Untitled

11/01

Paula, Isla, and Gary come in to town!

An article on Gete Wami who likes to eat lamb each night. So I took my hunting fork to Sheep’s Meadow for her.

Christine Ohuruogu will have a personal hearing next month as she tries to overturn a ban from running for Britain at the Olympics. Yeah yeah, wins UK athlete of the year, Britain over turns it “Higher than Almighty” decisions, and they stand down for what they stood up for. I said this months ago, it is going to happen.

Last night in the park the Missile bombed through the park and ran mid 22’s for a hilly course of just under four miles – Jamie is in form. Kevin the commander was coming in a couple of ticks later, Luiz is ready for Sunday and was smooth, Holly is ready to retire after #10, Orish John, Bill clipping along, Diane in her Halloween costume ran the whole way dressed as a ghoul! Joya and Nicole ran at marathon pace and were off by over a minute at mile one! Oops. Jules was prepped up and Sam.. who else… my mind was on pizza as I was off to the pizzeria afterwards, the only one to get a 23 food rating from Zagats!

10/31

Donating their running shoes to S4A--Emily Deschanel, Elijah Wood, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Edwards... Paula Radcliffe, Lornah Kiplagat, Tegla Loroupe, Moses Kiptanui, Bill Rodgers, Grete Waitz, Lidiya Grigoryeva--and many more...

Russian Aleksey Sokolov improved his own course record set last year when winning Monday's Dublin Marathon in two hours nine minutes and seven seconds. Great time for not the most easiest of courses!

Great human interest for the Shoe4Africa story: “Did you know that the grandchild of the granny who won shoes at the shoe4africa in Nyamira was so inspired that he ran all the way to nationals.” Dreams do start with a pair of shoes! Thanks to the Rudolf Steiner School, and the James Baldwin School who have both done shoe drives!! The RS school were counting 165 pairs today! Spence is doing a huge shoe drive too.

LAST CHANCE to go to the IAAF site and vote for the Simba, C’mon, it takes literally ten secs! www.iaaf.org

10/30

This blog will be suffering at the hands of **the Runner’s World Insider Blog this week! Too bad for this blog. Check out the Jelena & Marilson info…

Did I mention we have a shoe donator from Malta? Nicole Grima – thanks! Getting boxes ready for the Kibera drive. Thanks to Mia too for her kind donation!

Another Iten star makes it big--"My husband had to go out and borrow money for me to come to Nairobi. He is jobless and getting Sh1,200 to use as fare is not easy for him. He struggled to let me come and compete in Nairobi.” 70-shillings is one dollar. this starlet won the Nairobi Marathon.

“Jill Stevens has run a 3:08:33 marathon and served a 12-month tour of duty in Afghanistan and is the reigning Miss Utah wants to be the next Miss USA we read on RW… It is nice to read that Miss Kenya is actually going into the Kenya slums and fighting disease there!

A school in Long Island 700 pairs, Il Pirata says Thomson Financial has ten boxes of shoes, Lehman brothers is driving a truck round NYC collecting from their offices! The Kibera Project will be a big hit! Starbucks is on his way to Kenya today and will be planning the Press release in Kenya for this January for the Kibera Sports Festival over there.. Runner’s World/Rodale has a van coming up from Emmaus… All over, every day, it is happening!

Lissy is going to London, and bringing back Chocolate – Did I mention I coach the nicest athletes?

10/29

**It is back!** And it will pick up steam when more people start to come in for the race. The one and only Runner’s World Insider’s blog for the marathon. The only news vessel that gets behind the stories.. well too bad I can’t really release the gossipy ones, because those are bubbling already!

The week begins, on Monday is the annual start of marathon week. But before all that I would like to thank the musician Karunesh for the music!!

One Simple Concept: “You have run your race, now give others a chance.” Anthony Edwards. The Kibera Shoe drive – please let me know if you can be a volunteer on Monday!! Thanks to all who have already contacted me, we will have a good group! If you can join us, cool – and thanks! Shoe4Africa will be in a major magazine this week!! Watch out for it.

Talking to the Simba about her plans a-coming up and Starbucks about are plans coming up! Next up for the Simba is a world record attempt at the Seven Hills 15k in Holland.. Sihine is going for the men’s world record!

More, Riadha SHOE4AFRICA women’s team debut in the Mayor’s Cup Boston. They win!! Way to go!!

At the Poland Springs both Monika and Rachel placed at the Poland Springs in their age group, and Letura had his first race on the US soil. Not only that, Tom from my F.I.T. group placed in the men’s >20 div.

World 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu is named Great Britain's Athlete of the Year for 2007. Enough said.

An old HATC athlete Wilfred KIGEN, KEN won Frankfurt 2.07.58 45000 euros 2. Hosea ROTICH, KEN 2.08.11 30000 3. Sammy KURGAT, KEN 2.08.38 17500 4. Peter KIPROTICH, KEN 2.08.49

And the women-- 1. Melanie KRAUS, GER 2.28.56 15000 euros 2. Svetlana ZAKHAROVA, RUS 2.29.12 A comeback from… a non comment in the making.

Another Starbucks athlete who trained at HATC—wins Venice 1. Lenah Cheruiyot (Kenya) 2:27:02, top 5 men Kenyan: Jonathan Kosgei Kipkorir (Kenya) 2:12:27

World Marathon champion Luke Kibet won the Great South Run in 47:31. A former WR holder for the distance, Rose Cheruiyot, wonthe women’s race in 53:41 – the record now lives in SIMBA land.. a time of 50-minutes!!

Meanwhile here is the place that ChuckyChina is going to eat out at, too bad I can’t join him, but there is a do at the Mayor’s Gracie Mansion, then I have a dinner at the Cornell Club where I have to give a talk, then I would like to get to the NY Flyers last pasta night dinner, then I have a meeting with some foreign collegues, and some coaching, but that is a typical evening for next week: Recommended Dishes Crispy turnip pastries with salty ham, $3.25; tofu-skin mock duck, $4.50; fatty pork shoulder with red honey-soy sauce and baby bok choy, $10.95

10/26

Happy Birthday to Chrisy C in Brookline, Boston!

WMM newz-- • If Prokopcuka wins New York, she wins the WMM Series; • If Prokopcuka is runner-up in New York and Wami places fourth or lower, Prokopcuka wins the WMM Series; • If Prokopcuka places third in New York and Wami is outside of the top five, Prokopcuka wins the WMM Series. • All other scoring scenarios would result in Wami clinching the WMM Series.

The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men's Marathon will award a prize purse of $250,000, going 10 deep. Each of the three athletes who compete in the 2008 Olympic Games will receive a $20,000 Olympic marathon team bonus (payable post-Beijing).

Nairobi marathon coming up, we have a 31-minute women runner in there doing a debut, Grace M. best wishes to her!

By Elias, on the IAAF site, “Kiplagat awarded prestigious UN honour in Amsterdam” It is the year of the Simba! Well done to her! More to come.

10/25

Imagine—A man goes running on the Masai Mara, he runs with a local tribesman. The tribesman says his dream is to run the ING NYC Marathon. The man who is running with the tribesman is a famous film star. We train the tribesman, and Anthony Edwards brings this athlete to New York, and in a week and a half his dream will come true! Letura Kaino makes his debut this Sunday at the Poland Springs 5-miler! Karibuni Letura, welcome to America – your dream is now coming true!!

At a rarely run distance in Italy The Simba dominates as she has done all year--Women (4km) 1. Lornah Kiplagat, NED, 12:21 2. Beatrice Jepchumba, KEN, 12:52 3. Fridah Domongole, KEN, 12:56

Men (9.7km) 1. Hillary Bii, KEN, 27:00 2. Awash Habtamu Fikadu, ETH, 27:01 3. Joel Kimurer, KEN, 27:17

From the NYRR, “Join us for the start of something special! Just one week before the ING New York City Marathon, this race travels the roads of Central Park and ends at the same finish line.”

Going back to Lornah – I really hope the IAAF choose their Athlete of the Year by looking – who has won two World Championship titles, breaking two world bests (20k and ½-marathon). Over two surfaces, cross-country and road. When I look at the list of other athletes the only name close I think is Meseret Defar, also a fab athlete, but you look at their head to head – Lornah the Half Marathoner and Defar the 5000m specialist – well they met only once this year, it was picture perfect distance for both – in the middle a 10km recently after Meseret had done that stunning 5000m indoor time and was very much in her best shape…. The result? The Simba won by a minute!! So, if you can, please spend two minutes by voting for Lornah.

Down on a rainy cold track –Commander Kevin, The Missile Jamie cr-ui-ZING, Chuckychina who was not in a good mood, Jules who was making observations about Abs’s T shirt, must have been about the back of Abs’s T shirt, Doz, Erin who was running like a rocket, John da Oirish who was moseying with the Ethiopinistas, Paul, Sam, Mr. ? Bill, Nancy, Lissy who thought she was under the weather but kept on running faster and faster, Don, Queen of the Harriers Diane, Rachel who ran long after everyone else had stopped, and is probably still running now, and Sam, and Joya, and Nicole – full marks to Nicole who came and did the session on the way to the airport, to go to Chile! Now there is dedication!

”Indianapolis, USA - 2004 Olympic bronze medallist Meb Keflezighi leads a field of 134, the largest field for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon since 1984, on 3 November in New York City, USA Track & Field has announced. Coming to a city near you!

10/24
Coming up starting on Sunday – The RUNNER’S WORLD Insider’s Blog is back!!

A course preview from “NY track star” as we hear – nice short vid.

Briefcase Breakfast--When your body goes without food it burns calories more slowly to conserve energy. Sage advise from the Y.

The 2009 European Cross Country Championships will be staged at Santry in Dublin. Will EPO Berk make a comeback??

The Simba, on January 18, willbe at the Dubai Marathon! Remember VOTE for the Simba at the www.iaaf.org site! Athlete of the year.

10/23
Well I did the last ten miles again on Monday. I can tell you it is a lot more difficult on a weekday morning with Le Traffic. My running friend though was very good at getting across the roads, and I think we only had to stop once. I am getting so familiar with the course I feel I could run the event!

