Left to right: Elarbi Khattabi (overall winner in 4:10), Million Wolde (Olympic champion at 5000M), Girma Segni (1st 15-19 year old male in 4:35), Mike Mamo (4:29) and Eliud Njubi (1st 20-29 male in 4:11)

I guess the Gods are not smiling on the planets.

RobinM running sans warm up, Carole & Juan soon to be tuned in to NBC, Luiz - a blinder on the bonus 800 running away from everyone. Camille jumping back in to the hard training... Gary pushing well. Hotrod back in blonde, and running A-tomic! Beth fresh from buying a new apartment. Welcome back Becky Ballerina, looking in shape. And to Suneet - flying after his PR in the San Fran marathon. Kurt Le Vert found Green shorts! Tom 100 handing out, and hauling in. Shawn on the road to Amsterdam. Chucky China quietly slipping through the pack, playing it safe this week. Conor the Irish IronHorse who looks like he is really getting into shape. Tom from Kiwi land - welcome. Emily back again - and good to see! Michael and his friend - both did workouts in the AM, “Won’t be doing that next week!” & “Is it usual to ache for two days after your workouts?”

DavidP who just gets faster and faster, Brian B on the road to getting back into his form of lasst November. Welcome back Lissy! Cristina of the demon kick. Kevin with more gears than a Mitsuibishi, and great to see Cindy down there too. Gus - wins the award as being the good guy after revealing that he bought & loved ‘Train Hard, Win Easy’ a few years ago. Amelia back from the immigration offices of Calgary, Cara the fashion plate flying round the bends.

Cece reveals, “I was a sprinter at school..” aha ha that explains a lot, and makes many people feel better when she blows by. Kate, putting in the work, and getting the results. Jonnie back again and off to do another ½-iron man on the weekend, “I’m a traveling man…” And traveling? Kwasi back from the Poconoes, “You’ve just got to go…” Yeah, me and my cellphone.
Heidi looking on the road to a Boston qualifier every single week getting stronger & stronger. Queen of the Harriers who, as everyone else does the strides, lay back on the stands and said, “Where’s the flipping Sun?” AmexLee who did a long run on the weekend, then ran the 5th Ave as a qualifier and was not tempted to roar down the ave - earns bonus points for that one, and Sean F who hopped in and ran very well. Oh yes, and Chubby jumped in, that was a first! Way to go, and he ran very well too - should be sharp on Saturday!

Also seen down on the track was Olena Plastinina of the Warren Street Club, and Coach extraordinaire Mr. RLX overseeing the session. What a night, as Doctor John would say, and he incidentally was not playing his signature piano but up on the Upper East twiddling his thumbs.

New York, August 17, 2004 – Abdi Abdirahman, America’s leading contender at 10,000 meters in the 2004 Olympic Games, has announced plans to make his marathon debut at the ING New York City Marathon 2004.

“We are delighted to welcome Abdi to this year’s race,” said Allan Steinfeld, the president and CEO of New York Road Runners and the race director of the ING New York City Marathon.

Abdirahman, 25, of Tucson, Arizona, will represent the United States in the Olympic 10,000 meters this Friday, August 20, in Athens. He finished 10th in the Olympic 10,000 meters in Sydney in 2000, the highest placing by an American in that race, and was the 2001 USA 10,000-meter champion. Abdirahman secured his 2004 Olympic berth by finishing second at the U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000 meters in Sacramento last month.

The American field for the ING New York City Marathon 2004 is shaping up to become one of the strongest in years. Joining Abdirahman on the start line on Sunday, November 7, for the 35th running of the five-borough spectacle, will be Bob Kennedy, also making his marathon debut, and 2004 Olympians Dan Browne and Deena Kastor.
“We are thrilled to see this field continue to grow, and to bring the best of American distance running to New York,” said Steinfeld, noting that both Alberto Salazar and Kastor made memorable marathon debuts in New York. “We have high expectations for Abdi. He brings great strength, speed, and tenacity to the marathon distance.”
“The marathon is not the kind of thing you do just to do it,” said Abdirahman. “It’s going to take a lot of work. It’s going to be my focus after the 10K on Friday.”

Abdirahman was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. He moved to the United States with his family in 1990 and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Abdirahman starred on the track and cross country teams at the University of Arizona, from which he graduated in 1999, and has been a strong and consistent presence on the distance running circuit ever since.

And why not - which country would let the man, who would take a medal chance from a Kenyan athlete, run?

Also excluded from Athens is Shaheen's team-mate, Abdullah Ahmed Hassan, formerly the Kenyan runner Albert Chepkurui who was 4th in the World Champs last year. Qatar still have several other Kenyan-born runners in their team, including world junior 800m champion Majed Saeed Sultan, who Kenyan newspapers have named as formerly being known as Elijah Kosgei. Sultan is currently under investigation for being too old when winning that title.

Well along with Adere, it now seems King Geb is also having training difficulties - knee injuries and treatment, and remember that Bekele also withdrew from some comps. This summer due to injury pains too(!!)…..

Phew, well we are pleased to report that Starbucks & The Simba are doing great training in Italy (where Starbucks says he is for once not missing the S-bucks coffee), and they will leave next week for the Olympics, on the 23rd, for the 10,000m final where the Simba is a RED HOT fav!

Greek officials have withdrawn sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou from the Olympics after they missed a drugs test, team bosses met on Saturday and voted 5-1 to ban the pair, along with the coach Christos Tsekos (I wonder if he was the ‘1‘?).

And furthermore, The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) have revealed that Kenteris and Thanou were also under investigation for missing a doping test in Chicago, Illinois, earlier this week as they prepared for the Games. Meanwhile Australian Uber-man, Herb Elliott, says drug cheats should be jailed for their heinous crimes when speaking to the Beeb in a recent interview. Anyway the Olympic site further reported, “Hours after hinting the team could boycott the Games if the Greek pair were not expelled, the Swedish team said they would compete as planned. "Yes, we will compete," spokesman Johan Storakers told Reuters by telephone from Sweden's Cyprus training camp. Asked whether they would compete even if the sprinters were cleared of any wrongdoing, Storakers said: "Yes, yes." The Swedes wanted to see Olympic 200 metres champion Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, the Sydney 100 metres silver medallist, expelled from the Athens Games after they missed a second doping test in less than a week. They had even said they had talked about walking out of the Games. "We have discussed leaving the Games and not taking part and we are waiting for the decision with interested ears," Storakers had said earlier on Saturday.” Johna from Sparvagen - what is he doing there as a spokesman??

The IAAF Marathon preview, men’s Predicts virtually nothing yet hints that many runners are in with a shout… and that Kenya have a solid team. Guess you knew that one already, well in all fairness it is a preview, but a dull one.

“Catch New York's Olympic Fever For ten days, you'll be treated to an amazing lineup of cultural performances, Olympians, and athletic demonstrations ‹ in addition to the best action from Athens ‹ as Bank of America and NYC2012 take over one of New York's greatest landmarks: Watch the world's best athletes perform at the Athens Games from anywhere in Rockefeller Center, including a 450-seat bleacher area. Enjoy cultural performances from flamenco dancers, Japanese drummers, and acapella singers in the evenings. Meet Olympians including world-record holder Kevin Young (Athletics: 1988, 1992 Gold) and Dominique Dawes (Gymnastics: 1992 Bronze; 1996 Gold, Bronze; 2000).

So I missed the 5th ave mile.. And here is my excuse: Due to an appendicitis movement of out-of-body proportions - not my own I hasten to add… The story begins on the shore of New Jersey, actually within eyeshot of the Urban Store(!) It was Friday night, and a few Heinekens were being swallowed to swim amongst the giant 7th Star pizza from Hoboken (plug for a great pizza recommended by the Captain on our Thursday morning run in Central Park) and the Olympics ceremony was playing on the TV. Karen was deciding whether to crack open another beer and dish the PR she was due to run in the 5th Ave, or stay with one be a girl guide. She went Green, as any one who has tasted a Heineken with pizza surely would - we‘re not talking politics here. (Ophs I forgot to mention the tray of Brownies that were all but devoured too).

