10/21
Doctors say they have finally proved that running delays the symptoms of arthritis in later life.
Even top athletes such as marathon runner Paula Radcliffe are less likely to suffer the condition than couch potatoes, according to a new study.
It found that runners delay the onset of arthritis by more than 12 years on average compared with those who never exercise. Those who get the most benefit run between six and 20 miles a week. The findings prove wrong the myth that exercising always speeds up the rate at which joints 'wear out' and can bring early osteoarthritis - the form of arthritis caused by ageing.
Well knew that all along of course!
America's Tim Montgomery (100m) Britain's Jonathan Edwards (triple jump); Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj (1,500 metres); Hungary's Robert Fazekas (discus and hammer); Greece's Kostas Kederis (200m); American marathon runner Khalid Khannouchi; Poland's Robert Korzeniowski (race walking); Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic (400m hurdles); and Czech decathlete Roman Sebrle.
women'Paula Radcliffe (Marathon), America's Marion Jones (100m), Ethiopia's Berhane Adere (5,000-10,000m); Turkey's Sureyya Ayhan (1,500m); Sweden's Kajsa Bergqvist (high jump); Gail Devers of the United States (100m hurdles); Russia's Svetlana Feofanova (pole vault); Debbie Ferguson of the Bahamas (100-200m); Mexico's Ana Guevara (400m); and Mozambique's Maria Mutola (800m).
There are so many great athletes here - to be honest I think The Khannouch should get the male version. Tim got a WR, so did Khannouch. Tim was not dominant in his discipline, The Khannouch WAS. Tim ran one sublime race, The Khannouch ran two……
PonyTail Ted was there for the Harriers, "Running easy as I want to do VCP XC tomorrow…" And speaking of which we did the last Ten Miles of the Marathon course in glorious sunshine. A nice bunch of people turned up and everyone had smiles on their faces at the Tavern. The night before was Graeme Reid’s farewell bash thus we were super impressed to see Graeme out pushing the pace on this morning - a few hours earlier, at the party, when he said, "I’ll see you there…" I thought no chance, he’ll sleep in. However full kudos to the guy as I believe our last mile was the quickest and zippy it was. MasterBlaster, Cruiser, Paul K, LQD, Partime, Cara, The Boss, Century, Chris, Randy, Jen… many Urbanosos out there plus TRD, ALS, and others.
And the party? It was really nice - loadsa of CPTC-ers there but I spent the night talking to two girls, one from Jamaica (Bevine), and the other from Brighton (Tanya), England. They were hysterical. A whole night of great stories - all highly censored of course, so enough of that!
On to the Amsterdam Marathon - check Pieter’s page (above) for the latest blow-by-blow update. But the long and short of it was that Kimutai (The HATC’s massage therapist no less!) Won the race in one of the world’s best ever debut times! 2:07:26. I am trying to think of faster debuts - Osoro in 2:06:50 is the only one I can come up with, there is bound to be another but….. What a sterling, unexpected result! I know a lot of you think another Kenyan, blah-dee blah… but this is stellar. When I was in Kenya earlier this year Kimutai had just joined the camp after some bad experiences in the now (almost) defunct Fila Camp. If you remember the old Run Urban busking in Eldoret photo he is one of the Kenyan’s in the background.
Congrats also to Luc of the HATC who has secured a spot in his country’s marathon squad for the World’s next year with a fine 2:11. The disappointment was 42-yr old Limo "only" running 2:19 - it was on the cards for him to run much faster, and I know he will be very upset with that time but….
FOOTNOTE: Yes we know Gebrselassie ran 2:06 for a supposedly WR debut this year in London. But the fact he has run a Marathon before makes the translation of the word debut a little hazy.. those of you who think Geb was 15 when he ran that race obviously have not seen the great man close up! A debut is the first time one runs a marathon, not the first time someone says, "Okay, this is my first serious effort."
Women
1. Gete Wami (Eth) 2:22:19 (DEBUT, national and course record)
2. Constantina Dita (Rom) 2:23 :52
3. Stine Larsen (Nor) 2:27:06 (DEBUT)
Men
1. Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei (Ken) 2:07:26 (DEBUT)
2. Simon Bor (Ken) 2:07:56
3. Stephen Cheptot (Ken) 2:07:59
4. Antonio Pena (Spa) 2:08:08
5. Sammy Korir (Ken) 2:08:10 (Mr perennial 2:08)
6. Boaz Kimayo (Ken) 2:08:46 (Bro’ won Baltimore)
Wei, who was also victorious this year in the Seoul Marathon on 17 March (2:25:06), crossed the finish ahead of Sun Yingjie, who was second with 2:21:21, with Zhang Shujing third on 2:23:17 – all personal bests.
"Just got back from seeing my parents off on their latest trip...my mom has a special compartment in her bag that was loaded with chocolate bars and cookies- sounds familiar, except she had the cheap brand of hobnob knockoffs. Thanks for the update from our fav Eldo Lise!
"I made a runners error in that I was in the main pack with 1 mile to go and there was a breakaway 10 seconds up the road - we were at Tavern on the Green and the finish is at the top of Cats Paw Hill - so I charged off the front of the group and tried to bridge up to the breakaway of 4 - but I never quite closd to the final 2-3 seconds or so and got swallowed up by the pack just before the final sprint." Super impressive!
Welcome also to Jamie who decimated the peleton, and to Beth who dropped by (via Providence). Beth, a 2:41 marathoner, is a new edition to the city. She brought us the gossip that John Doherty (d’ya remember him? My Euro friends will) is now a money-man and not running! A shame. He used to do a lot of pacing work in Europe on the track. The Boss was down on the track, and Partime too (Yes in the rain!), Cara with gears of Vitesse, Buffalo, Cre ("I’m having a post marathon party, put the word out…"), Chris from Amex "Long mile in Staten Island!" Randy Sax, "My coffee speaks for itself…" Century Man, "It is tough running a session holding back for once…" Lee, "What shall I eat for breakfast?" Don, DandaDog, & Amber, and Andrew who is rapidly returning to his former speedy self…
Later it was to the West side Pomodoro - Century and I were stood next to the bread table waiting for a table - Big mistake for the restaurant… "No bread? But the bowl was full a minute ago!" The food was excellent and filling and the place as good as the last time visited…. And a drop by H&H rounded off the evening - I mean what is a night without a Cinnamon Raison.
The only annoying thing is to be stuck in a position of non-motion. I mean I have never ran a race, or trained, with a ‘grunter’ or a ‘hacker’. The closest I came was years ago in Portugal, but that’s another story. BUT on the treadmill you are stuck next to them all! Yesterday I was dodging the flying arms of a girl who appeared to be auditioning for a shadow boxing film called Full range of motion… then there was the singing man…. Yep it is like an episode of Seinfeld! A woman came up, "You’ve been running a long time, how far are you going? You were running when I came in over an hour ago" (NB/ I should add I always run when the gym is empty and there are over 20 free treadmills).
So I reply, "20-miles."
She looks at me with a cranky eye, then peers down on the display panel, "And you’ve only done 3-miles? You are going to be here all day!"
I could not be bothered to tell her that the odometer resets to zero after ten miles.
This is going to be a super event. There will also be a big party celebrating the Euro part of Pieter (Starbucks) and Lornah (Simba’s) wedding. So if you are passing through the Western Highlands take a red rose, and may you stay forever young for going.
We stopped at H&H (7 bagels and two doughy things that I don’t know the name of…. I tell you H&H is a fab bagelry, consistently excellent bagels). Also as an experiment some Starbucks ground coffee beans, I am interested to see if the home brewed stuff tastes as good as the shop shots. (Ed’s note: email from Century tells you it was Challah bread, he even sent a link! http://www.geocities.com/dgutherc/dg4_links.htm).
Takaoka's coach, Kunimitsu Ito, is a 2:07 marathon runner. He explained that "Takaoka has been studying the marathon by watching many of the recent races." "Because my marathon experience is very limited, I try to learn by watching marathon TV coverage," said Takaoka. "For example, I learned how the best runners positions themselves during the various stages of the race."
Paula, 28-years-old, is still keen to continue her track ambitions. She has already won Commonwealth 5,000m gold and the European 10,000m title this season, as well as the London Marathon. The track still draws her like a red hot iron.
As to where her Chicago success ranked, she added: "I've got the world record so it's got to rank at the top.
"Ever since London I have been working towards this and my track races went 100% to plan.
"I did think I could do it, but I don't like talking about breaking records. I just like to go out and run my own race rather than shout about what I am going to do.
"I knew I was in good shape. But also you have nerves and you wonder whether you'll hold it together."
We think it is wise for Paula NOT to run a marathon in 2003, BUT to run the Olympic Marathon in 2004. This is based upon the fact that very few men, let alone women, can close on the 25th lap of a 10,000m like the Ethiopian Women can. Paula would have to be 8-10% stronger than the best Ethiopian woman to win the 10,000m in Athens in my opinion. This is based upon the energy expenditure of setting the pace and ‘breaking’ the wind resistance.
And England's Jon Brown, who won last year's marathon, won the half marathon in 1:02.32. Brown, who lives and trains in Victoria, chose the shorter distance because he is preparing for the upcoming New York Marathon. Judith Leroy of Victoria won the women's half marathon in 1:19.02.
Mrs. Newly wed Runyan, 33, ran her first-ever 10K and finished at 31:46 to beat Kenya's Wanjiku by two-tenths of a second.
Have any of these guys considered that even the names they don’t see might be running national class times in Kenyan races too?
The incredible Khannouchi again runs a Sub 2:06! This third time, and fourth Chicago victory. Toshinari Takaoka gave The Khannouch a real run for his money before the race he said: "Yes. I want to have the (Japanese) record. But I also want to race. RWD: What do you mean by that? TT: I have decided to take a gamble and run with the lead pack. I will stay with them as long as I can and hope to get the record but also be in contention in the race.
A brave hearted guy, and it nearly paid off big time for the win!
Runner’s World’s creator George Hirsch, 3:28:53, in the 60-69 category - a fantastic result!
At the Staten Island - Silky Wilky takes another win, in 1:11. Warren St take top three spots but Central Park Track Club win both the Men, and the Women’s team titles. Alayne Adams, ‘SuperMom’ takes the race win, and the day’s most sterling performance - an absolute affirmation that she is #1 over whatever distance the Points’ system throws at her!! The Boss was second Master behind the Rube, Paul K popped a good one, with the Buffalo in his slipstream, CJ in his, and Partime and Patrick W close by. Sheila just missed the 2-barrier, probably by the crowding at the start, well done to her - and Kavan pulled a pr we think.
And where was defending Champion Kimka Griffin? Not in Staten Island - she was in Central Park.
The conversation then took a swing as one guy was explaining that the beauty of hiking (over running) was that you were more in touch with the nature. The proof of this explanation was delivered with a thud when he said, "I mean, when was the last time you saw an ant walk in front of you when you ran?"
Wow, I knew I was missing something!
We were also at the waterflooded race on Saturday in the park - I can tell you those Asics shoes with the holes in the soles ain’t too practical when traversing da ponds en course.
There was some fine running from GNY’s Cathy Stone, and Westchester’s Bob Sweeney - next week Bob is going for a 100km.
Ponytail Ted was also there and as he splashed his way through the puddles he lamented, "I wish I was with my wife in San Diego…."
"No you don’t Ted!" We retorted.
"Okay, you’re right…"
Runners love these horrid conditions, guess that is why I never became one.
At the beginning of the week, the medical team under Doctor Chrobok dealt with the growth on Zelezny's rib which was causing him pain. Due to this condition he was unable to throw well at the European Championships in Munich, and he was already suffering discomfort prior to the Grand Prix meeting in Stockholm on 16 July. Zelez’ is a true legend in his own era.
The amazing Berko does it again!! 23:33 for 5-miles for a 37 yr old guy who trains only when he can’t be bothered to push the lawnmower any more. The Berko is a legend… I keep trying to get him to come and stay in New York, he’d wipe the floors using his left leg alone!
Now 65, she remains the only Scottish female to have set a world mark in a recognised Olympic event, clocking 3hr 27min 45sec, almost 69 minutes slower than the current world best. She did this on the Isle of Wight, in 1964, in an era when officialdom banned women from marathons, but Greig's performance is the first officially logged by the world body of athletics on a certified course. She did so while working full time, not training full time like today's women.
One could candidly say that Miss Craig was lucky to have won some sewing baskets because if Kenya Airways had been around in the Nineteen Twenties, instead of the trusty (non flying) mule and foot, then her efforts would have come apart at the seams, so to speak.
Whilst we are on the subject… I was once training in Florida on the Arnold Palmer Golf Course, yes running not golf
Our goal is to prepare you to have the best ever experience, thus please join us to 'look over' the last portion of the marathon.
WHERE: Meet under the bridge on 1st Avenue near 59th ST (4,5,6, N & R are the closest subway trains.)
WHEN: Sunday October 20th at 08:30 AM
DISTANCE: The last ten miles of the New York Marathon course.
WHY: Every runner who did this last year told me how much it helped 'on the day' of the race. You will then be on familiar ground.
ROUTE: This is a gentle training run. Obviously it will be impossible to keep a large group together (although we are unsure with numbers). Generally people who know the route will instruct. Also along the way yellow flags are generally in place to mark the way. Efforts will be made to form pace groups.
Everyone is invited to just show, make friends, and run - No RSVP needed, just your positive self and running head! Last year we had about 60-runners, and I received a lot of rewarding feedback after people had completed the Marathon.
Later that night, on the blood trail, to Café Nicole, at the Novotel Hotel. Now if the French run the place you can be sure that the food would be good - The starter was coconut shrimp, really good, and then the filet mignon and fries - I just dig the flesh right now. The dessert of course was scooting by and stopping at H&H! Cinnamon Raisins can’t be beat - and I am doing the great Tuckahoe challenge, sampling Jam & Jelly from Welch’s and giving the low down on the name difference.
Their clash is the reason the BBC are showing the race live for the first time! Strange that Khannouchi does not get the same treatment considering the race is in his home country, even in his home state we aren’t getting the ‘moving pictures’. Nope, better go to Chicago and watch the local Fox, or see it live!
August 3, Saturday MARATHON:-- MEN Name, Surname Nat Time Age From 1. Cosmas MUSYOKA KEN 2:17:38 30 Kenya - there is a name from the past! The last time I was with Cosmas we were locked inside a police car, scantily clad, freezing cold, and in Houston!
To explain further… It was ten miles into the Houston Marathon. Cosmas, a Mexican runner, and I were running along having an awful day. The concrete highways had beaten up my legs and I was simply sinking backwards - it was a jinxed day, nearly everyone from our team had a bad run that day.
So Cosmas, the Mex, and I decide to drop out. Standing on the roadside we began to get cold waiting for a race official, or some form of help. We noticed a vacant police car and decided to hop inside (yes, we were really getting blue by now). Unfortunately we slammed the rear doors shut before realizing that you can not open the doors from within!
I hope, dear readers, you have not had the misfortune to be stuck inside a police car for it is not a nice experience! Firstly the seats are as bony as a mule’s skeleton, and secondly the leg room is tailored around a 2’ 6" midgit!
Cramps set in, I needed to stretch my legs, so we began banging on the windows trying to attract somebody’s attention - but everyone was watching the Marathon, and cheering! Anyone who did look at the police car, and saw three immigrant faces pressed up against the glass and screaming, somehow chose to ignore us!
And that was the beginning of the Cosmas story. Part 2; "When the Cops returned with donuts…" will be written about in due course… then of course there is the goat story, that’ll be part 3.
Lightly butter the top and bottom of a bun, place on grill until golden brown (or toast it). Spread mustard on bottom half, pile with chopped onions, pickles and meat patty. Spread mayonnaise or mustard on top half of bun. Pat the top of the bun with a spatula loaded with hamburger grease. Provide lettuce, tomato, and catsup if desired.
I did a 20 myself on the treadmill this morning. I did not really plan it, the numbers just kind’ve rolled out. The people in the gym came and went, new people came and went, it took a long time! I used to do this session back in 2001 and I would run 18-miles at 6-min/mile pace, then race the last 2-miles often going well below race pace to 5 min mile for the last mile. I could never do this training outdoors, but in saying that when I was running sub 2:20's I would do a 20 where the last 5 was sub 5:20 pace, and the first 15 were at 6 min pace or better (at altitude too).
Anyway to cut the stalk from the carrot today’s sorry effort was at 7’s with the last two miles at 6’s! Oh well, as I mentioned I never meant to do a long run, but the sad thing about the clock is it does reflect degeneration of oneself, and oneself is only how we can judge our efforts - The Khannouch finishes his last two miles at 4:40 pace… and I remember training in 1996 with Moses Tanui with a bleedin’ jeep making sure we kept pace! Now Moses was unbeatable at the end of a long run. (Ed’s note, ‘Yawn, yawn, I know, in another year he’ll be writing 8-min mile, the year after that ten….").
The Japanese Olympic champion, the first woman to break the elusive barrier of two hours 20 minutes last year in Berlin, cruised through an early morning jog and then said she was looking forward to another tilt at the record in November.
"I thought for a few minutes my legs would be sore, said the 30-year-old Takahashi, who won her sixth marathon in a row in 2:21.49, at the head of the world's largest field ever with 32,753 runners. But my legs weren't heavy at all. I went jogging and felt as good as ever.
Well she will attempt to regain the record in Tokyo.. but first we have the PaulaPower in Chi’cago!
And a timely note that this Monday coming, the 14th, is a break from the classes due to a certain gentleman called Christopher Columbus - the Italians will be celebrating… was Christopher a viking? No comment.
We believe a lot of the lead women share this view - it will be a stacked 10,000!
and another Kariuki! Kosice Peace Marathon: Men - David Kariuki, KEN, 2:12:40. Women - Tadelch Birra, ETH, 2:36:49.
"Ever since I first came here, I realised that this country can dominate the rest of the world because you have everything.
"In Ethiopia, one thing we have is altitude. But we have only one simple stadium for 65 million people - one track. The track is old, and when I think about the facilities here, I think about coming to train here.
"South African athletes do very good results in Europe, but they need to do more. They have to, because, according to the country and how many people there are, there is no question that they can dominate the rest of the world.
On the subject of the Club: Finish Line Banquet Tickets: The 2002 New York City Marathon Finish Line Banquet! Tickets get you gourmet cuisine at Tavern on the Green, open bar, free champagne, large-screen broadcast of the entire race on WNBC, and VIP seats at the finish line! Reserve ASAP—this event was a sellout in 2000 and 2001. Highly recommended.
And the Women:
1 Sonia O'Sullivan (Irl) 1:07:19
2 Susie Power (Aus) 1:07:56
3 J Chepchumba (Ken) 1:08:34
4 Jelena Prokopcuka (Lat) 1:08:49
5 Fernando Ribeiro (Por) 1:09:20
6 Derartu Tulu (Eth) 1:09:56
7 Elana Meyer (Rsa) 1:11:36
8 Liz Yelling (Bedford AC) 1:11:42
9 Kerryn McCann (Aus) 1:13:26
WOW- Go Sonia! Awesome running. At this conjuncture let it be said that she left New York with a copy of Train Hard Win Easy tucked under her arm - of course our Intrepid reporter is taking full credit for her inspired run.. and what about Kosgei? The first ever sub 1-hr run in Briton! Shoe4Africa runner, John Yuda, grabbing silver! What a day, what a day. This is awesome news for the NYC Marathon - Sonia is in form, as are the two third place finishers who are headed for NY - Rodgers and Joyce.
BUPA Great North International Road Miles, Newcastle:
Men’s:
1 R Silva (Por) 4mins 12.40secs
2 V Shabunin (Rus) 4:12.60
3 M East (Newham&Essex Beagles) 4:12.80
4 J Thie (Cardiff) 4:13.00
5 A Graffin (Belgrave) 4:13.10
6 J Mayock (Barnsley) 4:14.00
7 A Whiteman (Shaftesbury Barnet) 4:15.00
Women’s:
1 K Holmes (Ealing) 4:32.10
2 S Ayhan (Tur) 4:34.40
3 T Tomashova (Rus) 4:35.70
4 G Hendricken (Irl) 4:37.20 & #8 was J. Ceplak in 4:48
1 Carol Howe 36 NJ 1:14:58 2 Leteyesus Berhe 24 WTC NY 1:18:06 3 Lynn Patchett 35 BERMUDA1:22:50
It was a one-woman race - Carol ran with the elite men and scored amongst them too with the fall’s most outstanding female performance. Her NYC debut should be something very special!
It was a great day, the weather was perfect - spot on. We saw Beth Wassner & Katy Hitchcock in the accompanying 5km, with a speedy Mexican just out duking The Boss (cheers to him!), and with Grete Waitz herself in the park, and half of the Norwegian community of NY it was a great day - faces in the crowd - Cre looping on the loops, CenturyMan doing an 18-miler and nearly PR-ing for the Half on route, Ybanez & Conor having great runs and proving that the Master’s are tops in this city, Ponytail Ted was one of many who noted how their Central Park 5km time was about a minute slower than the Wall St AHA race a couple of weeks ago - Yep, short course ….. BethG radiantly shining, she is expecting on Feb 14th… please don’t name it Valentino! Rick P on the Bridle Path logging the miles… Leola all smiles on every mile… three hundred runners with Walkmans in the race.. some guy towing his son with a rope on bicycles causing havoc, Danny of the Achilles Track Club’s Dad running his first race in 6-years, Hakan of the Achilles zipping round the park.. it was a great day with a tremendous turn out. Pierre Henry led the Urbanoso’s, with Randy close on his heels, Sean, Century, MasterBalsster, Cre, Vitaliy, Leola, Danna & The Judge - well done guys!! Also I was especially pleased to see the Super busy Nancy from Team Nike doing what we preach - she was out there pounding the miles… the same could be said for Leslie Silver who flashed by, "I’m a bandit today!" Spotted down the road in the gym was Esther - haven’t seen her in a long time…. And speaking of Esther the Rezza Dogs were out in force too!
I had the biggest thing they had on the menu smothered in everything, and with all the trimmings. I skipped the sessert (as we could not determine why the Cheesecake was not touted as Extra large as in everything else…) Upon returning home, later that night, I was still hungry - thus I ate 5-bagels. I was surprised to see that I was at a weekly low the next day on the bathroom scales - a miracle, not that I’m a Greek on the second floor!
Priscilla Welch (42,GBR) 2:26:51 London 10May87 Firaya Sultanova (40,RUS) 2:27:58 Boston 15Apr02 Tatyana Pozdnyakova (43,UKR) 2:29:25 Chicago 11Oct98 Irina Bogacheva (41,KGZ) 2:29:39 St. Paul 29Sep02 Joyce Smith (44,GBR) 2:29:43 London 09May82 Carla Beurskens (42,HOL) 2:29:43 Rotterdam 17Apr94 Evy Palm (47,SWE) 2:31:05 London 23Apr89 Marie Soderstrom (40,SWE) 2:31:28 Stockholm 09Jun01 Lorraine Moller (40,NZL) 2:32:02 Boston 15Apr96 Maria Luisa Munoz (40,SPA) 2:32:34 Valencia 06Feb00
Our goal is to prepare you to have the best ever experience, thus please join us to 'look over' the last portion of the marathon.
WHERE: Meet under the bridge on 1st Avenue near 59th ST (4,5,6, N & R are the closest subway trains.)
WHEN: Sunday October 20th at 08:30 AM
DISTANCE: The last ten miles of the New York Marathon course.
WHY: Every runner who did this last year told me how much it helped 'on the day' of the race. You will then be on familiar ground.
ROUTE: This is a gentle training run. Obviously it will be impossible to keep a large group together (although we are unsure with numbers). Generally people who know the route will instruct. Also along the way yellow flags are generally in place to mark the way. Efforts will be made to form pace groups.
Everyone is invited to just show, make friends, and run - No RSVP needed, just your positive self and running head! Last year we had about 60-runners, and I received a lot of rewarding feedback after people had completed the Marathon.
The Russians used a pencil.
We hear the troops went to Two Boots…. Myself? It was to Josie’s for the usual… washed down with the delectable H & H combo of cinnamon raisins.. well it is more healthy than cheesecake I suppose!
This club has a whole host of Fab runners - name 2! Okay, Malin Ewerlof who won the World XC Champs at the age of 16, took a Silver in the Euro’s 800m, then we have our Fav Marathoner from Sweden, Anders Szalkai - a stunning 8th place in Fukoaka Marathon, and a 2:12 result to back up his Olympic merits. If I were in Sweden then I’d be there…. But I will be ironing my Ziggy Stardust suit for the very next night I am going to see Bowie with TGV! Wow, bring the night on…
And the fairer sex:
Catherine Ndereba (KEN) 2:18:47 (1) Chicago 07Oct01 Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2:18:56 (1) London 14Apr02 Naoko Takahashi (JPN) 2:19:46 (1) Berlin 30Sep01 Tegla Loroupe (KEN) 2:20:43 (1) Berlin 26Sep99 Margaret Okayo (KEN) 2:20:43 (1) Boston 15Apr02 Loroupe 2:20:47 (1) Rotterdam 19Apr98 Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) 2:21:06 (1) London 21Apr85 Ndereba 2:21:12 (2) Boston 15Apr02 Joan Benoit (USA) 2:21:21 (1) Chicago 20Oct85 Ndereba 2:21:33 (1) Chicago 22Oct00
There is a chance that Steven will return to the City of all Cities to run the Joe Kleinerman 10km.. speaking of which we were talking to Joe today, a man with a tremendously in-depth memory!
The last known picture of Steven Paddock in Manhattan, along with the Intrepid Reporter (dragging the trolley) who happened to be passing by on his way to sending two more boxes of running shoes to Africa. This month has been tremendous - we’ve sent so many used shoes - all thanks to you guys out there pounding the roads yourselves!
The women, in their collective sanity, run the elite 10km;
1. 35:06 Ongera, Janet Kenya 2. 35:29 Chepchirchir, Filomena Kenia 3. 35:45 Söderström-Lundberg, Marie Hässelby SK
So Kenya storm to victory, as is usual in this race, in both events. Grete Waitz won the women’s race, when it was 15km, 11-times! The male in #8 is Finland’s top 800m runner, running a little over-distance one could say.
John was slated to the 5th Ave mile - looks like he did the right thing with a stunning new PR, and also another major 10k victory this year - he’ll be moving up to the marathon in less than a couple of years, watch this space. The women’s results are, "In review."
ya know the fashion police type thing for those guys that wear those way too short shorts... caught a sighting the other day-not pretty.
Heard from "coach" Landis today- don't think you met him -hails from Big Sky, Montana and is going back to Eldoret end of october- working on long term plans for the orphanage and maybe getting some of the local runners scholarships to the states...his wife and he are heading there via Vancouver so will be good to chat with him about getting me back there in the future....good guy to know as he has more connections than Moi (president of Kenya) has with his swiss bankers." Thanks Lise!
Takahashi, the first woman to break the two hours 20 minute barrier, clocked 2:21.50 ahead of Mexican Adriana Fernandez a former winner in da Big Apple.
The amazing Takahashi has now won six consecutive marathons dating back to 1998. She said her main aim was to become the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic marathon titles. Bets against her?
Women - 1. N. Takahashi (Jap) 2:21:49 2. A. Fernandez (Mex) 2:24:11 3. H. Kimutai (Ken) 2:28:10 4. S. Gemechu (Eth) 2:28:15 5. A. Buia (Rom) 2:32:47 6. Z. Dahmani (Fra) 2:34:15 7. J. Lodge (GB) 2:34:17 8. K. Wessel (Ger) 2:38:35 9. G. Gonzalez (Spa) 2:38:38 10. C. Doellinger (Ger) 2:39:37
1. R. Kipkoech (Ken) 2:06:47 2. S. Biwott (Ken) 2:06:49 3. V. Kisos (Ken) 2:06:53 4. B. Usisivu (Ken) 2:07:51 5. J. Muindi (Ken) 2:08:24 6. K. Matsuda (Jap) 2:10:30 7. J.E. Palalia (Mex) 2:10.38 8. M. Tanui (Ken) 2:10:39 9. E. Mutai (Ken) 2:10:41 10. M. Yatich (Ken) 2:10:56
Shoe4Africa man Mark Wendot Yatich creeping in there in tenth!
Of note: Kipkoech has only been running for 2-years(!) Furthermore it was only decided that he was running Berlin last week!
Well back to the Tarrytown train station; Sitting behind a silver land rocket thinly disguised as Nissan’s latest 350Z was the man who has owned more cars than the normal person has teeth! Yep, TGV has done it again! "Well I was going to go for a M3.. but that car…. (is so last decade)"
This thing turns more heads than a $100 bill drifting on the sidewalk, and boy does it move! Nice choice, the question is; will he keep it longer than it takes to print the plates?
And later that evening, last night, I went out with The Irish Ironhorse Conor. We went to a chinese midtown place on 49th & 2nd Ave and ate everything on the menu, twice! Due to my bagel overload I had to carry out a doggie bag, but in true Ironman style Conor polished the plates - nice to eat out with someone who out eats me…. Did I mention Conor literally flew through his running leg of the Triathlon race he did on Saturday, "The running is really there!" The Thursday night track sessions are paying dividends, but really it is his great working ethic - fab to see in NYC.
I first met Jimmy in a 30-k Cross country race, I met him again in another country at a road race.. and since then he is the type of guy one sporadically meets at a race then does not see for a couple of years - I mean this guy has been running for donkey’s!
Women - Irina Bog. Of Russia took the gold.
Started the Red Cross Disaster Services- leadership training (love it!) tuesday night.... was a seminar with the rest of the team- there are 20 of us- all have done years of disaster work here and overseas, work in emergency services/search & rescue as their regular jobs or are in the healthcare field, and sitting beside me is one of our local news anchors - and I'm thinking how in the world did I get in with this group (moi- no experience and what did I say in my interview??) ....so later in the evening we are discussing "the principles of leading thru a crisis"...last one turns out to be a sense of humour...and I guess that's where I come in?" Thanks Lise!
In the Open women’s UATH’s ace Fiona Bayly sporting her ‘80’s classic singlet made the podium despite crossing over into the multi-sports and earning a place in the World Championships next year. "I’ll always be a runner, not a gear-head…." In the men’s 6:30 to 5:45 race a misplaced Mexican won in 4:37! The men’s invitational saw PA’s Kenyan Leonard Muchuri glide under 4-minutes for the win. Second place was a Brit, and our own George from da Bronx, via Europe, snabbed 4th again - Falmouth Mile revisited. Where was our Favorite the Spaghetti Kenyan? He’d have been on the podium for sure! Meanwhile George is a name for the future as he is still young, and believes in things like Father Xmas.
In the Women’s Elite Grace Njoki made the day’s Kenyan double in 4:44, we recognized Katy Hitchcock of the NYAC who ran a fine fourth, great to see her again.
Faces in the crowd not running; Sir Roland NOT in his patent Orange color (sans shoe fob too), Ambrose Salmini - a man who does more visually to promote running in the Tri-state than arguably anyone else, Kimka and Lisa who were last seen joining Jack Nicholson for the premier screening of his latest film at the Lincoln Center… "Loved the red carpet bit…" We heard Kimka say… Lisa looked super zippy in a great Nike white singlet that looked like it belonged on a red carpet… Chairman Bernie was, as he is at most races, chief Marshall at the post, Mary W with son Alex is another regular out supporting the local runners… Don-Pic was snapping photos as he usually does in great style and was deciding whether to turn up or not for Thursday’s track session - The excuse? "I may be in Malaysia." Okay that is a good one! Last but not least a guy came up to our intrepid reporter, "So you’re the guy everybody loves in the city!" Man, you can guess that make our reporter’s day, anyway it turned out this guy was no other than George Sheehan Jr(!!) What an honor, and what a nice gent.
Merane Phingbodhipakkiy - La femmes great name, and she was just behind Cara J from UATH - a great result, 5:40, as she is in heavy M-training, and has a bruised knee to boot, Sally Carpenter in 6:17 - good job, just before she celebrates her October birthday, Nina Cerfolio & Julie Sender, ten seconds back were a place apart - both used to train with the Urbanoso’s, soon after we spotted Rebecca Baldwin of TRD, everyone was out there.
What a ca-hoot.. meanwhile thanks to Judy Harrigan for the delectable coffee beans from Venice California! What a sublime flavor!
Well instead we ran past the DWS, continued down to 6th ST and coached the loyal Urbanites who turned up in the pouring rain, then turned round and ran back home! On the track - Buffalo stormed through the raindrops, The Irish Ironhorse close behind, Bob simply flew today with stunning speed (I wonder if he hates the rain?) Andrew charged the session, Chris complete with heavy warm ups held pace, as did Lee (off to Aruba no less), Leola did not let the rain stop her from smiling, and Amber braved the weather and proved her steel, and Cre proved that he great, tough and brutally delivered long run of 22-miles, kicking in the hills and tempo for the last 6, has not taken too much out of him! Great going, I was proud to be a coach last night.. furthermore the Captain ran a 2-minute PR this morning in the park!
The ALJ open was named the ALJ memorial.. strange as its namesake is (thankfully) very much alive; The Swedish Stats expert, and Eurosport commentator Anders Lennart Julin. The vandringspris (perpetual prize) is a mixing bowl glued on a wooden stand with a list of the runners who have won the race - I think when I last saw the trophy only once had it ever been won outside of the 30-minutes. The race also doubled as the City’s 10,000m championship - I won the race twice and was followed by two wins from my Tanzanian/Swedish friend (and a winner of the Stockholm Marathon) Alfred Shemweta. If my memory serves me correctly Shemweta blizted a solo championship record the first year he ran it hence I was glad I never went for a three peat. Joking aside the race had a reputation to be the PR event; thus it was that a bunch of us ran with the idea of sharing the pace, hm - I led the entire way till 9700m when Lars Andervang (whose claim to fame was winning a marathon in Spain) finally decided to ‘help’ with the pace. Luckily I had my demon kick in those days…
The day before that race my club coach had moved from the City to the sticks, so we helped him move - proving that an active day is sometimes good before a race. Lethargy breeds lethargy.
Since losing to Perec in the 1996 Olympic final, Freeman has won 46 of her 47 races over 400m. Her one loss came in Oslo in 1998, when she hurt a bone in her foot mid-race. But after the high of 2000, Freeman's only international performance has been her effort in Manchester in July, when she helped Australia win the 4x400m relay gold medal.
And only in Norway,
A women's football team in Norway could be disbanded after they played a man in goal.
Askim Rodenes FC fielded male coach Ragnar Johansen between the sticks for their clash with Yven, which they lost 6-2.
Yven, perhaps unsurprisingly, chose not to lodge a complaint, but the referee said it was technically against the rules and would be mentioning it in his report.
The Harriers were down on the track and PonyTail Ted tells, "The Queen of the Harriers won some serious dollars in a Half Marathon this past weekend thus she’s buying the Harrier-Beer on Thursday night!" Hopefully after the Queen has notched a sterling track session on 6th st first! Welcome back James Siegal to da track - after a plantar hiatus.
Did you know that Sonia was a marathon volunteer for the NYC 1991 edition when Liz McColgan won? Sonia was out at the start collecting baggage! "We got NYC Marathon T-shirts, I thought it was great!" Sonia is going back now and will run one more race before NYC, The Great North Run - a huge half in Blighty, where she'’l face up against Joyce Chep. and Susan Chep. She’ll return to America about 10-days before the Marathon, and come in to NYC a couple of days before the big event. An example of one of her hard sessions? "4 x 5km" Enough said.
I am guessing it was US only money in Cow Harbor? That is usually the only way one gets an American 1, 2, 3 in a big road race these days.
"To start, the flatbread -eaten together with cilantro and a mild feta type cheese, eggplant dip....then lamb kebobs or ground beef (needs to be ground) kebobs with a pilaf rice -then dessert- ice cream type dessert made with rosewater (this is an acquired taste) or backlava.....all cooked in a ton of butter of course...so have wine to unblock the arteries.
"Quote of the day: (seen on a tip jar in my neighbourhood italian cafe): "Tipping is not a city in China". Big party tonight so must go nap (these 7:00am saturday runs are killing me!) while the vodka chills...."
It was the Dutch Dam to Dam, and Charles Kamathi was the male winner is a speedy 45-mins!
Women`s:
1 P Radcliffe (Eng) 30:38 (UK record)
2 E Meyer (Rsa) 32:40
3 S O’Sullivan (Irl) 33:47
4 C Dale (Eng) 34:45
5 L Watson (Eng) 36:33
6 S Budd (Eng) 38:29.,
Paula Destroys! Watch out Chicago! She is moving like the A train.
West Side’s entire team had decided to go for the roads this day leaving no challenge for the Warren St team up in VCP. Surely, with the help of the new Mexican, they would have easily taken the top points up in the Bronx had they traveled but… "What team race?" quote of the scoring WSX runner.
Later at the hospitality tent I was standing by the bagels and muffins (surprise surprise) and was shocked by the number of women who came up, "I just want to take a muffin for a friend.." 5-mins later they return (covered in crumbs), "I just want to…" Ha ha, I had a ball pointing out the obvious. Then the people who hover and try and grab a muffin from the Joe Public, even the diamond attired UES toots…. "Excuse me, they’re for the VIP’s" to which comes the retort, "Oh, but I can take one?" Er, no actually….
Then a quick detour to the West Side, first to say a fast Happy Birthday to Kimka Griffin, and then to The Strand for Steven Paddock’s farewell brunch.
We had a great turn out, lots of laughs, and a good time. Sir Roland (with a milkshake in one hand and a digital camera in the other) ate the biggest burger known this side of the Great Wall of China, Bola-Gym rapped and wrapped hardly anything edible down his throat, Alan battled the gallery with the future league of CPTC’ers, Shula ate Steven’s fruits - though in fairness hers never arrived, Marty double fisted the snapples, Margaret Angell went barefoot, Andrea ordered a small stack, that was similar in size to Steven’s tall stack, Nobody ate any salad… The team was in high spirits, no least because the Women (home grown team) continued to dominate in NYC - Alayne won the race, Margaret S. took silver, and Ali wrapped up the scoring trio in the top five! What a blow out! On a team note where was Naomi Reynolds? Is this the first race she has missed in VCP all year?
I will keep you updated. Keep me posted on everything. I may be back to the road to recovery sooner than I think. I will definitely be at the NYC Marathon to cheer you and all my friends on and of course Urban Athletics.
Good luck to you on Monday. I got my vote in for you." Thanks Doreen.
The ongoing saga: found out if you go to geektools.com- you can get the names of all the administrators of servers so going to be writing the boys in Cabo about their virus ...but going to be difficult as my spanish comprises mainly of "cerveza per favore"...
And the scandal of the games? The men’s 1500m where the USA representative is allegedly admitting to pacing Bernard Lagat of Africa… hence ruining his own race and finishing with a High Schoolers’ time - NOT what one should do for team points!
Seneca Lassiter is na de eerste dag van de Wereldcup in Madrid zwaar bekritiseerd. De Amerikaan eindigde kansloos als laatste op de 1500 meter. Omdat hij in het eerste deel van de race flink tempo maakte, laadde hij de verdenking op zich dat hij tempo maakte voor zijn Kenyaanse trainingsgenoot Bernard Lagat.
That’s what they are saying in Holland about it!
And the Team results: Kind’ve tough because the European Team is split into a complete German team, a British team, A Spanish team… hence Europe takes the best from the left over countries… theoretically weakening the Euro’s further is that (for instance) Britain has the #1 European Sprinter, it also (on paper) has the #2, thus the Euro’s must search even further down the lines… geddit?
Men 1 Africa 134 2 United States 119 3 Europe 115 4 Americas 111 5 Spain 94 6 Germany 86.5 7 Great Britain & N.I. 86 8 Asia 80 9 Oceania 62.5
And for the women:
1 Russia 126 2 Europe 123 3 Americas 110 4 United States 105 5 Africa 99 6 Germany 79.5 7 Asia 75 8 Spain 74.5 9 Oceania 59
BUT take away the drug infested influence to the team and the Russians would not have won.
Mind you I am not opposed to racing indoors though.
Metropolitan Athletics Congress Cross Country Champs were held on Sept 15th. From the results it appears that there was not one single open male runner in the race. A bad sign of the times - surely something is wrong when the local organization field such a poor turn out.. hence the "Young Men 15-18" age group winner would be the day’s best… he ran 18:23 for the 5km course that can not be described as demanding in any terms! Second in his division came in 23:22… and in all divisions only one other athlete (A master runner) beat the 20-minute mark!