Coming up this weekend, on Sunday, the 5-mile race in the park that every marathoner should do!

Boston beat Cleveland.. well in Chicago the Russian Rocket was telling me that Cleveland were going to win the world series, and I told him no way, it would be Boston (this was also when the Yankees were still in the hunt). He dismissed my projection and told me that I don’t know anything about Baseball, well it looks like knowing nothing about the game (a true observation) was actually an advantage. Jeez, I am on a betting roll!

Big names for the Greatest race series. Rumors abound they are thinking of expanding the circuit, and you’ll never guess what races will be included.

10/22
Running Times, Rocks! In the December 2007 issue, talking running books, (After a very nice article about Kenya),
‘Train Hard, Win Easy. A cult classic.’

In the mailbag from a shoe donator, “I saw the documentary Darwin's Nightmare - and the sight of the woman without shoes/rubber boots drying left-over fish, with stubs for toes being devoured by maggots still haunts me!”

The last 10 was a great run, nice to see all the faces out there -- a bumper group, like a huge convoy going down First Avenue, and the weather was beautiful Thanks to Jo Ann for the two-tone bagel with maggots in it, well actually it was onion really.

Thanks to Anthony, and also the donators at his first giving site, raising money for Shoe4Africa at this year’s NYC marathon, like Camila from Bear Stearns! Anthony’s fund page.

“Radcliffe indicates a third World Cross title campaign is an option - Edinburgh 2008…” would be a big boon for the organizers.

Amsterdam-- Another new Kenyan!! 1) Emmanuel Mutai Kenia 2.06.29!!
2) Richard Limo Kenia 2.06.45 (2001 world champ at 5000m) 3) James Rotich Kenia 2.07.12 4) Paul Kirui Kenia 2.07.12 (Richard Chelimo’s brother) 5) Yonas Kifle Eritrea 2.07.34 6) Jason Mbote Kenia 2.07.51 (Team Volare, used to live at the HATC where he must have learned all the secrets) 7) Shadrack Kiplagat Kenia 2.07.53 8) Tsegaye Kebede Ethiopië 2.08.16 9) Kamiel Maase Nederland 2.08.21 National record. 10) Paul Kosgei Kenia 2.09.31 Brother Luc did not have his day, he said that he never got going really bu thte best news is that he has found a coach he is happy with; Kamiel Maase’s.

Jam jar wins in her debut marathon!! Hilda Airlines does not fare as well, but we know this is just a stepping stone for her…

1) Magdaline Chemjor Kenia 2.28.16 2) Dorota Gruca Polen 2.30.10 3) Ayelech Worku Ethiopië 2.30.15 4) Shiru Deriba Ethiopië 2.30.30 5) Liza Hunter-Galvan Nieuw-Zeeland 2.30.40 6) Hilda Kibet Nederland 2.32.10

1. Nephat Kinyanjui, KEN 2:08:09 from Lisa Buster’s camp wins in Beijing… No terror stories about pollution there. 2. Ren Longyun, CHN 2:08:15 3. Han Gang, CHN 2:08:56 & Women - 1. Chen Rong, CHN 2:27:05 2. Zhang Yingying, CHN 2:27:20 3. Bai Xue, CHN 2:27:46

10/19
Defending champion Jo Pavey will miss the Great South Run on 28 October after failing to recover from a groin injury & Benita J. who is not yet recovered from her Chicago run. Portugal's former Olympic 10,000m champion Fernanda Ribeiro and top Kenyan Rose Cheruiyot have been drafted in as replacements. Rose is the defending Champ of Amsterdam Marathon… so I guess she is not defending this Sunday. Mara Yamauchi will be there – and we hope she wins!

The first time I ever met Rose C. (A long time ago) she said, “Hey, white man, give me your shoes, I need them for my Mother.” And your name is?

Well a fun day as always, I was running with a fashion model, come designer, author, business woman in Central Park called Kelly and we saw Chubbs. Chubbs speeded up to come by. Then we did a 180 and followed him, round the corner who was doubled over… At lunch time I met Anthony before he goes to Kenya to pick up the masai guy who is coming to run the NYC Marathon, coming soon… great story and they are filming a doc. On it, so watch out. In the evening it was the Urban group after a natter with Alem. All ran well, and it was a quiet night in CP. Afterwards a Harriers party run by NYC’s famous RunBam at the Store, and I got the chance to talk to Diane Queen of the Harriers, CeCe (long time no cece), ChuckyChina, Patrick and Rodney’s Pingpong buddy, quaff a few corona’s etc blah blah. Today is Friday, and I am looking forward to a fun weekend, First Stop Sunken Meadow (I kid you not, in Long Island), and of course remember on Sunday the famed Last ten miles, now in our 36th year of doing this run (ha ha)…

Life in Kenya is damn hard! This photo is a tribute to Anthony, who left this hat at the camp – it became the communal pass-around camp hat till the Kenyan Chef took it home.

10/18
VOTE FOR THE SIMBA
IAAF Athlete of the year – she has won two of their Championships, on the road and on cross country, she has set a world record in the latter Championship, and she was defending her world championship title in the said event – She is the only woman on the list with two world titles, and a world record.. so, for once, let’s hope, that the IAAF, which is supposed to be the ‘running’ vessel not exclusively track, looks beyond the rubber, and votes the Simba! – Just remember Defar, whom we like and who runs for Mizuno, came to track The Simba in February when she was in her superb indoor track mode – The Simba beat her by over a minute in San Juan at the 10k! Waste no time, vote today.

The last ten miles – this Sunday, reminder, leaving as close to 8:45 as possible, so be there on time.

Last night at practice –Commander Kev getting ready for a re-run at 26.2, Abs – tried but couldn’t kill him, ChuckyChina like a train, Monika back on track, Mark strong (instead of lancing), Joya did great from SRZ, Oirish John earning his pebbles, Jamie the Missile destroying the track, Jules hanging by- also pushing well, Luiz on the money and looking better each week, Erin the super smooth getting ready for the Mayor’s Cup (with the Missile and Rachel)… Speaking of which Rachel (who can do no wrong since giving me the perfect post marathon present which I ate 12-hrs after running Chicago (Choco’s), turned up 20-mins late due to La trafique, “No worries, you’ve still got 30-minutes to go of intervals….” Actually I squeezed it out for 55-minutes, and that was before the bonus getting me in the verbal jip with Kristin who ended the track session by sitting down on the in-field. In fact Track Man Dave tried a similar tactic after 50-minutes, but somehow I managed to get him to keep on going (no doubt cursing like a trooper), Suneet ran well in his marathon tune up (This was the last Killah session before the NYC, notice the word killah – next week will be the last demon session…) and also bringing me a Dundee cake from London scored bonus points (redeemable against nothing, but worth having of course). Nicole was running well pushing hard, Impressive efforts by Don, Bill, and the ever improving Lissy, Paul was solid, as was Stuart, Mr. ? has his usual performance, as did a couple of others who slipped by my memory right now…

After track I went up to 94th ST for pizza and had to ride at 500-mph to get there on time as the session went on so long, and I can’t even blame the runners as they were running by the clock!

So Todd, who has remained silent for some time wants a chance to win back his bet. Talks of London were of course dismissed – I am not crossing over to another continent to make a point, so, because I know sometimes it is best to act with Gentlemanly conduct, and I have to be there anyway, the ‘double or nothing’ is down to the Poland Springs 5-miler. When faced with the actual “It’s a deal” Todd has asked for thinking time.

Competing before that, and we are sure probably setting a world record en route, is THE SIMBA! She’s racing a 4k of all distances, let’s go Simba! And of course Mini Simba, Hilda Airlines, has her marathon this Sunday.

PS—We missed Nancy Grapefruit who got stuck sitting at the desk, at work… Soz Nance.

10/17
Hilda “Airlines” Kibet – debut in Amsterdam! Watch this space! (she's featured in the video). And we get a message from Hilda, “I am running the race, then I’m sending you the shoes to Kibera.” What an angel!!

No word from Chubbs yet to how he ran on Sunday, but he says that he is on the up, and his store employees are on the way down.. as far as running goes.

Last ten, this Sunday -- come run the last ten miles of the NYC Marathon course with us, 8:45-am on First Ave, at 60th & First Ave.

Congrats to Lissy who had another PR at Staten Island – a pay off for all her hard work.. and to Eileen too, for a win in Scarsdale in her comeback 5km!

So I have made a little film for youtube on Kenya – I thought if I am going to become a film producer I better start doing some practice runs… so hopefully it will appear on youtube soon. Remember though, before you judge me harshly, this is my zippy zappar – call it a rough cut.

I heard from Camp Kenya Mexico today, they of course were delighted that the Simba won the World Half! That was the talk south of the border.

Big thanks to Susan McClananahan for supporting Shoe4Africa by pledging to Anthony, and send in the pledge that she had placed on Todd – Susan, you are a diamond! Thanks to others who have paid a pledge like Isaya the Skinny Kenyan, Fred from Boston, and Claudia – Minnesota!!

Eindhoven, Netherlands - Philip Singoei (Ken) 2:07:57, Lydia Kurgat (Ken) 2:39:27 --Phillip is Brother Luc’s training partner…speaking of which yesterday I ran with NYC legend StuGlu in the park. Did you know he has a 34-year streak of sub 5-minute miles? Amazing! I asked Chubby how long his streak was, discounting the Betty Ford years of course, “Urm, urm, let’s say please don’t look up what I ran this weekend, but wait till October 21st up at VCP when I will break 18…” Fighting words from the Chubbster!

10/15
Lornah Kiplagat smashes both the 20k & the Half Marathon world record in defending her title at the World Half Champs in Udine Italy. The Simba barely missed the 15km world record… however that will be in the bag shortly. If I had a scanner I anted to show you a picture of Lornah from 1995 running in a race just outside of Nairobi, but another day.. but it is another step in her astonishing career that has taken her this weekend to her third world title.