I was nattering how annoying it was that the commentators were talking over the top of the Bjork’s singing (not that I am a bjork fan, but I wanted to hear, or try to, what she was singing about) and the phone rang… Karen’s brother, Steve, had been rushed to hospital to get his appendices removed. So we went in to the Jersey Medical Center…. Steve was haggling with the Doctor (who looked like an extreme candidate for the next reality show - I‘m bored on the job and want to go home - what can I do to amuse myself), a young man from the west regions of Canada about wanting to hang onto the giblets post op. I added, (as Steve has a clear shiney head, and is half Chinese) that due to his Buddhism beliefs he must be allowed to have the entrails… anything parting the body in an unnatural fashion was a no, no unless blessed by the mighty Blue Buddha…
Perhaps the morphine was tinting the tongue of Steve (Did I mention his Grandfather was a great Chinese General?), but he was now offering the Doctor (who is looking for a wife, he’s aged 29-yrs for any of you matchstick.com’s) free meals at his restaurant (The Iron Monkey in Jersey City) should the spagastringbeans be given to him. The Doctor, worried that the appendices might end up in the soup, was telling Steve that all removed innards had to go to the pathologist to be inspected, collected, and finally rejected… to the trash. Portioned and parceled, and packaged in plastic.
At this point the nurse, who was asking the patient for financial advise, due to the fact no-one apparently pays in this new hospital apart from Gold Member Steve, was also asking for a signature on the dotted line - whilst the patient was under sedation?

Stand back - they did not even have a record that someone had even given him medication. No wonder no-one ever pays in this hospital! The Doctor meanwhile was exercising his humor, or truths, by telling the grandson of some China-legend that this operation was going to be his first, "Hell nobody wants to work in New Jersey, and so they fill this place with beginners."

Anyway to cut (ophs) a long story, saga, short.. A bit later, now 1:30 AM Karen, Steve’s girlfriend Elizabeth, and I were in the waiting room seeing if we could slide under the carefully designed row of chair arms specifically made to make sure nobody could rest in the resting room - I made it, slim hips, and did I mention I was wearing my slim lemon trousers designed for such positions? I started feeling guilty when the head nurse came in at two and said, "Because he is a Buddhist monk he’ll probably need some time to reflect after the Op…" but at that moment Elizabeth confirmed that he had spent some time in a monastery…

Anyway driving back from the hospital at 3 AM things were looking bleak though we had thought about making the Flyers Tarrytown long run instead…. However as the clock ticked to Four AM and the eyeballs were still wide open it seemed that Saturday events would be shelved to coffee shops, trivial pursuits, and visiting hours. Well I never did want to go to the races anyway! Anyway did I mention the major reason that Steve probably got the stomach rumbles was his hijack combat action the previous week of devouring single handedly (or mouthed) a sweet potato pie, and half a blueberry pie, and ½ a cartoon of Turkey Hill ice cream that was destined to be swallowed by me…. Oh, and yes we had good fun reading the cholesterol literature in the hospital that richly advised people to eat nothing except a drug pill called X-something and eat certain foods pertaining to the taste of nought, nil, & nothing. All to do with the belly button - I‘ll be at the 5th next year, or not.

However this photo was taken a few years ago when he was an unknown and living in Kenya, left behind by his father - who is in Europe. Watch out for him in the Olympics - he is the new Asian record holder. Interesting - Europe, Africa, and Asia all have Kenyan born athletes holding the continent records. (Savvy readers will recognize his bracelet, that we now have, and may raffle off should he win an Olympic medal).

What? This is the same as Williams - it is hemp! "Catha edulis Forsk", known as khat or Miraa or Qat, is a plant used in parts of Africa and the Arab Peninsula, and chewed for 'enjoyment'.

Well as someone wrote in, “All I can say is that there's just one mile between me and my 2005 NYCM guaranteed entry.” ha ha, liked that one!

Gary showing good form despite the puddles. Brian B earning his buttons, and Alec the capitalist not looking like a lobster this week. Hot rod maintain her perfect sprint style throughout the night’s many laps. Heidi who proves she’s an all-weather athlete. Cristina too - not disheartened by the floods.

Camille settling on Grete’s, good move, David P out on his own. Kwasi back from his Euro vacation looking one sandwich over the scale. Steve hanging tough, with AmexChris hanging in. AmexLee not far behind and looking better week 4 week. A hard night, given the storms, lightning, and black skies…. Here’s hoping for sun next week.

The Kenyans are worried that other nations might ‘steal’ medals if the pace falls in the distance races - and the K-boys get out kicked.

“They also naturally avoid the sort of errors in technique that Dr. Robert Fitts, an exercise physiologist and competitive runner at Marquette University, sees in recreational athletes who run in 5- and 10-kilometer road races.”

“For example, Dr. Fitts says, many recreational runners turn their feet out to the side rather than keeping them in a straight line. That wastes energy and slows runners down.”

Well well, what do we have to say to that? Hard one - I never considered myself elite as my training partners were often the people I thought about as elite, yet having won National Championship medals I think I can reply to Dr. Fitts on this one with the photo below -

Don’t be discouraged if you have an odd style, feet sticking out, knees bending in - it takes all sorts to complete the field, and anyone who tells you differently has not heard the name of Duck-foot N’gugi, Olympic Champ!

The article continues, “The inefficient runners were not necessarily those who looked more awkward as they ran.
"Some runners in our lab don't look good when they run, but they are very economical," Dr. Morgan said. "Others are aesthetically beautiful but are not economical."

Well on that one I failed too - I was terribly inefficient as measured on Bengt Saltin’s Stockholm laboratories - one of the world’s leading sports physiologists. I used more oxygen than a fleet of deep sea divers. Sorry, but I hate to read of people putting the dampers on runners, Yes - you can do it... if You believe you can do it, don't listen to excuses, or anyone who tells you you can't reach levels higher than the norm. Read too much into this Times article, and yes you'll put the brakes on your own improvement thinking perhaps you have not the physical necessities.... Just do it.

“He has been having some health problems and became a father I read so his path to a well deserved gold medal in Athens is not without bumps. If he breaks the tape coming in 1st place on the 24th of august at 23.40 in the night he could dye on tartan figurally spoken and finish his career.

“Watching the Norwich Union British Grand Prix on BBC on the 30th of July I saw a 24 year old Australian guy as tall as the Paris Eiffel tower ( he is huge for as distance runner) almost beat mar. Gebre himself. The 31 year old runner is not the same anymore as the one who just defeated anybody in 5 and 10K on any given day. Craig Mottram is unchallenged the new white revelation in distance clocking 12.55.76 in London. Which is just ultra-phenomenal distance running. He must be 1.90 in cm at least he just looked like an NBA player running behind Gebre. But he has the thin legs like any African runner. And who said African runners are undefeatable when it really comes to it, I never said this!

“Games are coming up I will not go there since the great city of Athens will be like a fortress from now on. Costs of securing the whole thing are over 1 billion in dollars. It will not be really fun for the participants I guess as they will be checked also every time they move themselves. I will just visit Brussels van Damme Memorial in September again as I do every year. I expect some athletes to fly around the 400 meter track this year since it is just one week after the Olympics. You can fill in the names of the ones who will fly yourself I guess. Brussels is a nice place, its close to Amsterdam(still the one and only place to be in western Europe) the food and the beer tastes great and their is hardly any security necessary. More later this week.” Thanks to Michiel.

HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:
1. He does not have a BEER GUT - He has developed a LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY. 2. He is not a BAD DANCER - He is OVERLY CAUCASIAN. 3. He does not GET LOST ALL THE TIME - He INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS. 4. He is not BALDING - He is in FOLLICLE REGRESSION. 5. He is not a CRADLE ROBBER - He prefers GENERATIONALLY DIFFERENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS 6. He does not get FALLING-DOWN DRUNK -He becomes ACCIDENTALLY HORIZONTAL. 7. He does not act like a TOTAL ASS - He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION. 8. He is not a MALE CHAUVINIST PIG - He has SWINE EMPATHY. 9. He is not afraid of COMMITMENT - He is MONOGAMOUSLY CHALLENGED 10. He is not HORNY - He is SEXUALLY FOCUSED.” Thx Wendy.