Well I was determined to take the subway home. It was all planned, I even recruited KingCre to run with to make sure…. So we set off and low-and-behold the 10th ST bridge has been taken down! So we decided to run to 23rd and take the bus… it was then I remembered the smallest denomination of cash I had was a $10 bill! Hardly bus fodder. KingCre suggested we just get on the bus anyway, but I hate it when others do that and I’m riding the bus.. y’know delay delay… so we run to 34th when he takes the bus crosstown (he had a one swipe card) and I headed north, yep ran all the way home to complete a 33-mile day. It was fate! I mean on how many nights do a friggin’ bridge across a highway disappear? Talk about a slogjog! Thus the food for the night was Luigi’s, and great it was too - highly recommended Italian on First & 88th. The chicken pizza was the taste of the night…. And some!
"I'll send your regards to Mary - and we coined her wiggle- "the butt dance" - that move had me in tears laughing New Year's Eve on the dance floor at the Eldoret Club...fafafafa." Eldo Lise who sings and dances with the best of them.
Wyatt, from Wellington, braved sleet and freezing temperatures to establish a big lead on his rivals, finishing three and-a-half-minutes clear of second placegetter, Raymond Fontaine, of France.
Nyambui, Tanzania's national athletics coach and the 1980 Olympic 5000m silver medallist, watched three of his countrymen sweep the podium at the Sydney Marathon.
Stephen Bwire won the race with a time of 2h17m30s. The place-getters in the men's and women's event, that was won by Australian Heather Turland, collected total prize money of around $15,000.
"There is no way you can bring the runners with this peanut money they have, you are talking about US$100,000 at other marathons, US$60,000 plus a Mercedes car," Nyambui said.
Spoke with Mary on the weekend- always good for many laughs. Mark's cousin is getting married out here in october so will see my old running partner-and assess who's fallen into the worst shape since we left Eldoret.
Friday is a big b-day party for friend's 5 year old- theme is spiderman and so yours truly managed to weasel out of being spiderman/woman and delegated to another friend- who is a rock climber and he will be repelling out of a tree and showing up as a surprise- I predict all 16 -5 year olds will be wetting their pants either in fright or excitement. Drinks will be mandatory after that afternoon.
Off to a dinner this evening-friend's dad is in town visiting and a staunch irish catholic- I'll have to make sure I leave my "is the pope polish" comments at home. My dad arrives tomorrow for the week -he on the other hand enjoys the pope comments." Thanks - BTW A’Dam Michiel is on holiday in Bali.
The first time I did a double was in Iceland - I ran the Nike downtown 5km, then jumped in a car and ran a a country 10-miler. The combination of being a beginner, the car drive, not stretching, and running further than I'd ever run before make that a very memorable day.... as I said, not really recommended.
Running round the reservoir this morning, Miss Marla Runyan after her Philly debut - looked very stiff!
Alessandro also says goodbye to New York for a couple of weeks - he returns to Italy to run the Italian Half Marathon Championships - a race where to place in the top 100 one must run sub 1:10, we had an Arriverdci dope run in the rain.
The guys from Los Compadres were out there too jumping puddles. And R2 who is preparing to defend her Master’s title at VCP this Sunday.. it will be very interesting to see if Naomi defends her open record in a race with a bit of stiff competition. Time will tell.
The Shoes meanwhile are going to be used for some upcoming races in Tanzania - each finisher will receive a pair. What a great way to promote running in Africa we think!
Considered a serious marathon runner after finishing fourth in the 2000 Turin Marathon in a career best time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, the Kabete-based soldier who runs for Fila, said he would shift his attention to the end-of-the-season races, most probably the New York Marathon in November by which time he will have recovered from the strain of yesterday's race.
"I liked the weather here and would have done better had I been pushed," said Rop at the Mombasa Stadium finish which was also the starting point of the race.
Jane Omoro of Telkom won the women's race in 3:00.17. Priscillah Biwott was second in 3:13.34 and Grace Chebet third in 3:21.12.
09/16Continual thanks to all the people who have stood behind me in this campaign, you’re the best! Last week on the bridle path I ran with Raphael V. Lunas who ran Yonkers Marathon as a training run yesterday (in prep. For NYCM), and he remembered that he has not voted yet, but he is voting Toby! Yet another runner on the roll! Did I mention Alayne Adams (One of NYC’s and Canada’s premier runners) voted 4- time for me (family members), so a huge thanks to her! And whilst I am pumping the barrel for all of its contents I received this email from PhotoDon as we all know him, Mr. Don Preven,
"my thanx & appreciation for ur help & encouragement. it is a privilege to know u & it's always a joy & pleasure to be with u & the guys & gals at workouts & races. the NY Running Community is fortunate to have Toby Tanser as one of its members. my continued best wishes for good health, good running & a good life! KEEP ON KEEPING ON." Thanks Don that was a great endorsement!
Are you racing the 4 miler tomorrow on the Hudson River Park as I think we will be there as Honor wants to run it."
"Good luck in the NYRRC elections, they need someone like you that adds value to the running community."
From Andrea Ostrowski is our quiz winner - she emailed in and rightly named the Mother & Son in the Mein Kamp Q. Just for voting we’d have given her the win!
And
Reuters reports:
WASHINGTON (Sept 12) - Americans are living longer than ever before, but they are overweight and physically lazy and spend far more on health care than any other country in the world, the U.S. government said on Thursday.
The infant mortality rate dropped to a record low in 2000 and life expectancy hit a record high, the report by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found.
"In 2000, Americans enjoyed the longest life expectancy in U.S. history -- almost 77 years, based on preliminary figures," said the report, published on the Internet at http:/www.cdc.gov/nchs. "The life expectancy of men was 74 and for women almost 80."
On that note we report that Monsieur Mileage is currently home in France, buying coffee - can’t wait for his return and breakfast!
Meanwhile dinner with Tamar & CoffeeKevin - Delectable. Tamar is an out of this world cook; we had Moroccan Chicken & Israeli cous-cous with a hint of dried lemon, followed by dates poached in liqueur & Ben + Jerry’s. It was just delicious, and I want it again for breakfast. We talked about how CoffeeK used to eat 2,000 cal breakfast’s thinking he was on the Jane Fonda’s and how self denial is a disease of diet….
Kind of nicely set me up for the next day: after a run in the park, a talk with the ALS group (great to see two superstars of CPTC Margaret & Ally both in the park running a 20-miler, then at the meeting!) I went to see Shula.
Shula is an English girl who has been living in Berlin Germany and now the States for a number of years, won the most improved runner from CPTC, and is great fun to natter with.. hence when she mentioned baking Apple Pies and Coffee I was on my way!
The very next day we were up in Harlem train station when we bumped into a runner going to do Yonker’s who wanted to know if our intrepid reporter was headed that way, "You’ve got to be kidding!" Turning our head we noticed Craig Plummer, the new manager at the gym on 125th so it was train travels with him.. anyway that is another story, but returning to the City in the afternoon (after meeting a brazilian who runs for Leppin Brasilia way Upstate) we returned to the Reebok Club - basically a family catwalk gym. Full of screaming kids, sun tanned girls, and nobody much working out….. basically the MO for this part of town… apart from Jordan Metzl, who surprise, surprise (not that TV show) is alos the boyfriend of the aforementioned Shula…. Did anyone say that Manhattan was a big place? Enough, enough…
After the women’s race which was won in a very fast time, I was kind of eager to run. I knew the race would be fast, I just wanted to get there and run. I had no time objective today, I just wanted to beat Dwain Chambers. But I took my focus off Dwain to concentrate better. I decided to focus on Coby Miller and tried to get the better start possible. At 30m, I saw no-one was around me so I kept digging down as deep as possible. And from then on I kept running and running and running. I knew I could break the World Record ever since I ran 9.96 at the age of 19 when I had no muscles, no training and no technique. I didn’t know when, but I knew I eventually would do it. There is no limit for the record: World Records are meant to be broken and I am sure they will all be. Maybe all expect Michael Johnson’s 19.32!"
On Hicham El Guerrouj:
"I have a lot of respect for Hicham El Guerrouj. I was part of the American relay team in 1996 when Hicham fell in the 1500m Olympic final and I saw him lying on the track and crying. I asked myself why he was crying. Ever since I followed his career and witnessed what an exceptional athlete he is. From that day on, I never wanted to see him cry ever again."
What we say - Greene’s move from Nike to Adidas was da Kiss of Death!
Hicham EL Guerrouj (MAR)
Winner of the men’s 1500M in 3:29.27 but only second in the IAAF Grand Prix Standings
"These things happen in sport. I am an athlete and I like the sport for all it can offer including surprises. What Tim achieved today is exceptional, I take my hat off. No-one, including me, had ever thought of the possibility of him winning the Standings, so after Felix and I had run I thought I had got it. But I am happy that the sport offers such great moments. If I had lost a World Champions or the Olympic Games, yes I would have been disappointed but today I am just happy for Tim. If the IAAF was to give me the trophy of the Best Athlete of the Year I would have to pass it on to him for what he has done is fantastic. This will not spoil my birthday today. I will still celebrate with some of my closest friends in a Moroccan restaurant and take my mind off athletics."
Marion Jones (USA)
Winner of the women’s 100m in 10.88 and winner of the IAAF Overall Grand Prix Standings
"Today I am extremely happy for Tim Montgomery. I see him training every day, day after day in Raleigh. I see the time and efforts he puts into training, the way he dissects each of his races. I know how he talks over and over about his training session and about what technical part of the race he improved. Tim Montgomery is a technician and today, like every one else in the world I am in awe of him. This is the first time I saw a 100m World Record being beaten LIVE. Today we should all celebrate something incredible."
Dwain Chambers (GBR)
Second in the Men’s 100m in an European record of 9.87 (equalled)
"I may have equalled the European record today but still, I have lost the race. I am disappointed I didn’t win. Times are somehow irrelevant to me, what I want is to win races. I don’t like finishing second! I am pleased with the record, yes, but my main feeling at this moment is disappointment for not having been able to beat Montgomery. I have had a great season this year but have also learnt a lot for the future. I will rest more between races, this has been the first year I have been faced to this type of race where very Friday you have to come out and be at your very best. If you want to know the whole truth, today I wanted to have the $50,000 dollars in my pocket! I am traumatized by what Tim did, completely traumatized. But I will be back."
Felix Sanchez (DOM)
Winner of the men’s 400m hurdles in 47.62
Just after his 400m Hurdles
"The public was extraordinary today, Stéphane Diagana has been extraordinary and my time is much faster than I expected. The race also was much harder than expected, the wind was blowing very hard on the back straight and it made me mess up my stride. I am happy though and will get ready for the 400m flat in one hour and a half."
After his 400m where he finished 5th in 45.25
"Despite my loss I am still a happy man today. Of course, I am a bit disappointed with the way I ran the 400m flat. I didn’t go out as fast as I should have done. I thought one and a half hour rest between the two races wouldn’t be enough but it was more than enough. I felt like I had still a lot left in my legs. My time in the Hurdles was superb today. I am still undefeated in that event. I can say 2002 has been a Dream season for me. I will definitely not double at next year’s World Championships. I will concentrate on the Hurdles and try as hard as possible to defend my World title."
Gail Devers (USA)
Winner of the women’s 100m Hurdles in 12.51
"This has been the longest season ever in my career but still a very good season for me. I have been saying since the beginning of the year that what mattered the most was being consistent and I have been pretty much consistent around 12.4/12.5. Wins and losses haven’t been that important, I have made mistakes and as long as I can learn from my mistakes then all the wins and the losses become valuable experience. This was the first year I have been training by myself, so I believe I can be satisfied."
The session was a hard one and left most of the group in a non rebellious mood. Ironhorse, for once, could not lead the session throughout and was left trailing.. Bob steamed everyone on the 100’s showing untapped talent ready for the US sprint force…. The Buffalo & Le Harrier led the 2-mile tempo in a nitch over 12’ and the 400’s were warfare. Cruiser noted, "Your faster guys die before the finishing line," right on they do and lose valuable seconds in the process. Andrew L ran much better than last week and showed the rust is coming off, and Becky’s legs looked ready to begin hard speed now that they recovered from her Marathons. The 100-man was blowing hot/cold after working with the Swat teams all yesterday… and where was Partime? The Boss & Cara were working out… but… "Oh she’s gone to a baseball game…" Partime?? Later that night we tried the Nori Sushi starter - great, Grilled Atlantic sublime as per usual, and can you guess the location? Yep, a mood of habit, or a mod of hobbit - Josie’s. Did I mention H&H? Speaking of Mother’s the great Icelandic Family Reunion Xmas plans are not… turning cartwheels one could say. Trying to do a family reunion when your family and siblings live in different countries is a dab difficult… well try continents! Sister#1 (only by age, hope she does not read that!) is in Asia, Sister #2 is in Africa, Brother in Europe, and me - North America. IS it any wonder the last time all four of us met was in 1987. Way, way too many names to name right here but personally as I sit here at the computer I can see all the faces, and feel all the faces’ energy - an amazing feeling. Once again running proves to be a great movement, and happening in New York City.
Coincidentally Eldoret is a very nice place to both live and train… where else can you go in the mobile wireless store and find Daniel Komen behind the counter? Go to the internet café and chat with John Korir…. Slide into a gym and see Moses Tanui pumping iron… cross the road and nearly get knocked down by Moses’ Kiptanui’s mercedes.
09/13
The Store, sans products, will open on Tuesday. The Nike race opens the weekend celebrations - Welcome!
"This is my third mobile phone. I dropped my first in a pint of beer." Nobody will be surprised to hear that that quote is from The Queen of the Harriers. "I think I liken myself to Neil Young…" We though Buddy Holly - Kavan, and "You can F**K the bonus!" And the last one we credit to CoffeeKevin who ran a decade PR 400m to cancel the planned bonus 400’s his group had lined up. His time left the CenturyMan in disbelief, "You were kind to him…" Nope, the clock did not lie!
Defending Champ returns to the city next Friday for the 5th Avenue Mile.
A reminder that on Saturday, at 11 PM, in Central Park 90th & 5th entrance picnic tables, I will be giving advice on how best to prepare for the New York City Marathon. Each year I try to be involved with a charity project, and for the last couple of years it has been the ALS group. If you attend tomorrow’s talk, and I will be constructing individual plans, and offer to help the ALS group (talk to Margaret) then you will have the chance (and VERY good odds) to win an exclusively signed T-Shirt from the winner of this year’s New York Marathon. This is a prize that money can not buy!
We wish Steven P a speedy recovery from his hernia Op. Will this slow him down? We doubt it. As Canadian Craig mentioned on the Friendship run, "He loses 20-lbs and…." Yes sir, flying is the word.
Our Trivia Question - Since nobody managed to correctly guess the ShoeFob epidrama…. Whose Mother translated Mein Kamp from one of the World’s universally difficult languages into English for the CIA? And if you know the answer to this one you deserve to be in the CIA!
An extended welcome to John Kerner
Laura Lee Kozusko
and Adam Manewell who have just become new CPTC runners. And rumors are true Sir Roland did run 5-miles of the park the other night. I was lucky enough to run alongside the legend. Other Club leading legends present; Colonel Bill Staab of West Side, The King of the Flyer’s, and leading the Urbanoso’s it goes without saying that the Boss was there. No longer can we call him ‘Chubby’ any longer as he is skipping across the scales these days.
news of the rich n’ famous: "Winning the World Cup is the goal of my season," says Bernard Lagat
"I’m ready to try a historic double at the Grand Prix Final", says Felix Sanchez
And
Wilson Kipketer takes over 800m number one spot in IAAF World Rankings.
thanks for putting together yesterday's "tribute" run. It was definitely what the doctor ordered. Kellie Quinones - CPTC." Kellie, we were proud to have you running with us!.
Definietly an exciting name to watch out for: Jeff Schiebler will make his marathon debut at the 2002 New York City Marathon on Nov. 3. With a half-marathon (1:01:28). Schiebler has a shot at breaking the Canadian national marathon record of 2:10:09 set by Jerome Drayton at Fukuoka, Japan, Dec. 7, 1975.
Good luck to all runners heading out to the stick-boroughs this weekend; a large group of New Yorkers will be headed for the Philly Half. Expect The Khannouch & Ndereba to win. Coincidentally this month’s Running Times has a story on Ndereba (I wonder why we are plugging the story) and FURTHER more this is the first time Catherine has been a solo cover girl on Running Times/Runner’s World magazines! The Khannouch was in Central Park earlier this week running on his favorite loop… he’ll be ready for Chicago!
We end today with an email that was sent on to us:
"You may have heard the story about a Nigerian woman sentenced to death for having a child out of wedlock. She will be buried up to her neck. Then be her punishers will surround her and throw rocks at her head until her skull is crushed and she dies a painful and horrible death. The woman has 30 days to appeal against her sentence and is unlikely to prevail. It takes less than one minute to sign the letter and it really could mean the difference between life and death. Please forward to your friends also, this poor woman needs all the help she can get. Link to the Amnesty International site by highlighting and copying and pasting this link: http://www.mertonai.org/amina/ On the right hand side, there is a place to click on so you can sign the letter to the Nigerian president. We need to do everything we can to save this woman from a barbarous death and to save an innocent baby's mother."
New homepage - bear with us, all links will eventually add up to rooting! Click here to view!
09/12
Huge thanks to every single one of you who made it out last night to the Central Park Friendship Run. It was a resounding success if judged by the spirit of the run. A sphere of runners from so many of the clubs just circling the park, and getting out there.
"One flaw with sending someone to Eldoret to train with Lagat in his attempt to catch El G -- Lagat lives in Pullman, Washington! (At least, I believe so. And I believe his sister runs for, or at least ran for, WSU)." And that was from John Prather… However we may add that Lagat was indeed training in Eldoret! Sorry John, but where someone trains has very little to do with where one has a home! Paula Radcliffe lives in Loughborough but spends a large chunk of the year eitrher in France or the U.S.
Lille Half Marathon: 1 R. Cheboror KEN 61:42 2 Wilson Onsare KEN 61:55 3 William Kiplagat KEN 61:56
Femmes:
1 Anastasia Ndereba and 2 Beatrice Omwanza, both clocking 71:45 - Ndereba given the nod, & 3 Zahia Dahmani 74:46.
And in Scotland - 1 Sammy Kipruto KEN 63:15
2 Jason Mbote KEN 63:15
3 Abner Chipu RSA 63:17….
8 William Musyoki KEN 66:22
WOMEN
1 Joyce Chepchumba KEN 70:03
2 Mizuki Noguchi JPN 70:06
3 Caroline Kwambei KEN 71:11
Queen Joyce - can’t wait to see her again in November!! Caroline is from the HATC - well done AGAIN to Pieter da Coach!
Nike Budapest Half Marathon had William Kipsang (KEN) 1st in 62:59 at the front of a field of 3,385 finishers, with Luka Keitany (KEN) 2nd in 63:25, Matthew Birir (KEN) 3rd in 63:28, - Olympic Gold medalist from 1992, a place behind Sammy the snake (now called Luka) previously 6 years older than he is now Keitany…. Who had an outstanding sister called Jebiwott who was amazingly talented, and I think now attending university in the Southern States no less. The mother has one tooth, and the father is awol…. and
News from Monday’s Nike Run:
"Just wanted to say thanks for a great workout tonight! Felt particularly noble since I didn't have a single slice of cake...no great loss in my book. I mean, if I'm going to be naughty it'd better be with something really worthwhile!" Minnesota gives her take on Nike giving out cake following the workout! It was Suzanne’s birthday!
09/11
"I'll remember you when I've forgotten all the rest, you to me were true, you to me were the best."
Bob Dylan.
To all the people who gave their lives in the 09/11 tragedy - Rest in eternal peace, God Bless You.
The food was not bad - the pizza toppings, Sundried Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Meatballs. The dessert was Cheesecake - also very nice, and the drink was Cranberry Juice - could have been better. The coffee was average. I would rate the place a few notches above the Western counterpart basically on the ambiance, service, taste, & setting.
Well the talk after the run was by Mark Will-Weber, the author of a Quotable Runner and a veteran of 13-yrs Runner’s World. We had a great talk and after as we were all splitting up Joseph pointed out that now was the hour of the church feeding. I replied, "Nah, I don’t feel like I have deserved it." To which Leslie replied, "Deserved it? When does anyone ever deserve stealing food from a church!" I guess you had to be there - Leslie (always with her arm gestures that take up a sidewalk) is a hoot!
Reminder that the Nike run starts at 6:30 PM tonight at the Wollman Rink. Tomorrow's page will includa da story from the Sunday Nike special with Leslie's 'church' take! It is a fact that even if Lornah was not to race in New York she would not be running in Chicago. Until the mini marathon Lornah had no plans to race a marathon on the US soil this year at all. To be honest I think that the runners of this country should be very happy that such an exciting and exhilarating athlete as Kiplagat is coming to the East coast in November, and I think for the most part they are. When Lornah was last in the States, and winning the Falmouth Race, she had to contend with unfounded comments from a man who is seen by many as an ambassador of the sport, Mr. Shorter. I really hope that she will be embraced, especially by the public of NYC, with the respect she deserves when she does run NYC. If a token of her character is needed for justification of the soul consider this; she put all her life’s savings into helping the young girls of her country with absolutely no hope of recuperating her outlay. Think about that the next time a coin or two is dropped into a charitable hat. Anyway, as usual, I have somewhat deviated from the opening question. To say Lornah has failed in Chicago can only be judged by the women in this world who have ran faster than 2:22:36 on that course. I can almost promise that Ms. Benoit, Radcliffe, Loroupe, Ndereba, Takahashi & Pippig would call Lornah a winner in every sense of the word. Speculation to whether, in this her most sterling of year’s to date, Lornah could have won Chicago 2002 will always be just that. If one followed the issues that surrounded The issue (so to speak without offending, implicating, or annoying) one could understand why Mrs. Simba Starbucks is ready to come to New York with guns ablazing!
I hope all is well with all of you. Sorry I haven't written to you sooner but you will understand when you read on.
I have unfortunate news but during the Manhattan Half Marathon I got injured. I went for a deep tissue massage afterwards and should have never gone for one.
As a result I have a hip stress fracture and I am out for the rest of the season.
It came as a shock to me as it has for many of my friends that will be running in Chicago and the NYC marathon. I didn't know how bad I was till I went for my MRI. I knew things were getting worse but I didn't know how bad they could actually get.
Not only am I out from running a Marathon but I will not be returning back to work till maybe October 28. I will be working out of my house.
I go in for a second MRI next week if the healing process is not healing properly I will be going in for surgery to have plates put in my hip. I am doing everything the doctor said and staying off my right leg. Hopefully I will not have to go in for surgery I will keep everyone posted.
I think I over did it with the running/mileage and should have never gotten the Deep Tissue Massage. I didn't think I could get this sick.
I am feeling better each day I just get very tired quickly and don't have that pep to my step that I used to have.
Providing I don't go in for surgery I will see you all at the finish line of some of the upcoming races. I definitely will be cheering you all on during the NYC Marathon.
If anyone wants to contact me this is my e: mail address running32000@yahoo.com
See you all soon,
DORIAN." We wish you a speedy recovery!
Mysterious ways of trying to distract some one from the presence of having a shoe removed can be a painful and tough project as our own Intrepid Reporter discovered ("Actually he gained as Titanium plates are valuable." Ed’s note). There is a bounty on offer for certain information pertaining to a mixture of…. A fashionable Red Nike Shoe (model name withheld by the host), A day time night time Ed character, and a Sef-hobo…. With a twist it could be yours! I say Starbucks out and out. Had this converse with the Tahari Ferrari this very day - my own belief is that Starbucks, $1:89 for a vente coffee, is NOT expensive. According to trader Coffee Kevin Starbucks use premium beans, plus the cafes are nice and clean… Ok, go to Joe’s Diner and get a cup of swillwash brown water for $1:50, or let’s go French and pay $2:50 for a ¼ size cup of sometimes good/often bad coffee… so what is the deal? Alright if you buy a dry (contradiction for a wet drink) skimmed, tall (Also contradiction as it is their smallest cup), Frapp you will pay nearly 5-bucks… that is expensive. But for the real person’s drink, a plain coffee, Starbucks remains a NEW YORK steal deal. Now moving to Dunkin’ Donuts… Usch, just taste of sugar! I remember (back in the memory bank) a couple of years ago in NYC I was given about 5 boxes of Krispy Kreme Donuts - ‘we’ took them to a party and I was the only one in the whole place that did not think ‘Fab food’ I personally though, next to a bagel, reckon that you just don’t get the same satisfaction & taste. Another case of one man one vote, or one mouth… After leaving Ajax in 1999 for Barcelona and later on for Liverpool he didn't play as much as a professional soccer player wants to play. He first joined Amsterdam's famous soccer team in 1992, however he didn’t play a lot that season cause he had Dennis Bergkamp in front of him whose making the most beautiful goals for Arsenal in GB nowadays. A year later he started to come to life for real and played an important role in winning the Champions League for Ajax in season 1994-1995. Oh boy when I think about it I miss those years when Ajax simply kept on winning also the World-cup 1995 in Japan. Did lots of party-time ! Ajax didn't play great for the last 5 years, also because of the result of the Bosman-arrest in 1995, a court case won by a Belgium soccer player in European Community court in Brussels. It means that a player whose contract is ending can leave a club transfer-free. One of the results of this court case means that it has become more difficult for the smaller clubs (this means less $$) in Europe to compete against the clubs with much bigger budgets, like Real Madrid, Bayern Munchen, Manchester United. This new soccer-season Ajax started well leading the competition after 3 wins in 3 matches. This with the head-coach Ronald Koeman for 1 year now. Think he is something like the 5th coach in five years now." Thanks! Later that night, caught putting a homing device in 100-man’s truck, (Can you believe he’s carrying 24-bagels and not inviting me??) though we believe he is somewhere in Astoria so if anyone sees truck #540 email me asap with directions. Josie’s - yeah I know, I guess I can’t re-review the excellence of the place… the Salmon was delectable as it always is. Cara tells us to try the black bean starter too. Back to the track - Devon’s troop of Orange were also there tonight running faster - it was a happening night. Luckily no soccer ball incidents… did I forget the H&H cinnamon raisins? Yes Sir, yum yum. So it was that yesterday morning saw myself, and Alessandro (my Italiano buddy), set off in pursuit of the holy trail… otherwise known as a loop of Central Park. You know the Hendrix song… "If Sixes were Nines…" We run the first mile in 6:09… after reporting this, at the bottom of Cat Hill, The Italiano Jet zips a 5:30 next mile UP a 600m long hill….. To cut a long story short that was the death of me!
On the way back we called in on Steven P. Steven was sitting with his new toy, a polar watch, "This will take my training to a new level of ‘statie geekyness’." Great News from La Guigi - a picture of him can clearly be seen on Lornah’s site photos. He is the journalist that was in Kenya this winter with La Benji - great guys!
When evening shadows and the stars appear
I know you haven't made your mind up yet
I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
The storms are raging on a rolling sea
There and nothin' that I wouldn't do Support: Even before I encountered the "Vote4Toby" promotion, I had already voted for "Toby" by sending in my ballot. I wish you success as I'm sure you would do an excellent job on the board. Update: I thought I chime in on the Rock n Roll Half in Virginia Beach this past weekend. I ran the race, and I think it is a great event for New Yorkers. The course is flat and fast with the only obstacles being the few turns (and the possibility that it could be very hot, although it wasn't this year). The support was strong even in the rain, and the elite field was very exciting. There were some familiar faces in the crowd as I think I spied a few folks from the Central Park Track Club. And there were a few familiar voices, at least I think that's the case. The British fellow who calls some of the NY races seemed to be on the podium in Virginia Beach. (You might know more about that than I.) The airfare to the race is dirt cheap: less than $50 each way on AirTran, which makes it an easy trip for the weekend, and the local running club, the Tidewater Striders did a lot of work to provide support, including providing pacers for various goal times. My time wasn't what I would have liked it to be as I was coaching my sister who ran her first half marathon (breaking two hours her first time out, not too shabby for someone who just started to run this past March). Those seeking PRs might find this to be a good place to get them. (Elite women have an early start.) Plus, there's the great beach party that follows with opportunities to gulp down some suds, jump the ocean waves, and wiggle tired toes in the sand. Ample, reasonable accommodations are available ocean-side right at the finish line, so non-running companions can have a good time, too. The race continues to grow in popularity and is limited to 15,000 participants. It sold out months in advance last year, and I would expect that this year's race will be full by early 2003. Registration is currently available on-line: www.rnrhalf.com. Wishing you well, Christa Acampora." Thanks for that one!
The tough four-lap 2km course took a toll on runners and the lead pack was narrowed down to the Geelong-based Troop and fellow Olympian Michael Power. Sarah Jamieson caused a boilover in the women's event, defeating national cross-country champion Anna Thompson.
Jamieson attacked the race from the start and won easily in 20:35 over six kilometers with Thompson second in 21:05.
He sent me up to customer services on the
third floor, and they told me that whereas they could take my shoes, they
couldn't give me a punch on the card; I could ONLY get that at 6PM on
Tuesday evenings. Not getting the $25.00 off is making me think about
chucking the whole thing and buying my shoes from Fogdog or Road Runner
Sports. As you've got more input with Nike, perhaps you could tell the Nike
folks that they shouldn't brush runners off so cavalierly! (Nancy came with
me and we did a little window shopping. The stress fracture is healing well
and she will soon be able to run again).
I read that you would like to have a "solidarity" run Sept 11 in the
evening. I would like to participate as well. At the last race, I set a PR
for 10K, the first post Sept 11th PR I've set. Take that, Osama!
September 11th, is also the 20th birthday of my cat, "Bella Abzug". I've
had her since she was but 6 weeks old--She picked me out at North Shore
Animal League.
I'm still trying to pass the kidney stone. I've had a cat scan at White
Plains Hospital, and will have a follow up visit with Dr. Glassman in two
weeks.
By the way, how is your sister?" In reply: Mr. Z we told you to bring your training shoes to the Nike training runs NOT niketown, and indeed you would have got the punch….. how is my sister? Which one, and why do you ask? Eldo Lise, "Saturday was just one big seinfeld skit...went to the italian part of town for the best latte in the city...for the second time the guy making the coffees...disses me and offers my friend his card and says "comma back and I looka after you next time..." and I'm the one getting the coffee!..."maybe he's on the other team my friend offers"...not likely -so next week we are going in seperately to see what happens...all I want is the card and the offer of a free coffee - it's now just a game. We then hit a thrift shop- they have this great leather work bag in the window...$15! Friend goes in to buy it- they won't sell it until the next day as it is part of the window display that day...even as my friend offers $20- "no", $25- "no", $30- "get out" - on the way out another guy says to us "didn't sell it to you either huh?"....the day just continued on like that...lot of good laughs."
Van Hest made his debut in a 10K road race last Sunday after injury for 1 year. He made the clock stop after 29.00. van Hest certainly did not lose his old style by leading from the start but was caught after 4K. He has been training for 11weeks straight in altitude Font Romeu, France. 29 flat in your 1st race after surgery on 2 achilles' is excellent and looks promising. Krotwaar pulled out of his preparation for the marathon at the EC in Munich but is currently training on holy grounds again in Iten, Kenya. Since he started ''working'' in Kenya he is flourishing again and ran excellent races in Holland with very fast times. PB of van Hest is 2.10.05 and Krotwaar's is 2.10.59 . This means that breaking 2.09.01 will not be easy and the conditions and the shape will have to be outstanding. Budget for Amsterdam is 1million EURO, 25% is for contracting. I will be there live to watch the race closely and cheering them on from mr. Bike since I know all the shortcuts in Amsterdam of course!" Thanks Michiel! The couple were married on XMAS day over a year ago in Kenya, but this was the official European Wedding! We also hear from Michiel, "Haile Gebreselassie stepped out of his preparation for the Berlin marathon on September 29. He still having a problem with his left calf holding him back since early June already. By then he stepped out of his 1-hour-track world record attempt in Hengelo, the Netherlands. He will first start now getting a 100% again with exercising and will decide afterwards if he will stick to the track and go for the World championships in Paris next year or run a spring marathon in.....Rotterdam perhaps. This also probably because his manager Jos Hermens is the field manager in Rotterdam marathon and athletic fans in Holland love Haile G. and want him to see a marathon in Holland.
He is called mister Hengelo in Holland because of the WR's he run there." Thanks Michiel! If that un-named person thinks that of the CPTC site I hope he/she never visits this site! We are an infinite lifetime behind the alphabet of Re-runs… and that is no tardy boast! And with that I think I will pen another Restaurant review.. about Josie’s & favia. A healthy head to head.s
With this race he personally made up for his lost medal (gold...?) in the European Championships a couple of weeks ago in Munich as he fell down in what had to become His Golden Race. After his fall some favorites had a glance on the stadium screen and decided to start kicking from there. Concluding from a result like Friday night Brussel's, meetings like the Europeans are the only chance for a spaghetti Kenyan like Maasse is to go for the big prices. Running times like this means running 10 K's after another of 2.45 and faster. Try 1 in your next track-workout ! Your Dutch reporter was fortunate enough to run against Maasse last year in Holland at a local 3000 track meet. Afterwards I went to him for a talk and asked for his signature like a 13 year-old-schoolboy. Maasse (30) is in his best form ever and chances to win Big medals for white distance runners are very few nowadays. He started running at age 19/20 and has been making progress ever since. To tell you what a distance runner in Holland of this elite class makes money-wise, he has been working 20-hours a week as a bio-chemist until half a year ago. He decided to stop because he felt it was taking to much exercising 10-12 times a week, traveling, competing, having a relationship etc. and working also..!
Talking more about Brussels Golden League, the race director of the van Damme meeting was waiting for nothing last Wednesday at Brussels Zaventem Airport to pick up Brahim Boulami. Result came out from Morocco's authorities that he tested positive on, well we know what, after years of EPO now. The dutch reporter has been watching him live 2-times setting a WR. Thanks Mr. Boulami fore this one. The crowd doesn't matter that much but if your name is Simon Vroemen setting a 8.06 ER in 3000 steeple chase some time ago and you run another race in 8.18 and the winner is setting a WR in 7.53 you feel like a 1-st timer as he is obviously not after 15 years of hard labor. That’s what Vroemen told the press asked for his opinion.
Since cycling is very popular in Europe and not that much in the States, anybody remembers Italian cyclists winning everything there was to win in the early 90's ? That’s what EPO does to a endurance body." Thanks A’dam Michiel! So there goes my excuse for notching out another run at a full effort (on the day) that felt like a sledgehammer to a sleeping slug…. ‘it was just another training run…" one could say, but I was running hard. C’est la vie. The nice thing was the (truly) hundreds of runners who came up to me on the day and said, "I voted for you - good luck!" and "I really hope you get in on the vote!" Monsieur Mileage, who went sailing by me in the first mile (after the wheelchair overturned, the cop beat up a cyclist who would not get off the road, and the lead Kenyan girl was in front of us…) said, "If I was declining like you are I would give up running. Your only hope in running now is in politics! I mean look who gets elected in this country!" (Don’t worry I’ll spike his coffee next time we have breakfast together - which I hope will be soon). Reminds me of whenever I see these stupid ad’s that say, "Your healthy heart beats at 42, whereas an untrained heart beats at 65 - that is a saving of 23,000 beats per 48-hours." I mean, I mean… Dur! How does Mr. Ad think we get our 42 heart rate to start with? My elevating our hearts to 175+ exercising - a fine saving. And a saving of ones’ time no less. Back to the race - The Spaghetti, sporting his new Puma outfit, zipped away with the win - it was a Kenyan podium 1 2 3. The women’s race also had a Kenyan victress but surely the outstanding result of the day was Zoomalong’s 2nd place in hard training for the Marathon! A welcome return to racing was seen in 4th from Nnenna Lynch - if you don’t know that name then you ain’t following the sport (or weren’t a few years ago). Nnenna (no relation to Jimmy Lynch da Rope) was a world class runner this and that side of the pond. A fine turn out from the Urbanoso’s: Huge Kudos to the women who took the First Team honors, and the Men nabbed bronze led by the Boss: JERRY R MACARI KAVAN GREENE GIAMPIETRO MO BOB ALDERSON CARA JORDAN PAUL KAVANAGH MICHELLE A ROSSETTIE DURAN MICHAEL W. CREHORE KATHLEEN A HORTON CHRISTINE E SUMMERSON CLAUDIA AQUINO Before that it was in da park for a 20-miler with Steve P & Alessandro from Italia.. and it rained on us. We were chugging along nicely, a good group to run with - no egos or pace swings. World Cross Country Champion 2000, & 2001, European records - Mohammed Mourhit (busted) - strip the 10,000m European Record, and award Lebid Sergiy, Kamathi Charles, and Guerra Paulo the medals for 2001 & Assefa Mezgebu ETH 35.01 Paul Tergat should be upgraded for 2000 Take the steeplechase record out of the books, and re-award Bernard Barmasai with his 7:55 real record. Worlds are in December 2003 in New Zealand (summertime, there), a hop from my mother’s birthplace, Sydney, Australia... and who knows what will happen between now and then, but it’s a tickle to have earned my spot there. It was glorious weather in Idaho Saturday: 55 degrees at the 7:00am start, (the lake temp. was 70), and by the time we were running, the air was 78-80. The 1.5K swim was tough – very choppy waters (wind-whipped); the 40K bike was one of those mountainous ascents with intermittent rolling hills and plenty of potholes (country roads switchbacking up the hillsides overlooking the lake) with a steep downhill near the end where we reached 50 mph; and the 10K run was along the lake shore. Lining up on the beach for the swim I saw I was the smallest person in my age group - and perhaps in the entire race – so I expected several folk would pass me during the first 6 miles, all flat , in the bike-leg, but the moment those steep hills started, I passed them. Folk with long legs tend to be faster on bikes because they generate more propulsion on the pedals (longer femur bones help with the application of force through the pedal-stroke), but I worked as hard as I could on the uphills." Congrats!
For trainers, I like the Pegasus, too. Also, the Asics Epirus (gold, stayed around a long time by running shoe standards. And I like the Nike Huarache, too. Can you tell I like 'em lightweight and neutral?
Best spike -- the Nike Zoom D, about five generations ago (late 80's/early 90's). Of course, my Lydiard steeplechase shoes hold many memories, not all of them good!"
"I realize that doping is a problem in our sport and have always made no secret of my views. Indeed I am working with the IAAF and WADA to improve the situation, and we do now have a valid EPO test.
"Since reading the article in L'Equipe, I have asked the IAAF to conduct random blood and urine tests on me in the build up to Chicago [marathon]."
Radcliffe, 28, has also asked for further steps to protect her. "I would like these samples to be frozen and tested again in the future as new detection tests become available.
"This is the only way I can think of to prove that my results are the result of over 10 years of hard work, pain and dedication. It is sad that it has come to this, but I am happy to take this step and encourage others to do likewise and silence the doubters."
Vid friidrotts-EM för tre veckor sedan kom Haugen på åttonde plats både
på 5 000 m och 10 000 m. Anyway on the track we had DandaDog, Conor, Buffalo, Barry, Welcomeback Andrew, 100-man, Lee-Becky (no Becky-Lee…?), Don, Amber, TGV, Seth, Evelyn (newly wed and still smiling), Queen of the Harriers (Yes, in person!), and probably someone else whose name eludes me right now….. No complaints, everyone shone in the workout. Later that night, Josie’s salmon is the bizz - the service was great as usual, the place rocks and moves to a Zaga-Tanza 9/10 rating… only surpassed by the bag of H&H bagels Vuitton slide by en route East… Yum, yum. Heavy rain early with thunderstorms developing late. Low 63F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall may reach one inch. The forecast for Thursday night... Ouch! Meanwhile over at KingCre’s for breakfast… beautiful bagels (bought from a shop next to S-Runners on Amsterdam/77th), fruit, and sterling Zabars coffee. KingCre is going strong - he ran very, very solidly on the weekend over the 18-miler, and now looks set for a great November. Great is a word we can apply to Maria (Herb The Verb’s girlfriend.) She has lost an amazing 39-lbs! Increbible, very well done Maria - that is staggering. She is the clubs pin up model!
ELITE ATHLETES - WOMEN
As of August 15, 2002 - Subject to Change Runner Nation Age Best Fact/Comment
Deena Drossin USA 29 70:08 1st 01 RnRHalf, 5k WR (14:54) 02
Margaret Okayo KEN 26 68:51 1st 01 Boston Mar.(CR 2:20:43)
Elana Meyer RSA 35 66:44 WR Holder in Half Marathon
Asmae Leghzaoui MAR 26 69:46 WR 10k (30:29), WR 8K (24:28)
Pamela Chepchumba KEN 24 71:02 5th 00 World Half
Alice Chelangat KEN 25 70:05 1st 02 Suzuki RNRM
Lyudmila Biktasheva RUS 28 70:31 3rd 02 European Championships 10,000m
Jen Rhines USA 28 Debut 1st 02 10,000m USTAF Nat. Championships
Nuta Olaru ROM 32 69:52 6th 01 London Marathon
Bouchra Chaabi MAR 23 71:11 3rd 00' African Championships 10,000m
Kayoko Obata JPN 30 71:05 8th 01 RNR Half
Ichiyo Naganuma JPN 30 72:57 10th 01 RNR Half
Teyeba Erkesso ETH 20 71:51 2nd 02 Ethiopian 10,000 Nat. Champ.