It was a day of faves, Tadesse a hot cake won the men, and Lornah, well the Simba was a clear fave of course.

Wanjiru: "My next competition, I go to Japan for the Fukuoka Marathon in December." Who was not in the best of form, and Evans, who was in form, “This is the second time I’ve raced here,” said Cheruiyot, winner of the 2006 Udine Half Marathon, “and I tried my very best. Why am I so happy with the bronze? Because this is my first time at any World Championships.”

Great PR from the Denver team, very nice of them --Runners who participated in the Chicago Marathon but were unable to finish will be allowed to waive their entry fee for the Denver Marathon.Some who raced in the Chicago run were unable to finish when organizers stopped the run midway through because of record high temperatures and a shortage of water.Race organizers in Denver are allowing those who could not finish the ability to run for free. "In response to many local Colorado runners who were hoping to complete the Chicago Marathon last weekend but could not finish, our race wants to give these runners another chance to reach the finish line," Denver Marathon director Anton Villatoro said.

Well for myself I had promised a good friend of mine, in fact the only guy from my school days I keep in touch with, that I would run his last long run before his marathon, NYC. I said I would run two hours with him, but, as the sun was shining, the conversation was good and the miles rolled by, I ended up running twenty miles with him! Not really what I, as a coach, advise people to do seven days after running a marathon, but then again it was fun to do.

Speaking of which Todd, who emailed me to send me his side of the bet, wants to do a part two… “Let’s run another marathon double or quits.” But, you know what, first he should prove himself, do something, like completing a marathon he plans to run, to respond to which he says Houston or Austin.. watch this space.

Meanwhile I have decided to become a film producer, so on the weekend I as on the reservoir, not running but filming Cara (from the Sopranos) as she was my first subject for the movie in the making.

Talking pictures, yesterday I went to see Mamma Mia, it was my first broadway show, though have seen other stuff off-Broadway. I went with film star Tony, and film stars get great seats. It was a most fun afternoon. All in a NYC day.

**Coming on Sunday—RUN the last ten miles of the ING-NYC marathon course, make yourself familiar. Just turn up and run with us on an informal training run, 8:45-am on First Ave & 60th ST. Last year we had about sixty people and a bunch of fun.

10/12
Out and about at Girosole is it called on 82nd ST at Lex. Funny coincidence, I was there yesterday for the first time, then today, my friend Tony said, “Let’s go to my favorite Italian place” at Lunch, and coincidence that was it! Nice biscuits with the coffee. The pasta dish with wild mushrooms was not half bad either.

Reigning Olympic gold medalist Stefano Baldini of Italy will add a touch of gold to an already sparkling men’s professional field at the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November 4, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg. What a stellar line up there is for this year’s marathon! Who else….

Speaking of which I saw Metrosports magazine today, and I have an article in there about faves for the marathon, printed a while back, so my fave for the title is missing… I think Paula will be unbeatable. I think Jelena will be incredibly strong too, not sure if Catherine has had enough time to recover from Osaka, and I am betting Gete certainly has not. Lidliya is strong but not Sub 2:22 strong, and that is what I guess (weather pending) it will take this year.

HILDA IS DUTCH. Hilda Airlines Kibet gets her Dutch citizenship before she debuts at the Amsterdam Marathon later this month, in fact next weekend.

10/11

Happy birthday to R2!.

SHOE4AFRICA gets a new web site…Check it out, woowee!

Jamaican-born sprinter Merlene Ottey, who was then 40-yrs old, could add to her record tally of eight Olympic medals thanks to the fall from grace of US rival Marion Jones. Those cheering might remember that Ottey too has served a drugs ban. (Make of this what you will, “She tested positive for the steroid nandrolone in July 1999 but was cleared by an IAAF panel which criticised the laboratory involved.”) Which, to me, reads a technicality. And the news is…Ottey hopes to participate at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, two years short of her 50th birthday.

"Due to more inquiries for entries, we decided to push the deadline ahead after we noticed that it could lock out more entrants. The response is good and we hope to make the set target," chief executive officer Richard Etemesi told the press in Nairobi last week.

And Kenya announces its Chiba Squad for Nov 23 – Team: Men: Moses Masai, Job Mogusu, Joseph Maregu Ndirangu, Joseph Birich;
Women: Catherine Ndereba, Irene Kwambai, Winfrida Mochache Kebaso and Emmy Chebet.

The Shoe4Africa missile!! Jamie Sutherland. PICTURED HERE.

THANKS to Pat Duffy who paid EXTRA even though his man, Todd, did not come to the finishing line! Very kind of you Pat. Likewise Evelyn Tricrab –thx!

Thanks also to Trickey Fred W. from Boston who I am sure will be in a challenge with Rick for Falmouth 2008.

Thanks to Chris the Prez of the NY Flyers, her pledge (for me!) did not show on the web site! Will now.

THE STORY ABOUT TRAIN HARD, WIN EASY. THE BOOK OF KENYAN RUNNING.

“This season has been fantastic, to run sub-60 minutes three times is more than I could have hoped for at the start of the year,” explained Musyoki.

The 6Th ST track mob - Here, in picture we have Luiz, Mark, and Jules – all of whom were racing around last night on the track. Jules’ better half, Our group Missile (Jamie S, See above) as usual wound up throughout the session, and Kristin, after pleading for a harder bonus this week (she made the group do 25-laps!!), did a great session too. Rachel was her usual killah self, and Kev from FIT came down and really worked well with the group.

Stuart and John from SRZ were joined by Mrs. Liverpool who flew so fast she seemingly overtook group number one! Nicoli gets the gutsy performer award, and ran strong, as did Ms. Alek, Smiley was of course full o’ smiles, Trackman Dave ground out another solid session, Mr ? had a steamer too! Oirish John, back from Chicago looked super fresh, and super glad to see haidee had great bounce in her stride after doing the wise thing. Miss Nance Grapefruit was a bit off color this week, for her anyway – still a sterling session. Bas killed everyone, including himself when he mistook the second part of the long bonus to be a 400m instead of a 800 – he came round in 65, stopped, realized, jumped straight back in and put in a fine recovery – if I could just get him out of the tri’s!

A welcome visit from Kurt Le Vert, and funnily enough Tegla Loroupe emailed today about something Kurt and I have been doing for a year or so, ChuckyChina arrived in first gear and plowed through the workout like a Sherman tank, Queen of the Harriers – the fifth best master in the world, and our #1, is SO light on her toes you would never guess she ran a marathon in September. Doz had a stinger, running better than last week, Paul was silent but ran well and no complaining – neither from Boston Bill who is getting very strong. Good to See Chris M. coming and taking the pounding – that is where greatness begins… I remember when Khaliud Mr I won the 92 Olympics would start training – he would be 800m behind on a 5k tempo, then pulling himself through he would start to come into form, then kill everyone – Chris you’ll be doing it, so stick with it!

Anyway, I take my hats off to this group – who else would do 6-miles of track sprints and not utter a word of complaints – a fab group of runners, with super synergy.

Message Board—“Daniel from Montreal is looking for a sublet from 12/10/07 - 1/10/08. Do you know of anything? A studio or one bedroom.” Anyone know of anything please let me know asap, and I’ll pass on the contact – a very trusty guy.

10/10
This is the Go Simba week – where we wish Lornah Kiplagat, one of women’s philanthropic all-time great athlete in road running the best for her title defense in Udine.

For those with the Chicago bet--Sorry for the misfunction with the link. Please go to *s4africa* link above and hit the red donate button to come to Paypal – thanks!

The Baddis from Addis (well not really) --Ethiopia’s Berhane Adere moved into a tie for second place in the World Marathon Majors standings.

Victor Conte-- "There was one point when I did meet in person with her and provided her with a growth hormone injector and instructed her how to use it. "She did the injection in the quadriceps with me sitting right there next to her. "I have seen her use drugs in my presence.” C’mon Vic, make a film, write a book, come to Hollywood. Judging people is his new role?

Well done to the missile Jamie Sutherland who was 5th at Grete’s Gallop for S4A, and to Erin Boyle who was 5th at the Corp Challenge!!

84th edition of Kosice Marathon 1. WIlliam Biama KEN 2:09:53, CR, ACR, PB 2. Simon Bor, KEN 2:12:01 & 1. Natalya Kulesh, BLR 2:34:50 PB – another Kenyan! How many Kenyans are going to come and keep on winning Marathons – awesome and fabulous!

MEN: Deriba Merga, Tariku Jufar, Eshetu Gezhagne, Kidane Gemechu, Rajj Assefa, WOMEN: Atsede Bayissa, Bezunesh Bekele, Atsede Habtamu, Genet Getaneh—no worries for The Simba there we feel!

800m: 1:46.09 Jackson Langat, and I think that is an indoor time too!!

Many of you know Danny Trush -- a tremendous guy who is gong to do the NYC Marathon this year, here is his web site. A member of Achilles International, and someone I was talking about in my marathon preps as being an inspiration.

10/09

Thanks to one of the Starz from the Wedza group – Kristin, “Sorry to be late to the game on this, but I would like to sponsor your charity for the Chicago Marathon effort. My firm will match my donation so I donate $100 and my firm will give $100. It may take a few weeks, but you can count on it.” Thanks, you rock!

In the news, “Jones gave back the five medals she won at the Sydney Olympics on Monday and agreed to forfeit all other results dating back to Sept. 1, 2000, further punishment for her admission that she was a drug cheat.

More on Chicago – Commander Kevin (Horty) I thought did really well to finish strong in adverse conditions, he ran a 2:44 and Kevin is a strong cool weather runner – for me I would die if it as hot or cold, but if it had been cold Kevin would have blown away… On the phone with Chubbs, “I am not surprised you finished, and I am not surprised Todd did not show up. We hear Danny Dollarman is still MIA, he started, more than that we don’t know.

Go Simba—Big race this week is the World Half Champs and Simba is running for Gold, she is the defending Champ. Starbucks texted to say that she won a tune up race without breathing, and her stride is back.. watch out competitors!