And recently we went to “Il Monello, on Second Ave: “After a quarter-century, the trailblazing Tuscan restaurant of the Giovannetti family has not lost a step. Lucca native Adi and his wife Rosanna set sky-high standards for "northern Italian" when the term had little resonance. They gave it plenty, in the process setting the bar for thousands who would follow. Their Midtown restaurant Il Nido is a paradigm of the form. These are proud professionals and it's fun to be focus of their attention to every nuance of fine dining. The only change over time is a softening of Il Monello's setting. As patrons shed ties, the restaurant sheds starchiness. Just when you think its clientele is aging, in walks Patrick Ewing of the Knicks, as determined to dig into pristine seafood and perfect pasta as anyone. Giovannetti's kitchens are masters of risotto, often delivering a quartet on a single plate.” I have been slipping with the food reviews these days, due to the lack of focus I seem to have theses days on that delectable part of dining La Desert! At Monello‘s I had fresh linguine in a saffron sauce and fresh sea food - twas rather damn natty. Don‘t bother ordering a starter or a desert in this place as they bring a bread plate with a veritable salad included, and close the night with a plate of biscotti shortbread. The place is on the higher end of the price rung, but not as bad as Nino‘s on first ave where we also forgot to jot a review. My gripe for that place was the waiter stands by your table and every time you take a sip of pellegrino feels obliged to top up the glass… like, move on Buster - any privacy round here?

“The professor thought it over and then agreed they could make up the final the following day. The guys were elated and relieved. They studied that night and went in the next day at the time the professor had told them. He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet, and told them to begin.

“They looked at the first problem, worth five points. It was something simple about free radical formation. Cool, they thought! All at the same time, each one in his separate room, thought, this is going to be easy.

“Each finished the lengthy problem and then turned the page. On the second page was written: For 95 points: Which tire?” ha, liked that one.

Lagat Bernard KEN 3:27.40 2 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:27.64 3 Songok Isaac Kiprono KEN 3:30.99 4 Korir Paul KEN 3:31.32
Shaheen Saif Saaeed QAT 8:00.60 (And this man will not be at the Olympics) 2 Kemboi Ezekiel KEN 8:12.75 3 Nyamu Julius KEN 8:13.67
W800 - #12 for Maria! Mutola Maria de Lurdes MOZ 1:57.47 2 Miles Clark Jearl USA 1:58.03 3 Cherkasova Svetlana RUS 1:58.34
This woman races all the time, despite saying she was going to end the season early because she was ‘over-tired?‘ Masai Edith KEN 8:36.43 2 Zenebech Tola ETH 8:40.32 3 O'Sullivan Sonia IRL 8:41.42 (coming into form…) And the most open event on the track(?) W1500 - Janowska Wioletta POL 4:03.09 2 Holmes Kelly GBR 4:03.48 3 Chojecka Lidia POL 4:04.04

Note the lack of Ethiopians in this meet, note how the Olympic medals will be spread out…
W100 - Arron Christine FRA 11.06 2 Ferguson Debbie BAH 11.07 3 Bailey Aleen JAM 11.09 4 Campbell Veronica JAM 11.10 - note the lack of Americans, they’ve all been banned. Okay, bad taste joke.
’Kenya‘ sweeps the 5000 - Kibowen John KEN 13:01.69 2 Jawher Mushir Salim BRN 13:03.43 3 Hassan Abdullah Ahmad QAT 13:07.08 4 Songok Boniface Kiprotich KEN 13:08.01 5 Chebii Abraham KEN 13:08.01 6 Kamathi Charles KEN 13:11.41 - Kamathi nailing again to prove his point… W400 - Williams-Darling Tonique BAH 49.73 2 Guevara Ana MEX 50.18 3 Trotter DeeDee USA 50.23

Good to see our Reston Shoe4Africa friend out there Keith Dowling running well. On that note thx to Chris Bilsky of MCNY for her continued support of the program.. Back to Falmouth, Andrew Masai is back on the master scene, but not running as well as he has been - looking slim though, and John Itati will be here for the next three months chiseling himself into form… and Susan Chepkemei never started the race, and our men‘s tip was third overall, oh well - at least I did not put money on it! Bernie The Chairman was out there, and it was heard that some people were asking Bernie if the post race food could be as good as Falmouth‘s is… the event is a fabulous convergence of running talent, organization, ambiance, quality - I could go on, just RUN it 2005! PS: There is a cool Starbucks very near to the race headquaters.

Totally recommended, we read, “Log your marathon training miles this weekend at the ING New York City Marathon Long Training Run #1 on Saturday, August 7, at 7:00 a.m. in Central Park. You choose the pace (pacesetters provided) and distance from 6 to 20 miles, and we’ll provide water, lemon-lime Gatorade, PowerGel, bagels, bananas, and plenty of company. Though this event is noncompetitive, registration is required.”

"An essential book for the Marathoner, a fun and entertaining read with loads of information. A good tool for anyone running the NYCM." Grete Waitz, Nine-time Race winner, Former World Champion, and record holder. Five times World Cross-Country Champion of the World. Buy at amazon.com

Hm always the diplomat, and rightly so. We will dismiss Chelagat… and also point out that a marital connection Mrs Chelagat has with a certain official may very well have a part to play with her team selection ousting athletes such as Joyce Chepchumba, and Susan Chepkemei whose credentials in any given year, over the past decade, outshine those of Alice’s.

The big event maybe the steeplechase where ‘Stephen‘ looks for Olympic redemption. “I have no regrets about my change of nationality to Qatar. I found out at the beginning of June that there was no hope under IOC rules that I would be able to compete in Athens. But I must accept that. They are just applying the same rules as they do for everyone else. I want to run fast here in Zurich, to send a signal to the world that even though I am not at the Olympics I can still produce a good performance. Yes, a World record! This (Zurich) is now my Olympics,”

Quote of the day, Race chief Brendan Foster said: "It is a bit of a coup getting him to come and run here." A bit of an understatement!

Michelle looking like she's blown away her breathing problems, Peter with his new GPS-gizmo that marks out and maps each step and turn. Welcome Cece, “Sore quads from yesterday’s hills” yikes, there’s enthusiasm! And Chucky China, again coming alive as the session rolled on. Camille welcome back, and ran as if had never been away. Luiz T from Venez running superb, but not taking chances this week. Randy about soon to depart to be the king of an ultra race in La Suisse. Alec the lobster belly, burnt bright red by his beachfront frolicking. Evelyn HotRod, firing when the distance hovered to the 400 on all cylinders.

Hey, even The Chubby Boss jumped in for a whizzy 800, “I’m getting in shape for the 5th Ave mile, gotta be the top master there, else I’m giving shoes away at the store.” Cara, again the fashion plate, but tonight the speed demon - tearing! Tom hurting from his overstretching? Right! Cristina pipping tom each time at the line with that Spanish Kick. Tom S back again after we thought he’d disappeared, and welcome back James. Heidi flying with a smooth roll, Amelia from England Welcome, and Robin M welcome too! Juan & Carole back from an ice cream break, “We took seven days of it too…” Good for them!

David P who is wondering why he’s left his duelin’ friends behind on the track with his new gear five. Good to see Brian B slogging away, “was that only a 4, I was ready for an 8?” Hm should have kept running then… Queen of the Harriers who alarmingly disappeared in the middle of one interval only to reappear in the middle of the next “ladies room”, Our Social director Kate, hopefully starting a consistent set but battling work commitments, Shawn back again and focused, and glad also to have Anil back on track and kicking at the front. Everyone ran really well, especially given the hot muggy conditions on the track… Our relations with the soccer crew continue to hover around the non-relations side of bad relations, but hey, can’t win them all right?

Talking Olympics here’s a quote from the British press on the team’s chances, “Britain's athletes will travel more in hope than expectation.” All about Paula.

