Fr, Seton-Binghamton

Section V

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: LEILA MANTILLA, SENIOR, PENFIELD

All-Section V Distance
Meghan McCormick, Sr, Canandaigua
Kathleen McCormick, Sr, Canandaigua
Sarah Coon, Sr, Red Jacket
Georgia Tuttle, Jr, West Irondeqoit
Valarie Palermo, Jr, Webster Schroeder
Katie Lembo, So, Penfield

Section VI

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: EMILY KRASINSKI, SENIOR, FRONTIER

All-Section VI Distance
Kaitlin McCadden, Sr, Clarence
Shannon Murphy, Sr, Falconer
Marissa Saenger, So, Clarence
Holly Eliason, So, Clymer
Livia Chase, So, Starpoint
Lauren Reyda, Fr, Fredonia

Section VII

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: EMMA DESHAIES, SENIOR, PLATTSBURGH

All-Section VII Distance
Justine Rabideau, Sr, Northeastern Clinton
Melissa Whyman, So, Seton Catholic
Meghan Mazzella, Fr, Peru
Nina Armstrong, Fr, Lake Placid
Margaret Champagne, 8th, Seton Catholic
Jessica Cartier, 8th, Northeastern Clinton
Section VIII

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: BRIANNA NERUD, SENIOR, NORTH SHORE

All-Section VIII Distance
Kelsey Margey, Sr, Friends Academy
Henna Rustami, Jr, Syosset
Mary Welsh, Jr, Manhasset
Elizabeth Caldwell, Jr, North Shore
Amanda Ashe, So, East Meadow
Joelle Feinberg, So, Port Washington

Section IX

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: GIANNA FRONTERA, SOPHOMORE, NEWBURGH FREE ACADEMY

All-Section IX Distance
Amber Goodspeed, Sr, Middletown
Lauren Hehir, Sr, Washingtonville
Holly Cavalluzzo, Jr, Valley Central
Emily Waligurski, Jr, Onteora
Kalleigh Forrester, Jr, Newburgh Free Academy
Autumn Bender, 8th, Tri-Valley

Section X

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: LAURA PIERCE, SOPHOMORE, CANTON

All-Section X Distance
Christina Firl, Jr, Potsdam
Lauren Orosz, Jr, Madrid-Waddington
Morgan Bronner, So, Malone
Maria Ricalton, Fr, Canton
Madi Dow, Fr, Potsdam
Kaycie Saucier, 8th, Norwood-Norfolk

Section XI

Girls Distance Runner of the Year: RACHEL PAUL, SENIOR, SACHEM EAST

All-Section XI Distance
Juliana Marcucci, Sr, Ward Melville
Kelsey Amarosa, Sr, Smithtown East
Kelly Lavan, Jr, Sachem North
Brigid Brennan, So, Northport
Victoria Ingram, So, Smithtown Weset
Tiana Guevara, So, Miller Place

Dan Lennon: Olympic Future?

2012-06-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Not many individuals will walk out of their high school career running 9:00 in the 2-mile.

Dan Lennon of Peru is one of those lucky, accomplished few.

There's no smiling in XC!!

At the Glenn D. Loucks Games this year, Lennon set two PRs--a 4:15.67 in the mile and a scintillating 9:00.52 in the 2-mile. Looking ahead to the NCAA field and a comparable event--the 3000m--his time would be good enough to lead all New York collegiate runners this season. He finished fourth nationally in the 3k indoors at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. We could go on and on here, but the fact is that Dan has been a consistent superstar on the distance running stage for the past two years (at least), and he's got the folks at Syracuse University giddy with expectations upon his arrival in the fall.

Can Lennon make the transition? And what's more, can he compete with the big guns?

We posted a video earlier of a certain young distance prodigy by the name of Galen Rupp, breaking the American indoor record in the 2-mile this February. Coached by Nike legend Alberto Salazar, Rupp has become the darling-child of men's distance running.

With higher-level coaching (all the deference in the world, however, to the fantastic program at Peru High School), better competition and a collegiate-type focus, how good can Lennon be? We know he's someone who will compete with anyone in the NCAA field, but it will take extreme dedication for him to challenge records and compete internationally.

And now it's time for the prediction: if Dan Lennon can drop below 4 minutes in the mile, he will be a consistent national-title contender in events from the 1500m to the marathon.

But here's the clincher: he will have a difficult time reaching the highest level with the current NCAA coaching mentality. He'll certainly learn how to run a "tactical" race (something he has already proven he can do), but will NCAA coaches hungry for individual and team titles allow Lennon to reach his full potential by pushing the envelope? It's a tough choice to make, but for Lennon, the question will become: NCAA titles? Or American (and World) records?