I heard loads of scoop in Chicago, including a Kenyan assault on the marathon world record with a special project, but I was sworn to secrecy.

I was saw Benita after the race and I can say she looked absolutely gutted, poor thing needed an Olympic qualifier.

Evans Rutto (right) and Chris Cheboiboch (left) confirm they will be definite attendees at the Shoe4Africa race in January!

”Sabrina Mockenhaupt won her debut marathon today in Cologne, clocking 2:29:33.” Happy to see this, because Sabba is a really nice person, and it is good to see things goes well for nice people – she was very helpful when I was in Germany the other year.

Ruth Bisibori may well next be the next sensation in the history of steeplechasing – The latest Shoe4Africa athlete has huge potential and she is very young, fourth in the Worlds in Osaka does not tell the whole story!

Anyway, so many great things are in the pipeline for S4a for 2008.. watch this site, plus its own site will be coming soon!

10/08

Three of the top four from Chicago -- and Robert Cheruiyot the Yankees fan.

Well, thank goodness it is over, and I am back to normal life sitting with a cube of ice on my achilles. To the people who found me untrackable, that is because I upgraded my number a couple of times from the open division, to the VIP runner status (miscommunication when I was asking for an upgrade) to the C corral, and then some upgrading by myself to get in the A corral - Sub 3:10.

The race started fine, I was running with a few New Yorkers having a dandy time, feeling easy and thinking what is the fuss about. The leg hurt but not more than in training. I met Danny Dollarman and ran with him for a while.

Halfway, 1:22, great... then mile 14 I got stomach cramps, and I started bending over like a paperclip, and although the pace dropped a little it was still 6's. 20-miles was still way under 7-min pace (2:09).. then Slomaslam - mile 20 and one yard. I had a bad mile, it was a 9. I just could not move. Well I thought that was a bad mile, but the next one was even worse.

I was just thinking, "Focus on the bet." I could not swallow as my stomach was a tight knot, the heat was brutal, and the roads never ended. I kept on running, a 10-minute mile (and a high ten!).

Crossing the line was a relief (have not seen the results, but by my watch it was 3:05) as if I had crossed the sahara, and I quickly zipped over to the tent to get some fluids. By the tent (in the shade) it was 84-F. As far as the course and race goes - thumbs up, a great event. My post recovery was first I went for lunch with the athletes,and then to the bar and sunk seven beers in the space of under two hours, before I could finally find my legs. One thought remained with me from Mile 20 until now (back in ice), never again. I heard they closed the course after 3' 30 because over 400 ambulances had been called, and they had ran out of further ambulances... AS Daniel Yego, who won San Diego earlier this year in 2:08:16 said after he dropped out, "Today was not supposed to be for running - not even a half."

"At the start it was 73 degrees F (22 C), a new start temperature record by three degrees, and a couple hours into the race temperatures had soared to 88 degrees F (31 C), four higher than the previous high set in 1979." Jim Ferstle, IAAF.

10/05
**HAPPY BIRTHDAY** to the Queen of the NY Harriers, the one and only Diane Kenna!!

The weather forecasts for race day – Sunday, October 7 – are indicating that we could have a warm and humid day with temperatures expected to be in the 82 F / 28 C range on race day (according to weather.com). We recommend you stay tuned to local weather forecasts to properly prepare for the race.Lance Armstrong—“Considering his improved preparation, his marathon goal is modest. “I’m shooting to break three hours again,” he said. “I think I can do it, I hope.”

That makes a lot of sense – he ran sub three last year.

CPTC – the strongest club in NYC right now (yes I put city on the end)… “a benefit for the Central Park Track Club to celebrate our 35th anniversary and the last 35 years of running in New York and the US in general. We're lucky enough to have Frank Shorter as our speaker and guest of honor and to have a number of other past and future Olympians attending as well.” Should be a blast,and definitely worth attending if you are in NY… city.

"This month Yoko Ono will unveil the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, on what would have been husband John Lennon's 67th birthday. The Tower is a stories-tall beam of light that will emanate from a wishing well bearing the words "Imagine Peace" in 24 languages and will be lit each year from Oct. 9 to Dec. 8, "so it has the feeling of the shortness of life, but the light is eternal," said Lennon’s widow. "This is something that we spoke about 40 years ago," Ono said. "Our dream is finally coming true."

New York, October 4, 2007—Previously announced entrants Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya and Tatiana Hladyr of the Ukraine will not compete in the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November 4, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Track star Marion Jones admits doping before 2000 Sydney Games… kind of ironic that IF she loses her medals (which she should of course) then Ekaterini Thanou of Greece will become the Olympic 100m Champion – she of the 2004 Olympics drug scandal. Nice to see though that Pauline Davies Thompson would get the 200m Gold, but sad that the US relay team might lose their gold, or will they?

10/04
All about New York – Paula’s entry to the race

“Train harder does not mean more miles, it means putting in that bit extra, that 5%” Paula Radcliffe. Train Hard, Win Easy.

Paula seems to be the Sole athlete who can get headline news in the sports world. I was at the Y and someone asked me, “Did someone break the world record in the marathon? I am scouring the newspapers and read nothing about it.”

Meanwhile the King of WMM is back in the US this week,
CHICAGO – Defending champions Robert K. Cheruiyot (KEN) and Berhane Adere (ETH) will lead the field of elite athletes at The 30th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 7. Cheruiyot won the men’s 2006 title in 2:07:35 while Adere place first among the women in 2:20:42.

Tomorrow in Eldoret the President is welcoming the athletes, but already the celebrations begin –“This is the first time a big welcoming party, especially for a female athlete, has been witnessed in the area (of Kapsabet).” The women of Kenya are running strong!

And track night Abs was doing great till his mind started to wander, Kevin was enjoying his taper workout, Oirish John has just got an entry to Chicago, Kirstin was doing an Abs, “Go ten seconds faster on the next 1200m,” and she did. Don was hanging in, still tired legs from the tune up methinks, Nancy Grapefruit on the ball, Erin on fire with some flying laps, Stuart getting ready for his premier, Will with the Bob news, Doz running strong until the knees went crook, Lissy should have been ingroup one, Jules hammering well but laying back, Luiz powering back and forth like a yoyo, ChuckyChina one gear in gear, Alek proving her worth, Nicoli going out hared and running well, Nicole is going to do it this year, Michael2 missing his kick tonight, Valerie straight from battering Iceland at the UN Nations with her Austrian team, Rachel- so damn consistent you can time the intervals by her run, Bill pushing great, Mark too, John on when on, Sam looking like he was coping well, Mr Invisible drifting between groups, some power running last night.

For the uptown Urban group “Hello, all. In case you would like some company on your long run this weekend, please consider participating in this fun, Urban Athletics event. Many of you have expressed interest in a group run, so why not meet up at the store this Sunday? I have Anthony, Alison, Michelle, Laura, Steven, Jeff, Susan, Stephen C., going 15 miles at easy pace (considering the hard, excellent effort of the recent Tune Up). You are all really surging now, so let's please keep it up.”

10/03
New York, October 3, 2007—After more than two years away from the marathon, world record-holder Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain will return at the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on Sunday, November 4, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.

"NY fitted perfectly, another three weeks of training and a good taper. A special place to me. A great city that I enjoy being in. Was it something I wanted to do (run NY)? Yes. The important thing is to get back into a great field and race well..." She will be based in Fort Romeau, France, until 15-days before the race.

Philles Ongiri and Ruth Bisbori and Grace Momanyi. Two of whom are just back from the World Champs in Osaka, join the Shoe4Africa Running Club in Kenya!

Kenya's John Kelai won a thrilling duel with defending champion, Daniel Rono in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront on Sunday (30 Sep) to record the fastest time ever run on Canadian soil, 2:09:30. “In so doing, Kelai eclipsed the mark of 2:09:55, set by East Germany's Waldemar Cierpinski at the 1976 Olympic Marathon in Montreal. And on the same day Cierpinski’s son ran 2:19 at Berlin. Falk he is called, and a very nice guy he is too. Falk was a world champ Duathlon, but is now trying to be a marathoner. I met him at his father’s home in (east) Germany.

Ethiopia's Asha Gigi led from Start to Finish to set a new course record of 2:33:16 at Toronto.

Amazing Milers at the 5th Ave--Anselm Lebourne 48 CPTC NJ 0:04:29… John Bates 84 TRR NY 0:07:29… Eve Pell 70 CA 0:07:04

In the news…. Zersenay Tadesse And Lornah Kiplagat Defend Their World Road Running Championships in Udine in two weeks…

Intersting stuff in the WMM, “World Marathon Majors Standings On Sunday, Ethiopia's Gete Wami made the women's race for the ING New York City Marathon even more interesting by defending her title at the real,- Berlin Marathon with a time of two hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds. Wami's victory pushes her into first place in the 2006-07 World Marathon Majors (WMM) standings with 65 points and makes it a two-way race for the crown with defending New York champion Jelena Prokopcuka (second place with 55 points). Prokopcuka must finish no worse than third in New York to have any chance of winning the WMM series. The points breakdown is: first, 25 points; second, 15 points; third, 10 points.

10/02
Monte-Carlo - Al Oerter (USA), who won gold medals in four straight Olympic Games in the Discus Throw, died yesterday. He was 71-years-old. A member of the New York Athletic Club.

Haile’s next goal? The half marathon record.
“I have plans for that, but this will be a secret. I´m discussing it with my manager. It´s one of my aims," said the holder of 24 world records.

Will Felix Limo at Chicago change those plans? Personally I think it is a shame you don’t see five top athletes going for the record, instead of this one athlete time trial set up.

Talking Marathons a BIG name being released tomorrow by the NYRR, one of the tops of the sport that will make an impact on the race.

10/01

ICELAND joins the Chicago bet! One week to go!

“For a cyclist who took EPO her entire career, Jeanson only officially failed one doping test, at the Tour de ‘Toona in 2005. During her interview, she explained that by stopping EPO five days before an event, a positive test could easily be avoided.”

“In late November, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization issued a report stating that the livestock business generates more greenhouse gas emissions than all forms of transportation combined.”