2) The Goody Bag puts a limp in your walk. At minimum is a 20oz race glass, a pound of pasta, bags of candy, lotions, shampoos, and other fun stuff. OK- you don’t get a shirt, so sue me. But they have a circus-sized tent of stuff for sale. Every imaginable color T-shirt, singlet, dry-release, sweat shirt, hat, shorts, socks, jackets, mugs, cups, jock straps, thongs, posters, commemorative paintings and women named “Desire” with Boilermaker tattoos…

3) There are two restaurants in town that serve FREE pasta starting at 5pm Saturday to anyone with a bib number. Though we didn’t partake this year we have in the past and I can tell you it is quite OK and not some garbage pasta with Ragu from the jar. Hey cheapskate- pay for a drink at least and tip heavily! 4) A lot of busses to the start are provided from the finish- where most of the parking is. Though it is a 15K race the way the course is designed keeps the distance between the start and finish only 3 Nautical miles downrange. As for myself- since the hotel is only 2 miles to the start, I jog to the start and that provides a great warm up.

5) The start is a little narrow for 10,000 runners, and the corrals can be a bit tight. Since my bib# gets me in the first one it’s not so bad. But the people in the back tell me it could be a 1-2 min delay. But it is chip timed so you can get your exact crossing of the start.

6) The course- challenging in spots. Mostly rolly/flat the first 3 miles. Then up the biggest and longest hill through the golf course. Hey- I hate hills, but on the way down the other side I took 1 ½ mins. OFF the uphill (7:24 to a 5:55) so you can recover those lost minutes. One more climb from 6-6.8, then a nice downhill 8th mile, pretty flat 9th, and downhill the last 3/10.

***7) WHAT BRINGS US BACK- THE SPIRIT & SUPPORT OF THE SPECTATORS. I know most of you have either seen, heard of, or been thru the huge crowds of the NYC marathon or similar. Well documented and always talked about and photographed. Well LIVE the same feeling in Utica. I am telling you nearly every foot of this course is loaded with spirited spectators screaming something supportive or silly simply the entire way. No ‘S’! Except for the golf course area it is amazingly packed sometimes 3-4 deep! Where do these people come from? From what I can tell 90% of them are Uticans. Now I know that sounds like something Ms. Uta Pippig had trouble with in the Boston Marathon back in the 90’s~ but I do believe it is the word for the residents of Utica. They are boistrous, fun, and from what I can tell, fairly inebriated. But what the hell else is there to do up there?

***8) OK, WELL MAYBE THIS IS REALLY WHAT BRINGS US BACK- THE BEST DAMN POST RACE CELEBRATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE SPORT!!! Let me outline it for you: +Turkey sandwiches, bananas, Hoods popsicles, oranges, McDonalds parfaits, Friehoffer’s cookies, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, & the Polish Church selling perogies… +Beer, Saranac Beer, as far as the eye can see. The race ends in front of the brewery. The party is in their lot. They went thru 194 kegs this year from 9-11:30am

So here is the deal. If you are even contemplating this highlight to your life- you have to book your rooms NOW. hey- you can always cancel. There’s a Radisson, Red Roof, Best Western. Motel 6, Super 8, the Hotel Utica (really spiffy- honest) and a few more. But they are getting filled as I type.” Thanks Marty, sounds like a fab race - so book on now.

More on merlene - Sprint legend Merlene Ottey is ready to compete in her seventh Olympics.

Hotel upgrades are also available. For example, you can stay at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach for $799 per person. 7-night packages are also available.

For full details on this offer and to book directly through Liberty Travel, click here: http://www.travelzoo.com/Newsflash.asp?157309

Anyway speaking NYRR today is the live WEBCAST as mentioned on RW-online the other day. So submit yer Q's asap, or listen in.

Women’s - SUSAN CHEPKEMEI NAIROBI (KENYA) F2529 0:31:35.#2 MASAKO CHIBA (JAPAN) F2529 0:31:50 #3 ALVETINA IVANOVA (RUSSIA) F2529 0:31:55.

All is looking good for our prediction of Cheppy to win in Falmouth on Sunday.

MST 3000 - NYAMU, Julius KEN 8:17.19 2 PRÖLL, Martin AUT PB 8:18.53 3 KIPRONO, Justus KEN 8:20.06 4 FAMIGLIETTI, Anthony USA 8:20.27 5 MAAZOUZ, Hakim ALG SB 8:31.65 6 LANGAT, John KEN 8:34.55 (this guy has been competing longer than the event has been around!)

Meanwhile we read that ‘Tergat has put in hundreds of kilometres in training for the last four months since skipping the London Marathon last April, more than the effort he put in last year before breaking the world record, he‘s training in the Ngong Hills area together with Joshua Chelang'a, George ’Titus’ Munji, Ben Mbithi, Festus Kioko and John Ndung'u, logging in 60km daily in training.

And more meanwhiles… "My allergy problems are solved and things are going unexpectedly well in training", said 1500m world champion and world record holder Hicham El Guerrouj for his Olympic build-up.

Racing at Falmouth, a bit of an outside chance to scoop the big win is Starbucks steed - Wilson Kigen Kipkemboi, 24, Kenya Fourth last year (32:49); fifth, 2004 Peachtree 10k (28:31); second, 2004 Boilermaker 15k (43:50). Starbucks & The Simba will be in Italy for the weekend, and Lornah will not be competing at Falmouth as advertised on RW-online Friday. Hence the fav remains Susan Chepkemei.

Later in the afternoon we had an Achilles Brainstorm meeting at the huge retired navy ship, the Intrepid. Yesterday Evel Knievel‘s son Robbie jumped over the ship in a stunt, we took the easier route of walking on board, picking up a burger, and having a chinwag. On the table was Laura, Crista Earl and Ivonne who took the one-two in the visually impaired division at the race… I had got lost with them earlier trying to find the meeting place, “It’s at the end of the boat…” Let me tell you this ship is no tugboat.. And then we were using our sense of smell to try and find the meeting place, ass there was a BBQ… too bad it was indoor… All in a NY afternoon.

Enough of Drake, and we hear that Paula‘s preps for Athens are going well, “I'm a stronger person now and have more confidence - and that is the big factor the marathon has brought me."
"I always believed I could run a good marathon but just to be able to think at times that I am the best in the world is great. "I always believed I could run a good marathon but just to be able to think at times that I am the best in the world is great. "That, without being big-headed about it, gives me confidence and I hope to translate that to the track."
"It is tough and there are some days when I would like to go shopping or meet a friend for coffee, but I don't do that when I'm in a hard stage of preparation," Radcliffe said. Uh-oh, no starbucks time? I suppose when you are putting in 160 miles every week, and having 3 ½-hr massages time does fly.

The women’s 3k was pretty snappy there too - Masai Edith KEN 8:40.02 2 Timbilili Alice KEN 8:43.15 3 Chenonge Ines KEN 8:43.79

Kamathi said he is convinced that he has accomplished the conditions set by Athletics Kenya (AK) before he is included in the team. "I was told I will be included in the team if I do well in the African Championships and I did exactly that," he added.

He said AK should make their decision now so that "if I am not in the team I can concentrate on other things," he added. He said if AK won’t allow him in the team, he plans to travel to Italy to prepare for Grand Prix races. "I actually want to know my fate immediately so that I can do other things for myself," said Kamathi. He said there was no need for him to wait for Nicholas Kemboi to run in Stockholm Grand Prix as this will be a waste of time on his part. He said by pulling out of the African event, Kemboi left him as the sole campaigner for an Olympic place and the only thing he needed to do was to justify the position. This, Kamathi said, he did well. He said the race would have been even more faster were it not for the tactical approach. "You know I was racing against Ethiopians and they really tried to engage me in a cat and mouse game," he added. Quite right too!

One design that is super cool is the Powered by dim sum running clubs! wins the prize for NYC’s best running team logo. (Ed’s note, and we thought the Harriers ‘H’ was in with a sHout!)