Tatyana Khmeleva RUS 23 Debut 2nd 01 Russian & European Champ. 5k
Kim Fitchen USA 25 72:32 4th in U.S. National Championship 10k
Luminita Talpos ROM 29 70:33 5th 01 Beach to Beacon 10K
Olivera Jevtic YUG 25 69:34 11th 00' Olympic 10,000m
Gladys Asiba KEN 25 70:05 2nd 00'- 01' Philadelphia Half
David Morris of Albuquerque, New Mexico headlines the U.S. Open Men's field with his 2:09:32 personal best set in Chicago in 1999 which set the American Record at the time. He'll face stiff competition from 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials runner-up and 2002 USA Half-Marathon Champion Peter DeLaCerda of Alamosa, Colo. Also entered are first-time marathoners, Brad Hauser of Palo Alto, Calif. and Dan Browne of Portland, Ore. Hauser, a Stanford graduate, was a 2000 Olympian at 5000 meters. Browne, who ran a personal best of 27:47 for 10,000 meters this spring, is an eight-time U.S. Champion in road, track and cross-country. Team USA Minnesota's Chris Lundstrom, third in the 2001 USA Marathon Championship, will also contend for a top place.
The U.S. Women's field boasts two recent USA Marathon Champions, Julia Kirtland of Harpswell, Maine, who won the 1997 national title, and Kim Pawelek of Jacksonville, Fla. who won the 1999 U.S. crown at the Twin Cities Marathon. They'll be joined by Susannah Beck (Marla Runyan’s great friend) of Eugene, Ore., fourth in the 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials, Christine Clifton currently residing in Milan, Italy, who ran 2:32:47 at Chicago in 2000, and Magdelena Lewy of Berkeley, Calif. who finished second at the UPMC/City of Pittsburgh Marathon this May in 2:36:48.
Others on the track - Herb the Verb running like a raging bull as per usual. Steve P breathing in the last fumes of the lower East River before he heads for hernia treatment and the Isle of Blighty…. Also Erik, and the ever fast Jonathan Pillows….. and that man who once promised me breakfast in the powerbar bet… Tom da Phillips who dragged us all along, "Too slow boys!" Ouch. And Marathon’s; I bet Berlin was thrilled to learn, "Japan's Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi, booked to run in the Berlin marathon September 29, said Monday she was ready for another race less than 50 days later.
The 29-year-old, who is aiming for a second straight women's marathon gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, said she would also challenge the Tokyo international marathon field on November 17.
"I have made up my mind to race in the Tokyo marathon, as I am expected to be in better condition than expected when I run in Berlin," Takahashi said in a statement released through her agent. Does anyone remember the LDV, the terra tc, or the eagle? The best ever racing shoe? The now retired Air Mariah’s. Best racing singlet design? Athletics West. Do I sound like a Nike rep? Alright name a classic Asics singlet - point taken huh!
With three miles under his belt it looked like the Kenyan-born Mwangi was going to make the unprecedented three peat. He was clearly in front of the field as he had been in both 2000 and 2001. He had recently switched clubs and, now wearing the colors of the West Side Runners, he held a commanding lead. Then as quickly as he had taken the lead in the first 100 meters, disaster struck. "I got a sharp pain in my chest. I could not run," Paul would recall at the finish line later. He was soon passed by Stephen Ondieki. Mwangi fought the urge to quit. "I stopped, looked, and saw nobody. I thought, 'Just continue, easy to the finish.'"
Ondieki, surprised by Mwangi's sudden problems, ran unchallenged to win in 24:06, one of the slowest times for this 5-mile race in recent years. "I thought I was second [place]," he says, "Mwangi went very hard at the start."
Oppressively hot weather was perhaps the main reason this year's field contained only forty runners finishing in under 27:00. Last year there were 55 under the mark.
Chasing the 'Chester
The women's team race, which started twenty minutes later, faced ever-climbing temperatures of well over 90 degrees, the humidity giving a swamp-like feel. A mere three females managed to slip in under 30:00, a benchmark for the local elite. At the fore was Ethiopian Leteyesus Berhe, who led a clean sweep of the podium places by--you got it--the Westchester Track Club. Berhe pushed from the gun and soloed to a 100-meter win (28:56). "I have no good speed and must try early to get away," she says. And get away she did, namely from Christina Blackmer (29:17).
If there was a surprise in the field it was that last year's winner, Kim McGreevey of State College, Pennsylvania, could run no faster than 30:01.
Placing 11th overall, Mary Evans, 43, of Westchester took the top master's honor. First in the men's masters division was the ageless 46-year-old West Side Runner Amador Ybanez (27:00) in 41st place. Ybanez was closely followed by Central Park's running president, Alan Ruben (27:11), himself 45 years old. Both men scored easily for their respective open teams, an honor Evans surprisingly missed out on--she would have been a top scorer for any of the other teams that scored this day!
A very commendable 22 teams scored for the men, and an even more impressive 25 women's teams completed the distance, proving once again that women's running is on the rise in this city. All in all it was a remarkable showing for a lazy, muggy summer's day.
The spirit of this day is unrivaled in the NYRR club scene. It is a day when the majority of the teams forget the borders and the wrangles of the preceding months and come together to truly celebrate being a part of the city's great community of runners. A few hours after the last runners had crossed the line, and all the team bagels had been eaten or left to the birds, a number of local teams met at an outdoor restaurant by the beautiful Hudson River. A stranger leaning up at the bar asked, "So what team is this?" After trying to point out various individuals, these runners told the stranger, "This is the New York Road Runners; we're just one big family."
Toby Tanser writes a column for New York Runner, and is constantly out and about on the local running scene.
My regular readers will know that Van Hest is a guy I used to train with so I will be very interested to see how he is doing in that race!
"How small is this world- before I left for Kenya, one of my clients forwarded me email updates from friends of his in Toronto that were travelling in Africa....well turns out we are all in Seattle this weekend staying with mutual friends...she and I were trading stories about Nairobi...'til I realized that her stories sounded a little too familiar...."
Another Great Endorsement - this one from the Team in Training coach for NYC - Once for the Reykjavik Marathon Adidas put together a team with the top three Icelandic men, so Nike responded - we had a team with myself, Martha, and a Norwegian Nike rep who was passing through Iceland. Despite the rep was not in the best of shape we won the team race! Great Finnish doubles for AnneMari & Samuli in the 5&10’s! the Finn’s were victorious in the overall team competition. Yes and Kajsa did win the women’s high jump with 2:01(!!) with the Stefan & Steffan both jumping 2:30 to take the men’s high jump. Lofty stuff.
An attack on the men’s world-best in the 600 is also on the program. This year’s world leader in the 800 meters, Joseph Mutua of Kenya, and Japheth Kimutai, shall attempt to better the 1:12.81 run by American Johnny Gray in Santa Monica in 1986. Nixon Kiprotich lays claim to have beaten that, and has the video tapee to prove it - unfortunately there was not an IAAF clock… and yes he did do it in an 800m race dying in the homestretch. Kipketer too….
Retro Running; We hear from Stefano, the men’s winner of the ’99 Backward Mile here in NYC. "The record of the mile seems both of Donald Davis and to the university of the Hawaii in 1982 with 6'09", then it seems that Bud Badyna has a record of 6'17" but I don't know if has gotten him/it in competition, of sure not to the Backwards Mile where it held the record with 6'40.
I in 1997 have raced in 6'27" in a television show in Italy, then courses to NY in 1999 in 6'43" falling to the first turn of the oval Delecourt.
In Italy we have taken very seriously the thing and the competitions are organized very well, it seems me to understand that to NY draws of pure fun and every year instead they change place and don't take care of the particular ones." The original plan of clicking off 5:40’s was abandoned when I woke and felt as stiff and creaky as someone who needs to stretch and not hop out of bed and run 18-miles at some hour the cockeral has not even heard of! Besides non of my training partners were there who I was going to do this plan with… so it became, ‘Let’s just complete the distance.’ Chugging along in a race in Central Park one sees many familiar faces, ‘Dig deep Toby’ ‘Hang in there’ ‘Come on, don’t get up’ ‘You can catch them….’ Aren’t really the things you want to hear when you are out for a training run, especially loop after loop. Along the way we bumped into Canadian Craig, running smoothly, and the Freider twins from Fleet Feet who are in training for the marathon. We also talked to Ryan Grote, a runner who ran very well on the roads last year here in the city - he was pacing his wife Cathy who was leading the women, we talked to her too - she was running very well, looked amazingly fresh and gave the day’s best performance from my point of view. She looked like this 18 was a 3-miler. "She’s doing 100’s" Boasted a twin. Cathy is aiming for the Marathon, and who can guess which one? Nah, you’d never guess - The Wineglass! Husband Ryan did a lot of tri training earlier this year, "I got bored with running…" Urban Runners - Lee & Tom under Tens, Buffalo & Bob great strong runs ahead of predictions, Cre & The Verb - power runs! Some terrific solid runs on a tough course!
With his straw hat and his garden strawberry parties, he became known as "Mr. Bislett" to a number of top athletes from around the world, who came to Bislett to present top results and even several world records.
It all started when he in 1965 brought the Australian long distance runner Ron Clarke to Bislett. Clarke lowered the world record for 10,000 meters by 34.8 seconds in front of a 17,000 ecstatic Bislett crowd.
Back in #12 we had the young Ethiopian who won the World XC juniors - Geb predicts great things from this guy in the future. Kamiel, who used to study in Texas, came in next - this past year he has been a full time athlete (sans his sympathy job) and the results have showed great promise for the tall Dutchy. The Olympic 5000m champ came in next showing what an incerdible depth this great race had!
"The race was competitive," said Ndereba, whose time was the second-fastest in women's Crim history. "When it's more competitive it's easier than just being out there running by myself."
Rono and Ndereba each received $5,000 for their first-place finishes. About 6,000 runners participated in the race.
Last week in Zürich's Weltklasse meeting he came 0.89 short of breaking his own 1500 worldrecord holding strong since Rome 1998. It is obvious that he is competing at his own elite level even more now because there is no other athlete on planet earth fast enough to keep up with his fierce pace. The 2 kenyan pace-makers in the race started out at WR pace but it was obvious that El Guerrouj did not have the feeling and the power needed for going under 3.43.13. First lap in 55.67, second in 56.25, third in 62.15, last one in 56,79 stopping the clock at 3.50.86 after 1609 meters. However, in my opinion he was looking good. For distance runners that means even more skinny and looking sharp in the face than usual.
Breaking worldrecords in 2002 athletics is not like ordering pizza, it's the mother of all sports, practiced in more countries around the globe than any other sport. Everything has to be right, not only the inside but the outside factors as well. This attempt was mainly announced by the organization to attract more spectators, viewers and perhaps also as a result of Guerrouj' performance in Zürich a week ago. Perhaps he has been explaining that if he felt right he wanted to try and go for a personal best.
Other highlights were Chambers defeating Greene, 4-1 is the score this season. The first meet between Jones and Ukraine’s Zhanna Pintusevich after the loss of Jones at the worlds in Edmonton last year. Jones won easily this time with a relieved face since she is always expected to win like she's a robot. The double of Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic, the world 400m hurdles champion who produced a rare seen 400m hurdles/400 flat win. Dutch sprinter Troy Douglas, I will not mention his age again; he doesn't like it also because it's not relevant, ran a not so fast 20.82 after 20.56 last week in Linz, Austria. 110 hurdler Colin Jackson made his last outdoor appearance on British soil and despite breaking the tape in third position, the European champion received a standing ovation for his past performances expanding a carreer since....I believe 1985 which include the world record, two world and four European golds. This is my story of this event.You people must know where to find more. Michiel/A'dam. - Thanks for da report! We met Steve P for coffee at starbucks - sad to say he is heading back to the U.K. That will be a big loss for the CPTC team - not only is Steve a great guy, but he is also a good runner too. We believe he'll be going to Swindon, we wish him well... the farewell party will be in September after the XC race in September. Talking Starbucks - went to 2x with 100-man on Saturday for Java. We bumnped into Partime, Monsieur Mileage, Silky Wilky en route too, as well as Fatima, and Jacob. I think H&H got mixed in the bake too!
The Irishwoman a past champion of the Tyneside Classic taking place on October 6, goes head-to-head with Berhane Adere, Susan Chepkemei and Jelena Prokopcuka who took the honours over 13.1 miles on a wet May morning in Brussels.
Serving a tennis ball -easy- throw it in the air quite high, hit the hell out of it and pray that it lands in the right court... played the other day with my friend's visiting Texan friend...nice gal...but wrong attitude "Hey Lise, ah' don't care if I win or lose, ah'm just happy to be out here playin' ya know?" huh?
Hope Berko is better in Ireland- told him to hang on to his girlfriend if she puts up with all his craziness and love for the ladies...or does she even know...." Thanks for the updates Lise - keep ‘em coming! Berko is indeed crazy, and Shirley Valentine must be too to put up with him - he’ll kill me if he reads this… mind you an Ocean parts us! A long time ago scientists said that after age 25 'explosive athletes' slowed down. Theories changed rapidly even more after Linford Christie won the 100 in Barcelona in 1992 at age 32 beating young guys. Performances in a sport like athletics have a lot to do with training years, being healthy, experience, focusing, training smart and with your head but also a dedicated heart of course. Dutch sprinter Troy Douglas will turn 40 this year, he broke Dutch records in the 100 and 200 last year. So for all you people out there starting running at age 27 means that you can reach your top and run a 66 minute for men and 72 for women 1/2 marathon at age 40. That’s if you got the time, patience, and are willing to make the effort. Michiel (Ed’s note - Thanks Buddy, keep them coming!)
Great Question. Theoretically you should move to the right, however considering that the oncoming runner has the view of the oncoming traffic I think you should hug the left kerb - thus move left!
Dad phoned from Shanghai last night- has the traveller's curse...which he gets every time he is over there...haha! Think he is regretting not bringing me along...says he was taken on a hike the other day....climbing approx.16,000 stairs for 6 hours- and being an engineer, only he would count all the stairs."
Thanks! What is the big one? The New York City Marathon - The Marathon of all Marathon’s, undisputed! With the good weather we have been motivated to run a bit more - the last two days have been mega-mileage days. It always happens, A really bad race sparks off a rampage - On Sunday we had 20-miles in the AM, and 5 ½ in the PM, Monday 5 ½ in the AM, and 14 in the PM…. Let’s see how long we can keep this up! The Diet - Okay the BBQ was a little slip up, but one has to slip to keep the other days in focus! I am serious here - a sin here and there keeps the belly out of the chair…..
The nine, who do not have identity papers with them, are being held at a detention center at Frankfurt Airport where their plane had stopped following the African athletics championships in Tunisia.
Ha anyone want to recruit for a NY team? The mind boggles, who will we see waiting at the immigration desk?
M1500M - #3 fastest time in history, and which web site has been telling you that the ‘new’ name on the scene would be Cornelius this year?? 1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:26.89 2 Chirchir Cornelius KEN 3:30.88 3 Silva Rui POR 3:31.22 4 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:31.52 5 Chirchir William KEN 3:32.76
What this Marrocan has been doing for the last 5 years already is amazing. He just keeps on winning all the races he participates in. El Guerrouj was again showing graceful elegance in his 1500, gliding to a 3.26.90 digging a 4 second gap, at 1200 he was still under his own WR. I just love the style in which he just effortless follows for 2 laps the pacemakers or brutal guys trying to beat him, then accelerating and flying home. The name of Maria Mutola is becoming a statue for ever in Switserland since she won her 800 in Zurich fo the 10th time in a row....since 1993. If you think about this performance you can show nothin but a lot of respect. Ofcourse you can be the best in your event but showing it for 10 years in a row !, 10 years of no injuries and showing your best form in this event in August every year is a performance on its own in a sport as tough as athletics. Not to be expected losses in die Weltklasse were Wilson Kipketer in the 800, Gail Devers in the 100 hurdles, Greene fisinishing only 5-th in the 100. This year's Maurice Greene is not what he has been doing before, this counts also for his training partner and friend Ato Boldon, he finished his season already, running poor perfomances of 10.20's and 10.30's.
Not able to show his 8.06 ER steeple performance again was Dutch Simon Vroemen, but still he beat Spanish Jiminez who grabbed his gold away in the EURO champs. Still performing very well is Dieter Bauman, a very tough athlete coming back after 2 years suspension. He was the 5000 gold winner at the games in Barcelona back in 1992 already beating....africans. It shows that you can you can be very competitive on this level even if you are 37 and the drive is still there. There was lots of fun in Zürich, the crowd was fanatic and cheering and yelling like in a Dutch soccer-game which is rare to experience in athletics, the weather was a 30 Celsius, no wind. The Italian taxi-driver raised in Spain living in Switserland bringing me and my friend Ron to stadium Letzigrund is saving some more money for new teeth now. After the games I went on to Zürich nightlife, this is not like Amsterdam, ofcourse not, but hé you can make fun everywhere. The Swiss are rich and since they trade the EURO 1 on 1 for the Swiss Frank they become even more rich, $%#&*. The EURO is easy but your wallet keeps growing with coins from countries all around europe, only the notes are exactly the same. But since the Thai Bath fits also very well in all machines you can make money also a little bit.
So thats my story of the Zürich trip in 34 hours and 1100 miles of fast Deutsche und Swiss Autobahn and some slow Dutch ones." Thanks!! Colonel Bill Staab, of WSX, "Well my team has the best dancers…." Dog Dan, "We scored!" Sir Roland of CPTC, "You’re not Coca-cola, you have zero pulling power." Partime, "Well I ran today, just not in the race." CoffeeKevin, "I’m thinking of moving to the oil." Piotr Uciechowski of Poland took the men’s Marathon, with Rannveig Oddsdottir of Iceland Taking the women’s race. Out & About afterwards to Josie’s for exactly the same dish - but I hate it when they ask, "How do you want your salmon done?" There is only one way for Salmon to be cooked… I mean are they waiting for someone to say Well Done? Gimme a break! Mike Mykytok tells us he may make it in for some drinking over the weekend to the Big Smoke.
Tergat - winner of last year's BUPA Great North Run, - joins an unprecedented field in Chicago that now includes a match-up of the two fastest male and the two fastest female marathon runners of all-time.
"Paul's addition to this field makes it the strongest in the 25 year history of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon," said Carey Pinkowski, the executive race director. "To have both world record holders Khalid Khannouchi and Catherine Ndereba is an accomplishment, but to also have their closest competitors, Paul Tergat and Paula Radcliffe in the same race is epic.
"To have these magnificent athletes meet in the prime of their careers on Chicago's fast course may result in the greatest head to head competitions in marathon history." Well not as an impressive field as in London but…… Others seen at the track - Some great timing from Sir Roland, the best timer yet….. some inspirational talk from CPTC coach Tony for the weekend (Too bad it was all about a baseball game). A reminder from James Siegel that drinking is not really permitted in CP (alcohol that is…), StopnChat reminded everyone that this weekend has separate starts for Men & Women - don’t glance at the flyer and turn up for the wrong event! On the way home up First our intrepid reporter heard his name being called out. As it was a rather attractive girl he stopped, she said, "Hi, you don’t know me, but I know you…." We like these continuing Goldfish bowl sagas - all in a NY City teacup!
And from Anne-Sophie, "hey
have you seen that
http://rwforums.rodale.com/thread.jsp?forum=4&thread=58351
Jane Tomlinson, from Rothwell, Leeds, completed the course in less than three and a half hours, beating half of the women competitors in her age group.
"It was really hard work, but I enjoyed myself," said the 38-year-old mother of three. No excuses!
Bitok timed 13:31.95 and Limo 13:32.10 to relegate Morocco's Amyn Mohammed to bronze medal in 13:33.98. Algeria’s Aiss Said Guerni retained the continent's 800 metres title with a 1:45.52 victory as Kenya's William Yiampoy took silver in 1:45.79. Anyway another GREAT result was Zoomalong! Women's master Tatyana Pozdnyakova, age 47, of the Ukraine, finished 38:53, leading Americans Gordon ‘Zoomalong’ Bakoulis, 41, of New York City, at 39:57, and Joan Benoit Samuelson, 45, of Freeport Maine, 40:22. Eddy was #2 in the Master’s men behind Andrew Masaii of Eldoret Town, married to a Kikuyu woman of wrath!
Manchester, N.H., CIGNA HealthCare Corporate 5-K: Men - 1. Paul Mwangi, KEN, 14:06; 2. Zablon Mokaya, KEN, 14:17; 3. Timothy Mangera, KEN, 14:20. Women - 1. Agnes Ngunjiri, KEN, 15:53; 2. Katie McGregor, MN, 16:13; 3. Tatyana Pozdnyakova (47), UKR, 16:17.
1 Janne HOLMEN FIN 16:24(1) 31:43(1) 47:26(1) 1:03:16(1) 1:06:44(1) 2:12:14 (Pr) #2 Pavel LOSKUTOV EST 2:13:18 #3 Julio REY ESP 2:13:28
Four Spaniards in the top 7! French fav Benoit was back in 2:16:00 (#14)
Out in the street I managed to find someone who knew of a close-by funeral center - and there I ‘found’ Eddy. A nice group, mainly Millrose NYRR members, & Harriers, were there for the service. The Priest, a man who did not know Eddy, gave somewhat of a discretionary speech about crosses and gifts. He repeated himself enough times to fill out a catalogue of pizza restaurants on First Avenue before a few of Eddy’s closer friends spoke of their personal memories. I guess I will remember Eddy best when I am running one day in the park and the wind is coughing & blowing. It will be deathly cold with a drizzle on the edge of the day. I will come to the end of some NY City race and standing at the finishing line with a beady glassy eye there shall be an old man shivering with little fat to cover his bones. He’ll have a notepad in his hand…. And he’ll be writing about a sport, and our people, that most have cared to forget. Following Eddy’s wake I went with Liam the Irish Tattoo, Steve El Prez, Diane Queen of the Harriers, and Ponytail Ted, to the Starlite Diner a block down the road. I was pleased to see that Eddy’s hearse was an old grey 1970’s zootmobile, quite the Coyle I thought. Snappy Sprinting, #1 in the 200m men’s K. KENTERIS GRE 19.85- champs record, (#1 W200 Muriel HURTIS FRA 22.43),
and
1 S. DIAGANA FRA 47.58 world leading time to winning the Euro’s 400m h! Glory ALOZIE of Nigeria becomes the ‘european’ champion in the 100m W hurdles, running 12:73 - is this right? Nah!
Days after completing the "Grand Slam" of the four major titles available to him by winning at the Commonwealth Games, the 36-year-old Briton saw his European crown pass to the lanky 22-year-old who he has tipped as his successor.
Canal recovered from being overtaken by Schultz after just 100 meters to nick second place in 45.24 seconds from Britain's Caines who took bronze in 45.28 seconds.
The 2.01-meter Schultz confirmed the potential he revealed when he won a surprise silver medal at the World Championships.
He said: "I'm so happy. I went flat out and when my legs got tired I was carried along by the crowd."
Women sprinters who have sex before competing generally perform better but men should avoid amorous exploits before taking to the track, the trainer of Germany's men's sprinting team said on Friday.
...anyways, spent a day in trendy, over-priced, warehouse district checking out italian furniture, italian kitchens, italian anything ("the italians are just the best when it comes to design" - mom), for their new house renos- and there goes my inheritance....so not my scene, but hey gotta do it...at one point- mother says "do you actually live here- you don't seem to know any of the stores or what's going on"......yep I don't shop.....anyways she is off to Toronto to visit my bro and his wife- and they love all that stuff- so she can get her fill there.
laughed at you taking your 'rents to Austin Powers...last month when my parents were over- my mother picks up a video of "sex in the city" on my table- "Lise- what are you watching????" (not having a clue about the show of course)...they left thinking their unemployed (by choice-it's the summer!) daughter was home watching porn all day....excellent." Thanks Eldo! M1500m 1 Mehdi BAALA FRA 3:45.25 #2 Reyes ESTEVEZ ESP 3:45.25 #3 Rui SILVA POR 3:45.43
From G'mo Rojas: NYRR members get 10% off Polar Heart Rate Monitors, the HRMs are being sold at the NYRR Running Gallery (9 East 89th Street) and online at www.nyrrc.org. 1 Jose Manuel Martinez ESP 27:47.65 2 Dieter Baumann GER 27:47.87 3 Jose Rios ESP 27:48.29 4 Stefano Baldini ITA 27:50.98 5 Karl Keska GBR 28:01.72
Herb the Verb (pictured above) was down timing his Millrose inmates, he tells us he is off to Puerto Rico soon - a reminder that we’ll have a group trip there in Feb for the race… and the Zippy zipper of the night award went to Canadian Craig who ran a stunning set of 300’s… also an award goes to Steven Paddock for another fine victory notched up over the weekend. Then it was time for family duties; La Ma & Da Pa and moi went to a bar for a cigar… okay, not really, it was out dining, fresh salmon - and good tasting it was too. When ordering the pineapple juice Da Pa asked, "Don’t you drink alcohol?" The lithe-limbed Coyle, who turned his life around after becoming a long-distance runner, wrote a twice-weekly column known for its upbeat advice. Coyle was born in New York on Nov. 29, 1925, and as a teen served in the 3rd Armored Division in World War II. He came to The News in 1969. A member of Alcoholics Anonymous, he took up running and never looked back - or ever took a drink again, his relatives said. He ran in 10 consecutive New York City Marathons before dropping out of the 1987 race. "I realized early on it wasn't my day," he said. "At 10 miles, I took the subway into Manhattan." He retired from The News on Dec. 30, 1991, but continued to run and to write his column until recently. Funeral arrangements are pending. This report follows from Michel,
"Tonight, Briton Paula Radciffe chose Munich, Germany to run a race of her lifetime in top-conditions. In my opinion the race will turn out to become s heroic solo run for 30 minutes and a tiny little bit. The conditions in the Olympic stadium (yes...the stadium where once long ago in 1974 Holland's soccer team lost the world-cup final to their all-time rival Germany) were close to perfect.
It was raining all race long, first whispering later hard but not too hard and whispering again, there was no wind, so the laps Paula run were flat as a pancake. Lots of 71's high followed by 72's and she concluded with a flyin 69 lap which brought her home in 30.01.09. The rest of the field except silver and bronze was doubled once or more, what a performance ! Except for a the EPO ?? suspected world record of Chinese miss Junxia Wang nobody has run faster over 10.000 meters. Paula said on BBC television that she will run the 5000 later as well. Seems she is heading on to another peak later this week in the Eurochamps." Thanks Michel! Irish Pubs in the City. There is one on 53rd & 3rd beginning with a P that has a lot of Eamonn running memorabilia on the walls. "I just wanted to get up there and get tough," said Abdirahman, who would finish seventh. "It felt real, real slow." The slowish pace through four miles (18:17) Result of the weekend, at altitude no less in CO Springs 10km, 2. Sam Ngatia, 42, Ft. Carson, CO (KEN), 30:44 - those MasterBlaster’s never slow down. s
After weeks of speculation in the Nigerian media, officials Tuesday confirmed that the 31-year-old multi-talented athlete tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug at a meeting in Athens, Greece, in June.
Ajunwa, a police officer, jumped 6.63 meters at the Athens event and was therefore the favorite to run away with the long jump gold at the Commonwealth Games now underway in Manchester.
But the Nigerian Athletics Federation is now waiting the results of a 'B' sample and if this is positive, Ajunwa faces a life ban after previously serving a four-year ban for anabolic steriod use in 1992.
Under international athletics rules, any athlete who tests positive for drugs twice would automatically be banned for life.
"For Ajunwa to be caught twice defeats the defense of ignorance," said sports journalist John Joshua-Akanji.
"And sadly, now she would be best remembered as a drugs cheat rather than the first athlete to win Olympic gold for Nigeria."
The Manhattan Half missed the entrant known as Zoomalong. At the time of writing we are not too sure why she did not run, but in her absence the race was won in 1:27. The men won in 1:11 - I think that time is Zoomalong's personal best, albeit one she ran before become a Master. (Ed's note - Master of running races.) Ryan Grote, the male winner 2001, was also missing from the field - we hear Da Grote is currently training for his explosion onto the triathlon field. Remember to check out his running store 'Runner's Pace' in NJ.
He originally intended to quit after the 2000 Olympics but some poor performances prompted him to continue until the 2003 Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
Now his defeat in the final of the 110m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games has led to suggestions he might prolong his career again.
Accordingly, the original qualification period of 1 January 2003 to 13 August 2004, which remains the same for all other athletics disciplines, has in the case of the two Marathon races only, been changed to now start on 1 September 2002.
"The new period will give athletes participating in Big City Marathons this autumn such as Berlin, Chicago, New York and many others , the opportunity for early qualification for Athens," said the IAAF General Secretary Istvan Gyulai.
The entry standards are as follows:
Men’s Marathon –
"A" Standard 2:12:00
"B" Standard 2:14:50
Women’s Marathon –
"A" Standard 2:32:00
"B" Standard 2:36:00 Happy birthday to TGV. Breakfast with Bob - up at H&H bagels, the sesame with jelly. Bob is my mission for Boston 2003, he is going, mark my words! Then it was to Equinox on the West Side - Why? Only to meet someone, and of course to rate the place - thumbs down compared with the New York Sports Club @ 91st. Why? Shoddy treadmills (Ed’s note, "Perfect for you - a shoddy runner!")
The 28-year-old sprinter collided with a taxi on an expressway near Barataria, about 2.5 miles west Port-of-Spain, police said.
Boldon, who was alone, was driving to his home in Westmoorings, about 5 miles west of the accident scene.
The taxi allegedly swerved into Boldon's lane and hit his car head-on, police said.
Greece's top international javelin thrower Costas Gatsioudis will not compete in next month's European Championships in Munich due to a shoulder injury, Greek sports internet sites reported Friday.
Gatsioudis suffered a lesion in his shoulder after his first toss in an international athletics meet in Salonica Wednesday.
France's 1996 Olympic pole vault champion Jean Galfione underwent successful surgery on the tendons in both his feet this week, his coach Maurice Houvion said.
The 31-year-old Galfione, the only Frenchman to clear six meters, underwent surgery at the hands of Professor Saillant at the Pitie-Salpetriere hosptial.
"The operation went relatively well. The two tendons were operated on. Rather than wait it was better to deal with both feet," said Houvion.
In the men's 4x400, four teams came off the final bend together, but surprisingly Jamaica and individual champion Michael Blackwood faded down the straight. It was England and Wales who disputed gold with Daniel Caines just holding off Matt Elias, whose 44.1 was the fastest split of the race. England won in 3:00.40 to Wales' 3:00.41. The men's 4x100 was even closer with England and Jamaica sharing the winning time of 38.62. The women's 4x100 was more clearcut with world and Olympic champions Bahamas winning in a Games record 42.44, though Jamaica and England pushed them all the way.
In today’s mailbag from Minnesota,
"did you know Amazon only have second-hand copies starting at $75? Incredible, eh? Too bad you don't get royalties on used books..." She is referring to Train Hard, wow, hang on to your copies! Whilst on the subject of others, Eldo Lise,
"Well- off to run with my new partner- a dog I am looking after- hope she keeps a good pace and doesn't stop at every second tree." Seen on the Reservoir upper loop was Victor waiting for his pulse to drop below 120, and the lower loop was R2 who informs us the Flyers are ready!
Commonwealth Games, or the Kenyan Games; 5000m
1
KIPKETER Sammy
Kenya (KEN) 13:13.51 (GR) 2
LIMO Benjamin
Kenya (KEN) 13:13.57 3
KIRUI Willy Kiptoo
Kenya (KEN) 13:18.02 (PR) 4
MAYOCK John
England (ENG) 13:19.43 (PR) M1500
W1500m 1
HOLMES Kelly
England (ENG) 4:05.99 2
TULLETT Hayley
Wales (WAL) 4:07.52 (SB) 3
PATTINSON Helen
England (ENG) 4:07.62 M1500m Shocker! 1
EAST Mike
England (ENG) 3:37.35 (PR) 2
CHIRCHIR William
Kenya (KEN) 3:37.70 3
ABDI Youcef
Australia (AUS) 3:37.77 4
WHITEMAN Anthony
England (ENG) 3:38.04 (SB) 5
HOOD Graham
Canada (CAN) 3:38.08 (SB) 6
ACHON Julius
Uganda (UGA) 3:38.33 (SB) 7
SULLIVAN Kevin
Canada (CAN) 3:40.95 (SB) We hear from Mad Dog Mykytok; he’s heading for Falmouth….. Lornah is also running that race - I predict it will be her next victory, she is on fire. Mad Dog is pretty zippy too after winning the Midland! I went to the track mainly as I had told two people I would. I went to a Doctor yesterday in the on going attempt to heal my weary bones and thought, by magic, perhaps I could run pain free - I want to run…. The five miles to the track were not too bad, the legs felt creaky but Dr. Wu told me they would. His examination begun with my back, "Yes - there is problem for running…." Then he moved to my hips, "Ah ha, here, no, this is the problem - here big pain." I was told to roll over, and, "Oh, here is the big big problem. You can not run now no? You have big heart like strong man, but the body is one big problem everywhere something big…" With that optimistic diagnosis, and armed with a full length orthotic I begun some 400’s, and sure enough the I want don’t get cut in… running home I made it to 89th just as my leg completely locked up - back to Square One. However it was really nice to see everyone again down on the track - Sir Roland, Canadian Craig, Steve P, Tony R, Eric, Alessandro D’Roma, Lauren, Margaret’s, even Stopn’chat was there…. Hopefully I will be back, that’s what I want! http://auction.newline.com/Scripts/ListingInfo.asp?LotNo=76325220 - copy, paste, and bid.. then give to me! Quote of the week; Sharon Stuubler (who we last saw in Austin 1998) talks to Peter G, "I took a job as a financial analyst at Select Comfort. I start on July 29. I need benefits. My teeth need to be cleaned."
The 28-year-old banished years of anguish and near-misses with a crushing win on Sunday night but admitted her disappointment that the venue where she claimed her historic win would be lost to athletics immediately after the Games.
She said: "The biggest shame is that we are losing this stadium and all the memories that go with it. Surely Manchester City can build another stadium and give this to us as a present." Another day of Wow! Paula the XC, Road, and Now track zippy runner!
The competition drew 177 countries and more than 1,200 athletes.
Champions US won 21 medals, nine of them gold, while Ethiopia, with eight medals – three gold, four silver and one bronze – were third.
Kenya sent a small team comprising of only 18 athletes compared to 60 the US sent in their successful bid to reclaim the top position they lost two years ago to Kenya.
Officials and most Kenyans were happy with the juniors.
They could easily have finished first had the country been represented in other events outside the traditional mid and long distance events.
This performance was expected from the Kenyans who have maintained a winning streak in these championships since 1988 in Sudbury, Canada. In the process they have remained a feeder to the senior team.
In 1998, Reuben Kosgei competed in these championships as a little-known schoolboy. Today, he is world and Olympics champion at a youthful age of 22.
Viola Kibiwott, winner of the women's 1,500m race, has achieved all she wanted.
Now she wants to move to the seniors level. And like other juniors before her, notably Sally Barsosio, world champion in 1997 at the 10,000m, Kibiwott, a student at Singore Girls, will be going places.
Kibiwott won the 1,500 metres but the men failed to make any impact on the distance. She clocked a personal best time of four minutes 12.57 seconds.
The silver medal went to Berhane Herpassa of Ethiopia (4:13.59) and the bronze to Olesya Syreva of Russia in a personal best time of 4:14.32.
Morocco’s Yassine Bensghir took the men’s race in 3:40.72, beating Abdulrahman Suleiman of Qatar (3:41.72) and Samwel Mwera of Tanzania (3:42.69).
Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar, who won the women's 3,000 metres on the opening day, won her second gold in the 5,000 metres in 15:54.94.
Compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba was second (15:55.99) and Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya third in 15:56.04.
Hillary Chenonge and David Kirwa exhibited those natural instincts which have made Kenyans do so well in the 3,000m steeplechase.
So everybody is in agreement that Kenyans will continue doing well at the junior level, but will those who were in Kingston be around to run in Athens Olympics in two years time?
Coaches and officials were doubtful. They were in agreement that any of the gold medallists will challenge the seniors at international competition seriously as early as the Paris world championships next year.
After that, as tradition has shown, they will quietly disappear from the scene. "We have to reverse this trend soon," said Kenya athletics' maestro Isaiah Kiplagat.
"We have set up a coaching commission to look into this problem and find a lasting solution."
Kiplagat said some of the junior world beaters would never represent the country, or live long enough on the track to realise their full potential, although they will be active in some obscure road races in certain European countries.
Kenyans are awash on the road racing circuit where entry standards are low and organisers invite them for a small fee to flavour their meetings.
Those who invite these Kenyans are not accredited agents, but individuals with local contracts.
NORFOLK ISLAND is celebrated among mollusc hunters for its unique varieties of snail, evolved over millennia of isolation in the South Pacific. Yesterday, in Manchester, the island made a new claim to dawdling fame when its marathon runner trailed home with the slowest time in the history of the Commonwealth Games. All other competitors had finished, showered, changed and eaten Sunday lunch when Jamie Donaldson crossed the finishing line one hour and 19 minutes after the winner. His baggy green shorts billowing in the wind, Donaldson entered the stadium to a cacophony of cheers, then slumped gratefully to a halt as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. He was so late, he disrupted the heats of the men’s 200 metres. His ambition in Manchester had been "not to disgrace myself, basically," Donaldson, 24, said, after easily breaking a 64-year record for the slowest marathon. "I am actually quite relieved that I finished. I realised some time ago that would have to be the goal. It all comes down to a matter of pride. The crowd along the street was wonderful. Every time I even thought about stopping or slowing down, they were on your back yelling ‘Come on, just finish’. It was the right thing to do and great to hear." Donaldson’s time of 3 hours, 30 minutes and 20 seconds would have placed him 4,909th in the London Marathon. He has excuses. Life is not easy for a marathon runner on a rocky, five-mile by three-mile outcrop with little flat ground. And, as a short-order chef, he said: "It is difficult to train when you are working a 50 or 60-hour week." A calf injury destroyed his hopes of beating his personal best time of 3 hours and 26 minutes. But this was no occasion for disappointment. "I was thinking of hanging up my running shoes," he said, "but I have found this all so inspiring that if the opportunity ever presents itself again, I would do it all again for Norfolk Island." Like many Norfolk Islanders, Donaldson can chart his ancestry back to Fletcher Christian, who led the mutiny on the Bounty. Chroniclers of heroic failure will be eagerly watching Donaldson’s father Graeme, 54, who will be swimming, running and cycling in the triathlon this week. But Ian Anderson, his team manager, fancies him to beat the other Norfolk Islander in the competition.
I took off and found some security folks. They weren't too helpful, but fortunately the NYPD arrived. There were a few witnesses there helping to give descriptions. No one could believe he did this. The cops then took me for a ride to try and find the guy, who incidentally, Park Security said "took off when the approached him". The NYPD took me in their car to try and find the guy, but no such luck. After 30 minutes of driving around they asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital, I said "no, I'll be fine", and then they offered to drive me home. I said, "no, I was having a good run, and if you could, drop me off where you picked me up I would like to at least finish my last mile." So they dropped me off, and I got my 12 miles in. My head and neck are okay, just badly bruised, and I have some small cuts that will be fine. There are a lot of idiots out there. And, be aware, and let people know that, although the West Side Highway is a good place to run, it's gotten really seedy between Christopher and 15th Street. It's not worth the hassle; find a way to go around it." Later that night at Fiorello the service was terrible, the change was wrong, and the place gets a resounding ‘go there at your peril & check ya change.’ This is not the first time the waiters have been in question for shabby service at this joint!
1
RADCLIFFE Paula
England (ENG) 14:31.42 (GR) 2
MASAI Edith
Kenya (KEN) 14:53.76 3
CHENONGES Iness
Kenya (KEN) 15:06.06 (PB) Commonwealth 5000m - way to go Paula!! The Men’s winner was William from Bogota, and Cathy Grote for the women. A large turnout of 3900 runners - with Urbanoso’s Partime, Mini & MasterBlaster taking age group awards! The Voice of NYRR was there, with his usual wit. Also a large contingent of West Side Runners, looks like I’m going to a group meeting with them nest week to sample some Bolivian Food, and we hear, "Bolivia is a great place for training… Ronaldo Da Costa trained there before he ran 2:06:05 World Record in Berlin…." In the middle of a long run The Boss zipped by, he has slimmed down so much that now we can’t call him Chubby! In #4 was the Olympic Silver medalist from Sydney Wainaina, and #5 at the Commonwealth was Swartbooi who is a 2:08 marathoner!