Great North Run 3000 1, M Farah (GB) 7min 56.3sec (UK best performance) 2, E Kipchoge (Kenya) 7min 58.1sec 3, B Tahri (France) 8min 01.3sec 4, C Mottram (Australia) 8min 01.6sec 5, C Birmingham (Australia) 8min 10.5sec 6, A Goucher (USA) 8min 11.8sec in the GNR 3000m. VIVIAN 'SHORTY' CHERUIYOT wins the women's easily in 9:02-ish...

In the Half there; “London Marathon winner Martin Lel burst clear of fellow Kenyan and world half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru to win the men's race by eight seconds in 60:10. “Kara Goucher gatecrashed the party on Tyneside this morning as the American delivered a decisive blow to the British world Marathon record holder to win the Great North Run half marathon in north east England in 66:57.” It’s not that Paula Radcliffe ran badly – she finished second in 67:53 which is a sterling result given it is her first race in 21-months!! Geez

Thanks to Anthony – Support him for NYC! CLICK HERE

Over to Berlin--Big news of the weekend, the sports biggest name got even bigger and bigger!

"It's something special. I was dreaming of it for many years. It's my record now. I'm so happy." 1 Gebrselassie, Haile (ETH) 02:04:26 2 Kirui, Abel (KEN) 02:06:51 3 Manyim, Philip (KEN) 02:08:01 His 30 km: 01:28:56 split was amazing.

Gete Wami also successfully defended her title, with a solo run of 2.23.17 Irina Mikitenko was second in Berlin, in 2.24.51, Third was the protégé of STARBUCKS, Helena Kirop of Kenya, in 2.26.27!! She was #5 in the Shoe4Africa race in January, and since being trained by starbucks since last year has shot to the stars!

09/28
The Kenyan Government donated 56 tickets to the Special Olympic team that left for China last evening. The team will take part in the Special Olympic World Summer games from October 3 to 14 in Shanghai China.

Tusker meet in Nairobi—tentative start lists 1,500m: Deresse Mekonnen Tsigu (ETH),Alex Kipchirchir, Asbel Kiprop, Nicholas Kemboi,Amos Korir, Wesley Kiprotich, Churchill Kipsang Moses Barmasai, Cornelius Ndiwa, Willy Komen, Geoffrey Rono, Josephat Kithii and Elkana Angwenyi 3,000m: Joseph Ebuya, Abraham Chebii, Edwin Soi, Moses Masai, Shadrack Kosgei,Mark Kiptoo, John Kibowen, Richard Matelong, Thomas Longisiwa, Caleb Ngetich, William Tarus John Kimondo and Leonard Mucheru.

Meanwhile with Urban running Berlin, Geb chasing Urban, Paula in GB, The Russian Rocket out there too… Chubbs is racing the 5th Avenue. What started as 4:40, has now turned into 4:50, has now turned into, “What did you run when you ran?”

interesting question as my friend Joe Grape once said as we were stuck on a glacier up the Jungfrau mountain. You see each race brings about a certain story. When I used to race in NYC I used to get emails from people after the race telling me how ‘they’ ran because they were looking at the relation of them vs me… well more often than not I would just jump in a rce as a tempo…

Now when I ran the 5th Ave, I was coaching a team, and they asked me to run (on the day), so I declined, and declined, then got cadjoled into it.. on the spot, so I did not run my best, not even my best for that time in my life (I’ve ran half marathons at a faster pace per mile than I ran) but regardless, I got a time.. and that is now the time that Chubbs is going to try and beat – tune in on Monday to see if he does it!

PS- Chubbs is sending out about one email a week, looks like he is learning the waves. The correspondence I got on one day soon phased out, and rumor has it he is now 20-lbs over his lightest racing weight. Doctor Dan’s 2-cents? Chubby will not break my 4:48 I did as a 50-year old. Time will tell, even though Chubbs is not 50.

Plenty of moaning at the workout tonight, Anthony’s watch was running backwards, Jess-what can I say about Jess, Michele cruising the Rez, Holly pushing getting ready for a great Tune Up on Sunday, Allison was not enjoying the word fast, Kolby was glad she was tapering, Seth out there, Steve pushing like a demon. Alem was talking and looking skinny in shape, Frank from CPTC told me he’s got a doze4n pairs of shoes for Kibera, I saw Ivonne whip by.. and you have to love this summer weather!

09/27

“The eagerly anticipated marathon debut of half-marathon world record holder Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya at the ING New York City Marathon 2007 on November 4, was announced today by New York Road Runners president, CEO, and race director Mary Wittenberg.

“Ukranian Dmytro Baranovsky, 28, will make his U.S. debut at the ING New York City Marathon. The 2005 Fukuoka Marathon champion, Baranovsky became the national record holder in the marathon, after finishing second to Gebrselassie at the 2006 Fukuoka Marathon in 2:07:15 Two BIG impact names to the ING NYC Marathon!!

’ Continental Airlines has a spectacular deal on flights to Bermuda from New York (Newark) available when you book by Sunday, Sept. 30. New York (Newark)-Hamilton, Bermuda (BDA) ... $75 each way . Great deal!

The slowest man in the Kenyan squad for the World Half Champs… has run 59-minutes for the half marathon(!) Samuel Wanjiru, Patrick Makau Musyoka, Francis Kibiwott, Robert Kipkorir Kipchumba, Evans Kiprop Cheruiyot.

Meanwhile…The murder trial of music producer Phil Spector ended in a mistrial Wednesday because of a deadlocked jury.

Lunch at Les Halles in the financial district – went in the place, and we get taken through the main restaurant to the back room, then through the back room into a private room.. great – meant that lunch was in seclusion giving me the chance to talk, and more importantly listen, to some amazing stuff. Food wise? This is the kind of place you go to meet the people, not to taste the food.

In the evening it as to PT 212 on 24th – can’t say enough about this place – the tastes on the pan seared spicy thai salmon was outrageous, the vegetarian dumpling starters were dapper, and the cheesecake lacked only in being a few inches bigger.. talking to some guy who set up ham radios and computers that ran off 4-aa batteries for 20-hours, then went solar, over in Africa 17-years ago.

ON first avenue tomorrow, at 5:30pm Dunkin Donuts will be inspecting the 96th ST intersection. Why? Something to do with their marathon promo for race day.. there’s a thought to power you along First.

At the track—Mark , Anil who sporting a sore foot, Fast lad, Mr ?, Mr ?’s now got a brother with a beard, Suneet, Andrew finally not injured, Nicole aka Miami, Lissy the trophy grabber, Oirish John digging nails, Paul good sess, Stuart of how many laps, Luiz who flew and stewed, and flew, Smiley rocking the track, ChuckyChina pumping them out, Diane the Queen in her royal USA uniform, Will back down, Jamie the missile, Kirstin also having a missile night, Nancy Grapefruit a regular Expresso now, Peter2 noticing the fact it was 85% humid with 80-F! pat packing the laps in, sam o’silent, Michael fighting hard, Abs getting ready for an Iron-thingey, Kevin ready for Chicago and wearing shorts, Don pushing new barriers, and good to see Terry who ran great and strong.

09/26
"I know the value of clean, fresh water, and I get angry when anyone wastes it. Water is life. Without water, there is no life." Geb running for clean water when he races Berlin this weekend, the other hi-profile event is the GNR in Newcastle.

"An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion." Sir Isaac Newton.

A name from the Coe – Ovett era: “Andy Norman, the promoter who oversaw British athletics’ golden era before his controversial exile, died suddenly yesterday at the age of 64 after returning from the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart.

Queen Jelena…. Of the NYC Marathon fame.

Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba will run in Saturday's 3,000m BUPA Great North Run road race—her main rivals? Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot also comes to Newcastle in good form after winning the World Athletics 5,000m on Saturday... Not forgetting they have a great half too!

09/25
Fifth Ave mile coming up this weekend, and the Avenue has recently been re-tarmaced – maybe some fast(er) times?

There are two major types of commercial coffee beans -- arabica and robusta. One has a third more caffeine than the other, apparently the South American beans are stronger than the Afro ones, personally I am liking the Ethiopian blends right now.

Two PR’s from the Wedzar Group – to Nancy Grapefruit, and also to Don, well done guys – well done.

Down to the East Village, had breakfast/brunch with Global. Went to Ess-a-bagel, it was full of kids! School’s out or what? Listening to the little nippers, “We should make this our routine, we can do Baskins on Tuesdays.” “Oh Johnny can’t come, he’s dieting.” “Well we’ve got to rotate!” – These kids were like 7-years old!!

Action from Sunday’s XC meet, the Queensborough one. We saw Adrienne up there with her New Rochelle team and they were singing Happy Birthday to her! She mentioned that Mike BArnow now has bought a place up in New Paltz. Who next?

Jenn from FIT leads Alex, and the pack at the Van Cortlandt XC. We hear that Jenn is going to be on the Tyra Banks Show on Wednesday…

09/24

Central Park Track Club, a great club, celebrates its 35th Anniversary with Frankie Shorter.. visit the site, www.cptc.org for the full monty.

BILLY RODGERS is sending his shoes for the Kibera project!!! Both my running heroes, Bill Rodgers and Grete Waitz are getting involved – this is so fab! Kim Alexis also told me she is going to try and be there too on the day!

The world’s best paid Olympic trials? ==Prize Money== Athletes will be competing for $250,000 in prize money set aside by New York Road Runners specifically for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. The breakdown is as follows:
1 $60,000 2 $40,000 3 $30,000 4 $20,000 5 $12,000 6 $10,000 7 $8,000 8 $5,000 9 $3,000 10 $2,000
An additional $20,000 training stipend (payable post-Beijing) will be awarded to each of the three athletes who compete in the Olympic Games. That is 'mayor' bubbly, Major spondoolies, city prize money.

Talking countries-- "I went to Bahrain purely on economical reasons. However, due to personal reasons, I'm unable to serve them diligently and I have since requested that they release me," he said (Muchuru). ‘Just before the World Championships in Osaka, Japan last month, Bahrain had requested Mucheru to compete for them, but he declined.’ Leonard now wants his Kenyan citizenship back!