And in a typical Kenyan fashion - “The newly-crowned Africa 10,000m champion, Charles Kamathi's chances of joining the Athen bound Olympic team was yesterday met with mixed feelings.
The former world 10,000m champion was promised by AK that he would be included in the Olympics team if he proves himself in the African Championships, which ended in Brazzaville, Congo yesterday.
“He is fighting for a slot in the 10,000m team with the second fastest runner last year, Nicholas Kemboi. Kemboi also has a condition to prove himself in one of the Grand Prix meetings before he is considered for the slot.
“On Saturday, the two coaches handing the Olympic team -- Mike Kosgei and Dan Muchoki -- seemed to contradict each other about Kamathi's chances. While Muchoki felt that Kamathi had met the qualifications to represent Kenya in Athens, Kosgei said the decision (to include Kamathi) be put on hold first. Kosgei said Kemboi needs to be given time to prove himself before a verdict is passed. He said it would be unfair for a verdict to be passed now before Kemboi shows what he can do. "Kemboi will be running in 5000m in Stockholm Grand Prix meeting on July 27. It is only fair that we wait before we can move," he said. Kemboi has been given a condition to post 13.05 minutes in 5000m to prove that he is ready for Athens.

We could pose the question - which Kenyan Athlete has not faced this situation - run for us in the obscure games, and we’ll give you a ticket to the big games…. Now surely Kamathi must be forced to run a 5000m too as it is a near no-brainer Kemboi can dip under 13:05 in Stockholm(!) Kamathi can empathize with Tegla, Joyce, Catherine, and all the other teams members of past & present.

Moving on we love this quote from the horses mouth on something entirely different in Kenyan Athletics - “He said Qatar was represented by Kenyan defectors in both the 800m and the 3000m steeplechase. He said the winner in the 800m, Saeed Moussa is a former Kenyan citizen by the name Elijah Kosgei from Nandi. He said the runner, despite having finished school in Chemuswa Secondary in Nandi in 1999, still purports to be 17 years. Age stands still, in Kenya.

"Artichokes Barigoule"
4 clean achokes extra virgin olive oil white wine chix stock leeks garlic pork belly fresh thyme s&p Render prk fat in olive oil w/ sliced leeks until golden. Deglaze w/ white wine. Add chokes and herbs.Cover with white wine and chix stock. S & P to taste. Simmer until fork tender. This poaching medium make a nice sauce to accompany most white fish...cod, striped bass, halibut. Thanks Haidee, and try it soon the chokes…

Vuitton back from his LV Nevada vacation. Juan kicking the 400’s, Carole needing a boost in the mind before Marathon madness, Charlotte drinking a gallon of water before jumping in to do the bonus 400m and running it like a cheetah. Cristina who has the hottest kick in homestretch. Jessica duellin’ and running the bonus 8. Peter1 almost PR-ing for the mile en route. David P saying, “Where’s Tomster these days?” Kate V making it back before our summer week-off, as was Camille who came down to visit and cheer. And Beth from CPTC coming down for a spin. A good night, and a tough workout. Try 4 x 1-mile, 2 x 400, and 1 x 800 for breakfast.

Recently Eddy has become less and less interested in running, recent talks had him thinking about giving up and coaching. His garden is a huge passion, then golf, and competitive running is a game he has played for so many years his interest was bound to wane. If there is a flaw in the system, and we can not disclose info but they have some pretty amazing back-up evidence(!), then the likelihood of a man getting tested 100-times is going to give a 1% chance of a screw up….
You, like me, will believe more in Eddy if you knew him - AND after the arbitration is over when you hear of his evidence. We send our best and sincere wishes to Shawn & Eddy through this difficult time, and hope the truth will prevail.

Furthermore, a few years back I was with Eddy when he received a parcel from the National Marathon Federation coach. the parcel contained liquids and tablets of vitamins/minerals to be taken for an improved performance at the World Champs. Eddy threw the whole packet away, "I'm not taking anything like that, looks suspicious to me." Hardly the actions of an eager drugs cheat.

Reversing an earlier announcement, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation yesterday included twice Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu in Ethiopia’s women’s 10,000m team at the expense of her younger cousin Ejigayehu Dibaba. Ejigayehu will now run in the women’s 5,000m alongside her younger sister Tirunesh and Sentayehu Ijigu.

And we hear from Leola, “I am taking the kickingboxing class.” Youch!

The hurdler Larry Wade, a training partner of Torri Edwards, tested positive for a prohibited substance earlier this season and could be barred from the Athens Olympics next month, a person with knowledge of the test result said Thursday.

But Torri’s tablet came from a race in Martinique French territory, and surprise surprise yes they do add the stimulant to simple coramine glucose tablets.

In the mailbag, Jeff W’s take, “Toby, Hmmm. Pharmaceuticals in glucose, that's interesting. Not the same as andro in your aminos, same company, same vats, etc. nikethamide (ni·keth·a·mide) (n[ibreve]-keth¢[schwa]-m[imacr]d) a central and respiratory stimulant used to counteract respiratory and central nervous system depression and circulatory failure, administered intramuscularly and intravenously. Administered intramuscularly and intravenously almost certainly because digestive metabolism would render the drug useless. Love the name, by the way. Needs more info on the test. But this is really getting crazy. Like the epidemic of narcolepsy among elite athletes. Tomorrow is another day, time for another scandal.”
And, “ Well, further research says it's possible. There is a product mixing glucose and nikethamide. However, the same excuse was used by french fencer Laura Flessel, who claimed in AUG 2002, she erred and took coramine glucose. Tori Edwards claims she took the drug on 4/24/2004. A perfect prefabricated story. It could even be true. The fencer also claimed she was the victim of a blunder by her medical staff.” thanks Jeff.

5000m Kenenisa Bekele Dejene Berhanu Gebregziabher Gebremariam Sileshi Sihine

10,000m Kenenisa Bekele Haile Gebreselassie Sileshi Sihine Gebregziabher Gebremariam

Marathon Gezahagne Abera (just had minor treatment postponing surgery) Teferi Wedajo (winner of the Paris Marathon in May) Hailu Nigussie (Rich Kenah’s athlete) Anbesse Tolosa

3000m Steeplechase Tewodros Shiferaw Leulseged Walle

Women
1500m Kutre Dulecha Meskerem Legesse Mestawot Taddesse

5000m Tirunesh Dibaba Ejigayehu Dibaba Sintayehu Ejigu Meseret Defar

10,000m Berhane Adere Workinesh Kidane Ejigayehu Dibaba

Marathon Elfinesh Alemu (second in this year’s Boston) Werknesh Tola Ashia Gigi (second in this year’s Paris) Shitaye Gemechu

The shocker - National 2004 Champion Tulu out! Derartu Tulu the reigning women’s Olympic champion at 10,000m, who also won the title in 1992, is the major omission from the women’s track squad.

In the Olympic trials for the 1500, 24 of the 29 starters made it through the first round.. Begging the question…Moving on, surprising to see that Ibrahim Aden did not make the cut…

Women’s steeple - Ann Gaffigan Nebraska 9:39.35A 2 Kathryn Andersen B Y U 9:45.52 3 Carrie Messner Asics 9:50.70 & men’s - Daniel Lincoln Nike 8:15.02 2 Anthoney Famiglietti adidas 8:17.91 3 Robert Gary adidas 8:19.46

Elvan Abeylegesse, the now Turkish Ethiopian WR holder at the 5000, “Ethiopians are good at distance running because of the high altitude, after all we have no sprinters!”

M5000 - Tim Broe adidas 13:27.36 2 Jonathon Riley Nike 13:30.85 3 Bolota Asmerom Nike 13:32.77

Following that it was to Bagel Express on Second Ave (And can we recommend the Sun dried tomato spread), and then after a quick shower off to watch the Softball Game - Tgv doing sprints faster than a Balco rocket, and hitting one into the near stands, whilst we watched from afar (by the food tent of course)… It was the Salomon Smith & Barney Allstars match… then it was over to Hoboken to catch up on the Captain’s BBQ for the evening - the best burgers West of NYC, and even better than my own…. A stuffed ride home had a surprise stopp off at AP to buy a couple of gallons of Turkey Hill - a bewilderment that running was possible the next day!