CommonWealth catch-up - Hezekiel Sepeng's failure to report for Commonwealth Games duty in Manchester has resulted in South Africa's 800m ace being suspended from athletics with immediate effect on Thursday.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) informed the management of the SA Commonwealth Games team by fax on Thursday morning that Sepeng, who was supposed to race first-round 800m heats with Mbulaeni Mulaudzi on Saturday, had been withdrawn from the team. Namibia's former Olympic silver medalist Frankie Fredericks has pulled out of the 100 meters at the Commonwealth Games
Kenyan clean sweep in the steeplechase; 1
CHERONO Stephen
Kenya (KEN) 8:19.41 2
KEMBOI Ezekiel
Kenya (KEN) 8:19.78 3
CHERONO Abraham
Kenya (KEN) 8:19.85 A blanket finish! Paula Radcliffe talks on her 5000m chances: "I think the three of them, Masai, Iness Chenonge and Leah Malot will pose a very serious threat," said Radcliffe. But she hasn't dismissed the added challenge from team mate Jo Pavey and top Australian Benita Willis-Johnson.
After her superb London victory, Radcliffe went down with an infection which prevented her making her track debut in mid-June. Bouncing back so brilliantly in her first race, amazed both herself and manager/husband Gary Lough, who watched from trackside spellbound, at the completely unexpected Monaco performance.
Radcliffe said: "Everyone kept telling me that I’d lose my speed by running marathons but I talked to Ingrid Kristiansen and she told me the contrary.
"I was a bit anxious after not running a track race for a long time but everything went well. I was surprised to be that fast although I knew I was in good shape."
What the papers say
07/26 Monsieur Mileage was there with Renee Le Bleur… did you know Monsieur has run a 36" 300m - not bad for a road warrior of Marathon heritage, he popped a 43" last night with the ease of wine from a snail’s shell, "Ah zat iz not fast! And now I go to Switzerland, and France for Oliday…" Y’know just to rub it in….. Out & About: Vuitton & I dined at LA MANGEOIRE on 1008 Second Avenue. The palce gets ***** for food & service. The salad was very tasty, and the salmon delectable and very fresh, and the cinnamon ice cream… the fischer beers weren’t half bad either - a real thumbs up. Highly recommended on all counts - when was the last time I gave such a rating… Park Avalon perhaps, Ocean on the West side behind the Museum?
"We had good testing standards in the London Marathon and World Half- Marathon and it's important we have it in place again in Manchester.
"It doesn't have to be blood testing because they can do EPO testing from a urine sample. We have to make sure it is being done to deter the people who are trying to cheat.
"It's important for the image of the games because the last thing we need is a drugs scandal and we must show we are going forward in drugs testing procedures."
Jackson will bid to win his third gold medal at the Games, which in itself will become a remarkable achievement because he also has silver medal from the event…in 1986.
"Wow, was it that long ago?," he said. Pertaining to the SoftBall Game we are pleased to announce that, so far, everyone thinks it a sterling idea - Personally our Intrepid Reporter’s idea of a good idea is that he wants to open a Starbucks inside of Central Park… "Couldn’t we just take over that Castle?" Football; AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani said the Italian club were in talks with Brazil midfielder Rivaldo. And NBA; The Boston Celtics acquired four-time All-Star Vin Baker from the Seattle Supersonics in a five player deal
The Captain brings us this investment advice: I am not familiar with the game of Softball but believe there is a fun game where each rotating team has 8 players and the game spins on five-outs - this way a lot of teams could come together, hang out, and try and re-install the friendliness that SHOULD be present in the inter-club competitions here in the city! The onus would be on CPTC for this one, as they have the field booked, but as the club’s president is married to the coach of MCNY that would immediately kill a dilemma for the Rube/Zoomalong family… MCNY could field a team, I am sure The Queen of the Harriers could be persuaded to rustle up a Harriers team, Jean ‘Da Pitcher’ Chodnicki could zip up a few WS’ers, Ed for the Flyers could be asked nicely, The Boss from the Flying Urbanoso’s, Coach Bob & the Yellows are already in there - we could have a really nice ball! (Ed’s note; the puns from this guy are flippin outrageous, if I did not point them out they’d fly right by you). (reply: Who’s trying to be clever now??) Why not also an all star team from the NYRR? The mind boggles….. And now for something completely different! Monaco; M800 - The other Kip is back! The man who used to sell picture portraits in the Rift Valley for pennies is back making the big bang bucks, a fab 2nd for the USA "I predict he’ll get the US mile record this year," comes from Stu Glu. Yuriy and his chemistry set was blown out the window, and Bucher obviously is not fully recovered from his injury probbos: 1 Kipketer Wilson DEN 1:43.76 2 Krummenacker David USA 1:43.95 3 Sepeng Hezekiél RSA 1:44.39… 6 Borzakovskiy Yuriy RUS 1:45.44… 10 Bucher André SUI 1:46.38
Rounding out the top five, and wouldn’t he be 30-lbs overweight, Ed ‘Comfy Ed’ Stickles with a time around 17:25… "Imagine I was 132 when I ran my PR, and now I’m 165!" Comfy Ed also wins the prize for the week’s hardest workout; "We used to do 8 x 1-mile, then head out for a hard ten miler….." Ouch! Comfy Ed also mentioned that to be able to score for the Club Teams a runner must be a club member for four months - Does that mean that the Spaghetti Kenyan will not score for West Side? Yes. However we do hope that The Spaghetti will run for his third individual title. Then it was out with "17". Black & White’s, Eat ins & Outs, Sesame or Essame… a confusing world! Later that day I ran with CPTC’s Steven Paddock, and Kate Crowley - two of the rising stars in the club. Kate, "You don’t run for CPTC do you?" Me does actually! Steven is a stickler for distances, and we did actually do the 16.7- mile version. Back from Bolivia Steven is waiting for the altitude boost, "It is coming in August, and I’m going under 26’ in the club champs."
Webb has been offered a yearly $250,000 contract from Nike with the deal running through 2008, sources said.
Austria's World and Olympic silver medallist Stephanie Graf had a benign tumour removed from her hip on Tuesday.
Graf, 29, underwent the operation at a Vienna hospital, where doctors removed the growth located between her right hip bone and the sciatic nerve, the Austria Press Agency reported.
Doctor Alfred Engel said the tumour was not cancerous. Engel said Graf could begin light training in water in about two weeks.
NATIONAL CHAMPS 10,000 Russia
1 Lyudmila Biktasheva RUS 31:23.15
2 Galina Aleksandrova RUS 32:13.20
3 Yelena Burykina RUS 32:14.87 Men
1 Aleksandr Vasilyev RUS 28:54.56
2 Aleksey Sokolov RUS 29:03.07
3 Dmitriy Semyonov RUS 29:05.04 English AAA Champs: 1 Jon Wild GBR 13:52.59
2 Rob Denmark ENG 13:53.18
3 Matt Smith GBR 13:53.47 Running Vs Listening to your MP3 player. Seen in da park early yesterday morning; PonyTail Ted & The Queen of the Harriers, ‘When the Boss opens his store I’m going down there with a $1000 to buy a load of new running stuff. I haven’t bought anything new since 09/07 last year, and I’m waiting for him to reopen.." said the PonyTail. Now that is what I call loyalty… I wonder if I opened a bagel shop if I could get customers like that….. Everyone on the local scene is wondering what enticed the spaghetti Kenyan to join West Side - we can report, straight from the horses mouth, that it is was sweet Nada - no t-shirts, nothing….. "It was a club that suited me." said the NYRR runner of the year. Little do people know here in NYC what a truly tremendous athlete Paul Mwangi actually is. A decade ago he was beating the likes of Tergat & Tanui. A true road warrior now, but if he had stayed with the Steeplechase then Mwangi could be as much a household name in the halls of our sport as Kipketer is. What is more Paul’s character is the of the finest too.
A request by the British consulate to hold Kimutai's passport for three weeks while they run security checks is blamed for his absence.
Kimutai's agent, James Templeton told the Guardian: ""I've sent documentation to the British consulate proving he's Commonwealth champion.
"None of it works, they still say he must surrender his passport. It's impossible to get him a visa in time.
"It is a shame because Japheth desperately wants to run in Manchester."
The International Olympic Committee insist on a clause in the host city's contract which allows competing athletes to enter the country without a visa.
However, the Commonwealth Games have no such arrangement.
"I am not in the kind of shape that I would like to be in at this point of the year," said Boldon.
Decathlete Dean Macey has withdrawn from next month's European Championships and is struggling to be fit for the Commonwealth Games.
Macey, who won bronze in last year's world championships in Sydney, has been suffering with a hamstring injury since June.
Dean Macey
"I do not feel that I will be able to perform to the best of my ability in two major competitions so close to each other," said Macey.
It is a fillip for the event after the news that the pole vaulter Janine Whitlock faces being dropped from England's team because of a positive drugs test.
There were a couple of Harriers, lotsa CPTC'ers, some Urbanoso's (Da Boss) and representatives from NYAC, and we hear that the famous club house on Central Park South may be closing due to diminishing membership numbers. Yesterday we showed a picture of Chris Cheboiboch at the Boston Press Conference - he finished second. Chris is interested in running the New York City Marathon and is looking for a sponsor - he has finished second in Boston, and the Rock n’ Roll, and is the last year’s winner of the San Blas Half Marathon - Imagine your company emblazoned across the chest of this runner reaching an audience of 70-million! If you are interested in this proposition please contact me ASAP! It is an advertiser’s dream! “did a 75 miler when I was up in Maine.” News from Smoking J…. we hope to see him at the Mets race on Saturday. Shiney, unfortunately, is a touch injured.
07/15 A lot of the Europeans are waiting for the Euro Champs - The fastest man of the year from 2001, Yurij B, is concentrating on the 400m for the champs but will attack the record (1:41) afterwards in the Swiss GP. The Russian took silver in the Russian Champs this weekend after running a 'slow' (for him) 46:00 - he ran the first 200m in 22-seconds! Ouch! The British Champs produced very few good results, especially in the distance races - Steve Cram, the former WR holder for the mile, spoke out to the press saying it was one of da worst.....
Ottey last competed for Jamaica at the 2000 Sydney Olympics but has lived in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana since 1998 and was granted Slovenian citizenship in May.
Tomorrow on Monday Night: Running at the Wollman Rink again - come and run a loop of the park in the shox for free, maybe they are the shoe for you! Restaurants/Eateries: Favia with the Clipper - we got the waitress again who is as attentive as a dud light bulb. The red snapper was rather watery, the pizza was good, and da bread was not bad either. Next stop was Brooklyn; visiting the Gazelle (who is doing well). Cous-cous and chicken in a delectable little French restaurant off Smith Street in the French quarter of that borough. The decor was great - they even had a little moped in the bar! The next day bagels & coffee with the SC's - Nobody, yet nobody, makes better coffee than Stace-the-Ace, and with a supply of Ali Babas I was in Carbo-heaven! Happy Bastille Day! Le Bagel, however, is better than Le Baguette! (Ed's note; we know, contraversial & incorrect grammatically, we know, la la.)
Chris, and Lee, from Amex recorded the right amount of effort to see them through the sess, and TGV pushed with Partime for a solid night. (Believe it or not the Mini is going - he wants a BMW M3 now.. car #22 in 6-years, the mind boggles....
07/11
Mario Cipollini retires from cycling following his team's (Acqua et Sapone) failure to qualify for the Tour de France and ONCE-Eroski claimed the team event for the second time in three years at the Tour de France on Wednesday. The favoured Spanish contingent were on top of their form, finishing 19" ahead of US Postal and 46" quicker than CSC-Tiscali. ONCE's Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano is the new rider in yellow.
It was wonderful and well worth the trek. In some ways, however, it was a little too fancy and exotic. I probably prefer Nobu." Now there is a good food review from a Classy guy.
Here’s a new level of injustice: Air India bombing trial (here in Vancouver)- even though it happened in 1985 (?) trial is not until next year and we are footing the bill for the "alleged" bombers…cost of $1 million per month! for their defense team…estimates say the Canadian taxpayers by the end of this will probably have shelled out $1 billion…and we talk about corruption in developing countries…don’t be surprised if you see me on TV at a protest!" By the way since posting the picture of Eldo Lise many readers have commented on her looks, she is quite da hit (Ed’s note, and to think your picture has been up for 2-years and not one person has ever paid you a compliment ha ha) Afterwards I went to Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant with the famous Dr. Lewis Maharam - the running medical director of the NYC Marathon, great food and stories… the stories were very interesting but not being one to gossip I’ll just have to say if you visit him (German Silva once flew across 2 continents for the honor) you’ll not only get great treatment but amusing stories too! And the food at Mickey’s was rat5her snappy too - a toby thumbs up from the legendary sportsbar named after the Yankees famed #7
Women
1) Catherine Ndereba (KEN) 1:08:57
2) Mikie Takanaka (JPN) 1:09:13
3) Naoko Sakamoto (JPN) 1:09:55
In the pack we saw Monsieur Mileage "Tired all the time" The Rube 'he'll run 1:14' and did so, TGV supposed to come and support but ended up running, Pogo & Kavan, Paul and Co coming in togetherish for UATH (Should have a good team, especially if Pierre had registered for us). Dorian, Lee, Sharon, 100, and others were spotted in Le Deluge.
"It's a surprise and a good surprise, I'm happier than you think," the Texan told reporters after winning the Tour's opening leg, a 7-kilometer (4.34-mile) individual time trial.
Out & About; At the SC's - the last time I visited the house was quite a while back hence the comments from both sides of the fence, "Wow, your hair has grown..." What is more they've had a child, though somethings never change. We are talking about Ali Baba bagels and coffee! Stace the Ace is swimming these days, and hopes to make an appearance at the CP Tri in August, StuGlu meanwhile is looking forward to recapturing the form he had in April this year when he was regularly seen zipping round CP @ speeds that looked like continual interval sessions.
Fans were asking, 'Will Stace the Ace run the 'Homeplate' race she won last year?' Well the answer to that one is the couple may jog the race, look for them en route. She was spotted running on the rez on Sunday, "the time (for the loop) is not for publication!"
Atkins article in the NY Times suggesting that the Nation is fat because we don't eat enough of it... and supposedly eat too many carbs! What? Americans get over 55% of their daily calories from Fat already - where does the equation go from there. The article candily adds, 'Atkins has bad health right now....' Sure - the guy died of a heart attack - diet related? Basically no excuses - greed, glutony (from which I often suffer), and pure laziness to prepare good food (Ed's note; That's your MO).
Boo to the Times for not even mentioning that T&F was on television in their sports guide rubrik. Usch, good job they had a recipe for Icelandic Lamb!
Out and about; Favia with Century-man, the bread was rather poor this time, though the filet was fine... Century tells us he is chiseling down. The amount of food he brought to Cre's house for Mich's party would feed an army - I thought we had run out of burgers on the night after the first round, "I brought 5 packs of a dozen burgers." Not to mention the dogs etc!
German cycling star Jan Ullrich admitted Saturday taking pills in a disco the night before a doping test found him positive of amphetamines, insisting it was a "stupidity" and he was in no way seeking to improve his performance in sport.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since the results of the June 12 became known, Ullrich said he had declined to have a second, or B test, and admitted to taking what he described as "two little pills" an acquaintance had given him in a disco.
"I accept the positive results," the 1997 Tour de France winner told reporters in Frankfurt. "That means that for the first time in my long career, I am positive." Flippin' Druggie.
"We just returned from Kona Hawaii, and Belgium, and a weekend wedding
in Tahoe." The Flying Hellebuyck’s, The Jetsetters of Albuquerque!
"Made these "healthy" muffins today- healthy because they taste so bad you just don't eat any." Eldo Lise!
Isaac Chemwobwo produced confident performance to retain the marathon title. It was the third edition of this event, sponsored by Safaricom.
Chemwobwo, an Eldoret-based runner, whose last year’s win was intriguing after ‘begging’ to run after arriving late, hanged on to the leading pack from start to finish covering the 42 kilometres along the dirt paths of the Conservancy located on the northern slopes of Mt Kenya.
He finished almost a half a mile clear of the field in 2 hours, 26 minutes.11 seconds, just over a minute outside the course record he set last year.
Peter Ndegwa, who dominated the first part of the race, was placed second in 2:30:15 followed by Suleimani Kariuki, who was timed at 2:30:37.
The winner pocketed a prize of Sh100,000, runner-up Sh60,000 and the third placed Sh40,000 plus Safaricom Mobile phones.
Tergat, who also hanged on the leading pack, came first in men’s half marathon, 1:10:57 seconds. Sports Minister Francis Nyenze flagged off the 400 runners.
Tergat conceded that the Lewa paths are tough and added despite winning the race, he did not take it competitive.
"I was only using it as a training," he said.
David Weru came second timed at 1:11:45 seconds, relegating Julius Mwenda who clocked 1:12:12 seconds to the third position. Commonwealth Games champion Lameck Aguta finished seventh after clocking 1:15:5 seconds.
The Moroccan, who won the 5,000 meters at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, is regarded by many (himself included) as one of the best middle-distance runners of all time.
Aouita possesses an impressive coaching record, with six of his charges winning three Olympic gold medals and setting five world records between them.
TGV was making his back to the roads comeback, and we went on a mini (in the clubman) ride to the town of Milford. Now let me say the post race food was absolutely fabulous! The bakery at Branford provided this delectable white cinnamon raisin bread…. Ouch! They also had pizza (8 varieties) bagels, donuts, breads of all flavors, fruits (TGV munched the w-melon), man it was great! As for the race… hmmm. Our intrepid reporter never really got going. With Gideon Mutisya on the starting line he decided to run for second. He was told they finished the race on the running track. RU hence ran in 3rd place on the shoulder of 2nd waiting for da kick! Afterwards TGV and I sat out eagerly awaiting the raffle, he missed by a digit but then discovered it was only for Firestone tires, "You can’t give those things away!! Other highlights we went past Babe Ruth’s final resting place, and were on the next street to James Taylor’s backing band musician (whose name, Cliff?, escapes me). At TGV’s house, right next to the Rockefeller Estates we burned some bagels, and listened to a his-made CD that should be on everyone’s MP3 player! Gideon, who wanted to win the tires, "But hey, then I’d need to buy a car - that could be expensive!" The open prizes were gift vouchers to the local running store. Out of loyalty to The Boss RU gave his certificate away to a guy in the crowd who had just started running that very day, "Here’s a little incentive to keep running."
An out of competition drugs test on February 10 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) showed up traces of the banned anabolic steroid norandrosterone.
The athlete, who later won bronze at the European Indoor Championships in March, has had his medal given to fourth-placed Latvian Stanislavs Olijars and won't be allowed to compete again until June 6, 2004.
Tamar & Kevin; I dined with UATH’s nutrionalist and Coffee Kevin. Tamar has a great standpoint on nutrition. It is a simple three point theory; And on another note: American javelin thrower Emily Carlsten has been suspended after failing a drugs test. A Turkish delight? Brazil's R.Carlos, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho and Germany's O.Kahn and M.Ballack are among nominated for the WCup best player's award. Hammer thrower Aaron Fish has been thrown out of an Australian Commonwealth Games Team training camp in Darwin for allegedly using a sling shot to hurl steel ball bearings and marbles at a youth hostel.
A 17-year-old sprinter James Barnes, who had also been training at the camp for the World Junior Championships in Jamaica, was sent home too, reportedly for the same reason.
Local Hero Alex Zuelle (Team Coast) wins the Tour of Switzerland - Cycling News. The Tour De France starts soon.. meanwhile we have Wimbledon!
Nike Blayden Race, Note openshaw that won the Niketown park race; 5.7M ROAD RACE
1 Julius Kimtai KEN 26:19
2 Wilson Kogo KEN 26:26
3 Tesfaye Eticha ETH/SUI 26:38
4 Neo Molema RSA 26:40
5 Mark Miles Belgrave 26:43
6 Mark Hudspith Morpeth 26:57
7 Mike Openshaw Birchfield 27:11
We had a good turn out - it was good to see Ben & Jodi again, looking radiant as usual, Paul et wife were there, Patti, Bob, Tom, Jerry, Kavan & Sheila, Kevin & Tamar, Patrick and French bread, Pam, Mary V who saw a group of Urbanosos walking to Cre’s house and wondered what was going on…. A nice night!
The Lithuanian Athletic Federation said it lifted the ban on Ubartas after he received permission to compete from the sport's world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, on Saturday. Also in the park was BethG - the glue behind the NY Harriers, always great to see Beth with her bundles of positive energy….. Stopn’chat of course did just that, as did James from CPTC…. Yes, it was a happening night in the park full of Sunshine. Gripe of the night is that the bridle path is starting to look like a parking lot - those police men sure are taking liberties - the cars nearly stretch from the West side to the East now! It is criminal; when I was doing the strides with Shiney I got cut off by a cushman, I was going to bang on his window but… Shiney recalled the night before his brother’s wedding in Texas the father got locked up by the Lone State’s cops for voicing views……
More shocking news; $32 buys you a dozen post delivered cookies from a store brand cookie maker - ouch! Those are expensive bites! Album, or CD of the week, Gladys Knight & The Pips, ‘If I were your woman.’ 5000m 1 Alan Culpepper adidas 13:27.52 2 Mebrahtom Keflezighi Nike 13:30.05 3 Matt Lane Nike 13:30.58 & 1 Marla Runyan Nike 15:07.19 2 Deena Drossin Asics 15:13.93 3 Carrie Tollefson adidas 15:21.37
This can be seen at local races where in Europe nearly everyone belongs to a local running club, whereas here unattached is the greater number. Whatever, whatever. I remember in Icelandic races I used to stand there applauding and be the only one, others would watch - but in a deathly silence. I tried to get the ra-ra thing going… forget it! Other things to forget are the chances of me watching the Eng Vs Brazil game live at 02:30 AM! No way Jose, I prefer my rested body to knowing a football result on the spot. It will be resent on Spanish television during the day, I’ll catch it then. Talking about games: CPTC have challenged Greater New York to a softball game following the Club Team Champs this August. It will be interesting to see if CPTC can break their 100% losing streak they’ve created ever since they stopped playing with themselves in 1999. The year 2000 The Harriers won the infamous Tom Nohilly Trophy, the Following year Warren Street (with Pitcher Chodnicki) trounced the CPTC team, I believe the score was 28 to 1 for the first half… in fact so badly were CPTC beaten that one prominent member of the club said, "Next year we will not have a rematch - frankly this was a waste of time, it was not even a game." The interesting thing about this year is that the teams may be evenly matched on the roads in the real competition. As for Softball I have no idea…. Steven Paddock, CPTC’s bright new star from Blighty warns, "This year I know the rules!" Referring to a technicality that removed him from the game last year, something to do with being tagged with a footfault.
My wingman days are back- have been summoned to have breakfast on sat. to check out a guy for my friend while he asks him out (and me hoping it goes well or could be a little awkward). Tough to wing between 2 guys...but think you mentioned something about directional change?
Since you are the W.C. expert- what's your take on all the top teams getting knocked out..." yes, well, my expertise says Brazil V Germany final, my heart says England Vs South Korea….. By then Arturo Barrios took this record with him to Mexico. So what could be greater for Haile than to break this record on his Dutch-home-t
From Dorian,
"Hi Urbanites,
To all those interested in the Orange:
30th CENTRAL PARK TRACK CLUB ANNIVERSARY PARTY! The Central Park Track Club's 30th Anniversary Party and Awards Dinner will be held Saturday night, November 16th (note new date), at the beautiful Saint Peter's Church at Citicorp Center in midtown Manhattan. Invitations will be sent to all current and many former club members. This gala event will combine our annual awards feat with a celebration of our illustrious and rollicking history. And of course, great food and drink and dancing. Our 20th anniversary was held at Saint Peter's, and all who attended will recall the elegant and festive atmosphere. Come and party with teammates new and old and experience all that is special about the CPTC.
Whatever next? Is it true? Argentina beats the USA millionaires 87-80 in the world basketball championships, thus ending the NBA Dream Team's 58 game winning streak. Thanks to Sir Roland for that snippet. In fact the US lost twice, and now are out of the home court comp!
"Obviously it's embarrassing, on our home turf. We have to walk away from it as a learning experience,'' U.S. guard Andre Miller said.
Snapping out of an inside seam the hunt continues on the East Side of Manhattan for the information that many believe will unearth the true means that a certain former CID agent detects the seemingly undetectable.
News from over the pond:
"To celebrate the 25th anniversary of athletics’ oldest world record, an attack on it is being planned. One of the first men to enlist is the record holder himself – and a search is on for sponsors to bring in the best rivals from around the World.
Donald RITCHIE set the World 100 Mile Record of 11 hours, 30 minutes and 51 seconds on the tartan track of the Crystal Palace on 15 October 1977, during a 24 hour time trial. Now the Road Runners Club, of which Ritchie is president, has booked the same stadium for 20 October this year – and William Hill, the bookmakers, have offered a "Ton Up" £5,000 reward to anyone who sets a new men’s World 100 mile record at this race.
The likeliest record breaker is Yiannis KOUROS (Greece), currently the world’s greatest ultradistance athlete, who on 18 August ran 96.167 miles in a 12 hours time trial at Mexico City. Because of the high altitude of that venue, this suggests Kouros is within striking distance of Ritchie’s record when racing at sea level. Kouros has expressed interest in competing at the Crystal Palace."
M800m 1 Bungei Wilfred KEN 1:44.62 2 Yiampoy William KEN 1:44.75 3 Bucher André SUI 1:45.20
M1500m
1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:30.00 2 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:32.91 3 Rotich Laban KEN 3:33.81
M5000m 1 Kipkosgei Luke KEN 13:10.41 2 Limo Benjamin KEN 13:10.77 3 Lebid Sergiy UKR 13:10.78 4 Bett Mark KEN 13:11.10 5 Abate Abiyote ETH 13:11.80 6 Mezgebu Assefa ETH 13:11.87 7 Gebremariam Gebre-egziabher ETH 13:12.14 8 Chepkurui Albert KEN 13:12.22 4 9 Kipchoge Eliud KEN 13:13.03 10 Maase Kamiel NED 13:13.06 11 Baumann Dieter GER 13:13.39
A close race! Kamiel continues to impress!
W1500m 1 Ayhan Süreyya TUR 3:58.43 12 2 Favor Hamilton Suzy USA 3:59.40 10 3 Turova Alesya BLR 4:01.97 (#13 Regina Jacobs 4:08)
W5000m 1 Adere Berhane ETH 14:41.43 2 Kidane Werknesh ETH 14:43.53 3 Johnson Benita AUS 14:47.60
And the gold goes to… all the superstars that don’t really need it - Marion, Ana, Felix, & El G get to share $$$$$ of the shiny stuff.
"This is a wonderful idea. You can count on the Merms to participate...Joan" we hear from the Mercury Masters talking about the 09/11 run. Remember The Engineers Gate at 7 PM for a group friendship run.
from Century,
"Learned something new today,
Dunkin' Donuts Box of coffee, dozen donuts, $15.00
Starbucks, Box of coffee $15.00
Which is the better deal?
I say Starbucks since you get better coffee, plus you don't eat all those donuts! (I failed to mention that we buy 2 dozen bagels since that might sway your decision)."
Out & About dining with Minnesota - Salmon was the taste of the day, and Sterling was the wine choice - highly recommended from the California Vineyards. Minnesota is off to the Cayman Isles at the foot of next month the lucky thing - posing the Q, when is she going back to Minnesota?
Eldo Lise, "a friend of mine is back in town and was over last night- she has been producing the series "Kink" over the last year (airs on Bravo)..did 12 shows in Vancouver- filmed in Toronto this summer- all about the underground kinky sex community....and I get to hear all the good stories behind the scenes...from your mini van couple in the 'burb partner swapping to hard core fetish parties....all very, very interesting. The brit ex-pat community in Naivasha still have key parties...and after spending a few weekends with some of them- not surprising at all..but then that's just b/w you and me....oh all this so very important trivia!" Thanks Lise!
Seen riding through the park on a bike that looked like a stealth cruise missile was Tristar… one of her stable of such steeds.
And back to Eldo Lise, talking parties, "My friend told me his father's russian remedy for a hangover was whole canned tomatoes with pepper on them- could you just imagine....
but then running 20 miles (they did call you crazy white guy in Eldo).....I'll stick to my gatorade remedy. Didn't run in NYC -just bladed in the park instead- but I'll have to say that was a bad hangover day to remember- unfortunately the fence was too far from the road to bounce off that day!"
Don’t understand the current Apple Mac ads on the TV, I mean are they saying that if you are stupid and can not use windows then apple ifs the machine for you? I much prefer the John McEnroe Heineken Ads!
Coincidence or?? ALL four jackpot winners are sponsored by NIKE in the IAAF Golden League.
Now we begin a new feature!
Sprint Talk - Quick stuff, so quick this is the first and last of it!
The gossip is that the Brit again beat Mo’ Greene, and the press wrote, "Even after two weeks of doing nothing more strenuous than "sleeping, eating burgers and going out" Chambers still had far too much fire power for the Olympic champion and world record holder as he beat him for the fifth time in six meetings this season. He overcame the worst start of the eight runners to win easily in 10.02sec from the American Coby Miller in 10.07 on a track not conducive to fast times.
The European champion had not stepped on a track since his victory at Crystal Palace 14 days earlier because of a cold. "I needed the rest because I wanted to make sure I was physically and mentally ready for the big races," he said.
Greene's litany of excuses continued - this time it was too much weight training during July." Let’s not forget that Greene is still the World Record Holder, and the Olympic Champion. Until someone takes at least one of those two titles away from Greene (oh yes he has the World Champs title too!) then I think it is time to be quiet. Nobody can be #1 in the World on every day since 1997*!! Can they?
Footnote; Greene won the World’s for the first time in ‘97
And of course our page would not be complete without an update from Amsterdam - Our Fav City in Northern Central Europe. Michiel says, "Returned to the famous soccer club AJAX last week is Finland's Jari Litmanen. After the speculations this was applauded by everybody in great Amsterdam. In his generation he is one of THE most popular players in Amsterdam.
Cycling: Spain's ONCE-Eroski fulfilled their role as favosrites in the opening team time trial of the Tour of Spain, with team leader Joseba Beloki crossing the finish line at the head of his team. ONCE completed the 24.6km time trial in a time of 26min 21secs to beat the US Postal team into second by 14 seconds.
Tillburg 10-km Susan Chepkemei Kenia (15:19) 31:11 #2 Lornah Kiplagat Kenia (15:19) 31:16 & #3 Christina Pomacu Roemenië (16:29) 33:02
men’s 10-mile version of the same race, #1 Wilson Kigen Kenia 46:32 #2 Rodgers Rop Kenia 46:37 &
#3 Eliud Kurgat Kenia 47:01
World record for Sonia! Ireland’s Sonia O'Sullivan who is preparing for the Great North Run Half Marathon in Newcastle on 6 October, decimated the World best for 10 Miles when
winning in 51 minutes flat the BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth, England., faster by 16 seconds than the previous best set by Colleen Deruck in Washington’s Cherry Blossom race four years ago.
RIETI RESULTS M1500m 1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:26.96 2 Shabunin Vyacheslav RUS 3:34.63 3 Rono Robert KEN 3:34.63 - a sizzler!
M3000m 1 Ivuti Patrick KEN 7:38.69 2 Kwalia James KEN 7:38.86 3 Kosgei Joseph KEN 7:39.38
M800m 1 Kipketer Wilson DEN 1:42.32 2 Bungei Wilfred KEN 1:42.34 3 Yiampoy William KEN 1:42.91 4 Kimutai Japheth KEN 1:43.15 5 Baala Mehdi FRA 1:43.15
W1500m 1 Favor Hamilton Suzy USA 3:59.43 2 Sacramento Carla POR 4:02.28 3 Gorelova Natalya RUS 4:02.94 4 Lishchynska Iryna UKR 4:03.78 5 Maranga Jackline KEN 4:04.05 6 Schwald Sarah USA 4:05.12
Important Reminder - The NYRR race, Broadway to Broadway, has been canceled. I have received two emails this morning asking about 'start times,' there will not be one! Go for coffee & bagels instead.
09/06
Down on the track; Team Harriers won the relay.. however in the running, and in da mix was a great effort from all the participants - Can you imagine Coffee Kevin even ran the bonus? Leola & Herb the Verb were zipping round, Becky & Amex Lee (just to confuse the usual Becky-lee scenario, Cre n’ Cruiser kept it on the ball, 100-man was pounding out with Amex Chris against The Queen of the Harriers and Andrew L, Conor was running solo but keeping the clip as was Paul C, LQD came back to the track(!), The Boss was running with Partime (yes, she showed) and Cara - running smooth, Seth & Julie(a?) were burning the lanes, Barry and Amber too, Lee & Randy… Man too many hard working souls, Bob.. the list rolls on. Great Job, and a superb effort - The relays were a success in the fact that everyone looked zapped afterwards! We welcome Tamar, and hope next time she’ll run with us.
Tempo run in the park… a good old year ago these used to be at 5-min to 5:10 mile pace… however with the sinking economy (Ed’s note; "This guy could fill a canal with excuses.") we are now happy with running somewhat of a more, let’s say, conversational pace.
From our Puerto Rican mailbag:
La Tobina... Are you alive chebyebye???
We're running!!! I've lost 27 pounds.. Now we're up to 10 min warm ups / 5 running 1 rest x 5times / 10 cool down.. all courtesy of Simba.. (She is the trainer with Pieter) I did 6km Monday and 5 Wednesday!!! I'm super happy!!!! the group has grown to over 150 people that have joined us! I'm so into it that I'm beginning to consider sports medicine as a career!.. You know, cardiac shifts, hemoglobin dissociation changes when you run.... and yes Lactic acid... here's a link to the webpage from our "Operacion 1427" which is actually the total pounds we weighed in together, the 6 of us.... any way don't be a stranger!!!!!! also a picture of me during warm up!!!!" http://www.primerahora.com/especial/operacion/
Announced in the press today - Lornah Kiplagat, aka The Simba, will run New York Marathon. You see we can keep secrets! Obviously having Pieter & Lornah as good friends allows us to privy info but we do not follow the line of most journalist web sites and jump on the ‘you heard it first’ band wagon. What would be gossip would be the real Tobyspage - this stuff on da site is defo ‘b-rated’ to learn more catch me at a starbucks….
It was also announced Chepkemei will be running too. Susan told me this in January. Her quote, "This year I am going to NY to win. Last year I had (womanly issues)…. Blah blah, But this year will be different." My money is on the Simba. Toby’s predictions will be announced when the male name I’m tipping is released to the press! What to do what to do.
Many people have emailed in to ask about what the drug Boulami is accused of using is. On this web site we hate drug users, and wish they’d all drop dea.. (well out of the competition). Here is The Scoop on EPO
What is it?
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone naturally produced by the kidneys.
However, this hormone can be artificially produced to improve the performance of, for example, athletes or cyclists by injection.
Why would athletes do this?
Its overall effect is to increase endurance and, in athletics, it is used mainly by long distance-runners.
It is injected under the skin and stimulates red blood cell production.
The more red cells there are in your body, the more oxygen that can be delivered to the muscles.
This delays the onset of fatigue, meaning an athlete can run harder and for longer.
How effective is this drug?
Tests in Australia have shown that improvements in an athlete's performance over four weeks would match those expected over several years.
Is its use detectable?
It cannot be traced by conventional drug testing.
New methods have been developed in France where the results of blood sample analysis and urine analysis are compared.
These techniques were introduced ahead of the Sydney Olympics last year, although no positive tests were announced.
The blood test will show if there is an unusual reading of blood cells.
The following urine test will then be able to highlight any difference between the EPO levels produced naturally and synthetically.
Knowing they will be tested, won't athletes just simply stop using it ahead of a competition?
The results will be positive if an athlete has taken it within five to seven days.
However, for the drug to be effective, an athlete would need to take it within five to seven days of running.
Is taking the drug dangerous?
Injecting the drug will thicken the blood. If it is over-used the blood will become so thick, there is a real danger of the heart stopping when the body slows down, for example, when falling asleep.
Increasing the likelihood of suffering blood clots, heart attacks and strokes is a real possibility.
To end today’s page (thus skip at will) we have the lyrics of a great Bob Song:
Make You Feel My Love.
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
And there is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you fell my love
And I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
There's not doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothin' like me yet
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love
Fyrirspurn þín verður afgreidd eins fljótt og auðið er. To any inquiries!
09/05
Lornah Kiplagat & Running Team News updated.
Spotted in the park, not strange, but on the Bridle path, very odd, was Da Boss! Is he getting into filley’s?
A nice letter from Christa, also useful to those thinking about focus races for next year:
Dear Toby, Praise: I always enjoy reading "Toby's World" and have developed a habit of checking it regularly. Thanks for all of the great information.
We read on the NYRR bulletin board that a CPTC member is renting out an apartment for the NYC marathon - $200 per night for a 3 night minimum. If you are interested then check it out.
The 2002 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon has reached its registration cap of 37,500, matching last year's record totals, and registration is now closed for the October 13 race.
Janne Holmen, the hot media name before winning the European Championships, "at a pre-championship press conference only three journalists came to talk to me!"
Mombassa Marathon, Apparently chosen by the KAAA for the selection race for the Paris World Champs! Really? We’ll see!
OZ running: OLYMPIAN Lee Troop put in a dominant performance to win the Victorian eight-kilometer cross-country title at Ballarat University on Saturday.
Brit news: UK Athletics Performance Director Max Jones said: "To qualify for the World Cup is an achievement in itself and establishes us as one of the major athletics nations in the World.
"One has to be realistic when looking at the potential placing of the Norwich Union GB Team as we will be competing against continents, not just nations.
"We will hope for some outstanding individual results and a placing which reflects our current strength in Europe."
R2; "8th overall -- 1st masters woman at the XC. Yeehar!" Our congrats to you! Awesome.
From Andrew Goldfarb, "PS -- I had not seen your site before. I like it." And thanks to him for his interest in giving some old shoes to the shoe4africa.
Random mailbag: An email from Mr. Z, "Toby:
I thought you said that we could bring in our old running shoes to Niketown, AND GET 1 more
punch on the old card. I need 1 more punch to get that $25.00 off, so I
brought in my old shoes and the guy at the information booth looked at me as
if I were speaking Esperanto!
On a further note we have had lots of positive feedback on the 09/11 training run - it looks like the park is gonna be full.
And whilst on da topic, over to Eldo Lise, "...and what is the "right" shoe size these days?
Just got a new pair of running shoes this morning (not Nike this time!)- hate going thru the process...just wish they would keep the same style, color etc- but then like the sales guy said- what would the marketing people do...didn't tell him I used to be one of those mktg people! Anyways, off to try them out." Thanks Lise.
Out & About - I had a nice running talk with ML last night - a super group of positive runners who’ll be striding out in the AHA run on Wall St in a couple of weeks. Of course The Queen of the Harriers leads that troop… one thing you usually find in running is a nice set of people!
Email update - another club, and yet another, confirms to participate on the friendship training run.
Excellent news from John P down South, "even my five-month-old son took my advice and voted for you!" that’s what I like to hear!
09/04
A certain financial company in New York will be listening to our intrepid reporter tonight as he gives a talk. ("What?? I’m selling all my stocks!" Ed’s note).
Next week, on September 11th, we were thinking it would be great if all the NYC runners met at the Engineers Gate and ran united… not in competition but in friendship. 7 PM - There is the big NIKE race on the weekend, 14th, but I thought just for the runners who want to reflect over a few shared miles. An open invitation to everyone.
Down on the track - The big question is what does Sir Roland hide in his shoe fob? It was something lumpy (Ed’s note; "It did not slow him down, I saw him sprint past you on a 200!"). Answers on a postcard to the usual address… The Boss, known now as The King of Norwalk, was on da track, Kavan told us, "I killed him running some 1200’s…" We note that Kavan was not wearing his baggy windmill shorts tonight… Herb-The -Verb was down doing community service clearing toddlers off the tartan… The Queen of the Harriers & PonyTail Ted were also working on working up da pace…. CPTC was down in force - Margaret The Angell which reminds me to announce for her ALS team we will be awarding one of the group with a NYC Marathon signed T-Shirt from the Marathon winners - this exclusive is priceless… How can you jump in on the deal? There are 2 requirements - First and foremost, you must donate some money to the ALS charity (talk to Margaret to find out how), and secondly you must be the closest to guess the female winning time of the 2002 NYC Marathon. The odds are good as this is a small group!
We were happy to see George Hirsh down on the track training, he is off to China next week…. George travels seemingly nonstop around the world and is the leading force in Running literature - without him there’d have been no Runner’s World!