A sign of the times—‘For the first time, it takes more than a billion to make Forbes' wealthiest list.’ That is the top 400 American richest! Funny, when I lived on the streets of Amsterdam as a penniless teenage bum I had a ball, but I would not mind the billionaire’s lifestyle so I could do the ultimate comparison.

14:57.37 for Sleepy as she gets second in the IAAF Grand Prix Final!! Vivian Shorty Cheruiyot won a second faster.

In the Steeple a fave for Gold at Beijing who has #1 All season yet locked out of the World’s, Paul Koech-- “My plan was to win. So I decided to run fast to let the others have no chance in the race for victory. I am in good shape and wanted to run sub eight minutes”. Win he did. Edwin Soi had a dream weekend, the man who got stuckin Midtown Manhattan and won a Bull in Kabarak – where I am a Board Member of the Athletics Club (Aka President Moi and Paul Tergat)…. Soi anyway won the 3000 on Saturday and the 5000 on Saturday – another man who DID not make the Kenyan team for the world’s. In the 800 Janeth Jepkosgei proved she is still #1.

Calandra S., Liz G., Sarah S., Delilah D., and Serena R.

Team Photo page The Fastest ladies in town on Saturday at the Iona Meet. Riadha means ‘Athletics’ in Swahili – and in Europe and Africa athletics means running, not like over in the USA when it encapsulates all sports.

Belaynesh Fikadu wins Dam to Dam 52:57, Hilda is second in 53:26, Tadesse, Z, wins the men’s race in 45-mins 51-secs. Over in Holland yesterday. Bernard Kipyego was second, with James Rotich third. Starbucks tell us Hilda was tired from a long run she did, but led for the first 13km.

I was up at Van Corlandt again on Sunday – news of my ACE Fashion Institute team tomorrow who rocked the country!

Chatting with EldoLise, back from Nigeria, she is working for Billy Two Shoes Clinton in the lands of who-knows-where… and tells us that cereal is $12 a box over there! I know what my liuggage would be full of!

09/21

American record holder Alan Webb will look to add more honors to an already stellar track season as he tops the field of the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile on Saturday, September 29, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Joining Webb in the famed one-mile road race down Fifth Avenue will be defending men’s champion Kevin Sullivan of Canada and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand. Sara Hall of Big Bear Lake, CA, the 2006 women’s champion, will defend her title.”

At Doc Dan’s tenosynivitus, lumps in the calf muscle, inflamed Achilles and 45-minutes with the stim and finally my leg moved… Did you know Dr. Dan’s first ever marathon was 2:58 aged 48!! What a legend.

Prior to that I had coffee with StuGlu at Yura on Madison Ave. He’s training for the 5th Ave mile.

Meseret Defar cruised to a comfortable road victory in the 5km Hydro Active Women’s Challenge in Hyde Park London. Clipping a 15:08 results--1 M Defar (ETH) 15:08 2 B Johnson (AUS) 15:28 3 J Pavey (GBR) 15:29 4 L Fleshman (USA) 15:31

Sid Howard, “I stopped eating meat. In July of 1978, I started running.” Five age group WR’s, he is running the 5th Ave mile too the following weekend!

The Chicago Bet takes a weird turn!
On a day when I could not put weight on my foot when I got up, then had to go to Dr. Dan’s (above) to move the foot I hear from Todd, who is now running fine, that he wants to forfeit the bet! He wants to replace the bet, now for sure, with the 2008 Houston Marathon.

Shoe4Africa--Waiting to be fitted for her new shoes! Tomorrow morning at the Iona meet riadha/S4A will be running and racing! And Happy Birthday to Jamie! 09/20
World half marathon record holder, Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, has been included in the 10-member Kenyan team to this year’s World Road Running Championships which will be held in Udinese, Italy, on October 14. hers selected in the men’s team are: Patrick Makau Musyoki, Evans Cheruiyot, Francis Kibiwott and Robert Kipkorir Kipchumba.

The women’s squad has Mary Jepkosgei Keitany, Susan Chepkemei, Pamela Chepchumba, Alice Timbilil and Everline Kemuuto Kimwei. “

The best ever men’s squad possible at this time of calling. The Simba will be going to defend her title of course!

Citibank, I don’t believe it. They put me on hold for 30-minutes, I am talking to a guy from India who does not know what anything is about. After 30-minutes he picks up the phone again, and again asks me for ALL the information again! I tell him I am on hold, does not believe, after another ten minutes of me giving him maiden names, dog’s details, re-repeating account numbers I am told, “oh you are being dealt with, an open case…” I said, Yes, with you. “Oh sorry sir, we are having a terrible time here with systems down.” 49-minutes later nothing resolved! “Sir is it possible you can call me back later?”

From Rachel Z over in Blighty, “Managed to get to the track on Hampstead Heath and beat the English wind and rain for a lonely workout...” whilst down on the 6th ST night…Sam ran well for his first night, Pat on the clock, Anil looked smoother and smoother, Heidi got faster and faster – the post race party at Chicago is at her brother’s house, Abs crushing everyone, Commander Kevin looking more like himself, Jules getting some bounce, Jules’s mate whose name I forget, Jamie the missile, Kirsten kicking well, Mark running fine, Erin-Das gotta get that foot fixed, Rick the leg too, Chris from the Flyers coming down to check us out and doing fine, Nicole putting it out, Smiley—no matter how many repeats she willstill noty stop smiling!!

Trackman Dave with his focus face ready for the fight, Peter2 clicking them off, Alex steaming and rhyming , Nicoli this time without a pizza in the belly, Efua wondering ‘Does she like workouts?’, Mr. ?, Luiz stormed as the workout went on, ChuckyChina (who gets fan mail from this site! “Who is Chucky China, what is his real name, who is he??”), Lissy Miss cool, Paul who PR’s by 2 ½-mins “Gotta be these work outs!” right answer, Oirish John did a recent PR at Philly joining with Paul, Jeff sounds as a pound, Pat on the rock, Steve blew hard, Stu hung in well, Nancy Grapefruit dancing around the red shoes, John2 silent but worked hard, Mr. I started out looking for the nike group but found your group, did quite well…

So anyw3ay someone asked how my training is going, and I said, “Sitting in a bucket of ice.” Jamie aptly said, “Like the rest of us!” True words enough – I have an inflamed Achilles tendon, I have tenosynovitus behind my right knee, an inflamed gracilis/hamstring fusion, but I am hoping along.. with something now bothering my heel (but I cut the heel cup out of my shoe to alleviate the pressure…. So I am still hanging in, but a true reminder that my body is shot. Funny, when I was training hard and was serious about running I had one injury in ten years. Now, as a flippertygibbet I am riddled like a teabag. Should not complain. Today I did the old trick of putting a pebble in my ‘good’ foot shoe; this is an annoyance but helps block out the pain of the other foot. For some unbeknown reason my heel is as tender as a sore tooth in a salt mine. Counting the days, counting the days! 18-to go!

09/19

R2 ups the anty, “I raise the pledge to $250 IF you do a mile repeat session before you get to the starting line!” Well, she must know that is money in the bank!” Thanks R2. Meanwhile Todd came running by me in the park, flew by (well I was standing still coaching), then I went to the gym, and an hour later went out to run, and did so with Rick, and who do I see again still running, Todd! “He’s looking good..” said the Rickster.

And another pledge, from Rachel Z. of S4A, “Please put me down for $100 and some cadburys chocolate on you for Chicago!” You Rock Rachel!!

Announced at the Big Apple; “A trio of champions was added to the ING New York City Marathon 2007 women’s race today, with the reigning real,- Berlin-Marathon champion Gete Wami of Ethiopia, 2007 Boston Marathon winner Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, and two-time New York champion Tegla Loroupe of Kenya (1994, 1995) joining the field for the November 4 race, it was announced by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.”

And we are pleased to announce that Lidiya is confirmed for an appearance at the Marathon Monday shoedrive!!

The world's oldest man celebrated his 112th birthday Tuesday with a healthy Japanese breakfast of rice, miso soup and seaweed, saying he wanted to live forever. Tomoji Tanabe, love the initials, who has been the world's oldest man since January this year, lives with his son and family in Japan's southern prefecture of Miyazaki. He keeps a diary and reads the newspaper every day. The bad news… a teetotaller who has repeatedly said that avoiding alcohol is a secret of his longevity. Shicks, guess that is me flipped off the long live list.

Congrats to ever strong Elmustafa McHkirate 26 WSX NY 0:15:54 & Catherine Mullen 22 NYAC NY 0:17:41 – winners at the Fred Lebow. Erin is featured on the photos!

Great result by StuGlu Calderwood at the Philadelphia Half – Second place in the men’s 45-49 half, 1:17! And he’ll be in the ‘next’ age group in march 2008. Looks like he is going to rule the division, the guy that beat him was 45. 1:17, wow! I think I ran my last half in 1:25 and I nearly passed out on the finish line.

Une Request S’il vous plait – Please, does anyone have a penthouse apartment with a view overlooking Central Park? I have decided to become a movie producer, and my first interview for my film needs this backdrop – can anyone help?

09/18
The bagels go up at Eli’s Vinegar Factory(!) – by 50%, YES 50% price increase! I’ll be ruined!

Good to hear that Grete will be in town soon, she emailed and said she'll be in NYC for both her signature race -- that you ALL should run, Grete's Half in CP, and also she'll be here, as the Grand Marshall, of the NYC Marathon in November. And talking of Chicago, they have released their women's field:

'Chicago line up its women’s field.' But after the NYC field one has to wonder…
Kathy Butler GBR 2:28:29 Teyba Erkesso ETH Debut Alevtina Ivanova RUS 2:27:48 Benita Johnson AUS 2:22:36 Nuta Olaru ROM 2:24:33 Kate O’Neill USA Debut Adriana Pirtea ROU Debut Dulce Maria Rodríguez MEX 2:28:54 Jess Ruthe NZL Debut Linda Somers Smith USA 2:30:06 Liz Yelling GBR 2:30:44…

Talking women, Paul Ereng gets it right, “Our women can excel if given equal chance…” Kenyan women will march forward!