Anyway I did in fact get down to the nike run, had a great time as usual - Stumpy was leading the tretches, oh-my-god, mind you am I am to speak? Anyway he swore at on wednesday he is going Sub-17 in Prospect Park, hm, is this the same guy that swore he'd beat Chubby? Was given every advantage, over every distance, brobed with meals at Nobu yet failed to deliver in close on to two years??

World 100m champion Torri Edwards may miss the Olympics after testing positive for the banned stimulant nikethamide in April. Can’t believe it… well this way Marion Jones could make the Olympic 100m team(!!), now Gail Devers moves to spot #3, and will she take it or concentrate on the hurdles? Or will Torri just get a warning, as Kelli White originally did? Next up is Marion - surely on line now for a relay berth at the worst. Edwards was awarded the world 100m gold medal from last year after Kelli White, another US sprinter, was stripped of the title in June.

Reality Bites - Edwards' positive test means that the every athlete on the podium in that World 200m has now failed a dope test.

Olympic legend Michael Johnson will learn on Sunday if he is likely to lose his Sydney relay gold medal as a result of the Jerome Young doping case. The International Association of Athletics Federations will meet to decide whether to recommend disqualifying the US 4x400m team. We vote NO. The US team would have won that year whoever it used, and it did have a lot of others running in the semi’s & heats… Mind you were they not Calvin & Alvin?? Silver medallists Jamaica would be promoted to gold.

Defending Olympic 100m champion Maurice Greene will compete in Britain for the first time in two years at the Norwich Union London Grand Prix on 30 July. "It's great to be coming back to Britain again having not been here for two years now," he added. "And even then I did not show the best of my abilities."

We then read, “ In Athens, Timbilil and Barsosio rate Ajegayehu Dibaba of Ethiopia, the second fastest in the world at 10,000m, as the biggest threat. Usual campaigners including Werknesh Kidani and Derartu Tulu are over the hill.” Urm, would that be Ms Tulu who has recently just won the Ethiopian National Championships at 10,000m they are referring to???

Chucky China who now can speak Chinese phrases much better than I can. Kevin who ran like a trooper through the rain and ankle deep puddles like a warrior. Emily “Adam made me come down” earning her stripes. Heidi flying well. David P recovering from The Bronx. Juan stepping up tonight, and Carole of the Vineyards hanging in with smiles “I never realized we started at 7:10 each week, I thought we were sloppy 7 pm starters” ah, no! Larry “Getting vision problems in this storm, can hardly see a thing” well it worked as he was running faster than usual! HotRod zipping through the 400’s as we’d expect! AmexLee who looks well and has defo chiseled down. Ross, our Ringer, and Charlotte who as the rain came down harder, dug deeper. Gary in the puddles, and Century hopping in and putting in the miles… all of which on the wave of the storm…..

Okay, okay - if you send a small team due to a budget problem that is one thing, but really when you send so many officials and so few athletes it is a smack in the face for the future Canadian youth wishing to become Olympians.

They have a Head Coach, six team coaches, and an apprentice coach all traveling!! How much flippin‘ coaching do you need once you are there at the Olympics?? The answer to that is obviously more than the athletes who are there to perform!

The shocker is the Krum-man is out! And for the Old Gals look at Jearl leading the way!!
As the Olympic Trials move on the man who has looked super impressive is still, distance-related speaking, The Senator - Meb K! Running majestically!

Women 800 - Kelly HOLMES Jo FENN W1500 - HOLMES, Hayley TULLETT W5000 - Jo PAVEY, W10,000 - Kathy BUTLER Paula RADCLIFFE, W marathon - RADCLIFFE, Liz YELLING & Tracey MORRIS

Furthermore two of the above three are coached by Trevor Graham, “Graham, who has had six athletes hit with positive drug tests and who published reports have placed up to his eyeballs in the BALCO scandal…”

Mind you, don’t get me started on the tourists this down near Ground Zero who walk hexagonally across every side walk with the clairt of a kazoo note.

In the Steeplchase Shiney’s brother won! CHASTON Justin BELG 8:33.69 MAYS Jermaine KENT 8:39.44 SHEPPARD Kevin AFD 8:40.31
M1500 - SLOW!! MULVANEY Chris BORD 3:50.14 BADDELEY Andrew HARROW 3:50.40 SKINNER Michael B&B 3:50.77 MCCORMICK Nick MORP 3:50.81 THIE James CARD 3:51.13 & M5000 - THOMPSON Chris AFD 13:42.10 SB BARDEN Spencer BELG 13:51.41 SB DAVIES Christopher TEL 13:52.78

Steve Crams says of British Athletics, “There's not too much to shout about, particularly on the men's side, and it's obvious this will be a difficult Games with medals few and far between.”

At 6pm, Hind will be sponsoring "Ladies Nite" a seminar for women- on how to pick the best sports bra. Give aways and raffles as well as refreshments will be provided.

For those who can't make it to the clinic, we will Web cast a chat with Bakoulis, Tanser, and Antonucci on July 21. Check http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/news/ closer to July 21 for details and information on submitting questions.

Sollentuna Swedish meet - M800 - Patrick Nduwimana 78 BDI 1.47,97 2 Japheth Kimutai 78 KEN 1.48,46 3 Rizak Dirshe 72 SWE Malmö AI 1.49,04
M1500 - 1 Hudson da Souza 77 BRA 3.39,50 2 Richard Geemi 73 KEN 3.40,66
3000ST - 1 Wesley Kiprotich KEN 8.24,61 2 Justus Kiprono 87 KEN 8.25,00 3 Jim Svenöy 72 NOR 8.28,24
MHJ - 1 Stefan Holm 76 SWE Kils AIK 230
W800 - 1 Rikke Rönholt 76 DEN 2.02,11 2 Tina Paulino 73 MAR 2.02,27 3 Ewelina Setowska 80 POL 2.04,74
W 5000m 1 Susanne Wigerne 78 NOR 15.40,96 2 Margret Ngotho 71 KEN 15.42,43 3 Vera Notz-Umberg 76 SUI 15.44,92

“On the 1st of June I attended the one and only big track meeting in Hengelo, Holland, a town some 100 miles from Amsterdam. This was the Fanny Blankers Koen games upgraded this year from grand prix 2 to 1. And so I saw mister Bekele break the world record in 5000 which was a thrill to experience. After all his wins for over the last couple of years including his wins over Mr. Gebre himself time had come to set his 1st WR. 12.37.35 is just amazing and he won the race with a 24 second lead. Conditions in the 10.000 filled stadium were just ideal no wind, 15 Celsius I guess. I have been fortunate enough to see Bekele run live a couple of times over the last couple of years.

“For people interested in bio-mechanics he is very exciting to study. It has been for a long time in which was said the Kenyans had the perfect statues for distance running, including the long thin legs. Bekele's built is different, he is short in size and his legs look rather firm but they just keep moving back and forth like they are an unwinding toy and there is just no stop to it! He loses no energy making movements a runner shouldn’t make keeping his upper body like in perfect harmony only let the arms move. Gebre himself is still an amazing runner shaking out 26.41.58 in 10.000 on the very same day with is just super-fast, however he can not beat Bekele anymore who just enters a new time-zone and will set a new standard in distance running for the next 10 years.

“Hicham el Guerrouj was announced at the meeting but did not race, guess you read about his problems starting the season. I hope he can grab the title he deserves in Athens and retire afterwards but he will not get it cheap. He is not getting better anymore and he drags 2 losses in Olympic finals in Atlanta and Sydney with him. Of course there was much more but you must have read all results at IAAF of at fbk-games.nl. Until next time which will be faster in delivery!

“Got yesterday a copy of the new book "Road to Athens" by Bill Adcocks. As you know Bill is famous for holding the course record of 2:11 over the Athens marathon course. The record sill stands today, and many claim the record will not be broken during the Olympics. Obviously a hell of an achievement during the time. However, you get the impression that he took it a bit too far and sees himself almost among the running gods :) Get a decent field, put up the prize money and the record will be broken, no?

Clicks See, Clicks2 Greetings, Urban.” Thanks!