Adriana Fernandez, da winner of the RnR, will be a hot fav for the Berlin Marathon at the end of this month. Takahashi was lamenting her ‘lack of last year’s form.’
One of our reader’s lifes, she sounds like she is having a ball!
"i just arrived back this morning from VA, going to the US Open today and off to the Cape tomorrow or early Thursday until Sunday. unemployment is difficult, i know!"
And furthermore here’s the news from my Rackajack buddy Mich, "Ok..I clicked on your WebPage an hour ago and now I know all about Starbucks, Sonia and the Spaghetti in his Puma...
Why didn't you come to Reykjavik the paradise city?? uhmm... I were waiting for yaw!
I'm still a housewife who feels so good about herself if she actually walks to playschool to pick up her sticky sons! Goodness I feel just so ... blugh! after reading about 5.45am training times... puke! puke!.. must go and have another ciggy.." Mich is da coolest thing that happened to Rackajack since the Beatles invented harmony pop. She hails from the U.K. grew up in Singapore, married a rock star… and now lives within a bjork of Bliss in Reykjavik 101.
"I've run 10,000 before at altitude in Nairobi, but this was my first serious race at the distance. I wasn't surprised by the time though. After all, I am the world record holder on the roads," commented Sammy Kipketer after becoming the fifth fastest ever man at the distance.
New Haven, Conn., New Haven Road Race 20-K/U.S. Men's and Women's Championships: Men - 1. Dan Browne, OR, 59:20; 2. Kyle Baker, MI, 59:21; 3. Jim Jurcevich, OH, 1:00:53. M40 - Dennis Simonaitis, UT, 1:05:20. Women - 1. Colleen De Reuck, CO, 1:07:53; 2. Libby Hickman, CO, 1:09:02; 3. Milena Glusac, CA, 1:09:57. W40 - Linda Somers Smith, CA, 1:12:39 AMR. - Great for Dan who is looking for the full distance in the Twin Cities, a name for the future… and coached by Salazar no less! Colleen ran well too, bodes well for her Marathon!
Da faces in the crowd - 67 MARSALESE STEPHEN NEW YORK NY 37 M3039 0:35:31 1:12:35.8 1:12:35.8
43 SWIFT STEPHEN CROMWELL CT 31 M3039 0:32:42 1:08:44.8 1:08:44.8
82 PINGITORE RICK WESTFIELD NJ 44 M4044 0:35:46 1:13:41.3 1:13:41.3
91 NIEMCZAK ANTONI ALBURQUERQUE NM 46 M4549 0:36:20 1:14:13.3 1:14:13.3
146 FREDERICKS AMY STAMFORD CT 36 F3039 0:38:05 1:18:21.6 1:18:21.6
231 COWDEN PATRICK NYC NY 45 M4549 0:41:26 1:23:10.9 1:23:04.1
324 PETERSON TED NEW YORK CITY NY 46 M4549 0:42:53 1:26:30.4 1:26:18.8 - In there we have the Prez of the Harriers, PonyTail Ted, the prez of NJM, an ex-Urbanite, a zippy Stamford gal, a guy who has failed more drugs tests than any other 2:09 marathoners I know, and a Team-Hellebuyck runner who ran in the World’s for Team USA a couple of years ago… All in a cup of soup.
Henry Isola Cross Country, Sept. 1: Harriers shone in da rain: Art Gunther first overall, John Marron second, Douglas Hegley ninth
and first master. Good job guys!
Lunch at Pick-a-bagel with Buffalo who will be locking horns at the Atlanta Marathon this thanksgiving, then hopefully he’ll be on the Boston bound Urban bus… and speaking of which… YES we do believe the store will be open on the 16th of September following the 14th 09/11 race. I am trying to persuade the Boss to throw an opening party for loyal customers, and the running team as well.
Hash House Harriers - HOPS - 'Good Times Never Seemed So Good"
Thursday - September 5th, 2002
3pm till there be a floodie, floodie
@ Reade Street Pub.
Padua Meet 800’s 800 - 1. Mardea Hyman, Jamaica, 2:01.60. 2. Janeth Jepkosgei, Kenya, 2:01.78. 3. Judit Varga, Hungary, 2:02.03. And
800 - 1. Japheth Kimutai, Kenya, 1:46.33. 2. Kirwa Wilson, "Finland via Kenya" 1:46.67. 3. Alex Kipchirchir, Kenya, 1:46.71.
The Park Forest 10-miler had a top ten clean sweep for the men, with all the Kenyan women taking 100% of the top five! A minute and a half after the Kenyans came an American girl to collect $600 - no such luck for any American men - prize money stretched to the top 10, and in 10th trailing the winner by OVER 6-minutes another American girl scooped $200……
DUTCH NEWS: "Dutchies Greg van Hest and Luc Krotwaar have been contracted for the Amsterdam marathon on October 20th. The objective is go out and set a new Dutch record, which is still held by Gerard Nijboer for 22 years already in 2.09.01. Nijboer was the winner of the marathon at the EChamps 1982 and 2nd in marathon in Moscow 1980. The news was announced today in a press conference.
08/03
Congrats to Lornah Kiplagat & Pieter Langerhorst. Last Friday they were wed in Holland!
Sonia O’Sullivan missed the World 5km best by just two seconds after once again producing her fearsome sprint finish to win the Flora Light Challenge for Women in a time of 14:56, for 5K on the roads in London's Hyde Park. 1 Sonia O’Sullivan (IRL) 14:56
2 Benita Johnson (AUS) 14:59
3 Marta Dominguez (ESP) 15:11
4 Susie Power (AUS) 15:15
5 Joyce Chepchumba (KEN) 15:24
6 Tegla Loroupe (KEN) 15:26
Swedish Women’s race - Anders Szalkai’s sambo comes in #7
Resultat Tjejmilen:
1) Janet Ongera, Kenya, 33.22
2) Gunhild Haugen, Norge, 33.38
3) Malin Öhrn, Växjö, 34.34
4) Marie Söderström-Lundberg, Hässelby, 34.38
5) Lena Gavelin, Jamtrennarna, 34.53
6) Helene Willix, Spårvägen, 35.20
7) Annika Nyberger, Spårvägen, 35.37
Rock N Roll - Thanks Sir Roland!
Rock N Roll ½ Marathon: MEN
1. Paul Tergat, 33, Kenya, 1:01:59* $12,000
2. James Koskei, 33, Kenya, 1:02:07 $7,000
3. Ben Kumatai-Kosgei, 31, Kenya, 1:02:10 $5,000
4. Stephen Kiogora, 27, Kenya, 1:02:24 $3,000
5. Gilbert Koech, 22, Kenya, 1:02:29 $2,000
6. John Kagwe, 33, Kenya, 1:02:36 $1,500
7. Japhet Kosgei, 34, Kenya, 1:03:00 $1,000
8. Mbarak Hussein, 37, Kenya, 1:03:36 $750
9. Fred Kiprop, 28, Kenya, 1:03:36 $600
10. Marco Gielen, 32, Netherlands, 1:03:48 $500
* Course record. Tergat’s first ever on US soil….
Speaking of records…. 12 bagels for lunch yesterday (well it was Labor Day)…. And two tubs of Philly Cream Cheese.
WOMEN
1. Adriana Fernandez, 31, Mexico, 1:10:21 $12,000
2. Tatyana Khmeleva, 23, Russia, 1:11:25 $7,000
3. Nuta Olaru, 32, Romania, 1:11:49 $5,000
4. Margaret Atodonyang, 24, Kenya, 1:12:03 $3,000
5. Deena Drossin, 29, USA/CA, 1:12:32 $2,000
6. Pamela Chepchumba, 24, Kenya, 1:13:02 $1,500
7. Elana Meyer, 35, South Africa, 1:13:10 $1,000
8. Sylvia Mosqueda, 36, USA/CA, 1:13:28 $750
9. Alice Chelangat, 25, Kenya, 1:13:48 $600
10. Luminita Talpos, 29, Romania, 1:14:13 $500
ALS - You can make a difference! Yes, YOU!
"I have no rivals at the moment, so I have to try and do it virtually all on my own, but I am confident I'm capable of breaking the record," said El Guerrouj. Won again, see below, but did not get the record.
Gordon Bakoulis, 41, has been named to the newly created position of editor of the New York Road Runners. Big congrats to Zoomalong, and more of her below as she continues to impress ALL with her sublime NYC running.
08 may refer to the passing month here in the USA, but for Swedes it simply means somebody who lives in Stockholm. No kidding, today’s trivia!
Evelyn’s wedding photo - At Last!
Haile Gebrselassie will almost certainly not run a fall marathon because of a persistent calf problem hampering his training.
Eldo Lise gives us the quote this week, "here's the quote of the day: out for breakfast with a friend...need an extra chair so she asks the guy at the table next to us (who is clearly alone) if we can have his chair..he says " no- it will wreck the setting"...uh-huh..."
Mary Spera, "I voted for you! You rock!" Thanks Mary, you’re da best!
Camp Kenya responds to the EPO news:
"We are simply faced by abnormal competition," said Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman Isaiah Kiplagat.
"If the 'B' sample proves positive, then the IAAF will not recognise his record and this gives Kenyans the challenge to try to break his old record and all other distance marks," added Kiplagat who is also a council member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
"Personally I am in shock," said AK secretary David Okeyo from Kisumu.
"But I have always had my reservations about Boulami's performance in the steeplechase in the last two years. Our athletes are certainly the pillar of the sport. Their purity cannot be doubted. This also puts to rest fears that our boys are in decline."
"Running is a lot like life. Only 10 percent of it is exciting. 90 percent of it is slog and drudge."
- Dave Bedford, English distance runner who occasionally put in 200 miles a week in training.
Ivo Van Damme Meeting leading results:
10,000m:
1 Kipketer Sammy KEN 26:49.38 2 Mezgebu Assefa ETH 26:49.90 3 Limo Richard KEN 26:50.20 4 Chepkurui Albert KEN 26:50.67 5 Korir John Cheruiyot KEN 26:52.87 6 Ivuti Patrick KEN 27:05.88 7 Yuda John TAN 27:06.17 (Tanzanian record for John Yuda (27:06.17), with a Dutch record of 27:26.29 for Kamiel Masse. PR’s for the top 5). An outstanding 10 again at Brussels, the Euro home of the distance classic event.
M3000m:
1 Goumri Abderrahim MAR 7:35.77 12 2 Chebii Abraham KEN 7:36.58 10 3 Kipkosgei Luke KEN 7:37.05
MST:
1 Kemboi Ezekiel KEN 8:06.65 2 Martín Luis Miguel ESP 8:07.44 3 Koech Paul KEN 8:11.79 4 Boit Kipketer Wilson KEN 8:12.31
M800:
1 Kipketer Wilson DEN 1:42.74 2 Yiampoy William KEN 1:43.36 3 Mutua Joseph KEN 1:43.81 4 Krummenacker David USA 1:43.92 5 Bucher André SUI 1:43.93 6 Saïd-Guerni Djabir ALG 1:44.11 7 Borzakovskiy Yuriy RUS 1:44.16 8 Schumann Nils GER 1:44.20
M1500:
1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:29.95 12 2 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:30.39 10 3 Rono Robert KEN 3:30.99
W100M & 200M - double!
1 Jones Marion USA 10.88 12 2 Pintusevich-Block Zhanna UKR 10.90
1 Jones Marion USA 22.11 2 Pintusevich-Block Zhanna UKR 22.24
W1000m:
1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 2:30.12 2 Cummins Diane CAN 2:34.14
W1500M:
1 Ayhan Süreyya TUR 3:57.75 12 2 Turova Alesya BLR 4:00.76 10 3 Jacobs Regina USA 4:01.06 9 4 Sacramento Carla POR 4:01.35 8 5 Favor Hamilton Suzy USA 4:03.01
W3000M:
1 Adere Berhane ETH 8:26.14 12 2 Szabo Gabriela ROM 8:26.15 10 3 Tomashova Tatyana RUS 8:27.18 9 4 Pavey Joanne GBR 8:31.27
European champions Real Madrid won the European Super Cup for the first time on Friday beating UEFA Cup holders Feyenoord 3-1 with a superb display of attacking football.
Pasted from the CPTC site: "NOT SO FAMOUS SAYING: Well, we will make sure that this one does not make it to the permanent archives: "Hi, I want to tell you how much I enjoy reading some of your stuff again, especially the workout reports and the food reviews, because they remind me of how retarded you can be. That was a compliment, in case you don't get it." Well, buddy, you have a nice day too!"
From Michiel, "Can you imagine that you run a very fast National Record in 27.26.29 and that you are still coming in 10th place following 9 africans. That's what Dutch Kamiel Maase experienced last night at the Ivo van Damme Memorial in Brussels.
Out & About at the liberty 10km - Firstly let me say I was super impressed when coming face to face with Alberto Salazar he says, "I know you - train hard, race easy guy!" Ha ha, he must’ve seen da race! Although the train hard bit is somewhat misplaced by run lots… my second week of over 100-miles and the legs are showing it!
Once upon a time 100 was a flash in the pan, but these days the miles leave me not able to climb the three flights to my apartment - I am currently sleeping in the street.
DoolePip: A couple who said "I do'' 83 years ago have been officially recognized as the world's oldest living married couple.
William and Claudia Lillian Ritchie, who got married on April 12, 1919 in Jeffersonville, Ind., received a certificate from Guinness World Records on Tuesday.
Michael Schumacher has become the first man in history to score 10 GP wins in a season after a stunning display at Spa, which saw him take a record sixth Belgian victory. Schumacher led home Rubens Barrichello for a Ferrari one-two, bringing the team a record 50th consecutive podium result. Juan Pablo Montoya finished a distant third for Williams, almost 20 seconds down on the race winner.
Out & About - H&H bagels (again!) and the waistline is showing it… with a dab of the starbucks. Now why does starbucks call the small cup a tall? Go figure! Vuitton drinks the dry.. but it is wet, go figure take two!
"He [Brahim Boulami] has disgraced Morocco. I'm very disappointed as he has tarnished the reputation of Moroccan athletics that we've had from Khalid Skah [1992 Olympic 10,000m champion] to myself"
-World 1500m record holder Hicham El Guerrouj on fellow Moroccan Brahim Boulami who was busted for EPO.
Campaign to clear drug use results - Olympics 5000m
1 - G Ethiopia Millon Wolde 13:35.49 2 - S Algeria Ali Saidi-Sief 13:36.20 (Busted) 3 - B Morocco Brahim Lahlafi 13:36.47 4 Ethiopia Fita Bayissa 13:37.03 Award Fita the bronze, and Brahim the Silver.
News form Fiona of The Urbanoso Club;
"I made it to the World Championships! A million thanks to the varied support each of you contributed. I raced faster this Saturday 8/31, at altitude and on a harder course, than I did in NYC two weeks ago, and I squeaked onto Team USA! This is only my second triathlon this season and I haven’t peaked yet (being "race-sharp" requires more racing), so it’s more than a thrill for me. But again, along with the thrill is the gratitude to you guys. Enough cannot be said for having other people "on board," as they say.
08/31-09/02 - HAPPY LABOR DAY Holiday week end. Have a great 'time-out' and check back on Tuesday for Bumper News!
08/31
technical reasons; some mail sent to toby@tanser.org is not being transmitted right now - please use tobytanser@aol.com if you are experiencing any probbos. Thanks - have a great holiday weekend!
08/30
America's SOS - Save our Baseball players, they need to go on strike 'cos they're starving!
Evelyn’s wedding photo is missing! It won’t download for some reason. Too bad as it is a cracker - An Urban Wedding! She looks simply smashing, a huge congratulations from all at Urban!
Surprise surprise - Steeplechase Record Holder Tests Positive for EPO… the record should be withdrawn from the books.
Who did not see this one coming? The only real surprise was how long he managed to run undetected.
Brahim Boulami, who lowered his ‘own’ (tainted?) world record in the steeplechase two weeks ago, tested positive for EPO on August 15. The "A" sample involved was tested at the IAAF accredited laboratory in Lausanne. Both blood and urine samples were taken. Remember Ali? The Olympic Silver medalist?
1,000 - 1, Jolanda Ceplak, Slovenia, 2:31.66. 2, Faith Macharia, Kenya, 2:37.67. 3, Janeth Jepkosgei, Kenya, 2:37.98. And that was the best result of Wed’s Italian meet.
Here’s a picture of our Amsterdam Reporter - Michiel.
In 1994 in the Kanonloppet, 20km Cross Country race in Aland ‘Wally Kelly’ placed fifth. ‘Wally’ was an Australian steeplechase runner of national level. What was his real name, and why was he running under a pseudo name. No points for guessing who entered him as Wally Kelly, and who made up that pseudo name!
Jolanda Ceplak and Kelly Holmes the 800 meters gold and bronze medalists will appear head-to-head for the first time since the European Championships in the BUPA Great North Mile on October 5. Holmes made some rather accusing comments directed at Ceplak concerning chemistry and performance.
Shoe take from John Prather
"The Mariah was a great shoe... for about five races. The midsole broke down too quickly. I'm partial to the new Fila Racer, the red one with the one-piece upper.
More good news on Paula’s fight for a drug free ‘runningworld’ - read Paula is 110% clean and has been since the birth of her long career (note no cancer, bad skin, mysterious illnesses, yellow eyeballs…)
"Paula Radcliffe, winner of two major championship gold medals this summer, has reacted to innuendo that illicit drugs aided her performances.
Radcliffe, who broke her 5,000 meters Commonwealth record in Manchester then ran the world's second-fastest 10,000 meters in Munich, said: "I was disappointed and saddened by whispers that others believed I was using drugs. I was deeply hurt and offended to read an article in L'Equipe casting doubt on my achievements.
Smokin’ J’
"did a 120 mile ride on Sunday up and over Bear mountain - only part of me that’s sore is my butt - sorry arse I 'm not an American! It'll be 67 days without smoking this Sunday - unfortunately other than the CC also 67 days without running!"
IAAF NEWS: This Friday night,
Boulami returns to the King Baudouin Stadium and after reducing his Steeple World Record to 7:53.17 in Zurich a fortnight ago, he is "intent on going even faster" in Brussels.
Watch out for the war; a duel between El Guerrouj and Kenya’s Bernard Lagat.
A quality 10,000m is always run in Brussels. It will be a largely Kenyan show in which 5000m specialists World Champion Richard Limo and Commonwealth gold medalist Sammy Kipketer take on the 25 lap experience of World 10,000m Champion Charles Kamathi, Paul Kosgei and John Korir - should be a great race, check it out on ESPN.
For our international readers here is the scoop on the Stockholm Women’s race this Sunday. The article talks about the fav for the race, Gunhild Haugen of Norway, and… chansen (the chance) att ta (to take) sin andra seger (another win) i Tjejmilen (in the women’s 10-km).
Den 30-åriga norskan är den mest meriterade 10 000-meterslöparen bland
de drygt 23 000 som är anmälda till landets största idrottstävling för
kvinnor.
- Jag är mycket nöjd med insatsen i EM, kommenterar Gunhild, som bestämt
sig för att sluta tävla på elitnivå efter den här säsongen.
Gunhild Haugen, som då hette Halle i efternamn, vann Tjejmilen 1993.
On the track last night: Cold, freezin’ 64-degrees… after days in the 90’s it felt like Igloo City!
We had the Airhorn session with new member Amy calling the shots. The Boss was talking about doing the double this weekend - The Liberty 10km and the VCP XC race.. strangely enough a few hours earlier at Starbucks Steve P was talking about doing exactly the same thing!
08/29
Chris Bilsky and Husband Mark - big helpers in the Shoe4Africa project - THANK you!
Dressed all in red, at 06:30 yesterday morning running in da park was Da Boss - going zippy too…. His diet? "No carbs."
The absolutely awesome field put together for this weekend’s RnR ½!
ELITE ATHLETES - MEN
Runner Nation Age Best Fact/Comment
Shadrack Hoff RSA 26 61:11 1st 01 RNR Half
John Gwako KEN 24 61:00 2nd 01 RNR Half
Paul Tergat KEN 33 59:17 2x Olymp.Silver Med.10,000m, WR in Half Mar.
Paul Kirui KEN 1st 02 Abraham Rosa 10k
Abdelhadi Habassa MAR 26 1st 02 Anthem Fairfield Half
James Koskei KEN 33 Winner of 3 major U.S. road races in 02'
Moses Tanui KEN 36 59:47 2nd 99 & 3rd 00 Chicago Marathon
Brad Hauser USA 25 Debut 2nd U.S. Olympic Trials 5,000m
Christopher Cheboibich KEN 25 60:49 2nd 02 Boston Marathon
Michael Aish NZL 26 Debut 5th 02 Mt. SAC 5,000
Mebrahtom Keflezighi USA 27 Debut 1st 00 Olympic Trials 10,000m
Paul Koech KEN 33 1st 98 World Half, 10,000m
John Korir KEN 26 61:32 1st in 5 major U.S. road races in 01
Philip Tarus KEN 27 60:24 1998-99 Suzuki RNRM Champion
Jaouad Gharib MAR 26 61:41 2nd in 02 World Half Championship
Sammy Korir KEN 30 60:15 3rd 2001 Rotterdam Marathon
John Kagwe KEN 33 61:18 2001 Suzuki RNRM Champion
Peter Chebet KEN 26 N/A 1st 99 San Sebastian
Japhet Kosgei KEN 60:01 1st 00 Tokyo Marathon (2:07:09)
Rachid Zar KEN
Eliud Lagat KEN 26 60:53 1st 00' Boston Marathon
Gilbert Koech KEN 22 63:32(ALT) 1st 01 Pitts. Great Race 10K
Martin Ndegwa KEN 25 64:30(ALT)
Jackson Koech KEN 24 62:07 2nd 01 Coahuila Half Marathon
Josh Cox USA 26 N/A 10th 00 Chicago Marathon
Joseph Kimani KEN 29 60:04 WB 10K 27:04
William Kiptum KEN 31 61:13 2nd 00 Philadelphia Half
Ryan Shay USA 23 2nd 02 NCAA 10,000m Championships
Interesting article from Michiel in A’dam, our Dutch reporter! "Did we talk last week about not starting athletics at age 12 and quiting at age 25 simply because the love for the sport is not there anymore or the dream of becoming one of your counties or even worlds elite has vanished. This probably after years of hard training as a youngster. Here is an another example of an athlete competing very strong. Dutch sprinter Eric Roeske returned home this week from Potsdam, Germany with his pockets full of silver and gold medals. He won these in his category, men over 40 at the European Championchips for Masters. You can name yourself officially a master if you are over 40 for men and over 35 for women. Eric won a silver in the 100 (10.98), and golds in the 200 (22.55) and 400 (47,86 this is also a WR...!!). He started athletics at age 24 and ran a PB of 46.99 at age 36. Talking more about performances of Masters, in Holland people are discussing Dutch Troy Douglas, he is a former Bahamas athlete, breaking all Master world records easily if he will turn 40 this year. He probably doesn't want to think about this himself simply because he is still competing at the elite level at this moment. Doing times like 10.20, 20.50, 45.00. Last year he set Dutch records with 10.09 and 20.19. Douglas is coached by Henk Kraayenhof, an expert in training, nutricion, bio-mechanics etc., gives lectures about these subjects, has been working with soccerclub Juventus, Italy. He has been coaching athletes like Merlene Ottey and Nelli Cooman, the last one is a former WR holder in the 60 dash indoor with 7.00 and a worldchampion several times. I still remember her winning these championchips in the eighties as she ran like a bullet indoors." BIG thanks to Michiel for that!
USA Marathon Championship fields at the 2002 Twin Cities Marathon set for Sunday, September 29.
Twin Cities Marathon will host USA Championships for Open male and female and Masters male and female runners, only the second event in history to do so. Personally I liked the NYC nationals idea the best - this is the format for most countries to have the premier marathon as the championship. Hence one would not have the obvious problem we’ll see this year - last year’s defending champ, Scott Larson, returns to NYC to run… and Marla runs NYC too - would they not medal in a National Championship, hey stop there what about Deena - a firm fav! Therein lies problem #2 - is Chicago or Boston the major, or is NYC? Dumb question - NYC is the mother of ALL marathons, and that is accepted worldwide.
08/28
San Fran and NYC are chosen for the final US olympic cities!!
On the track last night with CPTC: Running smoothly were the club’s super zippy runners, Alayne and Margaret. Alayne becomes the star of the night as she gave me Four Votes! Awesome, and a big, big thank you. For those of you not in the know Alayne was second in the weekend’s TuneUp race… a great post-vacation result! A great result period!
The Queen of the Harriers writes some nice things for the CPTC Vote for Toby page - thanks, she is a diamond!
’Berto Salazar is in town this weekend for the race downtown.
Stephen Ondieki, sans the colors of Westchester, cruised into the finish completing the course in a conservative 1:10:26 in the Dominican Half……
Fanny Gonzalez of the Dominican Republic led the women by almost two minutes in 1:26:20. On the NYC we have 2 top Dominican runners - Sherlock, & Raphael Lunas V.
the U.S. Olympic Committee's site evaluation team will cut the list of American cities hoping to host the 2012 Summer Olympics in half, selecting two finalists from Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The USOC's board of directors will select the ultimate U.S. candidate for 2012 on November 3 - read NYC Marathon day!.
Eldo Lise? Here’s the scoop, "it's a hot one here today...very conducive to power loafing...an art I have mastered this summer...planning a bbq on the beach for dinner is about the extent of activities for the day...how bad is that...I've got to get back to my 10 activities per day in Sept. or my butt just may turn into a couch potato casualty." The life of Riley huh? Loafing I can manage, but power loafing - that sounds Kramer-esque!
We had a mini poll - The Runner’s, no, THE Runner’s shoe of all time - Nike Pegasus, by more than a foot! This shoe is one of the longest running (ho ho) models first hitting the stands in 1981 as a gray shoe with a blue swoosh. It also happens to be the Ed’s fav shoe too. If anyone catches him in the park this September running in any shoe other than the Pego they will be treated to a bottle of very nice red wine (small print - races excluded, though not the warm down jogging - always done in Pego’s!)
Breakfast this morning with David Monti, the race director for the elite field of the NYC Marathon. This year’s event is certainly shaping up to be a cracker, a fab field with some really exciting athletes. Keep tuning in to the NYC marathon web site for more news.
Just in case you missed it on the web:
The Club Team Championships - Together the Teams Unite
by Toby Tanser
On Saturday, August 17--a celebrity watched from the sideline at the race. The world record holder for the men's marathon, Khalid Khannouchi, raised his eyebrows and exclaimed, "Glad I'm not running today!" It was strong testimony to the heat facing runners on that bright, clear day. Khannouchi was born in Meknes, Morocco, under the African sun. He now resides with his wife Sandra in upstate New York in the small town of Ossining, coincidentally the hometown of two-time Club Team Championship defending champion Paul Mwangi.
Many feel the men's team race was cemented before the horn sounded, as one team has shown near-total domination in New York: the Westchester Track Club. Warren Street, with a new line up this year, uncharacteristically failed to get a single runner in the top ten places. Newly drafted Jimmy Lynch, a Dutchman by birth, led the team to the runners-up honors, finishing fifteenth overall.
08/27
What is the Simba up to? For those of you not familiar with The Simba - she won Peachtree in a course record last month, 30:32 for the 10k. Her husband/coach (Starbuck’s) tells us, "She is very focused. Next week she
will run Tilburg but she doesn't taper, nothing, it's just another training
for her. Dam tot Dam on the 22nd of September is more important. She will run
next week with Susan. In Dam tot Dam with Susan and also Adere so that will
be fun." (Chepkemei & Berhane).
And our report from Amsterdam dwells on that race - here’s the scoop from Michiel, "Returning for real on September 8-th after surgery on both L+R achilles is Dutch Greg van Hest. He has been out of serious competition for a full year. Van Hest, since he started winning road races in 1995 is well known for his demon starts in the past. He will be competing against Rodgers Rop (2002 Boston marathon winner) and Wilson Kigen in the Dutch Tilburg Ten Miles. In Holland he is the only one together with Kamiel Maasse and Luc Krotwaar, since he started training on the red dirt roads in Eldoret....!! capable of beating some of the fastest Kenyan athletes. Even more interesting is the very fast line-up for the womens 10K race where Lornah Kiplagat and Susan Chepkemei will be battling it out. These 2 kenyan ladies are the fastest in the world in 1/2M and must be heading for a time well under 31 minutes." THANKS MICHIEL!
The Nike run was a great success last night - a super turn out, and R2’s friend won the shades - many runners went home with free Nike T-shirts, and every one had a ball! Thanks to all who came - but remember next Monday is labor day, so no run! Boo-hoo.
Speaking of running - Do you want to do something for a good cause? I coach the ALS squad for the Marathon, PLEASE if you are running and not raising money for someone then go and run the Marathon (Chicago, New York, Mars..) for these people! I personally promise it will make your run MUCH more satisfying, and give you a triple rush of satisfaction when you cross da line and help those who need it!
Details on the ALS can be found on the ALS link on the home page - www.tanser.org
The good thing about this web site is that it is bank rolled by our intrepid reporter and thus can endorse whatever without a tinge - so when I say, Cingular has a great deal phone package with the carryover minutes I really mean it. (Ed’s note - the guy does not even have a mobile phone, listen to him!)
Wanna read more about Simba & Starbucks? Check out this month’s edition of RUNNING TIMES for an article by Tony Dancer.
Eldo Lise, "Hip concert was awesome- outdoor, on the harbourfront - small venue (which is rare for these guys!) and tons of Canadians from Vancouver had trekked down to see them ...yours truly is a mere 5 feet from the stage all night- close enough to be sweated on by the lead singer. Your canadian friends in NY will no doubt be jealous."
Shocking Splits - I do this run, and it is a series of laps - I keep on hitting the same times per lap. Take today - I run 17:32, 17:32, and 17:30. I was running the last loop (they are on the XC) and I thought I bet it will be 17:32, I’m going to sprint the last 80-yards to mess up the timing." If I hadn’t it would probably have been 17:32! Shocker Roo. There was a school out running - 1 x 1-mile, they had a bus to bring and take them home. Then people ask where are the American distance runners?
The weekend’s most zippy 5k was won by former 5th Ave mile winner. On the women’s side Edna showed great speed by outrunning Wangui. Edna was an outstanding junior back in the day….
Binghamton, NY. Chris Thater Memorial 5-K. Men: 1. John Thuo Itati, KEN, 13:38; 2. Leonard Mucheru, KEN, 13:40; 3. Patrick Nthiwa, KEN, 13:51. 40+ Andrey Kuznetsov, RUS, 14:57. Women: 1. Edna Kiplagat, KEN, 16:13; 2. Naomi Wangui, KEN, 16:16; 3. Jackline Torori, KEN, 16:20.
Partime was also there on Sunday (Tuning Up)… as was Seth (he who ran Rackajack Marathon last week).
Senor Ramon writes; "Hi to Spring, Summer and Fall TNT members.
This your coach/ex-coach, I just writing you to ask for you support .
Those of you that are members of the NYRRC will be getting or already
gotten a proxy for the election of NYRRC
board of directors. A good friend of mine, Toby Tanser, is running
(no
pun intended) and I urge you to
vote for him. Not because he is my friend (most of you probably know
him
as well from seeing him in the park,
or you may see me talking to him see picture below), anyway, he is a
runner that can bring great things to the organization, I could give
many
reasons why you should vote for him, but I don't want you to spend
your
day reading when you could be running.
Just trust me, if you want
things
to improve in the running community, he is a person that can do that.
And if you are still not convinced, just do it as favor to me.
see ya..
Raqui."
What a nice guy! This voting thing really is letting me see some really nice qualities in people!
This is Martha Ernstdottir, a 1:11 1/2Marathoner, and a fellow Leppin runner. She also ran for Nike Iceland as I did. Martha dominated the Icelandic running scene, on the women’s side - she would often place very highly in the overall field.
Out and about - With Dr Lewis Maharam - the NYRR Med. Doc. His new offices are on West 57th Street, #24 on the six floor. This guy has his pulse on the running injuries that plague so many athletes in this city - Check him out, he is the BIZ! However this week you won’t catch him as he is the Med. Director of the Rock N’ Roll Marathon, so he’s outta town as from tomorrow.
Finnkampen; Sweden Vs Finland. Distance results - 800m: Rizak Dirshe S
1500m: Juha Kukkano F 3:54.66.
5000m: Samuli Vasala F 13:45.58.
10,000m: S Vasala 28:45.83.
3000mSt: Kim Bergdahl F 8:32.50.
Women 800m: Suvi Myllymäki F 2:04.53.
1500m: Lena Nilsson S 4:19.35.
5000m: Annemari Sandell F 16:11.49.
10,000m: A Sandell 33:41.18.
3000mSt: Ida Nilsson S 10:09.19.
Hokkaido Marathon
Men
1) Samson Kandie (KEN) 2:15:12
2) Yuki Yamamoto 2:15:17
3) Nobuhiko Matsunaga 2:15:27
4) Tatsuya Hoshi 2:15:31
5) Zabedayo Bayo (TAN) 2:16:14
Women 1) Chika Horie 2:26:11
2) Hisae Yoshimatsu 2:28:49
3) Chihiro Tanaka 2:35:44
4) Banuelia Mrashan (TAN) 2:35:57
Mutola will attempt a WR today - The mark she will be attempting to surpass is the 600m WR of 1:22.63 run by Cuba’s Ana Fidelia Quirot in a competition in Guadalajara, México, in 1997. Pacing the race will be Belgian 400-hurdler Ann Mercken, as her countrywoman Sandra Stals will join Letitia Vriesde of Surinam and Russia’s Natalya Dziadkova as the other top runners in the event.
The site for the record attempt will be the stadium in Naimette-Xhovémont, a suburb of Liège.
08/26
Eldo Lise, "Reminds of the time my brother came to visit and I took him to our huge outdoor salt water pool- overlooking the ocean...most awesome place...but the pool is a long one- 150m I believe (feels like twice the size of a regular one)...first lap, half way down the pool I look back to see where he is...well hanging on to the edge of the pool for life,completely exhausted (you have to work up to these laps) - I almost drown because we are laughing so hard at his pathetic attempt on one lap. Needless to say that was it for him." We were discussing my terrible effforts to swim - kind've like a deaf and two legged crocodile with a dumper truck on his back trying to surface in a sea of concrete whilst balancing a marble on his nose.
And for results - here are the leading results from the Rio Half;
Masculino:
1- João Baptista N'Tyamba - Angola - 1h 03m 31s
2- Rômulo Wagner Silva - Brasil - 1h 04m 31s
3- Manoel de Jesus Teixeira - Brasil - 1h 05m 09s
4- Elenilson da Silva - Brasil - 1h 05m 20s
5- Daniel Lopes Ferreira - Brasil - 1h 05m 41s
Feminino:
1- Selma Reis - Brasil - 1h 15m 02s
2- Maria Zeferina Baldaia - Brasil - 1h 15m 13s
3- Marizete de Paulo Rezende - Brasil - 1h 15m 55s
4- Viviany Anderson Oiveira - Brasil - 1h 16m 00s
5- Violetta Kryza - Polônia - 1h 16m 12s
Speaking of results - Out & About yesterday came from the roads of CP… three loops gives one a long time to reflect! It was my third long run of the week (well Sunday to Sunday). (Ed’s note - that’s over a week Cheat!)
Anyway, I was getting bored with the same loops on Wednesday but thought the incentive of doing a long run in numbers would be enough to take away the boredom.
Arne Haukvik, the founder of what became "Bislett Games", has died at the age of 76, after a long illness, VG Nett reports.
"I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it." From Da Captain.
Norwich Union recap
W800m No surprises as Miss Mutola continues to dominate the event, year after year.
1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 1:59.06
2 Ceplak Jolanda SLO 1:59.61
3 Martínez Mayte ESP 2:00.54
4 Cummins Diane CAN 2:00.76 - Great run again from Diane!
W5000m Continuing from the indoor scene Berhane, also the WC in the 1/2M is showing that she is the top Ethio' this year. Sonia does well, and third is becoming to be her tinge for the year... beats fourth!
1 Adere Berhane ETH 14:33.65
2 Szabo Gabriela ROM 14:34.29
3 O'Sullivan Sonia IRL 14:46.97
M800 with the absence of da King Kip Yuriy moves back to the 8 after a trial with the 400's that did not go so well. Another fantastic result from Krummy with Bucher still struggling after a 10-week ankle break (literally).
1 Borzakovskiy Yuriy RUS 1:44.78
2 Krummenacker David USA 1:44.87
3 Mutua Joseph KEN 1:45.02
4 Reina Antonio Manuel ESP 1:45.69
5 Bucher André SUI 1:45.73
6 Robinson Khadevis USA 1:46.19
THe mile was suposed to be a WR attempt - it never was, but El G wins his 4th E. Carr Mile title. Corny continues to impress, and leave his big brother William in da dust. Ngeny was a virtual mile behind.
1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:50.86
2 Chirchir Cornelius KEN 3:51.68
3 Silva Rui POR 3:52.21
Our feature race the M3000 - Paul, for a decade Kenya's best kicker, got outkicked himself from the man that hails from the town of Kipkabus. Benjamin, a big man by Kenyan standards, has the gear shifting of an 800m runner. Luke takes the bronze with a Franko-Maroc splitting the Rift Men. World Champ, from last year, Limo shows that the great XC season he had in Kenya earlier this year has given him a competitive stride this year with another fine result. The top Euro (born in Euroland) Sergiy took a very impressive #8, another man who excelled over the turf this past winter.
1 Limo Benjamin KEN 7:50.29
2 Bitok Paul KEN 7:50.54
3 Kipkosgei Luke KEN 7:50.68
4 El Himer Driss FRA 7:51.30
5 Limo Richard KEN 7:52.06
6 García Alberto ESP 7:52.09
7 Mekonnen Hailu ETH 7:52.18
8 Lebid Sergiy UKR 7:52.26
9 Mottram Craig AUS 7:52.71
10 Abate Abiyote ETH 7:53.33
11 Geneti Markos ETH 7:55.23
12 Gebremariam Gebre-egziabher ETH 7:55.40
13 Maase Kamiel NED 7:56.18
14 Wolde Million ETH 7:56.97
Winner of the Day's Double was the 400H and 400m flat racer, and still in with a shout for the gold -
1 Sánchez Felix DOM 48.08 & 1 Sánchez Felix DOM 45.14
And to wrap it up certainly the top sprint result was fianlly the head to head that was never even close,
1 Jones Marion USA 10.97
2 Pintusevich-Block Zhanna UKR 11.11
3 Gaines Chryste USA 11.12 Great to see Marion demolish Zhanna who has surely been dodging the Queen of da Sprint all season long. Kudos to Marion!
Simon Rono took a victory in the 26th annual Crim 10-mile run.
"It was very slow," said Rono, supposedly 30, of Kenya. "Nobody was pushing me. If somebody was pushing me, I would have run harder."
Benjamin Kosgei of the High Altitude Training Camp, Kenya finished eight seconds behind Rono at 47:21.
Our overseas reporter Michiel.... "Announced as the highlight and also the closure at the friday night's Norwich Union Grand Prix a IAAF GPI trackmeeting known as Crystal Palace in the South of London, was a world record attempt of the King of miles, Hicham El Guerrouj.
Results from the Swedish Olympic Day Run:
Herrar 5 km:
1) Magnus Bergman, Enhörna, 14.50
2) Thomas Byrberg, Löplabbet, 16.15
3) Hussein Fazeli, Iran, 16.25
Damer 5 km:
1) Cilla Pettersson, Tureberg, 18.09
2) Cecilia Ehrig, Rånäs, 18.11
3) Katarina Löf, Spårvägen, 19.37
Many moons ago I was fortunate enough to win the first olympic Day Run in Stockholm, ahead of team mate Jonny Petren. It was 7.3km then and I remember we passed the 5km split in under 14:30.. the day before we had run a track meet in the South of Sweden. We traveled back to Stockholm and ran this race because it was prize money for Swedish club runners, and the purse was not made public (read no Africans ran...)
I won the following year despite missing the start - they actually started the race early! I had to run right from the back of the field, I believe I was behind about 3,000 runners. My team mate, Idris Ibrahim, was leading the race when I caught up at about 5.5km. My tactic was to fly by him as fast as I could. He later recalled that he thought I was doing intervals and not in the race... funny as he had seen me warm up with a race number.
Out & About; Cafe Mozart for breakfast with DandaDog, da rating for their bagels is urm, urm.... not a NYC bagel.
Sonia O'Sullivan a former winner of the BUPA Great North Run will line-up against all three medal winners from this year's IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in this year's momentous race.