As American distance running looms large on a horizon dominated by Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, there can be no doubt that Dan Lennon--and others like him--will be the ones paving the way forward to American distance domination once more.

FINAL: BOYS NY High School Distance ALL-SECTION Teams

2012-06-04T11:00:00.000-07:00

Section I

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: ERIC HOLT, JUNIOR, CARMEL

All-Section I Distance
Marc Violone, Sr, Byram Hills
Eddie Merenda, Sr, Arlington
Mike Turi, Sr, John Jay-East Fishkill
Ryan Tancin, Sr, Roy C. Ketcham
Sibby Hanson, Jr, Arlington
Brian Cook, So, Pearl River

Section II

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: AUSTIN LANE, SENIOR, GREENWICH
All-Section II Distance
John Vallecorsa, Sr, Shaker
Evan Little, Sr, La Salle Institute
Jason Lange, Jr, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons
Jordan Pantalone, Jr, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons
Ross Wightman, Jr, Chatham
Andre Tario, Jr, Averill Park

Section III

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: NICK RYAN, JUNIOR, FAYETTEVILLE-MANLIUS

All-Section III Distance
Zavon Watkins, Sr, Liverpool
Brendan Smith, Sr, Christian Brothers Academy
Matt Deyo, Sr, Fayetteville-Manlius
Ben Thomas, Sr, Fayetteville-Manlius
James Gowans, Jr, Mexico
Ryan Manahan, Jr, Marcellus

Section IV

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: STEPHEN ROSSETTIE, JUNIOR, CORNING DISTRICT

All-Section IV Distance
Brian Crimmins, Sr, Horseheads
Cameron Bruce, Sr, Lansing
Ian Tolan, Sr, Binghamton
Connor Fuller, Sr, BGA
Josh Greenberg, Sr, Ithaca
Michael May, Jr, Southern Cayuga

Section V

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: COOPER ROACH, SENIOR, HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA

All-Section V Distance
Travis Jordon, Sr, Gates-Chili
M.J. Erb, Sr, Victor
Mike Anvelt, Sr, Pittsford-Sutherland
Gabe Rodriguez, Jr, Geneseo
Jack Wesley, So, Pittsford-Mendon
Tyler Ranke, So, Hilton

Section VI

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: TJ HORNBERGER, SOPHOMORE, LAKE SHORE

All-Section VI Distance
Nate Smith, Sr, Pioneer
Elliott Martynkiewicz, Sr, East Aurora
Kalen Sullivan, Jr, West Seneca West
Sean Phillips, Jr, East Aurora
Gene Baritot, Jr, East Aurora
Corey Wefing, So, Maple Grove

Section VII

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: DAN LENNON, SENIOR, PERU

All-Section VII Distance
KJ Houle, Sr, Saranac
Mitchell Ryan, Jr, Seton Catholic
Javeed Nazir, Jr, Ticonderoga
Evan Page, So, Seton Catholic
Josh Wade, So, Saranac
Jeriqho Gadway, Fr, Plattsburgh

Section VIII

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: SIDHARTH KAKKAR, JUNIOR, PORT WASHINGTON

All-Section VIII Distance
James Sommer, Sr, Plainedge
Dylan Palacio, Sr, Long Beach
Sean Grady, Sr, East Meadow
Eric Ratner, Sr, Clarke
Stephen Bourguet, Jr, Manhasset
Cesar Dieguez, Jr, Valley Stream Central

Section IX

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: HUNTER PROSCIA, SENIOR, ELDRED

All-Section IX Distance
Patrizio Grandinali, Sr, Warwick Valley
Johnny Marvin, Sr, Rhinebeck
Eric Albino, Sr, Minisink Valley
Luke Vasadi, Sr, Washingtonville
Devin Dejode, Sr, Pine Plains
Jim Bernstein, Sr, Tri-Valley
Section X

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: CONNOR GORDON, JUNIOR, MALONE

All-Section X Distance
Josh Eng, Sr, Norwood-Norfolk
Ethan Kelly, Sr, Potsdam
Morgan Marlow, Jr, Malone
Corey Lamere, Jr, Malone
Ethan Vinson, So, Potsdam
Jacob Erdman, So, Gouverneur
Section XI

Boys Distance Runner of the Year: KRIS MORAN, JUNIOR, NORTH BABYLON

All-Section XI Distance
Ryan Colabella, Sr, Hauppauge
Ryan Scarpelli, Sr, Sachem East
Michael Damato, Jr, Walt Whitman
James Dickinson, Jr, Northport
Tim McGowan, So, Northport
James Burke, Fr, Port Jefferson