Also out there was RLX helping with traffic directions, Fidel who kindly pointed out which runners were going to pass me, and good to see Trevor Murray again. I ran some of the way with Laurent - good to see him again, and with my view from afar it was nice to see Kabiso run away with things. We met Peter Heim. On the start line who predicted, “I’m going to run with the HR monitor today, I think I’ll do 1:15” and that is what he did(!)

Congrats to Claudia Camargo who won the race, to Alan Rube who was the day’s master blaster with his usual dominance, and great to see one of our favs Greater NY’s Michelle Bleakley back again on the racing scene after having a baby! TGV was having knots in the belly, Peter1 was suffering from an impromptu Friday workout on the Bridle Path when he thought he was going for an easy run - NOT the best pre-half work out idea! We saw Chucky China who was taking it easy and smiling as he ran, a whole host of Flyers, and thanks to all the fine NY City Runners who shouted out en route - diamonds!

In the afternoon we went up to the Palisades to check out a star bucks and look at an old fort, buy beer, ice cream, brie, ham, baguettes, the day’s second Apple Fritter, and whatever was later constructed into the nights nutrition - twas a luverly day, as they say.

His stops before Athens - 1500m in Stockholm (27 July), a Mile in London (30 July) and a 1500m in Zurich (6 August). He is now the hot fav for a gold in Athens, and to beat his idol en route, El G.

Anybody who wants to start training for a Fall marathon but needs a push in the right direction should check out Kenyan Way Marathon Academy in beautiful Newport R.I.. Just $450 will get you Sunday - Friday in Newport and includes three meals daily and dormatory accomodations. Oh yeah, the running...Camp instructors are top-notch Kenyan road-racers and track runners including 2003 Masters Runner of the Year Jackson Kipng'ok and 1988 Olympic 1500m Gold Medalist Peter Rono. A week of Fun in the Sun to Run. Learn about the Kenyans, run with the Kenyans and have a blast.

Other races this weekend of note - Utica Boilermaker of course is the biggie in the state of NY, but up on 133rd ST you can jump in the Voice of NYRR‘s, Ian Brooks’s Sunday Track - ’A day at the races’. Chubby will be defending his unbeaten Masters 5000m record, he has never, ever lost to another master over this distance on the track… can he keep it up, “All depends on that Saturday night…” he was heard to have said.

And the speculation has ended as Nicholas Kemboi, who posted the second fastest time in the 10,000m last year, yesterday said he rejected a deal to become a Qatar citizen due to his love for Kenya.
Kemboi, who reported to the Olympic camp yesterday, said he had to make hard last minute decisions due to his patriotism. Kemboi was one of the two runners to defect to the gulf state last year. The other one is James Kwalia, who is still pursuing the deal.

He said he could not imagine changing his name and religion just because of money. "As far as I am concerned, money is something but it is not everything," he said. He said he had built his name for some time and changing it to something else was in bad taste. Besides, he said he was a strong Christian and did not imagine turning into Islam or any other faith at the moment. Kemboi said he was approached by a strong delegation from Qatar and promised all the good earthly things. "I still want to compete for my country now and in future and the decision to change citizenship did not sound as good idea to me," he noted. He said unlike Kenya, the Qatar government was ready to offer material wealth any time he won medals for them. He said in Kenya, nobody cares whether you win medals or not. "All we do after winning medals for this country is to shake hands with the Minister for Sports at the airport on arrival and that is it," he added.

Kemboi, who has been nursing an injury, said he had recovered and would like to concentrate on training for the next one month. Kemboi said he will train at Kasarani for two weeks before shifting to Switzerland where he will train for the same period. Kemboi said he will run the 5000m at the Zurich Grand Prix to gauge himself before the Olympic Games.

Larry of the Millrosians, David P getting it all together - good luck on Sunday, Charlotte getting ready for Katmandu, Chucky China running a storming last mile begging the Q where was the storm in the earlier repeat? Cristina on form, and winner of the fashion plate award,
RandySax sporting the Orange trim of the Duane St jazz team, Shawn just perusing, Sean F stealing the socks from Chubby’s toes, and Chubby, “Check out that blister, I was bitten by a shark out on Montauk…. And yes I will kick anyone’s Butt who happens to be a master at the Sunday 5000!”

Press Release - Ladies Night Jog Bra specials, and a new model revealed TUESDAY at the Store!! Come on down! A talk, a show (no guys allowed), and super prices, Tuesday after work!

Peter, finally convinced not to do two speed sessions per day! Cindy down visiting and Kevin’s Fiancee - K. himself rolling like thunder, and Anne K getting ready to shot for a super fast 5k PR at Vytra on Saturday (Kimka’s in that race too).

Suneet in my good books bringing a bottle of Ribena from his last trip to Blighty (and believe it or not the bottle offers a blow-up donkey as a send in prize). David G exclaiming this week felt better than the last. Zack chasing down the times well, AmexLee in his yellows, Jonnie getting ready for his next multi sport race before settling into the marathon mode.

Luiz back and flyin, Jose too back in the pack, and his friend from El Salv. (Yes we have a huge amount of the United Nations!) Conor with a bad back but getting it done, Kurt Le Vert stepping up to step over (Watch out Mrs. Le Vert), Adam wins the nice guy award buying one of my books, and then wanting it signed (he gets a free pass to Boot Camp next week), Jessica very strong in her mile repeat. HotRod surprisingly tame in the flying 400, Dutch running with two pints in his belly - that’ll teach him to him the bar first. Ah, what a night.

And El Guerrouj Says He May Miss the Athens Olympics. He says he has breathing problems that haven't yet responded to medications. "I'm very worried about going to the Olympics or not. I'll make my final decision on August 6." Could this be the same breathing problems that kept Regina Jacobs from the Olympics in 2000?? He wins in La Suisse - (see below)

And Uta Pippig, three time winner of the Boston Marathon and back from her own drugs suspension, has received her U.S. citizenship, and won her first local road race as an American the next day up in Bean town.

By Limo: Be at the Lounge (71 Broadway 11-L) no later than 6:30. By Subway: Take the 4 train to Bedford Park Boulevard/ Lehman College and walk west on Bedford Park Boulevard to the start at Goulden Avenue. By Car: Take the Major Deegan Expressway to the Fordham Road exit and drive east on Fordham Road to Jerome Avenue. Turn left on Jerome Avenue to Bedford Park Boulevard. The start is two blocks west at Goulden Avenue. Roads near the start will close by 7:15 a.m. Please plan accordingly. The Dudes travel by Limo we believe!

Very nice to read, and a real shocker. And here’s the Select results from the Lausanne GP last night - M1500 - El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:32.20 2 Songok Isaac Kiprono KEN 3:32.22 3 Heshko Ivan UKR 3:33.00 4 Rotich Laban KEN 3:33.40 5 Kipchirchir Alex KEN 3:34.04 6 Liefers Gert-Jan NED 3:34.46 7 Kennouche Abdelslam ALG 3:35.86 8 Baba Youssef MAR 3:36.38 9 Boulahfane Kamal ALG 3:36.65 10 Koers Marko NED 3:37.19 11 Gallardo Sergio ESP 3:37.80 12 Formela Miroslaw POL 3:38.60 13 Nolan James IRL 3:38.75 14 Selmouni Anis MAR 3:40.56 15 Rono Robert KEN 3:42.38 16 Stember Michael USA 3:43.12

M5000 - Jawher Mushir Salim BRN 13:02.47 2 Wendimu Mulugeta ETH 13:02.78 3 Abate Abiyote ETH 13:03.33 4 Limo Richard KEN 13:05.12.… #15 Bitok Paul KEN 13:40.06 16 Limo Benjamin KEN 13:40.84 (world champ in 2001).