From Century man who knows this course like the back of his hand, ‘I think the new queens course has lots of turns!’ Of course that is the race of the weekend – the Queens Half marathon.

Congrats to Kwasi who is a film that opens on Wednesday! I told him what a dumb time to have the Premier as I am coaching, he told me that he could not control these things... hmm, poor excuse, but glad to hear he has made it to the Silver Screen.

Please save your shoes, so people like this girl can get a gift from you! Save your shoes for the Marathon Monday. Reminds me of the time I gave a runner a pair of shoes, at the age of twenty it was his first gift. He cleaned those shoes every single day after he ran, because he wanted his first gift to last forever.

Congrats to Catherine Ndereba who is feeling NOTHING in her legs after the World’s and is really ,motivated to win NYC this year – she gets a promo in the Prison’s to Chief officer one!

www.groningenstadmarathon.nl New CR Msenduki Mohamed Ikoki 2:14:22 Of Tanzania. Only one other runner beat 2;20, thanks to Martijn from Holland for that one.

09/14
The Leading Icelandic Web Running Center supports Shoe4Africa --CLICK HERE. Thanks Torfi!

The journals of a disenchanted jogger = The road is long.. if you do the full 20...

Three weeks to go, and we have a sandbagger!

The Chicago Challenge heats up – Todd misses a week of training (well running), and considers pulling the plug. Hey, Paula Radcliffe missed more than a week and set a world record in 2003... we’re not even going to the localJunior Olympics! One week in the whole of 2007 is not that bad, or?

Anyway, The full monty--I hear that Todd is injured and saying he is not training, then (wonderments of wonderments) who do I bump into on 90th ST running to Central Park, without a limp or a hitch to his stride? So we talk and I find out Todd is entered for the NYC marathon, and now wants to switch the challenge over... to the 5th Avenue mile; two weeks from Today.

But, if nothing less I am stubborn as red pig – yes, I have missed more than a week in training (like him), yes I only managed 11-miles of the Long Training run at 8:30 mile pace, yes I know I am setting myself up for doom by actually writing this, but yes I will be there in Chicago, even if I have to hop round because this is what this bet was about – Just doing it sans excuses – because, in the groups I coach there are loads more people who have difficult training build-ups (all with bona fide excuses), but don’t whine! People who have one leg who don’t whine, are 100-lbs overweight.. blah blah…

Michele C. sends in a pledge, but she does not say which way- gotta decide!

In the Red Corner, coached By Chubbs, we have Todd.. in the blue corner advised by the one and only RunBam (after he was fired from Todd’s team) is me. No clear favorite – one race, no ties! Thanks to Coach Devon of CPTC who sends in a $100 pledge for me!

Late breaking news, Todd recruited a pacer, but we hear that she might be pulling out! She wants to run Austin instead.

At the Long Training Run I had the pleasure of running around for two loops with journalist/runner John Hanc as we talked music, heroin, and jazz. When I finished early, I bumped into Moses whose eyebrows frowned, “We’ve got $500 riding on you!! You are not finishing the 20??” I went home to put a lump of ice on my heel and drink something loosely described as coffee, and spend 45-minutes on the phone doing the simple task of ordering a new book of cheques from the Chase bank...

Yes 45-minutes, ten transfers from person to person, giving my account number verbally to each person, that after plugging in the digits upon each and every connection – yes these people do get paid by the hour. God forbid I ever need to do any complicated banking with them! The have the annoying habit of always transferring you to a new department, and amazing (with technology that can do one million wonderments) that you have to keep on giving your new info each time. Then, before I close the deal, they make me spend even MORE time on the phone by launching into “Congratulations you have been selected to take part in our random customer survey study. Let me tell you a bit about the study today (blah blah the assistant will not know you are evaluating them) Please stay on the line after talking to the next representative.” Are they flippin kidding?

I mean I should be charging them by my hourly rates, then perhaps they would be more efficient that a brissleless toothbrush.

Sunday, what a beautiful day. I went running with the only guy I went to school with that I keep in touch with... and that was because we met by chance on the East River 6th ST track— Scyld, as he is called, is planning to run against George Bush’s 3:45. His goal in his first marathon was to beat Oprah, which he did. So we ran 8:30 mile pace (looking like my pace these days) on the Bridle path, then went to Starbucks afterwards where two year old kids were drinking lattes and asking for half and half’s.

Riadha-Shoe4Africa gallery of stars – Jamie in Action!

At Philly: Caroline Bierbaum ran a 1:20, Kev 1:16,and Morgan a 1:11. Could not find Run Bam inthe results, but I am sure he was there, as was SuperAlice of the NYRR Towers. Winning the race was Julius Kibet 62:01, and Pamela Chepchumba 68:45.. whilst at the Run as One the guy I had lunch with at the Ethiopian Millennium part won --Abiyot Endale 21 WTC NY 14:15, with Florence Jepkosgei 23 PA 16:21 taking the women’s race.

Sad to read this, I met the guy in Kenya back in the Nineteen nineties at the Safari Rally; Ironic he died in a helicopter! “Colin McRae, whose fascination with cars grew into an obsession that led him to 25 wins in a World Rally Championship career, was killed in a helicopter crash along with his 5-year-old son and two others, police said Sunday. He was 39.”

Over to the World Masters where the Queen of the Harriers, Diane Kenna, was running the Master’s (over 40) World Champs marathon--3:05:48. 8th overall, 5th age group. Great job!!

Congrats to Erin, 4th at Fred Lebow!

Out to a Mediterranean Concert in Central Park. Hassan Hakmoun was the highlight act buit there were plenty more, and it nice just drinking beers and taking in the last summer rays. Then on to ‘Earthen Oven’ on West 72nd that has become really popular right now for good Indian food. I had the Chana Pindi, and Kashmir T. Bread. Unfortunately they were out of my fave 5000 Indian beer, so I had to go with Kingfisher... but Indian Cuisine is defo my alltime fave.

09/14
Palio della Quercia EAA Permit meeting in Rovereto, Sleepy Sylvia Kibet won the women’s 3000 in 8:47.38!! And “The third World champion from Osaka Alfred Kirwa Yego was surprisingly defeated in a tactical men's 800 metres race by Dmitrijs Milkeviks who held off Geoffrey Rono in 1:46.28.” Personally I don’t think it is a surprise, after a championship it is very common that the Champs get hammered by the athletes who want to ‘prove themselves.

Formula 1` scandal-McLaren are stripped of their points in the 2007 F1 constructors' championship in the "spygate" row but the drivers escape punishment. The team were also fined a record $100m (£49.2m), which includes any prize and television money they would have earned from the constructors' championship. But drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso can keep their points. Things look good for Ferrai now…

Speaking of cars I am trying to get Fred’s Water, via Jason, to buy a Rolls Royce. Now the Rocket sold his I need one more road trip…

Speaking road trips I was in Queens today, it could have been anywhere – over there is like a different city.

Okay, three weeks to Chicago… in the legendary words of RandySax ( a legend of this web site), “Three weeks to go and you feel like…dead, you’ve injuries, aches, and a thousand reasons why NOT to run.” I am at this point. I am in the unenviable position of thinking about a marathon I never wanted to run, that I have to run. I was ‘talked’ into running this race without even thinking about it, or the actual miles I would have to do. I actually stopped running in 1999, decide never to run again – in January 1990 I was a smoker and thought exercise was for the mentally insane and those in need of relieving excess energy. I would drive 100-yards to the store rather than walk, I had the use of 25% of my lings and smoked forty a day and spent my summers in Amsterdam…

After a decade of virtually injury free running that took to me to five continents, paid my way for all the journeys, was sponsored from my very first race I ran, met Presidents (no kings) and a bucket load of great wonderful people I called it a day. I came to NYC, and for a whim started running a bit again, more things happened that made me run like 75 races in 2001, and more, but I was really finished after the fall of 2001… I dragged on as a coach and continued to fun run at the local races meaning I raced 100% but did not do the training – just raced the actual events, until last year when I stopped bothering to race… fast forward to November 2006: standing on the reservoir criticizing Brother Chubby and Todd for not running the Chicago after they said they would do it and had made big bets etc etc… blah blah and..

Before I know it I am hooked in, and I have to run a marathon as a bet, and I have to beat Todd. But it is not for myself, it is for a reason – to raise monies for Shoe4africa. That is why we were doing it: As successful as S4A has been we have been extremely unsuccessful at raising money… we have never received a grant ever, not like other charities, other Not for Profit/charities pay wages, have expenses, have company vehicles—we have no paid staff, a bicycle to pick up used shoes, my sofa to store shoes… yet I keep on taking up new ambitious programs. For instance this Kibera project. I was running on the reservoir with Tony’s wife Jeanine, and I decided let’s do it, with little thought to the cost, I know I can cover it, but I also know things like me running this marathon will ‘help’ to cover it too… Your pledges help, so thanks to the people who have pledged money to this cause! Your money will go toward putting on this Kibera event, and we also have our third annual Iten race, something completely different, look at youtube to see what we did last year…

So that is why I am running. We may be limping round, we may die trying to get to the finish line, Todd ran 2.5-miles today (or so he said) I did 4.. but we’ll be doing our best, somehow, because of what we are running for… and sometimes, that is what running is all about!