08/23
My Favorite webpage. No apologies for this subject matter, purely personal favorite. A huge thanks must go out to Sir Roland, that is an immense amount of work (Ed’s note; Being webEditors don’t we just know it!). And I was speechless when I clicked on the page and saw it. That is certainly the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me since I came to New York, and I thank Sir Roland from the bottom of my heart for this piece of art! - You’re the best!
Eldo Lise, "16,000 calories...must have been one mother of an enchilada...or maybe just your excuse to go to the gym and get in with the 50+ ladies at your gym....
From Alan Ruben, the president of the Central Park Track Club: "Members of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) will be receiving in the mail an opportunity to vote for up to 5 directors of the NYRR in the next couple of days. Our men's team leader in Saturday's Club Championship 5 mile race, Toby Tanser, is standing for election. On behalf of the Central Park Track Club, I would like to urge our members to vote for Toby because, apart from being a nice guy, he is a competitive runner who would be a strong advocate for club runners in New York City like ourselves."
Read this story on the Club Champs!
And moving on to the times; "After a stellar career that included two victories in the Boston Marathon, Mr. Tanui's form slumped somewhat in recent years with a string of close finishes. But he returned to one of the local training camps and last year won the Vienna Marathon." What?? It was a mere couple of months ago he won Vienna, and in recent years (2) he happened to run 2:06:16 - The fourth fastest runner all time in history - PERIOD! Man - Please, oh please, give me a slump like that!!
Lyrics of the week come from Bob Dylan. The song is about a guy called William who kills an Afro-American servant. This is the last verse;
In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
And that even the nobles get properly handled
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom,
Stared at the person who killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feelin' that way without warnin'.
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished,
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance,
William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence.
Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears,
Bury the rag deep in your face
For now's the time for your tears.
What a song - check out the full lyrics- The lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll on any BobCat website.
A sell-out crowd is set for Today's Crystal Palace Grand Prix.
The 100m sprints; the world Nos 1 and 2 go head to head. Marion Jones and Zhanna Pintusevich in the 100m.
The men's sprint boasts the fastest five guys in the world this year.
The women's 800m includes the world's top three. Jolanda Ceplak, Maria Mutola and Zulia Calatayud will run.
World No 1 Hicham El Guerrouj is gunning for a world record in the Emsley Carr Mile. In this Golden Jubilee year, it's also the 50th year of this race. El Guerrouj won races 47, 48 and 49, and if the conditions are right, then he should win the 50th, especially as the world No 2 and 3, the Kenyan Chirchirs, William and Cornelius, are due to be pace-making.
Out & About last night boozing with the Nike guys - It was a celebration for Queen Deb, Da Chief. The interesting thing is Deb knows all the names from the good ol’ days…. Must have another drink n’ chat with her… before she pops over to TZ! Lucky thing…. Well the beers n’ cake were flowing, we had a great night up on the West Side. All I can say is Go Nike Go. I love being involved with projects where I love the product I am working with - one day I will tell you my 1990 Pegasus story.
Earlier that night on that track with the crew - a great focus night, with (for once) everyone giving a fiery effort - I was REALLY impressed (Ed’s note, That’ll be a first, you always grumble about how they never train as hard as you think you used to train… but we all know different huh). (reply: What a positive working environment I surround myself in!). Train hard, Rock on!
08/22
We hear the Berko is going to Oz for the Winter training camp. For 6-weeks no less. Berko's claim to fame, "I was 11-seconds from a Gold medal in the Barcelona 10,000m final..." What he doesn't say is that he was knocked out in the heats, but his time translated.... Personally I think getting to the olympics, especially from a running country like Ireland, is terrific in itself. That is of course if you are clean - Berko? I'd stake my life on it. what he does have in his favor is the ability to never over train (incredibly lazy), a running body (skinny and the height of a shrimp), and good friends to offer their encouragement & support - ha ha... you'd never guess that I really like the guy huh?
The Berko classic could be, "Berko, someone's stealing the car!"
"Oh well, let's finish talking to the lovely ladies first...."
Kudos, and how we love it from John Prather; "Thanks for being the best damn source of running news in the world (you're usually several days ahead of the curve, and often have scoops available nowhere else that I can find) and for being damn entertaining, too. See ya soon. John"
Harrier News; Hood to Coast Relay: This weekend, 13 Harriers will be taking on the 200
mile relay from Mt. Hood to the Oregon Pacific Coast. Twelve of us on a
Mixed Open team, in relay order: Karee Hanifan, Mark Paulonis, Anne-Marie
D'Alessandro (Team Captain), Mike Sarnoff, Lee Sossen, Laura Feiwel, Julie
Lazarus, Pete Davis, Douglas Hegley, Patrick Guilfoyle, Diane Kenna, and
Mary Schafer on the anchor leg. One of us, Matt Rocket Rosetti, is on a
Men's Open team that should win the thing outright, as long as they learn
how to read their maps correctly. Check out the event at
http://htc.nationwide.com/htc/default.asp
From the Spaghetti Kenyan, "I voted for you yesterday and forced 4 more to. I will see who else I beg." Also Alayne Adams, CPTC’s super runner, "Yes, I’ll vote for you!"
Sir Roland, down on da track; The other week we both wore the same pair of classic Nike’s - this week he has to outdo me - he wears the classics AND clips on the deluxe shoe-fob carrying compartment… no doubt made by Burberry’s between the East Egg and Western seasons.
The Boss was on the track too - thankfully for once with a singlet….. and again Partime was down doing intervals. Do I smell a new nickname? Overtime?
Excellent News for local running; Philadelphia Distance Run have announced that the world record holders for the marathon, Khalid Khannouchi of Ossining, N.Y. and Catherine Ndereba of Nairobi, Kenya, will zipalong in the 25th edition of their half-marathon this year on September 15. Marla Runyan will also toe the line too! She is a newly wed… wooow.
RW Master’s Rankings: 1. Eddy Hellebuyck, NM 605 1. Tatyana Pozdnyakova, UKR 250 2. Andrew Masai, KEN 515 2. Elena Fidatov, ROM 225 3. Simon Karori, KEN 340
Spain Track Meet:
The men’s 3000m flat witnessed a fine win by 18 year-old Kenyan James Kwalia. 5000 meters European champion Alberto García made a big move with 250m to go, but Kwalia did not yield and edged clear on the straight to take a comfortable victory in 7:37.42 from García’s 7:38.28.
M1500 Reyes Estévez was in a class of his own. The 26 year old Spaniard crossed the finish line in 3:34.67 with Kenya’s David Nyaga and Japhet Kimutai (800m specialist) just behind him clocking 3:35.47 and 3:36.11 respectively.
Kudos to MiniBlaster; She did volunteer work at Memorial Sloan Kettering with kids who are doing chemo as outpatients.
And on the subject Mini’s Mum was approached by CPTC with a view to a stronger Master’s team! The Boss would be in tears to lose MasterBlaster!
Out & About in Hoboken yesterday, with the Captain. Quite a nice little village they have over the River! I was surprised, not how I envisioned the isle to be - looks like a fun seaside place. We ate Mexican at Baja - nice sized portions, and furthermore we stayed off the Margarita’s!
A letter from A’Dam!
Maurice Greene, this planets fastest man over 100 meters decided to tell his real story to make an end to the rumors going round that he would be past his prime already. he says his up-and-down performance this season so far is due to family problems and the troubles he experienced in the change from sponsor Nike to Adidas. However, Greene is 28, how could he be past his prime!
Kris Gould wrote:
"Toby,
Enjoy your site. As someone who's been running in CP for years I have a
running-in-CP etiquette (and safety) question for you.
Running in the park on the main loop counter-clockwise during the day
(as annoying cars and bikes whiz by) I encounter a runner running
clockwise. Should I move to the right or to the left to pass?"
Eldo Lise? "After power loafing all day yesterday- thought I better be productive today- so hard to be motivated with so many summer (or any) distractions. Having said that- been out all morning doing errands and looking for baby shower gift...which happens tomorrow night...these showers are sooooo boring...and never have any alcohol-which for these events I find a necessity.
Soccer: World Champions Brazil lose 1-0 at home to Paraguay, Italy suffer a similar fate at the hands of Slovenia, Sweden draw 1-1 in Russia. And forward thinking… Rivaldo threatens to retire from international football if he is not part of the plans for the 2006 World Cup. Tennis Former world N° 1 Pete Sampras crashes out of Long Island (Hamlet Cup) 2nd round beaten by France's Paul-Henri Mathieu in 3 sets… Australian Open winner Thomas Johansson pulls out of the U.S. Open with a shoulder injury.
08/21
Happy Birthday to Mikey Maloney! Have a good one Buddy!
Another day, another day! C’est la vie! Time for a quote… let’s go to the Olympic 1988 Marathon Champ:
"[Scientific testing] can't determine how the mind will tolerate pain in a race. Sometimes, I say, "Today I can die.'"
- Gelindo Bordin.
Congrats to the Ironman - Conor Murphy Age Group Place: 9 Swim: 31:30 Bike: 1:09:55 Run: 40:20 Overall: 2:28:54, that was from the NYC Tri!
Americans eat more burgers than anyone else -- three a week each, on average. Steve P tells us The Corner Bistro is the place in the village! A burger, sans the creamy dressings, can often be a very healthy meal. Go for a grilled version, and leave the fried onions to the Space cadets.
Wanna travel?
The Marathon Ciudad de Mexico will be held on 20 October 2002, and the contact details are now:
David Silva Granados, Maraton de la Ciudad de Mexico
Instituto del Deporte del Distrito Federal Tel: +525 5688 6829
Ave. Division del Norte, 2333 Fax: +525 5605 1209
Col. General Anaya Email: infomaraton@df.gob.mx
DF 03340, MEXICO Website: www.maraton.df.gob.mx
"Sub-3:50 Mile" for 17-Year-Old: Alex Kipchirchir of Kenya won last Friday's under-23 1500 meters race in Zurich in 3:32.95, roughly equivalent to a 3:49.95 mile. Kipchirchir's reported date of birth is November 26, 1984.
Here is a point of a certain view from One of our readers his name has been withheld as the opinion may wrongly be misconstrued,
"Just a philosophical question, not meant to imply my support of certain performance-enhancing procedures: Why is an altitude tent fair when EPO is not? Isn't the objective the same? And worse, doesn't it just further separate the haves and have-nots? I mean, there's no way I can afford an altitude tent at $16K, but if I wanted I could probably swing a flight to Portugal, score some EPO, and get back to Arizona for less than a grand."
Sunday, September 8: The Continental Airlines Broadway on
Broadway Run has been canceled.
Talk has been that UATH might blend with The Harriers…. The result would be The Urban Harriers? "We’ll have to see…" said Douglas da Prez of the Harriers. He had originally proposed New York Harriers sponsored by Urban Athletics… quite a mouthfall, and not really suitable from our side of the table. The Bosses take, "Let’s talk." One thing is for sure the uniforms would remain black & white… On that note - Many people have asked about my gray singlet that I wore on Saturday, No - you can not buy one!
This weekend is the Tune-Up - I have a love-hate relationship with this race. In 2000 it was love, last year it was hate as my leg froze up and I literally could run a step forwards. This year I am trying to complete the run only as a long training run knowing that I am in no condition to race 18-miles. I advice all Marathon participants to run this race - if you are unsure about the Marathon that is. If you can complete three loops of Central Park (with three Harlem Hills & Cat Hills) in August then you are well on course to complete in November in Da Big One!
Free for all: The John Jay Pool is on E. 77th & the river. Its lap swims are M-F 7-8:30 both in the morning & evening and it's free. Of course, since it's an outdoor pool it's only open another couple weeks until Labor Day. Thanks to Kirsten for that info!
More sad news for the Naali family - The famous Tanzanian brothers’ running family suffered when Simon died a few years ago when training for the Stockholm Half Marathon - an event he was a favorite to win - Simon is perhaps the only athlete to win the Swedish Triple Crown, Goteborgsvarvet, Stockholm Marathon, & Stockholmsloppet. He also was a Commonwealth Games medalist. Soon after the Father died, and in the same week brother Thomas, (#3 in the London Marathon), had a very serious car crash which in effect ended his running career. Recently the news looked bright again as Francis won the Commonwealth Games Marathon last month, but now the Mother has died. We send our best wishes & regards.
LINZ Meet - Check out Diane! W1000m 1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 2:38.08 2 Cummins Diane CAN 2:38.45 3 Ceplak Jolanda SLO 2:38.50
W3000M 1 Defar Meseret ETH 8:48.13 2 Ejigu Sentayehu ETH 8:49.48 3 Kavaklioglu Ebru TUR 8:49.89…. 9 Yegorova "EPO" Olga RUS 9:07.65
M800m 1 Rotich Michael KEN 1:47.52 2 Kipchirchir Alex KEN 1:47.54 3 Alemu Berhanu ETH 1:47.67 4 Lelei David KEN 1:48.06 5 Téllez Norberto CUB 1:48.10 6 Peterson Derrick USA 1:48.22
MST 1 Boit Kipketer Wilson KEN 8:19.52 2 Pröll Martin AUT 8:24.59 3 Vroemen Simon NED 8:27.60 4 Driouche Aziz MAR 8:30.18 5 Usov Roman RUS 8:32.90 6 Gary Robert USA 8:35.81 7 Hughes Ray USA 8:37.40
08/20
Good News - It was announced at the farewell BBQ last night that the Nike Running Series will continue throughout the fall. We really must say a BIG thank you to Nike for this generous and purposeful initiative. Y’know what is so rewarding? The look on the faces of the runners returning from the runs - Let’s Just Do it! Speaking of which save the date - September 14th - Nike 4-mile Liberty Race. It is going to be a BIG one! On the 15th is the Race for the Cure - there, if you work for AMEX, you’ll get a chance to hear our infamous intrepid reporter giving a running lecture…. And coincidentally the same soul will be giving a talk to M-Lynch on Sept 04th downtown on running… (Ed’s note: Now if we could only get him to shut up that’s be good!)
Former Olympic champion Sebastian Coe is seriously considering joining the race to be London's next Mayor as the Tory candidate.
DogDan just missed his goal time by a tantalizing 3 seconds on Saturday - pretty damn close in such weather - Well Done!
Shocker - We hear that CPTC beat GNY in the softball game. I thought it had been rained off myself - hardy sportsfolk in those teams!
An interesting Polish 800m race - featuring the winners of both the A & B races at Zurich a couple of nights before. Against the cards the B race winner won; 1 Wilfred Bungei KEN
1:45.71
2 Joseph Mutua KEN
1:45.71
3 William Yiampoy KEN
1:46.08
4 Pawel Czapiewski POL
1:46.19
5 Arthémon Hatungimana BDI
1:46.40 - Arthy used to train at the Flying Hellebuyck Albuquerque camp. He used to like the Ford Explorer VERY much!
World 400m hurdles champion Morocco’s Nezha Bidouane gave birth to her first child on Friday night. Bidouane had decided to take one year off competition to concentrate on her maternity after 13 years of top level athletics performances.
Queen Kajsa! Since 1996 no female high jumper has reached 2.05. Also having won the European title in Munich a week ago Miss Bergqvist is undoubtedly the best female high jumper in the world. She cleared 2:05 in Poland this past weekend, absolutely outstanding! Consider that the two Stefan’s are at the top of the men’s high jump this season, and Christer Olsson is leading the World in Triple Jumping… and one soon understands that Sweden is a Powerhouse of athletic talent - from a country with less inhabitants than New York City!
In the same meet Marion’s big rival won the 100m lining things up for a great head to head; Pintusevich UKR 10.97
Helsinki Marathon Results: 1. Panga Sebastian Tanzania (1/2 split 1.07.36) 2.18.31 2. Kurui Francis KENIA 2.21.20 W: 1. Zolotareva Tatiana Russia 2.50.10 2. Loginova Olga Russia 2.56.30
Cruisre wins! Two tickets to the New York City Marathon Finish Line Banquet at Tavern on the Green on Marathon Sunday, November 3. Winner Christine Summerson. That was the Run to Liberty raffle.
Patrick rates The Healthy Bagel, "I must admit, the bagel I had was definitely well above average. I go to a place called Hot Bagel in Queens on 30th Ave., which is as good as I've found locally in Astoria, but still not what I'm looking for. The search continues...."
Chicago’s Elite: Radcliffe, Khannouchi, Tergat, Ndereba, Current Chicago champion Benjamin Kimondiu, Peter Githuka, John Kagwe and Joseph Kariuki. And more; Michael Aish (New Zealand), Jeff Campbell, Alan Culpepper, Keith Dowling, Shawn Found, Eric Mack (USA) Luis, Antonio Dos Santos (Brazil), Tobias Hiskia and Gert Thys (South Africa). Gonna be a hot race!
Congrats to the fat Tuesday Sylvia! Women - 1. Sylvia Mosqueda, CA, 1:12:34; Winner of America’s finest 1/2M. Mbarak Hussein, brother to Ibrahim, took the men’s from fellow Albuquerqian Simon Sawe.
08/19
Happy Birthday to Michele of Central Park Track Club!
The town of Ossining in Westchester County sits from 6 to 200 feet above sea level. Khalid Khannouchi's bedroom in Ossining, or at least the air in it, is 12,000 feet above sea level. This fact has special significance because the 30-year-old, Moroccan-born Khannouchi is history's fastest marathon runner. In a teleconference yesterday, he disclosed that for three months he had been sleeping in an altitude-training room he had installed by Colorado Altitude Training for $16,000. Franko Vatterott, the company's director of sales and marketing, said oxygen was removed from the room in increments tailored to the athlete. He said an athlete had to spend at least 10 hours a day in the room for at least four weeks to accustom the body to reduced oxygen. The theory is that if a runner sleeps high and trains low - sleeps in the thinner air of high altitude and races or trains at low altitude - less oxygen is needed. ``I started using it in May,'' Khannouchi said. ``I really felt a big difference two weeks later when I went to Albuquerque to train and didn't feel it.''
From Da Times. Thanks Victor! Paula & Marla also have them.
Eldo Lise, "Mary and I were going into the Eldo supermarket one day for our daily purchase of cadbury chocolate and that drinkable yogurt that is so yummy (the yogurt cancels out the chocolate of course- therefore no calories)...and at the bag check-in watched a woman check her handbag and 3 chickens into one of the slots- priceless."
FRANKFURT, Germany (August 15, 2002 11:51 a.m. EDT) - Nine Ethiopian athletes who abandoned their team during a stop-over in Frankfurt have applied for asylum in Germany, border police here said Thursday.
Excellent news; World Record-Holders at Rock 'n' Roll: Kenya's Paul Tergat and South Africa's Elana Meyer, who hold the half-marathon world records, will both be running in the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon in Virginia Beach on September 1.
Mike Rosenthal reports on his brother Seth, who is visiting Iceland! "I got a phone message from my brother Seth. He ran Reykjavik in 4:17:59 which is his PR by 53 seconds. He said he loved it and conditions were great (15 deg. C.). I'm eager to hear more when he returns tomorrow. I'm sure your advice helped a lot, especially since he's been injured since last year's NYC Marathon." A pr in Iceland is Very commendable - that is not an easy course at all!!
Zurich: MST - 1 Boulami Brahim MAR 7:53.17 (WR) 2 Cherono Stephen KEN 8:05.14 3 Koech Paul KEN 8:05.44 Wow, out of touch! A new World Record, Kenya’ll be in tears!
#1 race M800 1 Mutua Joseph KEN 1:43.33 2 Kipketer Wilson DEN 1:43.59 3 Mulaudzi Mbulaeni RSA 1:43.81 4 Bucher André SUI 1:44.30 5 Czapiewski Pawel POL 1:44.35 6 Krummenacker David USA 1:44.74
#2 800m Race: 1 Bungei Wilfred KEN 1:43.64 2 Yiampoy William KEN 1:43.69 3 Kimutai Japheth KEN 1:44.07
W800 1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 1:57.24 2 Ceplak Jolanda SLO 1:57.78 3 Martínez Mayte ESP 1:58.29 4 Miles Clark Jearl USA 1:58.41
M5000 -M’Kenya! 1 Kipketer Sammy KEN 12:56.99 2 Limo Richard KEN 12:57.86 3 Chebii Abraham KEN 12:58.98 4 Limo Benjamin KEN 13:01.31
Gail Devers hopes of winning the Golden League jackpot faded as she lost women's 100m hurdles in Zurich to Spain's Glory Alozie
W1500M - 1 Szabo Gabriela ROM 3:58.78 2 Favor Hamilton Suzy USA 3:59.10 3 Turova Alesya BLR 3:59.89
W3000 - 1 Adere Berhane ETH 8:32.76 2 Tomashova Tatyana RUS 8:33.40 3 O'Sullivan Sonia IRL 8:33.62
We are sorry to report that the Gazelle has a stress fracture, and will be out of competitions for the foreseeable future - a bad blow for her, and of course MCNY.
New of the WeltKlasse was fast; Michiel reports, "Brahim Boulami became the hero at the annual Weltklasse meeting in Zurich. 7.53.17 is the new standard in the 3000 steeple. Did he not only set a new WR last year at the Ivo van Damme Memorial in Brussels, taking away this record held by the Kenyans for 22 years straight: at this moment he is also trying to set a new standard. The Kenyans could only keep up with him for 1500 meters but just could not follow further on, the gap at the end was 12 seconds which is at this level almost a 100 meters. Boulami has ofcourse big examples close to him as his brother Khalid has been a top-runner also and his country-fellow Hicham el Guerrouj.
The Spaghetti Kenyan - Aiming for NYC Marathon, to challenge the big guys….. Carol Howe and Zoomalong providing the race of the week end in NYC Club Champs unattached race, with the un Polished Pole in third.. Stephen Ondieki, now running for Westchester (It is hard to keep up with all the switches) took top honors, with Lete in La Femmes… the bad weather brought a host of sub standard performances…but when all was said and done Westchester proved once again they are the City’s top team, and that without a doubt. Last year the men had 10 in the top 15 to win, and this year the women showed with their scoring 5 in the top 8 places… that is a wipe out!
Meanwhile out in obscurity; The Boss won a race, and the series, in Norwalk… and Kavan did just that… "Four minutes of walking in the race, and Jerry just beat me…" Go figure - you do the math!
AOL tells; Name Meaning;
Toby, a 2-syllable girl's name of Hebrew/Greek origin, means: God is good.
Nicknames for Toby are Tobe, Tobey, Tobi, Tobye, Tova, Tove, Tybi and Tybie.
Peter Nzimbi won the Reykjavik Half Marathon - 1:07, from Svein Ernstsson of Iceland. A surprise to see Peter winning, I am glad that he missed the $500 bonus for the 1:05 CR as he is indeed a shady character. Interesting to see that he has become a Master’s runner too - that guy’s age hops around like a Yoyo. The First woman was Icelander Erla Gunnarsdottir.
the Swedish Men’s 10,000m Nat Champs:
1 Erik Sjöqvist 72 Enhörna IF 28:57.72 2 Joakim Johansson 76 Hälle IF 29:03.20 3 Claes Nyberg 71 IF Göta 29:09.89
The Women’s 10,000
1 Jenny Widarsson 76 Mullsjö SOK 35:52.00 2 Annika Nyberger 68 Spårvägens FK 35:55.64 3 Anna Isaksson 73 Flemingsbergs 36:37.67
High Jump Kajsa took GOLD with 2-meters!!
The Men’s 400m was dominated by Juniors (looks good for the future) and was nearly a City Championship closed affair - a good quality in Stockholm -
1 Johan Wissman 82 IFK Helsingborg 47.58 2 Thomas Nikitin 82 Spårvägens FK 48.06 3 Andreas Mokdasi 84 Hässelby SK 48.45
We hear from Fiona Bayly, A big Urban welldone to her;
THe Hudson River - a gorgeous 75 degrees or so - was too warm for wetsuits if one wanted to be eligible for national standings - so I left the ol' suit at home, went out, and won my age-group, and came damn near to placing in the top three overall in the AG event. I qulaified for Nationals, in Idaho in a couple of weeks. Yippeeeee! The paid pros started after we did, and they were allowed to draft each other on their bike ride, the luckies! Hey- at least the toll booths up near the Bronx were open for all the traithletes. That was a kick.
What’s Kingcre up to? "Just up to my neck in some construction projects and a bit overwhelmed by the heat and the physical labor combination."
Spaghetti Kenyan, "You eat too much!"
Me, "Say what?"
Spaghetti, "Yes, but you are thin."
Me, "You too Spaghetti!"
Spaghetti, "If I ate as much as you I’d be too fat."
Me, "Well you are thinner than me."
Spaghetti, "No, you are thinner!"
Me, "I don’t think so! And I don’t eat too much do I?"
Spaghetti, "You come to my house, and eat then we’ll see."
Can’t win! Spaghetti will next be performing next week at B_ 5km, he is aiming to go under 14-minutes, and my money is on him running 13:50.
Meanwhile talking abs, Partime does 150 situps per day! Wow, I am super impressed with that. My PR is 25!
And club news close out - The Boss (Le Informer) came up with some very interesting stuff one of our Bubblegum members happened to say to him about our intrepid reporter. How many faces can a head have? Over & out.
Yesterday in the heat of the morning, in the middle of a 20-mile run in the 90-degree heat, we saw Lauren & StopnChat circling the park watching the NYC Tri, and Jud & Monsieur Mileage glide by….
Out & About - Ocean in the evening for da Fish, and Healthy Bagel for the sourdough cranberry & walnut raisin bagel at lunch. Speaking of food - Tonight after the NIKE run we will have a Barbeque - all welcome! Come and have an easy run with us - 7PM at the Wollman Rink. My big hope (after seeing him in motion last Tuesday on da track) is that Sir Roland will attend! Lill’ Jacob of the NYRR, "Do I have to come?" Of Course! Da gang will be there!
But would you vote for this guy?
On the track; Dodging soccer balls, wrestling with irate walkers, and generally having a Thursday night blast….. Best of luck to Conor who led out the workout, and will compete on Sunday in the NYC Triathlon - the man is running very well! A small turn out was due in part to the focus of this weekend’s comp, "What race? I’m doing Norwalk…" Mentioned the Boss, who is leading the CT challenge. JimmyBats was down showing off his Radioactive Orange Shorts "These things are used for stop signs in Russia," he boasted. Becky excused herself from the weekend’s party with a good session, as did Lee (but she’ll be there)… Cruiser is on holiday - Don, Leola, Century certainly weren’t - neither was Partime or Cara - there were some sterling efforts on the track tonight… Even Elvis turned up! Must have been the reruns. DogDan & Candlestickman flew through the session, and the aforementioned soccer ball straight into poor Amber who logged a good sess.
Excuse of the Month for not attending the work out goes to one of our newest, and most welcome members - Evelyn. She always gives a focused effort on the track (after arriving on her skates!) And her is the excuse, "Hi. I wanted to let you know that I most likely won't be there for the next couple of weeks. I'm getting married next week and am caught up in a bunch of wedding stuff."
A huge Urbanoso Congratulations to Evelyn from us all at Urbanoso World!
Meanwhile….. Queen of the Harriers, "Well tonight I will be on a booze cruise but I promise to toast
you and wave as the party boat passes by the track on the east river!" Hm, no comment mon amie!
Reports are now out that scientists have developed Marathon Mice - genetically effective to run WR marathon’s… now if only I could get this reincarnation kick worked out.
Brits are celebrating a resurgence in popularity in T&F after the Commonwealth Games - so much so that the Jewel track (Crystal Palace) is having extra seating added……
We hear Don is off on the Runner’s World Alaska trip - I am jealous, I could do with a cruise. Mind you that perhaps would not be the wisest for me and da scales…. Once I see those buffet tables my self control goes out the window. However at the moment I am pleased to report that all sits fine in that department - I have not regained the slabs I gained in Puerto Rico, yet!
http://www.nyirishfestival.com - this weekend!
We hear from my Amsterdam correspondent; "Michiel from Amsterdam is off to Zürich für die Weltklasse in the famous Stadion Letzigrund.1-st time I am going there to watch today elite's field. I have been in Brussels 2 times as a spectator joining a 50.000 people crowd going wild. Dutch participants in die Schweiz are the fresh silver medalist at the eurochamps in Munich last week, Simon Vroemen and the young ones Arnoud Okken, Bram Som, Stephan Beumer. Simon is THE track and field king in Holland at the moment after running his EURO record of 8.06 in Monaco and now his silver medal in Munich. And to tell you readers how things can change for an athlete in 1 season, saw him finishing almost dead last in 3000 steeple, last year in Brussels Golden League where mister Brahim Boulami kept running victory laps with the Moroccan flag wrapped around his skinny distance shoulders after breaking the long held 3000 steeple WR by the Kenyans. Will they succeed in taking this one back to altitude Eldoret this track season ?! Time and some competitions will tell. What more confrontations to expect: Ceplak-Mutola, Chambers-Montgomery-Greene, Lagat-El Guerrouj, etc.
And further not to forget, many Europeans must be in superb form as they have been tapering-off for the European championships.
If the weather, dry after some fresh rain, no wind and the vibes are there we can expect some fast times and distances."
08/15
Paul Tergat of Kenya, one of the greatest ever distance runners, is on course to run The 25th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday October 13.
Earlier this year Tergat became the world's second fastest marathoner with a 2:05:48 performance in London running against World Record holder Khalid Khannouchi and Haile Gebrselassie.
Helsinki GP II
M3000 Finnish winnings continue:
1 Vasala Samuli FIN 7:46.95 2 Mottram Craig AUS 7:47.01 3 Kirui William KEN 7:47.15 4 Muli Pius KEN 7:47.88 5 Chenonge Hillary KEN 7:49.19 (name the famous Uncle link….)
M800
1 Mulaudzi Mbulaeni RSA 1:45.29 2 Kipchirchir Alex KEN 1:45.74 3 McCarthy Kris AUS 1:45.93 4 Rotich Henry KEN 1:46.16 5 Rotich Willy KEN 1:46.55 6 Robinson Khadevis USA 1:46.63
W3000
1 Ejigu Sentayehu ETH 8:52.88 5 2 Kavaklioglu Ebru TUR 8:53.89 4 3 Kibiwot Viola KEN 8:54.25
Viola is a junior, trained in Iten village no less!
The IAAF yesterday confirmed the three-year suspension of Belgian cross-country champion Mohammed Mourhit for failing a doping test. The 31-year-old runner, holder of three European records, underwent an out-of-competition test on May 3 that showed the use of EPO, or erythropoietin, an illegal endurance-boosting substance.
TV watch! August 17 1-2 a.m. 2002 Weltklasse: Golden League Track & Field Series, Zurich, Switzerland ESPN2.. or should that be VCR at that time!
Malmo Results - this club used to be sponsored by Carlsberg (How cool is that?)
Msteeple:1 Robert Gary USA 8.32,90 2 Henrik Skoog Spårvägens FK 8.40,90 3 David Kirwa KEN 8.46,29
M1500 - A name for the future - 1 Isaac Songok KEN 3.36,97 2 Andrew Graffin GBR 3.37,70 3 Eliud Njubi KEN 3.38,18 4 Julius Achon UGA 3.39,72 5 Ibrahim Aden USA 3.43,99 (Jul & Aden were Georgetown buddies).
W800 - 1 Larisa Chziao RUS 2.01,96 2 Jo Fenn GBR 2.02,24 3 Lena Nilsson Täby IS 2.02,26
M800 - Ouch for Japheth! 1 Dimitri Bogdanov RUS 1.46,02 2 Berhanu Alemu ETH 1.46,96 3 Rizak Dirshe Malmö AI 1.47,59 4 Japhet Kimutai KEN 1.48,59 5 Jon Andersson Falu IK 1.52,63
Back in Helsinki! Maria turns to the 400!! 1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 51.55 2 Richards Sandie JAM 51.74 - and Sandie is a good scalp!
08/14
On the track last night; The Boss was down there running with Partime & Cara. He was training without a shirt as is his fashion, hm, no comment, well at least we can no longer call him Chubby - he has lost da pounds. Partime & Cara were also running good! I was down there with Central Park - Canadian Craig & Jonathan P plowing out a good sess with Alessandro and I hanging in for dear life…. Alessandro actually was faring rather better than I - however it had been a loooong day!
First a lap of CP inner loop with the Captain, then a treadmill run at 6 min miling, then running down to da track… had to run back too - turned into a high mileage day.
We found out Super Sid won the age group nationals yet again… Jerome was looking very snappy in a black outfit….. hey, nobody got hit by a soccer ball!
Big Good Luck this weekend: NEW YORK CITY TRIATHLON participants. To Nicole Billman, Shelley Farmer, Sean Fitzpatrick, Joseph Frazetta, Ross Galitsky, Joe Gravier, Otto Hoering, Bill Komaroff, Jesse Lansner, Matthew Newman, Mariejo Pasion-Rojas and G'mo Rojas a special extra good luck.
Out & About at 5 AM yesterday morning - Discusiing fav hotels with the Captain - who very kindly gave me a new coffee grinder(!), and some beans! The Captain says, "Monaco, a hotel with a delectable breakfast served over a view to die for….." Et Moi? Perhaps that hotel suite (The president’s suite) in Austin Texas with my 3 bedrooms, oak conference table… I forget the name….. I had a suite at the Hilton on Sixth, 44-floor, which was also rather zippy…. The Grand in Stockholm had a breakfast fit for the gods and a location perfectio…..
We are glad to report that Colonel Bill Staab will be bringing the West Side Runners to the BoatBasin to join UATH & The Harriers this Saturday - please do not turn up at the BoatHouse!
"Paula Radcliffe who had narrowly missed the gold medal so many times, finally won two major titles in the span of 10 days. First on an electric night in the City of Manchester stadium at the 2002 Commonwealth Games she won the 5000m; nine days later in Munich she won the 10,000m at the 2002 European Championships." That report, from the IAAF, obviously is not the supported view of Sir Roland… And Radcliffe meanwhile ponders a BIG decision! "When you think that it's the marathon in Athens, which is the home of the marathon, then maybe things change a little bit," she said.
"So it's a difficult decision. I would love to win an Olympic marathon, and I would love an Olympic medal on the track, so it's going to be a hard decision."
Irishman Mark Carroll has said that he will definitely make his marathon debut in New York.
Commonwealth marathon champion Kerryn McCann will spearhead an Australian double challenge for the BUPA Great North Run title on October 6. Susie Power, #3 in 10,000m, will also run for the land of OZ.
Eldo Lise heading East? "Well, just got invited to Taipei this morning to teach for Oct from friends....money may be just too good...and that would put me even further from Kenya....for a year at least...what to do...
Just reading my friend's email on her latest travels makes me want to hit the road again!"
Read what husband Pieter has to say about Lornah’s victory at Falmouth!
"Paul J. Sinclair" wrote:
Toby:
Are you aware that you're considered famous by some?
thought you might enjoy this.
Cheers, Paul (CPTC)
(scroll down to post by greyhound7)
http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum9/HTML/000238.shtml
Man, Fame in a goldfish bowl - but I’ll take it! See above story!
08/13
The Boss will be down on the 6th St track tonight - if anyone wants to go down and join Cara & Partime for the intervals session, he’ll be Da Coach. I shall also be down there running with the Mystic Orange Runners. The Boss says, "Be there ready to run 6:15-30...." If you need his services.
Top seven men's marathon times ever:
Khalid Khannouchi USA 2:05:38 London, 2002
Khalid Khannouchi MOR 2:05:42 Chicago, 1999
Paul Tergat KEN 2:05:48 London, 2002
Renaldo DeCosta BRA 2:06:05 Berlin, 1998
Moses Tanui KEN 2:06:16 Chicago, 1999
Gert Thys RSA 2:06:33 Tokyo, 1999
Haile Gebrselassie ETH 2:06:35 London, 2002
The amazing Khannouch! The slowest mile split in London? 4:55 The fastest? The 3rd & the 15th were 4:39!!
Club Champs gossip - Stephen Ondieki, Mike Mamo, and Keb the ‘other’ Ethiopian, will provide a stiff challenge to the Spaghetti Kenyan this Saturday. Stephen was the First local at the George Sheehan last Sunday, residing in Wyckoff, NJ, and running 24:25. Giving chase in second overall was Kassahun Kabiso, 18 years old, of Ringwood, NJ - used to be Alem’s houseguest in Harlem - Letesyesus was the first ‘local’ girl - also now listed as a NJ resident, in 29-minutes for the 5-m distance.
More on the Euro’s - Alberto Garcia won the Euro’s 5000m in 13:38 before ‘Frenchman’ Sghyr. The Frenchman was a Moroccan a couple of years ago - There again Wilson Kipketer won the 800m, 1:47, for Denmark - but is a Kenyan. Go figure!
WORLD FASTEST WOMEN’S MILE AT 8th ANNUAL SBLI FALMOUTH MILE
Suzy Favor Hamilton Runs 4:25.27; Kevin Sullivan wins in 3:59.26
A woman terminally ill with cancer of the lungs and bones has completed the London Triathlon, just four months after running the London Marathon.
Afro Champo’s; Kenya's Paul Bitok showed his strength 10 years after winning his first 5000 metres silver medal in the Barcelona Olympics and another silver in Atlanta four years later as he led Benjamin Limo to 1-2 in the race.
Men 1500m Bernard Lagat (Ken) 3:38.11
Australia: City to Surf 14K Jussi Utriainen, Finland, winning in 41:37! Jussi is in da book THWE.
Maria Mutola, "You grow up in a war, you learn to appreciate sport," Mutola says. "We had no freedom. We couldn't do anything, we couldn't go anywhere. We couldn't visit our relatives in other cities. Many people were killed or maimed by land mines. Other families starved to death." The last decade’s best 800m runner.
Quote of the week: "I've always taken the philosophy that you have to dream a little in this sport, if you stay in your comfort zone, you're not going to do anything special."
-Deena Drossin
Love that one!
And here is a quote from RW, "A well-rested Lornah Kiplagat of Kenya…" talking about her victory in Falmouth. Well rested? Are they aware that Lornah does actually race in other places other than the U.S. roads??? Check out her page to see a couple of weeks ago she ran 30:44 in Holland, a week before a 14:51 5km in Holland, then Peachtree… yeah, well rested - hard working more like! Later we read, "She opted not to do any other races after winning Atlanta's Peachtree Road Race on July 4." Really?
Two races - Saturday, and Thursday - both won by the infamous Spaghetti Kenyan. Way to go Paul - You’re the tops, and surely a Red Hot fav to revenge the CP loss against Stephen Ondieki on Saturday. My dollars are on Spaghetti!
Shelburne Falls, Mass., Bridge of Flowers 10-K: Men - Paul Mwangi, KEN, 31:27. Women - Lori Hewig (42), NY, 37:14
We read that once again Frank Shorter was making drug allegations - he made some very cutting comments after another race in Falmouth either last year, orr the year before.
I would, having lived with Lornah, swear on my life she is clean. I have been in training situations where I have seen cheats operate - the signs of these athletes are clear. Lornah is as natural a talent as one could wish for - Wake up! Just because she is running better than he did as an athlete does not mean she is a cheat! I remember a conversation with a US athlete 10,000m star who had just met the aforementioned man - "He was sour, and told me that I’d never amount to anything, even though I’d just run a time within a 100-yards of his best!" Sour grapes?
What’s Eldo Lise up to? "spent the weekend in victoria...chick's weekend...so lots of junk food, tennis (my winning streak came to an abrupt end with a serious butt kicking and much gloating from the winner and foot stomping from my end- all in good competitive fun of course) and general hanging out."
Janne Holmen, the new European Champion @ the Marathon, studied in Sweden. He originally comes from a small island between Sweden & Finland called Aland. The major race on this isle is called The Kanonloppet (The Canon Race). I ran the race three times, 93,94, & 1995 - Janne won the junior division under those years. The island holds a special place in my memory as my god friend Robert Laaxsonnen also lives there.
From the NYRR, "ARE YOU THE PONTIAC COMEBACK RUNNER OF THE YEAR?
Pontiac and New York Road Runners are accepting nominations for
the Pontiac Comeback Runner of the Year Award. This annual award
honors two recreational runners who have come back from adversity
to participate in the New York City Marathon. You may nominate
yourself or someone you know, as long as the nominee is an
entrant in the 2002 New York City Marathon. Nominations should
explain the challenge overcome in 100 words or less. Winners will
receive a beautiful trophy produced by Tiffany & Co., a $1,000
gift certificate to Foot Locker, and a $1,000 charity donation by
Pontiac. All entries must be received by September 30, 2002."
http://www.nycmarathon.org/entrantinfo/pontiaccomeback.html
Fun at the Nike training runs - We raffled out new shades, gave out T-shirts, and ran around da Park! All for free - life could not be better huh?
08/12
Urban Athletics bands together with The New York Harriers for the post race party at the Boat Basin this coming Saturday - Meeting time is at 12:00 Noon. We are hoping that the West Side Runners team will also join us, I’ll have to talk to Colonel Bill Staab.