W1500 - Yegorova ‘EPO’ Olga RUS 4:01.41 2 Zadorozhnaya Yelena RUS 4:01.72 3 Okninska Lidia POL 4:02.83 4 Tomashova Tatyana RUS 4:03.53 5 Tadesse Mestawat ETH 4:05.15
W800 - Cherkasova Svetlana RUS 1:58.91 2 Mutola Maria de Lurdes MOZ 1:59.06 3 Mendes Luciana de Paula BRA 1:59.11 4 Aït Hammou Amina MAR 1:59.13 -Mutola Beaten??
M800 - Mutua Joseph KEN 1:44.50 2 Yiampoy William KEN 1:44.78 3 Kamel Youssef Saad BRN 1:44.99 4 Sepeng Hezekiél RSA 1:45.11 5 Saïd-Guerni Djabir ALG 1:45.17

And the men’s 3000 ST - Kemboi Ezekiel KEN 8:17.46 2 Nyamu Julius KEN 8:17.83 3 Jiménez Antonio David ESP 8:19.55 4 Ezzine Ali MAR 8:20.05 5 Kirui Eliud Kibet KEN 8:21.56 6 Kipyego Michael KEN 8:23.14

“Two Boots is located at 37 Ave. A (Btw. 2nd and 3rd). Please note there is also a Two Boots on Ave A btw. 3rd and 4th, this is not the one we will be headed to. The one between 2nd and 3rd is more of a sit-down joint. Not always easy to find a large table at the one located between 3rd and 4th. Hope to see you Wednesday. -Kate.” Thx Kate.

A Paris appeals court turns down a request by Lance Armstrong that a book accusing him of doping include his outright denial of allegations Cycling time-trial world champion David Millar has pulled out of the Olympic team, his representatives say. During police questioning last week Millar admitted taking the banned drug erythropoietin (EPO) in 2001 and 2003. He is already barred from the Tour de France starting on Saturday as his Cofidis team is under investigation in the doping probe.

The story behind Wilson ~ Moves to Denmark in 1990-91. Wins the World Champs in 1995, not allowed in the Olympics 1996 due to the KAAA. Did not seek early citizenship by wedding his Danish girlfriend. The week after the Olympics he absolutely demolished the field at Zurich, that included all three medallists. Won the world champs a couple more times, picking up the WR along the way. Finally made the Olympics in 2000, though out of form, and ran one of his worst ever races. And now he is back! Wow, his nickname back in the late 1980’s when attending the St Patrick’s HS was ‘Old Man’ (Kenyan school years do not exactly mesh with ours), so I wonder what they make of him now?

M1500 - Ramzi Rashid BRN 3:30.25 2 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:30.81 3 Baala Mehdi FRA 3:31.25 4 Songok Isaac Kiprono KEN 3:31.94 5 Silva Rui POR 3:32.13 6 Kipchirchir Alex KEN 3:32.35 7 East Michael GBR 3:32.37 8 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:32.64
And a fast M5000 - Kipchoge Eliud KEN 12:46.53 2 Sihine Sileshi ETH 12:47.04 3 Birhanu Dejene ETH 12:54.15 4 Gebremariam Gebre-egziabher ETH 12:55.59 5 Limo Richard KEN 12:59.37
W800 - Ceplak Jolanda SLO 1:57.68 2 Cherkasova Svetlana RUS 1:58.02 3 Aït Hammou Amina MAR 1:59.31
W1500 - 1 Yegorova “EPO” Olga RUS 4:01.15 2 Zadorozhnaya Yelena RUS 4:01.38 3 Tomashova Tatyana RUS 4:01.69

W5000 - a highlight event, because it saw the return of The Simba, who had some niggling injuries issues, and in a comeback race NOT at her distance she ran great for #9 - Congrats to her & The Coaching expertise Starbucks, who may not be too well known yet for his coaching talents, but is in fact on top of the pile - Remember his successes with 2:07 & 2:08 marathoners? Anyway the race itself: - Dibaba Ejegayehu ETH 14:37.99 2 Kidane Werknesh ETH 14:38.05 3 Defar Meseret ETH 14:44.81 4 Dibaba Tirunesh ETH 14:47.43 5 Masai Edith KEN 14:49.16 6 Timbilili Alice KEN 14:53.17 7 Jepleting Prisca KEN 14:54.24 8 Mikitenko Irina GER 14:55.43 9 Kiplagat Lornah NED 14:56.89

The Steeplechase, and Paul K proves that he should be in the Olympic team, after finishing 11th in the Kenyan trials!! - Koech Paul Kipsiele KEN 7:59.65 2 Kiprotich Wesley KEN 8:15.25 3 Kirui Eliud Kibet KEN 8:17.62
Triple Jump, and Sweden’s Christian is rocking - Olsson Christian SWE 17.50 +0.1 2 Burkenya Danila RUS 17.39

Other Jumping news is that the 1991 World Champs comeback has been thwarted with injuries - we won’t see Mike Powell at the Olympics.

And Urban addds, “So I may try this in Chicago to get into the mood, when you see there someone striding up and down the start line like Angus Young (ACDC) then you know it's me :) Plus some interesting story about Ethiopian running mentality. Didn't know that Tulu's, Geb's and Abere's gold medal hand in the christian church of St. Mary's. Also mentions Kostre plans to extend his coaching for 800m, 1500m and steeplechase. Not good news for the Kenyan rivals.” Thanks Urban for the mail!

Women - 1. Susan Chepkemei, 29, KEN, 31:55; 2. Constantina Tomescu-Dita, 34, ROM, 32:14; 3. Colleen S De Reuck, 40, Boulder, CO, USA, 32:31; 4. Kathy Butler, 30, GBR, 32:37;

What not to buy - Refridgerators with TV screens as a selling point? Whatever next.. The same with car advertisers, they seem more concerned with telling you that the model has an in-car DVD screen that what the car has for an engine!

We feel it is unfair because Abraham has always been a loyal performer for Kenya, always toed the line, and did not swop countries like his younger brother for dollars. To drop him also from the All-Africa team (Although he later stated he did not wish to runthe race), is a snub beyond words.

Serena Williams, who in discussing her relationship with her sister in a People magazine story said, "Me and Venus are like peas and carrots. We're not together as much, but I love being around her." ... Yesterday Serena Williams ‘killed’ Jennifer Capriati in 45 minutes at Wimbledon.

First up - July 11 Mile 400m 5000m 800m 4 X 400m relay

anyway yes so Chubby was showing off his tan, and slimness, and the soon to be Mrs. Chubby (not in weight) CJ came down as the week’s fashion plate, again… and before I get in to the report let me say the workout was damn hard, damn hard! Peter sporting the new singlets of Farago Racing, did great on the 8’s, Zack, Gary, Heidi of the Harriers doing well - Zack running like a demon and Heidi showing speed is naturelle. Sir Alec with a stitch, well that was his excuse, glad to see Queen of the Harriers, Adam getting ready for a fast 5k but missed Fairfield.

Kevin, we take our hats off to this guy who killed himself in the last mile and came within four seconds of the free shoes. Anne back in her stride and with eye of the tiger again. Welcome back to a fav of mine, Conor the Irish Ironman - coming back to reap up some speed. Kurt Le Vert getting ready for his next steeple, and planning his NYC marathon. AmexLee off traveling and onto the track, as per Jonnie too “that was the hardest session I’ve done,” Jose running back again like he was before and outta the sand of the Sahara.

Tom Shaw charging in the sprints. Charlotte and husband Ross, a ringer in the makings. Charlotte reeled him in as the pain set it lactic lock on his legs. AmexChris a late charge onto the track, and some good miles. Shawn as a spectator, “I plan to have a team party soon.” Yeehar… And Sean Fortune coming down too for part of the workout, with a view to becoming a triathlete we hear. Hotrod, late down, but fast to catch up! Juan & Carole the newly weds, and Juan shot off on a 400 after not hearing that only Carole got the excuse note.

Luiz from Venezuela coming to say hi, nice of him - he has visitors in town and has to do the obligations. David P finding new found sprinting gears beyond the speeds of Balco! Liverpool Lucas who has more gears that he cares to admit, and ran at some stunning speeds last night. David Goldwin, down after a long time. Michelle2 showing that she’ll square off with anyone in the 200’s! Buffalo looking better and better every single week! Every one ran so so well we even cancelled the Boot Camp for once… as it was a in-field of attrition as the final run was finished.

Anyway, any one runnin’ and traveling to Athens, or elsewhere should read this!

continued....here.