BIG THANKS to al these wonderful people!--Pledges for Toby & Shoe4Africa (All tax deductable): Start date: 10/28/06
Jerry Macari $100 (for Toby), Doctor Dan Hamner $100 (For Toby), Susan McClanahan $100 (for Todd), Michael Margulies $100 (Toby), Nicole Cely $100 (Toby), Andrey Baranov $100 (Toby), Chris Lynch $200 (Toby), Ivar Trausti Josafatsson $100 (Toby), Isaya Okwiya $100 (Toby), Deidre Cossman $100 (Toby), Richard Presutti $250 (Toby), Paul Fetscher $100 (Toby), Wendy Abma $50 (Toby), Will Gillies $100 (Toby), Urban Bettag $100 (Toby), Paola Fernandez $100 (Toby), Mike Shaddow $100 (Nobody goes), Mary Spera $50 (Toby), Evelyn Konrad $100 (Todd), Robin Roberts $100 (Toby), Bethany Aquilina $100 (Toby), Stanley Zucker $100 (Toby), Alyse & Yves-Marc Courtines $100 (Toby), Haidee Islip $100 (Toby), Emily Josephson $200 to S4A (if both finish), Jo Ann Mannino $100 - all of it on Toby! Kathy Horton $125 All for Toby, Jenn Gottlieb $100 on Toby (double if you beat Lance's NYC time!), Claudia Aquino $50 on Toby, Ben Goldhagen $100 on Todd as he is a NY Harrier (Ed's note, Not true, but we'll take the $$), Eileen Casey, My bet is on Toby $100, Patti Corley $100 behind Toby, plus a company match. Moses Sawney $150 on Toby & 10-month old Monroe Sawney, "$50 on Tobee!" Susan Berotti $100 on Todd “I have to, I’m his inspirational coach.” Nicholas Haber $50 on Toby, Patrick Duffy $100 on Todd “Don’t know Todd, but I had an uncle called Todd….” Erin Boyle $50 on Toby, (total so far $4000! “So I am totally broke at the moment.. but I will throw in 25 bucks and a box of chocolates :-). To you Toby” From the Choco Chic in Boulder. And, “Toby, Do we have to fatten the pot to get honorable mention? In case you did not it, it was $75.00 and Chuck just sweetened it to $79.72.” from the Master’s ace Kathy, and Chuck, Martin, and GNY’s Edie Perkins, “My vote’s for you Toby…. $100.” And as far as Boston, “If you're really going to run another marathon, Audrey and I will bet $100 on you. Don't kill yourself though! You should be taking it easy at your advanced age. Let me know if you need any running tips." from Fred White. And Diane Kenna $50 Toby; $50 Todd, and $50 from Mati Buccini for Toby! And $50 from Russ Charlton (and $50 from The Reservoir Dogs) for Toby!! -- Thanks so much to you all! And last but not least Joy, “$318 for Toby!” And as I was writing in from Canada, “Put me down for $200 for your Chicago race bet for Toby” From Eldo Lise! Camille Collette, $50 for Toby, tom Cheslik comes with "$100 for Toby!" Thanks to everyone!! ($5000!!). Shawn Young, "$100 on Todd". And from Paul Kavanagh, "Toby – put me down for $100 - on you of course." And from Chuckychina, "I pledge $200 to your most worthy cause." Jamie Sutherland, "$100 just for Toby." James McQuade, "$100 on Todd, he's looking Sharp." $50 for Toby, from Kurt 'Le Vert' Steege.

09/13
Listening to the guy (jonathan) who started Ethos Water at the Waldolf Hotel yesterday... I can’t do the math – 5-cents of every bottle sold goes to “our goal of investing at least $10-million by 2010.” So out of the $1.80 price for a bottle of, God forbid, water, (or is it $1.85) then 5-cents is going is go to help the water crisis, and what about the other $1.75? If Starbucks really was committed to doing something philanthropic the margins would be far greater. They raised the price of their own water, when they took on this drive, to cover the “cost” of this philanthropic drive. true, or am I wrong? Or have I got it all wrong? Possible

Don’t get me wrong, I think it is great what they are doing, helping. But charging extra for water, and saying that the extra YOU are paying is THEIR effort to save the water crisis, plus making a chunky profit seems paramount to paying Ethiopian coffee farmers like 2-cents for a $4 cup of… or should we? C’mon on Starbucks, you are all mega rich owners, all your major stock holders too, your directors, so c’mon, do like you are asking the people to do. Why not sell a bottle of plain water for $80 and give $1 to the cause. If people ask questions, maybe they will, probably they won’t. Of course this talk is not going to get me any free refills...

Maybe this is why Srtarbucks over in Iten and Groet is now drinking Dormans coffee? Is it true that is the reason??

Personally I would like to drink filetered water and donate my $1.80 to a company that puts $1.80 into providing clean water for the third world… Anyway, I am not doing anything about clean water (yet!) So, in the words of the Simba, "Shaddup!"

But before I do, my last two cents, when he started talking he said that Ethos was built upon the principle of giving 50% of the comapny's profits to the cause. He (Mr. Greenblatt) repeated the 50% a few times for dramatic effect... so I guess the company must be still standing on it's values -- so are we to believe that 10-cents is the only profit made on a $1.80 dollar (or $1.85) bottle of water?

“After making up for my Mombasa disappointment (DNF World Cross Country Champs) with my third World 10,000m victory last month in Osaka, I am hungry for more success,” said Kenenisa Bekele. “I am fit and ready to take up the challenge whatever pace is set on Friday.” “We are celebrating our (Ethiopian calendar) Millennium at home and the improvement of my 10,000m time would be the perfect way to mark the occasion.” And the man who used to train with him, who is now in NYC, thinks the record will fall, a report from NYC and Endot, who says, “He is in the best shape ever.

http://www.hamptonsmarathon.com/ - Hamptons have their own marathon? What is the prize? A beach pass or a Jitney season pass?

Gunned down to death! I left my apartment on Monday and 100-yards up the road someone was shot to death half an hour earlier! A stray bullet? I was shot when I was 11-years old, not looking for a repeat performance. Not sure of the motive yet as it has not ‘hit’ the headlines, a a shooting in NYC is like a beggar on the streets of Bombay.

Great field for Chicago, not as good as NYC’s but….
Bong-ju Lee KOR 2:07:20 Jaouad Gharib MAR 2:07:02 Tariku Jifar ETH 2:12:49 James Koskei KEN 2:14:02 Felix Limo KEN 2:06:14 Benjamin Maiyo KEN 2:07:09 Jimmy Muindi KEN 2:07:50 Daniel Njenga Muturi KEN 2:06:16 Evans Rutto KEN 2:05:50 Daniel Yego KEN 2:08:16

Down on the track – for the first time we had two Pat’s, One who lives in Santa Monica, and one who does not. We also have about five people now who I don’t know the names of. Each week the number grows! But the ‘rocks’ remain the same! Kevin, Morgan, Abs, ChuckyChina doing a lighter workout, Luiz getting in to marathon form, Rick striding out again, Peter2 revitalizing those marathon legs, Nicole – no complaining and getting it done, Lissy, Jules stepping it up, and Jules’ buddy doing well too, Monika back on track, Erin – great stuff, Mark doing well this, John Oirish runs like Kieran, John SRZ doing well – still not seen the wife, Don pushing hard feeling the pain, The one and only Anil Runbam the legend who can’t be replicated, Nancy Grapefruit WHO is having a PR season!!, Jamie the Missile, Boston Bill running with eyes in the skies, Will talking about Led Zepo now instead of Boston, Davidtrackman silently getting it done, Smiley – MIA!! Alex, Nicoli eating right b4 track – big mistake, Efua counting something.. not laps, Stephen.

From MTC, “Come join the Brooks Manhattan Track Club for the 4th annual Bad Boy 5K and 8K. This year's event will coincide with the greatest weekend of racing NYC has ever seen. Start your day with the Men's US Marathon Olympic Trials, then race at the most historic cross country course in America. Finish the weekend with the NYC marathon Sunday morning. For those who have run our race in the past, this year will prove to be the biggest and best we have ever hosted. With new partners for timing, USATF sanctioning, food, prizes and cash to the top teams, we hope you can make it back.
To those who have never experienced the Bad Boy, come and test yourself on a beautiful yet difficult true cross country course and be part of a historic NYC weekend.
To enter click on the following link or send rosters to info@manhattantrackclub.org
http://manhattantrackclub.org/pages/badboy.html
Brooks Manhattan Track Club Bad Boy IV November 3rd, 2007 Women's 5K - 2:30 PM Men's 8K - 3:10 PM Van Cortlandt Park
$100 1st Place individual Man and Woman Prizes to the top 5 Men and Top 5 Women

Team Prize money in following amounts: 1st Place- 300 2nd Place- 200 3rd Place- 100

09/12
Yesterday, up at Alem’s house, there was the greatest concentration of Ethiopian talent outside the club teams! In fact probably greater as there was a big contingent of world class Ethiopian women too! It was the Ethiopian millennium party and I had a good time chatting to the runners about old friends etc like Fita Bayissa, Worku Bikila, Tulu (just had another child), Worku from NYC was there dancing the tradition Ethiopian dances, Favian had made a huge table of Ethiopian food, Endot me about training with the big Bekele, Mesekerem the 1500m runner who won the Bridgehampton race the other week was there.. a nice afternoon.

More Ethiopian stuff in the evening when it was out to Ghenet on Mulberry…

A day of running announcements yesterday--Paula Radcliffe will contest her first race for nearly two years at the BUPA Great North Run on Tyneside later this month.

Radcliffe has confirmed she will compete on the course between Newcastle and South Shields on which she has produced two of the world's greatest half-marathon performances in the past.

New York, September 11, 2007— Former ING New York City Marathon champions Martin Lel and Rodgers Rop, both of Kenya, will return to the scene of their biggest career victories at the 38th running of the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 4, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO and race director Mary Wittenberg.
“Joining 2003 champion Lel and the 2002 winner Rop in the field will be last year’s New York silver medalist Stephen Kiogora of Kenya and Morocco’s Abderrahim Goumri, who was second at the Flora London Marathon in April.

Achilles Track Club, Inc., has changed its name to Achilles International, Inc.

09/11
Train Hard, Win Easy update. The book was completed this summer, but expanded to over 400-pages, well over its planned 220-pages. Due to the mass of information gathered new options are being looked at, and I had decided I did not want to merely ‘update’ the 2001 edition. Something will be released later this year; I am currently looking at the best option.

Archives:--Previous pages start -- HERE.