Euro Marathon results - Maria GUIDA ITA
2:26:05 CR, Luminita ZAITUC GER 2:26:58, Sonja OBEREM GER 2:28:48, and Jane Salumae was 5’ back in 4th - Jane used to be the Hofors team in Sweden, a very nice girl from Lithuania…. And a great result from 42-yr old Marie Soderstrom, SWE in 8th! 2:36
Shocking - I remember Janne from when I competed in Sweden - he was moving through the ranks getting better as a runner as I was leaving. I never guessed he’d pop a result like this. The field was high quality - the #2 man was the Paris runner-up in 2:08 this past Spring!
I had my body fat measured on Sunday - just 3%! That’s what I like to read. I ran with George, the Yugoslavian runner, from Westchester - one of the speedy milers in the city. Yesterday he was #4 in the Falmouth Mile running 4:03.
We talked about the (then) upcoming Falmouth and I told him that I thought Kosgei would win, George guessed John Korir - so here are the results - (positions #6&7 from HATC!) James Koskei Kenya 11 33 M 00:32:10 John Korir Kenya 32:13 Khalid Khannouchi Ossining NY 32:14 William Kiptum Kenya:32:16 Hendrick Ramaala South Africa 32:27 Christopher Cheboiboch Kenya 32:28 Benjamin Kimutai Kosgei Kenya 32:31 - Well one of us was right! I also got the women’s winner too - Lornah Kiplagat Kenya 35:13 #2Catherine Ndereba Kenya 36:00. Way to go Simba!!
African Championships W10,000m #1 Susan Chepkemei in 31:45.14, with compatriot Leah Malot following in 32:00.78. And Ethiopia's Eyerusalem Kuma zapped da bronze in 32:21.60. & 3000M SC Final
1 Brahim Boulami (MAR) 8:19.51
2 Wilson Boit Kipketer (KEN) 8:20.92
3 Stephen Cherono (KEN) 8:23:85
from Michiel, "today i missed live coverage of Simon Vroemen taking silver on 3000 with bars and water (always have to think about the cows in Kamarin stadium)
Maasse missed a medal for sure as he fell in his 10.000 race.
Miss Paula was astonishing and run a world record. i wrote miss Lornah
a mail as she will race against her in paris and athens when everything goes well......" In Amsterdam City.
And by the roadside Sir Roland does wear the best taste in Nike Fashion - The natty Red’s are Sir Roland originals, copied by certain wannabees (Ed’s note; such as our intrepid reporter no less!), (SShhhh!)
Britain's Colin Jackson has won his 4th consecutive European 110mh title clocking 13"11. Olijars (Lat) won silver, Kohutek (Pol)bronze. And… Spain's Marta Dominguez outsprinted Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan in the last meter to grasp the 5000m European crown in Munich on Saturday. Dominguez won in a time of 15 minutes 14.76 seconds denying O'Sullivan a successful defence. Olsson takes triple-jump gold
In a tremendous demonstration of will and power Dominguez stoll the first place finish from O'Sullivna by just 9 tenths of a second. In third place Jelena Sadoroschnaja from Russia with a time of 15:15.22.
Marveljols-Mende - 22.4km
This race is one of the toughest in Europe - the hugest hills are simply gruesome! 1 Elijah Nyebuti KEN 1:12:25 2 Zebedayo Bayo TAN 1:13:13 3 Hassane El Hamadi FRA 1:13:33
1 Svetlana Demidenko RUS 1:22:49 2 Hafida Gadi FRA 1:23:12 3 Beatrice Omwanza KEN 1:26:18
What makes us get up at 06:30 am on a Saturday morning to go for a long run in the park? Who knows but thousands did, and I had that question passed on by PonyTail Ted whose wife made that comment as he turned to the bed at 1:00Am the night before… Runners are indeed a strange breed - what they do commonly have is commitment, and that is what makes the runners do these strange things - Power to you!
Seen in the crowds - Paul K, Randy Sax, TGV, Queen Diane ("I’m not doing Moscow, I’ll do Cuba instead."), Steve P, & Canadian Craig, also Mike from CPTC, and a quite a few more.
I found a large church like building with a group of old people milling in and out, and remembering something about 70th St, decided this must be the place. At the front reception I informed an old lady that I was looking for the wake of Eddy Coyle. She looked at me before yelling, "Somebody here to see a Mr. Coyle."
I told her, "Well actually Mr. Coyle is dead, but I am here to see him, as such."
"Is there a Mr. Coyle here?" She called out oblivious. The group of elderly people gawped, and nobody grasped my confusion.
"He is dead, I’m looking for a wake!" I yelled.
"You’re looking for a dead man?" She screamed back with a smile contorted across her face.
"I’ve obviously got the wrong place…" I tried to excuse myself.
"Hold on, there is a lady here who knows about dead people…."
My own thoughts were too obscure I thought for the occasion, Should I talk about the odd voice mail messages I used to get, what about his bagel recommendations, or perhaps the report he wrote in the paper when every single fact was wrong.
Although these were random thoughts I had of Eddy at that moment they would not quite befit the air of the day. I liked Eddy and would have known him three years this September. People tell me these were his cantankerous days - he was riddled with Cancer like a church pew was with woodworm, he was apt to snap like a small dog at criticism, but pound for pound he was the original. Whatever, I admired him for what he was.
As we sat and talked; "Roberto Pee-R’d in my shorts…" El Prez. "Douglas has missed the last three master’s scoring races despite me making travel plans around his requests…" PonyTail Ted. "I should go in to work at some stage today…." The Queen, and "I won’t need to shower after the club champs next week…" The Tattoo.
I forgot all about Eddy, when the Queen said at the end of lunch, "We should have toasted Eddy." A stab of guilt struck me, I guess that is the meaning of life at the end of death - Eddy’s not gone, he’ll always be there - just in our memories that’s all.
Olympic 100m gold medalist and two-time World champion Marion Jones will soon race against the woman who beat her last year at the World championships. Going head to head for the first time in 2002, Jones and Ukrainian Zhanna Pintusevich-Block will take their starting blocks at the Norwich Union Grand Prix at Crystal Palace in London on August 23.
World and Olympic champion Jonathan Edwards conceded his European triple jump title to his young pretender Christian Olsson of Sweden here on Thursday.
The giant, violin-playing German Ingo Schultz became the European 400 meter champion here on Thursday after holding off a late charge from David Canal of Spain and world indoor champion Daniel Caines.
Roared on by the 60,000 crowd at the Olympic Stadium, 27-year-old Schultz crossed the line in 45.14 seconds to be greeted by a huge hug from his girlfriend, German swimmer Anke Buschschulter, who won gold and bronze medals at last week's European Swimming Championships.
"I am hoping to return tomorrow to Fort Romeau to prepare for Chicago." Paula radcliffe ultimately decided to skip the Euro’s - not wanting the hassles of the qualifiers, and then a final.
Treadmill talk; I was moaning the other day about treadmills but…. Once upon a little time, in a cold and remote Swedish village called Ytterhogdal, there was a treadmill.
This is the treadmill I would cycle 13-miles to run on. It was a plain machine with no fancy extras, though it did have its perculiarities. When running at near full speed the band would jump, jutter, and speed up.
This was not always appreciated as the said machine was capable of running at 25 kmph (15 mph!).
Britain's Steve Backley has retained his European Javelin crown with a throw of 88.54 edging out Russian Sergey Makarov who threw 88.05. And Russian Svetlana Feofanova wins Pole Vault gold in a Championship record vault of 4.60 And Russian Yaroslav Rybakov takes European gold in the Men's High Jump with a leap of 2.31m AND World record holder Roman Sebrle of the Czech Republic claimed the decathlon European crown with a total of 8,800 points
"With women, it's not true that sex before competitions has negative effects. On the contrary, we have scientific evidence that women who have sex shortly before competing run better. It boosts performance," Uwe Hakus told Germany's Fit for Fun magazine.
"With women the testosterone levels rise when they have sex. But, unfortunately, male testosterone levels fall after orgasm. And their muscles are less able to contract," Hakus said.
Former Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding was sentenced to 10 days in jail Thursday for drinking alcohol while on probation.
In court, Harding said her arrest for drunken driving forced her to re-examine her life and was the best thing that could have happened to her.
"I'm grateful to the judge for giving me this opportunity; I finally found out what my problem is: It's alcohol," Harding said after the brief hearing.
In Addis Ababa the greatest distance runner in the world Haile Gebreselassie announced that TOTAL ETHIOPIA S.C. will be the new title sponsor of the Great Ethiopian Run, the international mass-participation road race in Addis Ababa that he helped to create.
The TOTAL Great Ethiopian Run 2002 will this year be staged on 3 November 2002 with an anticipated entry of 17,000 runners. This would make the event the largest race in Africa.
From Eldo Lise,
"A record: 2 days with my mother -and only 1 snappy exchange:
mother: why are you getting all worked up and jumping up and down like a rooster?
me: I'm not jumping and roosters don't jump up and down!
mother: they do when in heat....
me: where da hell do you come up with this stuff???
Brazilian World Cup star Gilberto Silva slotted home the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Liverpool in the Community Shield.
Queen Kajsa B. claims the high jump gold for Sweden in the Euro’s clearing 1:98
08/09
Euro 800M 1 Jolanda CEPLAK SLO 1:57.65 2 Mayte MARTINEZ ESP 1:58.86 3 Kelly HOLMES GBR 1:59.83
Last night on the track; Chubby revealed, "Kavan nearly kicked me in the mile - I was flat out, and there he was…." JimmyBats, "It is all those greasy breakfasts," To which Herb-The-Verb, "I’m off to Puerto Rico, so I’ll see yas in a while." Partime was having non of it, "I did a hard one last night." But Cara replied, "Yeah, and they’re new flats." To which Barry quipped, "I’m finishing fast." But Paul K was late, and Julia (who the hell is Julia) said "I’m racing the Sheehan, any tips?" To that Century Man, "Try Duane Reade…" And then Dorian said, "What were you buying at Duane Reade?" But then The Queen Of the Harriers said, "It was a ten day binge…."
Just as Vinyl Jim flew by……..
The Amex guys, Chris and Lee, "We’re escaping before any bonuses or boot Camp!" And Leola thought, "This club looks like a crazy bunch." However with a Becky-Lee-Becky backing her up we were wondering what ever happened to Evelyn… But Conor, "King of Kona," was storming tearing up the tartan, as Dan strode behind. Amber made it down, but the fly on my computer keeps on buzzin’ around - enough of that!
Later that night it was back to Josie’s, Exactly the same meal! Is that not a seal of approval (Don’t get an Icelandic view on a seal……) - love the place to death, and the service was fab, the salmon even better!
Another beautiful sunny day. I was most annoyed to find today that over 60% of the treadmills at the gym do not reach their full speed. Most aggravating to get going only for the machine to say, ‘Can not maintain.’ On the third, yes, I took it as a sign I was not supposed to run fast (not that the speed was going to be fast), gave up, and went to collect a bag of shoes for the Africa fund instead. C’est la vie, as Monsieur Mileage is probably saying right now as he traverses the Alps with the Madame & her Mizuno’s on tow.
Seen in the park this morning moving at faster than 12-mph was Smokin J’!! Too bad he was sat on a saddle. Still good to see the Queens-bode guy out there so early - this was before 6 AM….. The Captain and I were talking about his habit of misreading race flyers and him turning up a full 24-hrs late for an event. Most annoying - no post race food even.
IT IS a measure of Paula Radcliffe’s success that people are starting to question it. How can she be running so fast? Why the improvement? What is she taking? As compliments go, this is about as backhanded as they come and it is certainly not one that Radcliffe takes lightly. After the run of her life on Tuesday evening, she returned to the athletes’ village where she met Liz Yelling, who had also run the 10,000 metres, whom Radcliffe has known since they were juniors and with whom she occasionally trains.
Radcliffe was upset, Yelling said, because she had been asked about drugs. The irony, however, could barely be greater — that after waging a long-term campaign against pharmaceutical cheating, Radcliffe is now performing in a way in which it is pertinent to question whether she has been cheating, too.
Radcliffe could not get to sleep until 4am that night, but by the next morning she appeared to have squared it all off in her mind. "I can understand it," she said. "Obviously it upsets me because it’s something that’s very important to me. But I know I’m clean and the people around me know too that all this is because of the hard work I put in."
Cheers to Espana - Spain's Jose Manuel Martinez upset a dream return to athletics for Dieter da Drugs-Baumann by outsprinting the German in the final of the European Championships 10,000m.
Lasse Talks, and the world listens: "Lasse Viren, the Finn who achieved the Olympic 5,000-10,000 metres double not once, but twice, insists that Paula Radcliffe should throw caution to the wind later this evening and attempt a similar feat at the European Championships in Munich.
"Paula should run, she will regret her decision if she withdraws. This is her time," said Viren, who achieved his first double in 1972 on the same Munich track on which Radcliffe broke the European 10,000m record on Tuesday night. His second came at Montreal four years later.
"She looks in the shape of her life and these opportunities are very rare - this might be the only serious attempt at a championship double in her athletics career. Paula must seize the opportunity. It is a chance to make history and in her current form I believe the 5000m world record could easily be hers."
A letter from Victor to the parks! "I inquired of the New York Road Runners Club about the faded distance markers on the reservoir running path, especially on the west and south sides. They told me that this falls under the auspices of the Central Park Conservancy. Various markers are painted on the concrete base supporting the chain link fence at 20 yard intervals. These are very useful for runners who use thus path for so-called "speedwork", in which precise distances are required. As I said, these markers are badly faded and in need of re-painting in certain sections. Can you shed some light on the process by which the Conservancy maintains these? Thank you. Victor."
And the reply was;
Thank you for visiting the Central Park website. We have checked the markers and agree that they do indeed need repainting. We have asked the Director of our Technical Service Dept. to have the markers re-stencilled as soon as possible. Eve Rothenberg Central Park Operations."
If you also want to make a point you too can contact the parks @ Contact@centralparknyc.org
Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi will return to the Berlin Marathon on September 29 - The German capital offers a super fast course, and the odds are that Taka’ will attack Ndereba’s WR.
U.S. Olympians Suzy Favor Hamilton and Amy Rudolph will join top athletes from around the world at the Eighth Annual SBLI Falmouth Invitational Mile in Massachusetts on Saturday, August 10. Expect them both to be badly crushed by the Simba who returns to America after her win at PeachTree last month!
08/08
Latest news: Funeral Services for Eddie Coyle to be held at John Kritil Funeral Home at 1297 First Avenue at 70th Street on Friday, August 9. Viewing from 10am to Noon with service and burial at Woodlawn cemetary to follow at 1pm.
We hear from JimmyBats, "Today's NY Times has a medical report on George Bush(the prez) saying he runs 3 miles 4 times a week with an average pace of 6:45 to 7:15. So for a guy whose favorite food is "chicken fried steak with a great big silver bowl of gravy" I'm really impressed. Except, Runners World reports that in June the man was the first president to complete an organized road race running a certified 3 miler timed at 20:29. (I read 6:49 pace). So does this mean: 1. The prez needs a coach 2. Our prez is pretty strong but not too smart 3. Something is not right with his press." Ha, right on! Thanks Bats!
TV Check - August 10 2-3:30 p.m. Ironman World Championships: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii NBC.
The coach of Lornah Kiplagat and I have made our Radcliffe Chicago predictions - I think low 2:18, and he says 2:17… time will tell!
To da Cinema; We went to see Goldmember.. ouch full of innuendoes from the curtain to the tape that left me thinking my parents must be musing…. "This is the kind of film a Son takes his parents to?" A-Powers is slightly over the top but….. earlier on I grabbed a great Talube salad on a sesame at Tal Bagels. Ok, off that subject.
The wake for Irishman Eddy Coyle will be on Friday we hear - 10-12, on First Avenue around the Sixties. I ask all runners who knew Eddy to pass by to pay their last respects.
Eddy was a man who was there for the NY Running community, in all weather he’d be standing on the finishing line with his notepad in hand.
In a city where running is largely ignored by the press I know a lot of runners read the Daily News on Tuesday to catch Eddy’s unique take on the weekend’s event.
Accuracy was never his strong point in the last couple of years, but his commitment was total - he will be missed.
We hear the Spaghetti Kenyan will be the favorite for the Overall Men’s race at the Liberty 10-k later this month, that after he defends his Club Champs title.
08/07
Down on the 6th St track: Sir Roland was sporting a very natty pair of Red Nike’s - making quite the fashion statement. BodyCraig (as is his email) was informing the soccer players that if they placed one more ball on the track he’d show them that there are more ties with him & Lennox Lewis than just da looks.
Hm, that was long ago… in Icelandic Days when Whiskey was water, and sobriety was a pig’s liver over the shore.
Obituary: Eddie Coyle, 76, News copy editor Eddie Coyle, a retired sports copy editor and New York City Marathon runner who wrote a popular running column for the Daily News, died Saturday at Metropolitan Hospital after a long illness. He was 76.
Euro 10,000m - Paula Marches on!
1 Paula RADCLIFFE GBR 30:01.09 ER 2 S. O'SULLIVAN IRL 30:47.59 NR 3 L. BIKTASHEVA RUS 31:04.00 Pr
We stole this quote from the Mystic Oranges; "We swear that we would not mention the Commonwealth Games because this is really NOT a major competition." Urm, and the challenge of the neighbors tomatoes are? Scuz me, Da Commonwealth Games have witnessed some of the finest running competitions ever; consider a championship of Kenyans, British Runners, Australians, South Africans, Tanzanians, Canadians… and then let’s go to the Pan Am Games. Yep, the Commonwealth Games remain one of the World’s most sterling Major Running Competitions.
Brazilian striker Ronaldo is reportedly set to meet in Milan today to negotiate a transfer to Real Madrid. Ronaldo's agent, Alexandre Martins, declared the information yesterday, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj will attempt to break his own world mile record at the London athletics grand prix on August 23 if the conditions are favorable.
At 37, Heike Drechsler, relishes the prospect of capturing her fifth consecutive European crown in front of her home crowd at the European championships in Munich.
The two-time Olympic and world long jump champion has achieved everything in the world of athletics, from her very first world title in Helsinki back in 1983 - at just 18 years of age -- to her indoor world record of 7.37 metres.
Drechsler is as versatile as she is talented. With a personal best of 10.91 in the 100m, in addition to the European record in the 200m (21.71), the former East German also owns the 15th best ever performance in the heptathlon. We wish her the best of luck!
PonyTail Ted, "i read a reference in your column to a ``runners'' bar on the corner of 53rd & 3rd. you're off by a couple of blocks. ``the old stand'' is located on the northwest corner of 55th & 3rd, and is chock full of eamonn stuff. 53rd & 3rd is famous for something completely different (although maybe not all _that_ different). deedee ramone was arrested on the corner of 53rd & 3rd in the 70s for soliciting. and more recently i'm working on that corner."
Bob A gives a report on the Manhattan ½ that pretty much summed up everyone’s view; "The Manhattan 1/2 was horrible. I actually made a decision after about 2 miles that I would drop out at 7 (back near the finish area). Seeing a guy stumble to the side of the road and collapse just before the 6 mile mark confirmed that my decision was probably the correct one. (He received immediate attention by race staff, by the way.)"
08/06
Happy Birthday to a KingPin Urbanoso - Paul Kav, have a great one! And for his Irish blood….
The best runners’ bar in the city? The answer to that one is surely that this city is missing a Running Bar. Any backers let me know and I’ll open it myself - a meeting place, a runners central… could be good huh?
Yeah, real slow - when the pace picked up Abdi fell off!
Cheers to Amex! American Express and Modell's Sporting Goods have signed on as the founding sponsors of the inaugural NYC Run to Liberty 10-K scheduled for Labor Day weekend on the August 31.
Searching for success at a higher level, following her marvelous 5000 meters victory in last week's Commonwealth Games, Paula Radcliffe admitted her own personal ambitions will be the driving factor when seeking another gold medal on Tuesday night in da Euro’s. A big clash will also be: Newly crowned Commonwealth 1500 meters gold medallist Kelly Holmes can expect double trouble from the World's most gifted middle distance runner Jolanda Ceplak in this week's European Championships.
"It's not getting what you want. It's wanting what you've got." Quote of the week!
Scandal of the week;
Olympic long-jump gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa faces a dramatic and tragic end to a once glorious career.
M’Africa: Tunis is upbeat and awaiting the African athletics fraternity for the 13th African Championships which start on Tuesday 6 August and run through to Saturday 10 August at the magnificent 60,000-seater Radez stadium.
My campaign manager, Wendy 17, has moved to Washington - to be closer to the Avenue. She writes, "i had a bagel today... it was very very very small :(
your best manager yet."
At the Nike camp tonight - a great turnout considering the Half yesterday - people were motivated to get out there and shake a leg, I was super impressed!
And Eldo Lise, what is she up to in Vancouver? "Today is a civic holiday- (not sure for what...how bad is that) so out with girlfriends scanning mags at Chapters and then off for nutella/banana crepes...yep....the trendy day. Just looking at my neighbour's kid outside- he's got the biggest head- like a pumpkin on stilts....better go say hi and get in on the neighborhood gossip."
This week's quote is from Sheyrl Crow - it is super but too bad I've forgotten the exact wording - am waiting for R2 to email it in, till then Cole'll do. And on that note please remember that the mailer from the NYRR will soon be popping through your door giving you the Op. to vote for the Board of Directors!
08/05
Important advice from Da Doc; "PLEASE remind your runners NOT to drink too much for this half marathon and to increase their salt intake............hyponatremia can happen in a half marathon! IMMDA recomments no more than 1 cup (8 oz) of sports drink(preferred) or water every 20 minutes while running (even on a hot day!)." Sage advice!
Newly crowned Kim Collins tested positive for a banned substance that was in his asthma medication. He was supposed to tell the testers before the Games started. He didn't. But they didn't care and he keeps his gold medal in the Men’s 100m Commonwealth. Bad move!
Mourhit gets three years - we think he should also hand back his medals after testing positive for EPO and shaming the Belgian Athletics Association.
Welsh hurdler Colin Jackson has confirmed he will retire next March.
But Jackson is adamant that will not happen, saying: "There is no chance of me carrying on after March.
Monte Carlo – In a joint decision by the IAAF and IOC to give athletes more opportunities to meet the standards for the Men’s and Women’s Marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the qualification period has been extended.
Let’s hope our Urban Olympic Heroes Anders Szalkai, and Jerry Lawson will be in Athens for the marathon. Anders, after running 2:12 last year, suffered from some bad injuries but should, if healthy, breeze under the Q-mark. And Jerry is the runner that can pull it out of the bag easily if he gets it right on the day - like he did at the end of the Nineties with some fine Chicago finishes, and an American record. (Ed’s note - he may still have an American record in the 25km) (Clever Clogs).
Out & About, and pertinent to Mr. Lawson, we were in Syracuse over the weekend - great bagels up there, and the University up there is simply awesome… but only one starbucks in a 50-mile radius…Are you serious??
And from Eldo Lise, "i'm dog/house sitting this week- the dog is a rhodesian ridgeback and i cannot believe how much interest this dog generates on the street when out walking....'course i can't answer any of the questions asked except for "it's a female"...wickedly tired today as spent the night fighting for bed space with her (she couldn't grasp the "don't cross this line" rule) as well as hearing many strange noises (from the ax murderer hiding there) coming from the freaky attic they have...."how old are you?" was a comment from a friend today."
Odds on the club championships team results... Toby'sPreddicto's will appear after the Euro's are over. One thing is for sure the Flying Urbanoso's will not be in the top six, and we will make a point of that. Main contenders for the men - The Boys in Blue Vs Westchester Da Powerhouse, and La Femmes it'll be the Mystic Orange against Zoomalong's/Comfy Ed's MCNY. One man, one vote.
Joanie’s race
#1 28:11 JAMES KOSKEI KENYA $7500 #2 28:12 HENRICK RAMAALA JOHANNESBURG SOUTHAFRICA $5000 #3 28:19 EVANS RUTTO KENYA $3000 4 28:& first Master #11 29:49 EDDY HELLYBUCK 41yrs young.
#1 31:56 ADRIANA FERNANDEZ MEXICO $7500 #2 31:58 ESTHER KIPLAGAT ELDORET KENYA $5000 #3 32:07 CATHERINE NDEREBA ROYERSFORD PA KENYA $3000& First Master::14# 34:14 ELANA FIDATOF 42
Seth, who runs with us on Thursday nights, is playing on August 8th @ 9pm Greenwich Village Bistro, 13 Carmine St - check him out for Bluesy Jazz guitar & vocals.
Le Soccer News: French champions Lyon conceded two goals in the last three minutes to draw 3-3 at Guingamp on Friday in the opening match of their title defence.
Well we started talking about Anders… and now we hear that he won, for the third time, The Gotland Marathon - Congrats, the trail has begun to the Olympics!
Munich Fav: After her stunning world-leading 2.04 in Lausanne—which stands atop her three other 2.00 jumps this year—the clear favorite is Sweden’s Kajsa Bergqvist, the bronze medallist in both Sydney and Edmonton. - Let the Games Begin, again….
Out & About with the parents - we sampled bagels and drunk Starbucks. My Mother bought a dress that looked like it had spun one too many times in a washing machine, the thing looked beat up, and busted, on the rack. "At least she’s is quick at shopping," quipped Poppa Urban. "It reminds me of the Hippie days!" Beamed Mama U coming out of the store. I took them to St. John’s cathedral, and knowing how they love to live in those establishments for hours on end zipped down to the gym to jog on da trotter.
08/02
"Not voting is so last season." Kenneth Cole.
Four-time Olympic medalist Ato Boldon sustained cuts and bruises on his hands and legs in a head-on car accident in Trinidad and Tobago, police said.
06/24: La Guaira, Venezuela, Turi-Vargas Half Marathon had Luis Fonseca winning in a personal best 62:31 ($800), remember Luis from the roads of New York last year? He ran for West Side Runners.
We hear Westchester will be appearing at the Club Teams, whether with the squad they had last year remains to be seen. Seen, though, was WS Mike A "Teller" in the park, back from da back injury that sidelined his racing season.. also back is Shelley Farmer, though from France - she went to watch Le Tour - expect her photo hugging Lance to appear soon on the CPTC site. Said Shelley, "we went up the climbs.. at 4 mph.. they were HARD!"
fat Tuesady update; Smokin J; "as for myself plenty of biking and swimming but little of the 2 legged exercise - although unbeleivably enough since I stopped running I've not touched the fags for 31 days! - go figure..........." (NB Fags = cigarettes in da British speel!)
Wrapping up the Commonwealth, The Relays: In the relays, Cathy Freeman helped Australia to gold in the women's 4x400. Though not at full fitness, her second leg kept Australia in the hunt, and strong legs by 800m runner Tamsyn Lewis and 400m hurdles champion Jana Pittmann gave Australia victory in 3:25.63 over England by a second. Big favorites, the Jamaica team dropped the baton at the end of the first leg.
With crowds of 38,000 one could say the Games were a resounding success - we now move on to the Euro’s in Munich! Let da Games begin!
Congrats to local girl Jeanne Hennessy of Mahopac, NY; and Nicole Jefferson of Arvada, Colo. Each of this year's six recipients will receive a $4,000 grant from the RRCA.
100 meter runner Mark Lewis-Francis has withdrawn from next week’s European Athletics Championships because of the hamstring tear he suffered in the Commonwealth Games final.
From The Captain, "A husband looking through the paper came upon a study that said women
use more words than men. Excited to prove to his wife that he had
been right
all along when he accused her of talking too much, he showed her the
study results.
It read " Men use about 15,000 words per day, but women
use 30,000."
The wife thought for awhile, then finally she said to her husband, "
it's because we have to repeat everything we say."
The husband said, " What?"
At the track; There were some grumbles when the bonus interval turned out to be long tonight - Coffee Kevin made straight for the stands, "You’ll never catch me doing a bonus!" (A reminder that Coffee also thought half the group would drop out in the bonus on his last visit to the track). Partime became the coach, as she’ll do the session this morning on the NYSC treadmill, and the rest of the group ran, "You’ve got a big turnout tonight." Mentioned the aforementioned. Indeed we did - Paul Cassidy has now become a regular, Conor stormed through the session, Paul K turned up late but ran extra distance to make up for it, Cara (dodging MRI’s) ran zippy fast, Kim also ran fast as did Bob & Randy, Becky-Lee, Lee-Becky, Cruiser, Jen, Evelyn, Century, & TGV made for a rock, and rolled into it well… Anne Sophie came down to say hello, though sadly has shin-splints, "I wanted to do the half this weekend…" Well there’s an excuse to stay in bed. Lee & Chris turned cards for AMEX showing their metal not plastic… (Oh my god, shoot him - Ed’s note)… Consider me shot!
Out & About later; Josie’s on the West Side (74th on Amsterdam). The joint was hopping - the salmon was exquisite - Favia is dead, even the almost Greek Salad was sublime…. Highly recommended.. and Century said da chicken was tasty too! Can’t go wrong at Josie’s, check it out!
08/01
Often on this web site we post clips from other people, like the head ache Randy had the other day on the West Side Highway. A nice concerned lady wrote in to the mailbag to tell him, "Get your head checked out." Sage advice, and from my own experience a couple of years ago - I’ll second it!
Up at the NYRR today to see Krafty - he is doing well, in fact we ran together later in the day. Went to Starbucks with Barry earlier too, the server asked, "Do you want your coffee hot?" What is this town coming to? Earlier than that we were with the Captain, he keeps me abreast of the technology market and told me about the new mobile phones that do everything for you except clipping your toes. I then went to the gym to swim, but couldn’t as I did not have a swimming cap… for a nanosecond I considered shaving my head - then I remembered how much I don’t love swimming.
We hear CPTC are having softball batting practice next Tuesday night at 7 pm, board the windows.
Slow times, and William out kicked! Julius in there, the Ugandan chili eater (for the long term page readers). Obviously Kevin S. is not in the form he was last year - SB stands for season’s best.
And now for the relevant stuff:
Fresh Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
2 pints strawberries, washed and hulled
2 cups unflavored yogurt
1/3 cup honey
Purée the strawberries in a food processor. You should have about 3 cups. Put the yogurt, honey and strawberry purée into the bowl of the machine and freeze.
Makes about 5 cups.
07/31
How to vote; Coming soon to Your mailbox in August will be a form from the NYRR giving you the chance to vote for the NYRR Board of Directors. My new Chief of Operations, R2, will be handling the flyers that will suggest who we advise you to vote for - look out for them soon!
I have just realized, if I wanted to have the same body mass index as Paula Radcliffe I would have to lose 7-lbs… Ouch, let’s go!
I went to the track last night. When I was young I was told, ‘I wants don’t get.’ Well life rumbled on, and for a while, as I got older, I got pretty much what I wanted.
However this year, ever since last year actually, things have not been going as I want - I tell my legs move, and they don’t!
Commonwealth Games 800m: 1
MULAUDZI Mbulaeni
South Africa (RSA) 1:46.32 2
MUTUA Joseph
Kenya (KEN) 1:46.57 3
McCARTHY Kris
Australia (AUS) 1:46.79 4
LEKOTE Otukile
Botswana (BOT) 1:47.04 5
KIMUTAI Japhet
Kenya (KEN) 1:47.46
& the women 1 746
MUTOLA Maria
Mozambique (MOZ) 1:57.35 (GR) 2 389
CUMMINS Diane
Canada (CAN) 1:58.82 (SB) 3 767
SAMARIA Agnes
Namibia (NAM) 1:59.15 (NR) 4 911
SCOTT Susan
Scotland (SCO) 1:59.30 (NR)
News from the adventures of Eldo Lise: Met with Red Cross this morning- joining their disaster response team...(not a paid position- yet!)...so one step closer to getting field experience to move back overseas...now the bad thing is- I'll hoping for a disaster...(just kidding!)
CG 200m GOLD 1
FREDERICKS Frankie
Namibia (NAM) 0.197 20.06 & La femmes 1
FERGUSON Debbie
Bahamas (BAH) 0.184 22.20 (GR)
Commonwealth women’s 10,000m: 1
KOSGEI Salina
Kenya (KEN) 31:27.83 (GR) 2
CHEPKEMEI Susan
Kenya (KEN) 31:32.04 (PR) 3
POWER Susie
Australia (AUS) 31:32.20 4
YELLING Liz
England (ENG) 31:58.39 (PR) 5
YELLING Hayley
England (ENG) 32:29.73 (PR) 6
WILKINSON Jo
England (ENG) 33:36.60 (PR)
The Commonwealth Games new track will be torn up after the games! Paula Radcliffe called on Manchester City to find another stadium after ending her search for an elusive track title with a record-breaking victory in the Commonwealth Games 5000 meters.
07/30
News from the Kenyan Press:
Kenya could have finished first had the country been represented in other events
By PETER NJENGA
Kenya junior athletes lived up to expectation during the IAAF world junior championships in Kingston, Jamaica.
The juniors had a total haul of eight medals – five gold, one silver and two bronze – to finish second on the table behind the US.
And the British Papers report:
Runner sets marathon record for snail's pace
By Russell Jenkins and John Goodbody
Castelbuono, ITA, La Corsa Piu' Antica: Men - 1. Benson Barus, KEN, 34:21; 2. Paul Tergat, KEN, 34:24; 3. Hendrik Ramaala, RSA, 34:26; 4. Khalid Khannouchi, USA, 34:28. Benson is the Coogan’s 2001 Salsa 5km champion.
The dirty sport continues:
French police have arrested the wife of Lithuanian cyclist Raimondas Rumsas, who finished third in the Tour de France, as part of a probe into suspected doping. The rider was suspended by his Lampre-Daikin team pending investigation and faces being sacked if found guilty.
Brazilian World Cup winning striker Rivaldo has signed for Serie A club AC Milan, the Italian club said on Saturday.
Warning about running in NYC.
From Randy, "Yesterday, I was finishing the last of a good 12 mile run along the West Side Highway. As with any warm day, there are too many people out, but us runners are always the cautious ones. As I was heading south, at about 14th street, a woman, from out of no where slams into me as she's rollerblading across both lanes of the path. I was shocked and said, "JESUS!", and kept on my way, even making sure she didn't fall after colliding with me. I blew it off as another careless, incompetent rollerblader, but then, I then hear footsteps fast approaching me.
It's her boyfriend, on foot, chasing after me. He's running, carrying both of his rollerblades in hands. He of course yells profanities at me, telling me to f_ing apologize and f-ing this, and f-that..and then proceeds to try and tackle me from the front, head and shoulder first into my mid section! When I turn and roll off of him, this jackass, from behind, hits me in the back of my head with his rollerblade. That did not feel good. By now I quickly figured this guy is a wack job and I need to get away from him (what's a little speedwork in a long run, right?).
Please watch out, and be careful - this City is riddled with crazy people. Speaking of which full marks to the roller blader who was insisting on going backwards in the Rec. lane on Sunday.
Latest restaurant tip from Grammercy Park comes from R2 - "Café Indulge on Second Avenue - wonderful breads, fish, and salads…." Sounds like a good eatery to me. I sent the parents to Café Mozart today, that was after the Strawberry Fields/ Joko Lennon tour… "And there are 1, 226 trees in Central Park…" Tanza-Tour.
The winner of the Dash & Splash, direct from Colombia, is currently in New York to score his six races to count for the NYRR Marathon money… we hear that Jorge Real, also from Colombia, will also be flying in to New York soon. We await Bob Simmons from Iowa…
All fun at the Nike run last night - a great group as always, with some new faces! Welcome to you all!
Here’s a nice little story; About a yonk ago I gave a pair of shorts to a runneras a present with a clause - this was back in 2001. I told him, "You can’t wear these till they fit you properly." Well lawdy claudy Vuitton strolled into the Nike group tonight decked out in a pair of shorts that looked exactly the right size - he’s lost 20-lbs, a huge well done! He becomes this week’s hero!
07/29
Dash & Splash: Paul the Spaghetti Kenyan, like myself, an injured spectator, he twisted an ankle but vows to claim the Club Teams title next month, "Maybe I’ll run the CR…" he says. Paul’s main focus is on the NYC Marathon.
Commonwealth Women’s Marathon - Not a top notch race, but a wonderful 1,2, 3 finish for Australia! Kerry McCann won in 2:30 - however to get tenth would be 2:49… surprise of the day is Marion Sutton’s 2:45, she is a former Chicago Marathon winner, and won Austin last year in 2:31. The men’s race was much tougher in quality with 2:09 man Francis Robert Naali winning for TZ in 2:11:58, Joshua Chelanga (#3 in 2001 Boston) was second in 2:12:44, and third was Letherballs himself! Andrew Letherby running a PR 2:13:23 - Unbelievably great!! "With about half a mile to go I realised I was in with a chance. My plan was to stay relaxed and hang in there; it was just a case of conserving myself until the end,"
Francis also appears in the Urbanoso stories as he used to race in Sweden during the Summers. I once raced him and three of his brothers in a race in the south of Sweden; Francis was #2, another TZ runner won, and I ran with his brother Ergobert Robert for 4 or 5th (can’t remember), and behind us was Selestin Robert Naali - all the brothers have run 61-minutes for the half marathon - what a team!
Gdansk - Wilson Boit blasted into 2nd place in the steeplechase behind Khamis Saifeloin of Quatar! 8:16.48 to 8:16:71, third spot to Philip manyim of Kenya, 8:24.
Coming next year; The Miami Tropical Marathon, the race will be Miami's first marathon since the Orange Bowl Marathon in the late '70s. Organizers hope to attract an international field of elite athletes with $50,000 in prize money, as well as a bonus of $1 million for breaking the world marathon record, and $100,000 for breaking the American record. More information is available at www.miamitropicalmarathon.com.
Beijing plans to ban vehicles failing to meet European emission standards to reduce pollution in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics - a promising start!
newsflash:
Alesia Tourova of Belarus sets new 3000m steeple World record in 9'16"51 at Gdansk meeting.
Canadian triathlete Kelly Guest has been sent home from the Commonwealth Games after failing an out-of-competition drugs test.
M10,000m A close call - 1
TALEL Wilberforce
Kenya (KEN) 27:45.39 (GR) 2
MALAKWEN Paul
Kenya (KEN) 27:45.46 3
YUDA John
United Republic of Tanzania (TAN) 27:45.78 (PB) 4
CHERUIYOT John Korir
Kenya (KEN) 27:45.83 5
SULLE Martin
United Republic of Tanzania (TAN) 28:15.60
" Both of them have been running really well and there's no way I will under-rate them. They've both been very positive just lately," said Radcliffe.
The Daily Mirror reports that a lack of track and field entries has forced organizers to refund $300,000 to fans after preliminaries were canceled. Now further sessions are under threat because with only 16 entries for the men's shot and 15 for the women's high jump, competitors can go through to the final rounds.
What's hot
The baton relay.
What's not
Mushy peas. Spanish red.
From the vault
The first Games were held in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Four hundred athletes from 11 countries took part. The Games have been held every four years since, except for 1942 and 1946 when they were canceled because of World War II.
Canada's Olympic medalist Clara Hughes won the first gold medal in cycling at the Commonwealth games in the women's time-trial.
Karlstad, Sweden - World silver medalist and European Indoor champion Christian Olsson leapt to a new Swedish triple jump record of 17.64m last night.
Despite being in the midst of the Swedish holiday season and facing a not very promising weather forecast, a capacity crowd of some 7,000 spectators gathered on Thursday evening at the "Tingvalla" in Karlstad for this year’s edition of "Götagalan".
In 15th place Warren St were the only NY state team in the top 20 places at Boston this year - three WS men ran a combined time of 8:23:22 with Chris Madden leading the way in 2:46… Stopntalk Kingsley led CPTC, 3:05:33 to a 10th place for CPTC in the women’s division. 81% of the New York state runners who started came to the finish - West Virginia led out with 94%.
local track: City College track (133th & Covent Avenue---near Broadway) July 30th, 1 mile, 200m, 800m, 3000m, 2 miles (two person relay running alternate 400m legs)
Out & About; Totonno’s Pizza on Second Ave - certainly one of the best places for authentic NY City pizza. Good service, but little else, the bread was pretty ropey, but - recommended for Pizza.
07/27
A bagel with Joan Benoit; On the Upper West Side. "Where's H& H?" She asked. Joan certainly has her priorities right. Staying at the Ritz Carlton she made a speedy stop through New York to promote the Runners brand - NIKE. Visit nike at the Dash & Splash tomorrow, it'll be fun at the pool!
Urbanoso’s down on the track; A good number, and a portion of newies also….. Barry has now become a member, and we had a French Lady too (good to have some European blood), plus Paul Cassidy (must ask him about the candlestick email reference), A girl called Kim who was very zippy (doing the 400 bonus in 71 after 5-miles of intervals!) And da regulars; The Boss ("Is that good looking girl in my club?") was leading some 200’s earlier with Kavan & JimmyBats ("I want to see myself on camera"), Cre, Paul ("I’m dreading the marathon focus"), Randy ("dedication, I’m ready,") The Judge ("Montauck and holidays for me! Enough of this training!") Becky ("I want more intervals!!" that after 15 repeats!!), Dorian ("I never want to stop so I’m going to keep going.") Evelyn, ("Humidity? Yeah also a lack of running will slow you down.") Conor ("I’m a little unsure tonight," - he reeled everyone in!), Dan (got reeled in), Don ( the steady guy), Lee (Smiling too much, she must be a Lance supporter), Cruiser & Ben - my leaders to control the rebellious group, 100-man - a rebel. Pam & Cara - ran great, ("I slept thru’ the breakfast run… " Don’t blame you, living downtown and having to get uptown for a 6 am start - impossible!), Buffalo & Chris - dug deep despite ("@00’s in the summer? This is not a good session!"), Jen ("I got an email reconfirming my marathon rejection, just to rub it in…") Man, it was a bundle of tricks & sticks on the track to say the least!
Do you remember Krafty Krebs, the NYRR webmaster?
"Just got some new shoes which is always agonizing because I have some of the worst heelspurs you're likely to see. Once my feet and the shoes reach an understanding, we'll all be fine. I'm in about the same shape as this time last year, which is good since I was training then and now just casual. Haven't tried heavy speed work, but probably won't as I don't have a real reason to. Maybe I'll do some XC races, in which case I'll do some long speed later."
Breakfast was with Victor & Sandy this morning, who live on the Upper West Side. Victor is training for Chicago, he is (knock on wood) training injury free and flying round the Reservoir - he also makes a good cup of coffee!
Keith Dowling sends us this news, "Just shipped the first 5 boxes over to Arusha Town. They'll go "surface" shipping which will take 4-6 weeks. Apparently the boxes will travel by sea! Like the good ol' days." Excellent, and big thanks to Keith, and the Reston Runners crew.
Street talking Cowboy;
Catacomb - I saw Don King at da fights the other night. Man, somebody get that catacomb.
Foreclose - If I pay alimony today, I got no money foreclose.
Rectum - I had two Cadillacs, but my bitch rectum both.
Disappointment - My parole officer tol' me if I miss disappointment they gonna send me back to the joint.
Penis - I went to the doctors and he handed me a cup and said
penis.
Israel - Tito try to sell me a rolex. I say, "Man, it look fake."
He say, "Bullshit, that watch Israel."
Undermine - There's a fine lookin' ho in the apartment undermine.
Acoustic - When I was little, my uncle bought me acoustic and took
me to the pool hall.
Iraq - When we got the poolhall, I tol' my uncle, "Iraq, you break."
Stain - My mother-in-law stopped by and I axed her, "Do you plan on stain for dinner?"
Fortify - I axed this ho on da street, "how much?" she say,
"fortify".
Income - I just got in bed wif a ho and income my wife.
Opera in the park; "Toby what opera is it?" (yards from the great lawn) Urm let me check….
"Actually it is not Opera according to this program, it is the philharmonic tonight…."
The first annual NYC Run to Liberty 10-K will take place during Labor Day weekend, on the morning of Saturday, August 31. This inaugural people's run through the streets of Lower Manhattan will be organized by New York Road Runners.
Australian cycling manager Michael Flynn said yesterday it was naive to think there were no drug cheats at the Commonwealth Games, but offered to send himself home "butt naked" if any Australian cyclists were taking drugs.
"No question about it," Flynn replied when asked if any competitors at the Games would be taking drugs.
What to do in NYC: Brooklyn Brewery
79 North 11th Street | Brooklyn, NY 11211
phone 718-486-7422 | fax 718-486-7440
NY's leading brewery; among the nation's top 30. Happy hour Friday and Saturday from noon to 6pm. Events, beerfests, beer tastings, dinners, and directions listed on tours/events on web site.
07/25
After being requested to do so by the GNY team I have dropped my ‘campaign’ to unite the teams of NY for a post race game of Softball after the Club Champs race in August. I mention this to inform the teams that did express an interest in playing. Plan #2 could be to go to the Boat Basin on West 79th for a beer or two, and sitting the ships roll in. I believe this second plan more fitting to the UATH, NYH, & TRD squads than more physical activities anyway.
Lornah does it again!! Now FIVE runs under 31-minutes for the 10km! Read more on her site!
Commonwealth Games drugs talk: Paula Radcliffe insists the organizers must take a strong stance to keep them clean.
London Marathon winner Radcliffe, one of Britain's best hopes for gold in the 5,000 and 10,000m, said: "It's not clear what the standards of the testing will be and that's very disappointing.
"It's very important we get it right because if we want to stage major championships in the future we must get it right.
M110H "Colin Jackson is 35, he remains the world record-holder at the 110 metres hurdles and when the Commonwealth Games open in Manchester tomorrow, he is set to become one of the stars of the show. Again.
The Irish Athletics Selectors have given Mark Carroll a huge vote of confidence ahead of the forthcoming European Championships by confirming his selection in the 5,000m, in spite of the fact that the Cork man has yet to achieve the necessary 13.30 qualifying standard.
Sonia O’S will be surprised to hear that after being forced to run qualifiers on the track for the 10,000 & 5,000m. She had hoped that her Mini result, 31’ would be suffice - but for her the rules were different. That is federation politics.
07/24
Tonight is the Free opera in Central Park. Yesterday morning it was breakfast at the Tavern on the Green; and at the Breakfast Club was Comfy Ed, R2, and Audrey - MIA was the Queen of the Harriers, though the Queen of the NYRR did drop by with husband Derek, & wee Alex. Zoomalong covered the six mile loop at 6-min/miling exactly after acting as race controller and MC. Other useful advice came from Jake La Sala, "Stay in the Rec. Lane or you’ll get squashed by a car…." The NYRR must be losing interest in this race as this was the first year without a lead bicycle to alert the sleepy oncomers that a race was in progress causing some hairy moments!
NYRR NewsFlash! "Change to Race Day Check-In
Effective immediately, NYRR is changing its race day check-in procedures. As always, race numbers and chips (if necessary) will be distributed in the registration area prior to the start of the race. T-shirts will no longer be available at this time, however; instead, they will be distributed after the race, in the same area, to entrants who turn in the t-shirt tag from their race number. (Entrants who check in prior to race day may pick up their numbers, chips, and shirts all at once.) Race entrants suggested that we make this change to avoid congestion at race day check-in." And that is a very good we think.
Martin Steinle & Catherine Ndereba won the British 10-km this last Sunday.
Telekom rider Jan Ullrich has been suspended for six months by the German cycling federation following a positive test for amphetamines. Only 6-months?? Oh yes, Lance is still in da yellow!
We are glad to hear that competitors at the Commonwealth Games will face blood and urine tests for the first time for stamina-boosting erythropoietin (EPO). Not that the medal winners, Kenyans, have anything to hide… this is not the eastern Euro Champs, but the Brits have not got such a beautiful record right now in the pharmaceutical depo!
Max from TZ is in Manchester with the national squad - he sends our readers his greetings, and hopes you are supporting team Tanzania!
07/23
Vinyl Jim - Jim Stemm. I first got to talk to Jim at the MAC awards dinner. A while later we started to talk more as we ate together at a picnic on the West Side, and trained at the 6th st track. Jim's love for music, his musical era puts him in the Vinyl groove. A most animated guy. "I had to move apartments because my record collection got too big." That's the kind of guy Jim is.
Breakfast with Partime at Starbucks; "My hip only hurts when I sleep." Wow, that is a good injury to have… kind’ve like I don’t mind the rain if I’m sleeping (Ed’s note; Now credit her with the intelligence she did with you!) Anyway Partime tells us she was at da beach on Sunday with The Boss, Cara, Costanza & Co - only a 45-minute train ride from Penn no less!
R2 - thanks for bringing back bagels from Minnesota - Not so bad taste actually, still not a Ess-a-bagel quality, but certainly better than what I’d guessed.
If you had bought $1,000.00 worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would
now
be worth $49.00.
With Enron, you would have $16.50 of the original $1,000.00.
With Worldcom, you would have less than $5.00 left.
If you had bought $1,000.00 worth of Budweiser (the beer, not the stock)
one
year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for 10 cent deposit,
you would have $214.00.
Based on the above, my current investment advice is to drink heavily and
recycle.
Vincent Rosseau was Right!!
"According to the Agence France-Presse, Mohammed Mourhit tested positive for the banned substance EPO last May, two days before the World Half-Marathon Championships in Brussels. Mourhit, Belgium's two-time world cross-country champion, has been suspended until a board of enquiry will look over his case on August 1."
Strip the titles, records, and more this imposter ‘won’ over his career.
Australia’s Commonwealth Team includes the Flying Hellebuyck’s Circus runner Letherballs! Great stuff, I am really happy for the guy! The women's team consists of Kerryn McCann, Jackie Gallagher and Krishna Stanton, while the men's contingent boasts Shaun Creighton, Andrew Letherby and Lee Troop. McCann is a hot favorite for the women's race after finishing eighth in the New York marathon.
Beat up & Battered around; another massage with Pierre. Boy, did I need it. Pierre continues to impress - Randy tried him out and was super stunned, "magic…" it’s in the hands.
Mich is home! "I am back and now known as Michelle Duran. A little strange, but I definitely got used to introducing myself that way in Hawaii. Michael and I had an amazing time in Hawaii. We visited two islands -- Lana'i and Kaua'i. Both were gorgeous. In Lanai, we stayed at two separate hotels, each for three nights -- one at the beach and one in the mountains. We were able to snorkel, play golf, do archery, play lawn bowling, hike, have amazing dinners, and basically just enjoy each other's company. In Kaua'i, we spent alot of time lounging around. We also went on a fun kayaking/hiking excursion which felt like we were travelling alone through the Amazon."
Eldo Lise, "Recuperating from mine- this weekend from sports-related bruises, aches and pains.
My kickboxing coach is opening a non-chi chi boxing gym with some partners, so yesterday was a big bbq/soccer game at the beach. Trying to find this group amongst hundreds of people on the beach wasn't too tough- look for the hard body crowd, usually in black with lots of tattoos...yep- I fit right in....one chick was proudly showing me her new full-arm tattoo...replete with dragon, fish, snakes....uh-huh. What looked like the Russian mafia and their stripper girlfriends showed up late in the day...will be interesting working out with this new crowd.
Mary is back from Eldo so we spent many hours on the phone catching up last night...."
07/22
I would like to propose (Uh-oh) that in attempt to make the Club Teams a united festival of NYC running the clubs of New York band together for the post race baseball games. Typically CPTC played first with their self, and then, over the last two years with NYH, and WS.
Wilson Boit Kipketer.
Gail Devers continues on her winning ways! 12:42 awesome!
W1500 1 Turova Alesya BLR 4:01.01 2 Jacobs Regina USA 4:01.02 3 Pattinson Helen GBR 4:01.10
W800 Scorching! 1 Calatayud Zulia CUB 1:56.09 2 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 1:56.16 3 Langerholc Brigita SLO 1:58.97
Marion continues blasting the field in the 100 - read 10:84! And Jearl-da-Pearl is still in there with a super 400 1 Guevara Ana MEX 49.25 2 Fenton Lorraine JAM 49.30 3 Miles Clark Jearl USA 50.37
1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:27.34 2 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:27.91 3 Silva Rui POR 3:30.07 4 Chirchir Cornelius KEN 3:30.24 5 Chirchir William KEN 3:30.88 - told ya that Cornelius was coming! The Brothers Grim. Corny grabs the WJ-record… Junior, don’t get me started!
Swedish Jumping! 1 Olsson Christian SWE 17.63 2 Edwards Jonathan GBR 17.59
Queen Paula!! 1 Szabo Gabriela ROM 8:21.42 2 Radcliffe Paula GBR 8:22.20 3 Masai Edith KEN 8:23.23
ST 1 Boulami Brahim MAR 7:58.09 2 Cherono Stephen KEN 7:58. 3 Vroemen Simon NED 8:06.91 - fastest time of the year - #2 is Chris Kosgei’s little brother. Great new Dutch NR!
M3k 1 Limo Benjamin KEN 7:34.72 2 Lebid Sergiy UKR 7:35.06 3 Ghazi Salah MAR 7:35.71 and that was one high class meet… reminds me of when we used to play marbles in the school yard!
What’s Eldo Lise up to? "So dusted off the clubs, got up at 6:00 am to hit the golf course with brother's friends (the sporty wingman is back!) in Whistler...but alas, rain prevailed and I was back in bed at 7:00. Good thing really because when asked what I shot...um well...a lot?"
Cool Brazilian Club site, and a must for any runner visiting Brazil!
Out & About: We hear at Shea Stadium Monsieur Mileage ran away with the race, and Steve Paddock (140-lbs 6’ 2" of him) took second - "Too bad it was a fun run, I did not even get a medal." Steve continued to comment, "I ran shirtless today, only because this medium sized singlet was too big, I need a small. Remember the guy is 6-foot 2-inches tall! A real six footer too!
Does that mean that Jimmy Lynch, and Ike the German (latest recruit) will not score for Warren Street - it should according to the rules. Ike was talking about joining another prominent NYC club in June, and has been a member only for a very little while (he is in Manhattan for the Summer), and Jimmy joined Warren Street the week before The Bronx Half.
Wendy, The Vote4Toby Campaign Manager.
From the Dutch Mailbag, "I never expected simon vroemen to be flyin so high over the hurdles as he did last night in Monaco !
after his Olympic final he had not a great 2001 season
and now he takes a GREAT leap and runs a European record
and he takes his career slow as he is 33 years old and is still improving
it shows that u can be an very competitive runner for long when you take it slow
http://www.simonvroemen.nl/pages/index.html
all well from Amsterdam,
Michiel." And more to follow, "my problem with serious runnin is that i live in the suburb of a wild and tempting city. fun and drinks and food are always on my way. have been a party/drinking animal before i started athetics and still am. maybe i have to leave for the solitude of a kenyan mountain again.... lets meet coming winter again !"
And we hear, at last, from the Bosses Wife, not much running going on there - but she is still alive, and there is hope for bells in the fall!
WC Junior Gold 800m
Men; Kipchirchir Alex KEN 1:46.59 & Women; Jepkosgei Janeth KEN 2:00.80(!FAST!) and more locally Stephen Ondieki won the teterboro airport 5k in 15:27, and in #5 Brent Purin Hoboken,NJ 29 16:07 A nice Canadian guy who runs for WS - our Intrepid reporter ran that race with Drums in 2000, he tells us he was second behind The Fouz… whether that is true or not is unknown.
Breakfast at the Hilton on Sunday - I love it, the best place on earth to meet weird foreigners, "Honey, listen to this boy…. He must be French!" And that was a dear lady from Texas at the table… I was glad the Monsieur was not present! He is packing his bag to go to Interlaken next week with Madame Mileage…. And did you know such is the influx of Japanese tourists that there is sushi at the buffet table!
21 July 2002 - Heusden-Zolder, Belgium - Jolanda Ceplak made a bold statement in her final 800-metre competition before the upcoming European Championships with a spectacular 1:55.19 win, the world's best for the season in last night's Nacht van de Atletiek meeting. --Asmae Leghzaoui of Morocco, winning in an outstanding 14:51.71, considering the heavy, pelting downpour which handicapped the runners.
Right behind Leghzaoui was the diminutive figure of 20-year-old Kayoko Fukushi, whose 14:55.21 established a new Japanese national record, as she clipped almost seven seconds off her time from Rome a week ago. She must have imagined what the time might have been tonight under normal weather conditions.
Sonia O'Sullivan, in her first international 5K of the season after a cameo appearance at the Irish national championships, finished third with 15:18.07, just holding off American Marla Runyan (15:18.36).
The men's 5K was the last race on the scheduled main program, and with the rain starting again as if on cue, Belgian runner Tom Compernolle rewarded the cold, wet spectators, most of whom remained, with a 13:17.04 victory over Kenyan David Kilel (13:17.75).
WJ - Bush man gets third from the HATC!! Congrat to Pieter Langerhorst again! 1 Gebremariam Gebre-egziabher ETH 29:02.71 2 Sihine Sileshi ETH 29:03.74 3 Bushendich Solomon KEN 29:05.96 A swedish girl got a WJ record in the heptathlon!
07/19
One of the most anticipated track clashes of this season, Andre Bucher versus Yuriy Borzakovskiy over 800 meters, will take place at the Herculis meeting in Monaco tonight, the fourth of seven meetings in the 2002 IAAF Golden League.
Miler Alan Webb is very close to signing a multiyear contract that would have to be considered astronomical for a young track and field athlete.
Webb acknowledged yesterday from his home in Reston that Nike and other shoe companies, including Reebok and Adidas, are also interested.HR>WC Juniors 3000m 1 Defar Meseret ETH 9:12.61
2 Al Aoui Selsouli Mariem MAR 9:16.28 (PB)
3 Syreva Olesya RUS 9:16.58
John Yuda 13:03.62 #6 in Stockholm took the TZ National record - it was an oldie!
(TAN NR - old NR 13:12.29, Suleiman Nyambui, Stockholm, ‘79
In Central Park; I was cycling through and a film crew stopped me, "Can you wait for half an hour and cycle past the fountain... you'd be in a film...." Ah-ha, after spotting the big guys the other week (Sandler & Nicholson) in da park (who had caravans as large as a 5th ave apartment) I am thinking 'lifestyles' so what is in it for me? "Make up artist and lunch..." What? Sandler is picking up millions and they are offering me lunch? Forget it, I cycled on (Ed's note; yeah into obscurity).
Down on da track: A crack of lightning and the group was off n' running... Nobody whinging, nobody whining - what a training group! Conor strode out well with Bob chasing his every move.. Patrick & Chris were solid, Evelyn, Pam, Cre, Century, Cruiser (& Mr. Cruiser), 17, and Supremo Pizza (Yes, he turned up), TGV, Paul, Don, Randy, Becky, Lee-Becky, & Dorian - Not forgetting the Queen of the Harriers "I've three bottle of wine in my bag so I must rush!"??? Anyway - a splendid effort on a truly muggy night. The Boss, aka Chubby, was lifting his shirt, "What I've lost Pogo has gained." Oh, another day, another calorie... and later that night counting them at Favia's....
07/18
Speaking of food I had one of my blow out days yesterday - it started with a pizza (I’ll eat half) After eating the whole thing I got a bagel craving, 3 down, then I went to bialys - three more, then plain bread - a sandwich there. Sad to say it kept on going till I could not move off the sofa… I think it is an anxiety attack - my parents arrive in New York next week for a holiday.
Stockholm, the chosen city; M3kST 1 Boit Kipketer Wilson KEN 8:00.56 2 Boulami Brahim MAR 8:00.77 3 Cherono Stephen KEN 8:01.65….. 12 Famiglietti Anthony USA 8:24.49
M5000m 1 Goumri Abderrahim MAR 13:00.76 2 Kipketer Sammy KEN 13:01.14 3 Amyn Mohammed MAR 13:01.98
M1500 1 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:31.38 8 2 Krummenacker David USA 3:31.93 7 3 Chirchir William KEN 3:32.50
W5000
1 Masai Edith KEN 15:05.318 2 Adere Berhane ETH 15:05.98 3 Babcock Courtney CAN 15:07.53 4 Ochichi Isabella KEN 15:07.895 5 Kidane Werknesh ETH 15:08.60 6 Loroupe Tegla (Welcome back Tegla) KEN 15:12.89 7 Rhines Jennifer USA 15:13.44 - Great rersult from da Pug lovin’ Jen!!
W800m 1 Teter Nicole USA 1:58.13 2 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 1:58.23 3 Ceplak Jolanda SLO 1:58.63 - Oh my Goodness! Nicole is simply FLYING!!!
W100H 1 Devers Gail USA 12.42 - Another Goddess of the track!!
Remco Kortenoeven won the Dutch Nationals men’s 5000m in 14:06.55, Jeroen van Damme 2nd in 14:10.25 and Sander Schutgens 3rd in 14:13.89. Nadja Wijenberg won the women’s 5k in 16:41.50, with Anita Looper 2nd in 16:42.12 and Irma Heeren 3rd in 16:42.24.
World Juniors: 1 Chenonge Hillary KEN 13:28.30 (CR) 2 Geneti Markos ETH 13:28.83 (SB) 3 Gebremariam Gebre-egziabher ETH 13:29.13 4 Bushendich Solomon KEN 13:36.97 - Solomon is a product of the HATC!! Congrats not only to him but to coach Pieter Langerhorst!
Bread Star Bakery - Branford. The best bakery in town, it may be a small town but the white cinnamon bread… ouch! And a big thank you to Steve Paddock who provided us with a loaf of Bolivian Bread - excellent stuff, real taste and a touch of a fruity tang. Bolivia gets the 8/10 rating!
07/17
It is not often that we endorse things on this site, but bear with me. I needed to get a massage and by perchance I met a Massseur in the park who is a friend of the Boss's. Now I know a thing or two about poor massages - I am rarely happy with the result I typically get; most of the time I stand up after a massage and think 'wow, no different - what a waste of time!'
Call me a pessimist but it is fact from a lot of experience.
Pierre Henri has locations on the Upper East & West sides of Manhattan, I went East. He is an athlete who won a spot on his country's Olympic Team, and a regular runner in the park. I was happy to find no misunderstandings about the body's mechanics, and he knows great massage technique. I left after a two hour massage really feeling that my body had got a great massage - Hats off to ya Pierre. I can thoroughly recommend this guy for the runners of NYC, his telephone number is 212-348-4365 he also has gift certificates, great idea. I'll be there next week for more!
Championship Woes:
Reigning Commonwealth 800m champion Japheth Kimutai will not defend his title in Manchester because he can not get a visa to enter Britain.
The Kenyan won gold in Kuala Lumpur four years ago, capping a tremendous season in which he was ranked number one in the world.
Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ato Boldon will not defend his title in Manchester due to a lack of preparation.
The Trinidad and Tobago sprinter has decided not to compete again this season after a run of poor form in recent months.
But... On the day that the Commonwealth Games faced the prospect of losing another of its major stars, Cathy Freeman's decision to make the trip to Manchester after all was a welcome piece of good news.
The Australian Olympic champion has heeded the urgings of her sick husband and elected to run in the 4x400 metres relay in the games.
We hear from Eldo Lise, who lives... guess where?
You're sure you're living in Vancouver B.C. when....
1. Your co-worker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.
2. You make over $250,000. and still can't afford a house.
3. Your child's 3rd grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is
named Breeze.
4. You can't remember...is pot legal?
5. You've been to more than one baby shower that has two mothers and a
sperm donor.
6. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown
and can taste the difference between Sumatra and Ethiopian.
7. You also know which Yaletown restaurant serves the freshest arugula.
8. A really great parking spot can move you to tears.
9. A man gets on the bus in full leather regalia and crotchless chaps; You don't even notice.
10. The guy at 8:30a.m. at Starbucks wearing the baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney IS George Clooney.
11. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.
12. The gym is packed at 3 p.m. ....on a work day.
13. Your hairdresser is straight, your plumber is gay, the woman who
delivers your mail is into BDSM, and your Mary Kay rep is a guy in drag.
14. You watch the weather from a Seattle TV station because it's more
accurate (see 17).
15. You pass an elementary school and the children are all busy with
their cell phones or pagers while waiting for their personal rides home.
16. You're sure you are the only one on the road with a REAL driver's
license.
17. The weather forecast calls for possible sunny periods, some cloudy
periods, and a probability of rain showers...AND EVERY DAY IT'S THE SAME!
18. The more expensive the car, the worse the driver.
Up on the 133rd track; The NYRR Summer Series was checked out tonight by our intrepid (and half crippled) reporter. It was sad to see that the meet was so poorly attended it looked like a 50% turn out for Thursday night at the training track! The Voice of the NYRR, who put a lot of effort into this series, commented, "Amazing how many people said up at the armory that they wanted a Summer Series..." Where are they?
07/16
Curtis Robb whose return to the track this season saw him selected for the England's Commonwealth Games team, saw his hopes of making it a double celebration by earning a European Championships place, die last night as he dropped out of the trial race - Robb was touted as the new ‘Coe’ back in 1992.
Today is the Tuesday Night Race Series; On the track is the 5000m & a Mile race for the distance runners. We guess that The Boss will be there running the 5k…. I might even make the hike up there myself!
Gettysburg, Pa., Spirit of Gettysburg 5-K: Men - Keith Dowling, VA, 14:36. Women - Vicky Cauller, PA, 17:18. Glad to see our shoe helper kicking butt and winning in style – Great run Keith!
Nike Runs; A fine bunch of runners turned out as per usual – A newcomer was TGV trying da shox, “I’m only doing the three miles tonight cos I’m racing tomorrow night….” Oophs I did 18-miles today, albeit in two blobs with my wooden leg. We have a newsletter in print – it is super cool, check one out!
"Friends, Romans, and countrymen. Lend me your ears! Unaccustomed as I am to making speeches I think, upon this most notable occasion..... Yes the course was very interesting. No, I tried my best to day. No, the weather did not bother me...."
Vytra 5km 1 CATHERINE NDEREBA 29 F KENYA 15:53 2 NICOLE JEFFERSON 26 F GUNNISON CO 16:21 3 ANN WAMBUI 22 F KENYA 16:23 3 locals, Bec Wassner, Leteyesus, and the Polish girl were in the top 15.
We hear that Mrs. Ben returned to racing after the birth of little Anna yesterday - she supported the NYPD by running the 09/11 Memorial Run that begun on the road outside Ground Zero. The Flying Judge Denny also ran, and the race (which was supported by the NYRR) had the best T-Shirt design I have seen all year - a real classic, and not one Ad!
We also saw James Siegal from CPTC (Sans Sasha)who ran the race "I got lost in no-mans land between two groups.. but I will definitely be back next year. The Queen of the NYRR was down with husband Derek, and the event raised over $10,000 to the WTC fund.
Jerry Lawson, the former American Record Holder in the Marathon, ran a good race in Utica - Jerry is one of the true road warriors, an honest runner who is an inspiration to any athlete.
Local star Brian Clas is currently out of the loop due to a problem with Plantar - we wish him a speedy return to the scene.
Round-up of the Golden Gala in Rome - One of Europe's premier track races. W100 H 1 Devers Gail USA 12.51
W1500M
1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 4:01.50
2 Turova Alesya BLR 4:01.70
3 Holmes Kelly GBR 4:01.91
4 Jacobs Regina USA 4:02.51....
6 Runyan Marla USA 4:02.95....
10 Teter Nicole USA 4:04.19
W5000
1 Masai Edith KEN 14:53.77
2 Adere Berhane ETH 14:54.46
3 Szabo Gabriela ROM 14:55.48.....
9 Loroupe Tegla KEN 15:04.48
10 Chepkemei Susan KEN 15:06.96
11 Pavey Joanne GBR 15:09.99.....
13 EPO Yegorova Olga RUS 15:15.98
M1-mile
1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:48.28
2 Chirchir William KEN 3:49.49
3 Silva Rui POR 3:49.50....
9 Tahri Bouabdallah FRA 3:52.95...
15 Ngeny Noah KEN 4:00.76
M5000
1 Hissou Salah MAR 12:55.85
2 Limo Benjamin KEN 12:57.24
3 Limo Richard KEN 12:57.52
4 Kipketer Sammy KEN 13:01.56
M800 (non Gran Prix Points event)
1 Krummenacker David USA 1:45.24
2 Sepeng Hezekiél RSA 1:45.43
3 Kimutai Japheth KEN 1:45.53
Absolutely fantastic running this season by the New Mexican David! That is his 2nd GP win - although the times in the 800m are not as good as usual a win is sublime, two is unreal!
Crazy 8's was the headline puller this past weekend as Asmae Leg. continued her sterling season with a second world best time - 24 for the 8km (pretty much the same time that she passed 8km when running the 10k in Central Park.
Utica also had some good results with Paul Kosgei, the WC 1/2m, winnning yet again. The Master's field was of a very high quality - Eddy Hellebuyck, currently ranked #1 Master, finished a #6th, and Zoomalong in her division was #3 - Great job. On the continuing local theme Steve Marsalese had a good run, as did Matt Rossetti of the Harriers.
The coach of legendary Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey said Friday that due to recent knee surgery she was not likely to participate in next month's European Championship in Munich, a day after she had been cleared to run for Slovenia.
Following the left knee operation, 42-year-old Ottey is only 10 percent likely to run in Munich, her Slovenian coach Srdjan Djordjevic told Slovene daily newspaper Delo on Friday.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said on Thursday Ottey had been cleared to run for Slovenia in the European Championships on Aug. 6, after Jamaica agreed to allow her to compete for her new country.
However, Djordjevic said she would return slowly to the big events, and that she was possibly going to return with Zurich event at the end of August.
France's 1996 Olympic pole vault champion Jean Galfione has called time on the remainder of the 2002 season in order to treat an Achilles tendon injury.
The 31-year-old, the only Frenchman to clear six meters, is planning treatment with the same Finnish specialist who dealt with Ukraine pole vault legend Sergei Bubka.
"I've got a tear of about one centimeter to my left Achilles tendon. I'm obviously not in a position to do what I want - it's not only painful, but also dangerous," he said.
Wilkins (Discus) & Janine Whitlock (Pole Vault record holder) of Britain busted for drugs!
07/14
Next week - Mets Homeplate 5-k run. May we suggest that the Mets give out a few free tickets for prizes/raffles? Beats the plastic water bottle given out in 2001. Speaking of upcoming races there is a good one on 08/10, The George Sheehan Classic 5-miler in Red Bank, NJ. A challenging course, humidity, and lotsa good runners... might go myself... It is the week before the Club Teams - a party day for the majority of the NYC running clubs. I believe Moving Comfort are going to have a picnic, Warren Street a party, CPTC a softball game with Greater New York, and The Harriers, "Get drunk somewhere..." More news on the Club Champs - Apparently the top men's team, Westchester, who had all ten scorers in the top fifteen places, will not be attending the event. That should leave the door open for Warren Street. Here's my wild guess; Warren St, West Side, and a fight for third between CPTC & GNY, and for the women... a bit harder! However I'll say CPTC, MCNY, & Warren Street. (Ed's note; remember this is the guy who predicted Argentina was going to win the World Cup he he)
The little nipper (Kieran) appears to be doing well - he sounds remarkably like Cronk the Burmese cat! Stace is now doing a Rez loop at the same speed as myself, and StuGlu is fully recovered from his cracked ribs.
Meanwhile out on Brighton Beach the Rocket was seen in the Rolls with a crate of Russian beer, and 20 bags of pellegrini.
07/12
Daniel Komen, the current and former world record holder for the 3000 meters and 5000 meters respectively, intends to run the Indian Path Medical Center & SunTrust Bank Crazy 8's 8-K Run this Saturday. He is not having the best of the times recently on da track, maybe da roads are the answer!
This weekend; The Boilermaker 15-K road race. Top athletes confirmed to run the Boilermaker include: Eddy Hellebuyck, Gordon Bakoulis, Shadrack Hoff, Esther Kiplagat, Hendrick Ramaala, Evans Rutto and a few Harriers.
Set your VCR’s
July 13 12-1 p.m. 2002 Golden Gala, Golden League Track & Field Series: Rome, Italy.
"Join the thousands that are racing Urban Challenge in 20 cities across America this summer. Urban Challenge – a unique test of mind, body & spirit. Conquer the concrete jungle and qualify to race for $50,000 cash in Las Vegas. Visit our website and learn how you can race for free. www.urbanchallenge.com
No brainer; Limit fat to no more than 30 percent of calories, say major health organizations, such as the American Heart Association. & more uncommon healthy notes; Gout, a condition that causes inflammation of the joints due to the build-up of crystals of uric acid, is strongly linked to heavy drinking. It is generally a genetically inherited condition, but it is exacerbated by alcohol.
Last night was the commencing of athletes’ anonymous on the track for the Urbanoso training. We had a great turnout with such stalwarts as Cre and The Judge making welcome comebacks. 100-man stepped up a notch, and Dorian was chasing with fire in her eyes. Becky ran well proving she is now recovered from fab Grandmas Marathon last month, and Sheila was absent through her recovery from Da Bronx.
Iron Conor clobbered, and Randy pushed despite back probbos, Evelyn got waylaid but more than made up with some sterling smooth 400's, Cruiser (full o' smiles) gave a great session, as did Don, and The Queen of the Harriers. Buffalo is back on track with getting da speed, and Bob was flying the Kramer flag with a zippy leg turnover. Strangely there was no winging from the runners.... hmm was the session too easy?
Eldo Lise,
"Reading the Lords of Poverty- the power, prestige and corruption of the international aid business. You just are shocked hearing story after story of complete disaster, stupidity and corruption and waste of billions of aid $$...(saw a lot of examples thru Ethio and Kenya) ...definitely a very interesting read- am thinking maybe I can create a position for myself by being a project assessor to see if aid is actually getting to the people and report on it....wouldn't I be the most liked person then with these aid orgs!"
Eldo Lise branches out to the borders, "Wrote Lonely Planet a little diatribe about the many mistakes in their Ethiopian guide and what a wiener their writer was..got their response today:
"We'll be thanking you personally in the next edition of the appropriate LP
book (be patient though - the current edition may be out for a while yet!).
If we use extracts from your email in one of our products we'll be sure to
send you the free LP book of your choice to show our appreciation."
World champion Zhanna Pintusevich-Block ran the fastest time of the year in the 100 meters at the Vardinoyiannia meet Sunday, eclipsing the mark set two days earlier by American Marion Jones.
Pintusevich-Block of the Ukraine ran the 100 in 10.84 seconds during the meet on the Aegean Sea island of Crete.
Quad Bix will have all the top Americans running as the organizers have made the race American Money - Meb, Abdi, Todd, Eddy H, Dan Browne, Tim Broe… the lack of Kenyans will bring the wings of the eagle, and more.
The Spaghetti Kenyan has announced that he will now compete for the West Side Runners. NYRR’s runner of the year looked around and thought the WS club to be the one for him - no-one was more surprised than the club president Bill Staab. "I got a phonecall from Paul saying he’d decided to run for us. That was nice!"
Catherine Ndereba will join Paula radcliffe and Deena Drossin in Chicago this year - Paula (for my money) is the best distance runner in the World right now, but it should be a great head to head headliner!
Sports Le generale: Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian falls to fourth seed Andrei Pavel in first round of Swiss Open.
Jordan Hellebuyck, the 6-year-old son of former Belgian and now U.S. masters phenom Eddy Hellebuyck and wife Shawn, ran a 5km in Hawaii 24:20... It seems like only yesterday when the little guy could not even walk. Yes, he is named after Michael.
Out & About last night to Kwaasi's house; man can that guy cook a great meal! It is rare in this city to find someone who can create such a fine home cooked meal - da tops!
07/10
From Our Supreme Judge,
"We went to Morimoto's in Philadelphia. Morimoto was formerly the chef at Nobu and was the "Iron Chef Japanese" on the cult hit, the "Iron Chef." The food was terrific and the restaurant was exotic and exciting. We did the tasting menu and had (1) toro with caviar in soy ginger sauce, (2) kobe beef with eel, (3) oil seared kanpachi (a young yellowtail), (4) lightly seared red snapper, (5) wasabi sorbet, (6) lobster w/citrus creme fraiche, (7) more kobe beef (cooked shabu-shabu style), (8) sushi (delicious), and (9) tofu cheesecake and japanese mountain yam cake. Morimoto himself made our dishes.
Kudos that counts - this web site has less direction than road kill on the I-95. I only care about criticism from people who maintain web sites themselves. Take for example one NY runner who started her own site after blowing mine to pieces - 9 hits, and updated for one week. Basically good or bad I only like to hear comments from other web-men thus I was honored to read from Sir Roland that this site, "is interestingly different and differently interesting."
Coming up in 2-weeks is the infamous breakfast run - my fav event of da month. I am looking for someone to grab a communal table, I think I’ll ask the Queen of the Harriers… I need someone with sharp elbows.
Anyone who has not done this race is in for a fruity treat as da breakfast is served in the gardens of the Tavern… giving you a chance to spit grape pips at the Joes & Janes’ as they dash across the tweeds to the 8-5 daily grind.
Since announcing that our Intrepid reporter is running for da board qwe have received a lot of interesting feedback about what people think of the running community here in New York… it seems there are a few holes to be plugged. But speaking of plugging we are proud to say that the top Scandinavian Marathon runner, Anders Szalkai, sends his Endorsements for Vote4Toby…
On the note of 4 something if you want to donate shoes to Africa but don’t want to post/contribute towards African postage we are considering hooking up with the Boulder program to allow you to use your ‘work’ postage to send internal mail to Colorado - keepin’ da Bosses happy.
This Thursday Nike is having a party to promote the presto shoe/range… check out NikeTown for exciting new stuff if that’s what you are in to…. If not Duane Reade has some great offers on Socks this month.
Benoit Zwierzchewski, winner of this year's Paris Marathon, will be the only French representative at the European Championships in Munich this Summer. ‘Zed’ with more tatoos than our own Kinsella is a tough front runner with one speed - his sprinting speed is da same as his marathon pace. Vitesse? Non - but speed, plenty of it.
"Since may i've been spending each w/e on the rivers all over the places - traveling from one campground to the next. we plan another kayaktrip for 1 week or so mid of august to slovenia. hope everything/body is running well in 'central park'." That was a LONG overdue report of the ongoings of Anke in Munich! I much missed Urbanite.
Paula Radcliffe will run her first track race since last September when competing in the IAAF Golden League meeting in Monaco on Friday 19 July.
07/09
Lornah has pulled out of the Golden League in Rome so she can concentrate on her road obligations - Falmouth. It is nice to see an athlete not tempted by money and being true to race organizers - How easy it would be for Lornah to go to Rome, run and collect a substantial appearance and do Falmouth - But she feels that she really wants to give 100% to the competitions that she commits to, not the ones that pop up mid-season. After running 14:51 (solo effort) on a track in training shoes she is THE hot property on da track right now.
A lot of people have been asking ‘How can I vote?’ Remember to watch your NYRR mail. The club has 38,000 and a huge percentage do not vote, thus the board gets their vote by proxy. Thus I urge you to vote, even if not for me. (Ed’s note, Man this guy has nerve huh? He’ll probably start with corny sayings soon!)
Travis Tate from Long Island asks me for a typical day’s diet: So here goes, straight from the (cluttered) table of RU: Breakfast - a couple of power bars and a bowl of Farina or Oatmeal washed down with a lot of coffee. I have a normal coffee maker and fill the water level to 8-cups, though it usually fills my mug 3 times. Lunch - currently three bagels with cream cheese and a couple of apples. Mid afternoon snack; fruit and a sports drink (Leppin). And for dinner, Usually fish and pasta in a red sauce, or rice. For dessert I’ll go for a fruit variety and will eat as much as I need to feel comfortable.
Elldo Lise, "Spent part of weekend in the Italian ‘hood …love the area- eclectic crowd, great delis and old men sitting outside discussing everything and anything. Friday night "the girls" (my new NBF's who had a bar in the D.R.) throw a little "get together" in the hood… on the way I stop on the strip to get a diet coke to alleviate a rather angry stomach (due to indian leftovers?)…coke is the new wonder cure for me- the cure introduced to me in Eldoret after an initial intro the night before to many, many drinks called the "rafiki" : Kenyan Rum (someone forgot to mention it was 70 proof until the next day), Kenyan Cane (also 70 proof?) and passion juice…the only rafiki I made the next day was with the porcelain basin. I also noted that a wicked hangover at high altitude raises the pain exponentially ….the thoroughly worst part was that I was staying with friends of friends and had just met them that day (hey- how do you like me so far?)….anyways, back to the diet coke…the owner of the of the store says: "why you wanna drink diet…you donna need it"….thinking of moving into the neighborhood.
Out & About; Last night at the Nike training run we had a good group of smiley runners - it is great to see such a friendly nice group of runners. We raffled off Nike Sunglasses as a reward for the smiles!
07/08
Local Athlete at PeachTree! Zoomalong, "I was pleased with my race, just 2 secs behind the 1st master, Elena Fidatof of Romania. She creamed me last year at Utica. Maybe I'll get her there this year." OH MY GOODNESS! Fidatof has been on fire this year - and Zoomalong, at all distances, is now on top of the world as far as distance Master’s running goes. How lucky we are to have such an athlete in our own city. Huge congrats to Zoomalong for the performance of the Summer so far!
Men @ Peachtree:
1 PAUL KOSGEI 24 KEN 27:36
2 JACKSON MEN KOECH 23 ZINACANTEPEC ED KEN 27:52
3 DEJENE BERHANU 22 BOSTON MA ETH 28:03
4 JOHN KORIR 26 KEN 28:10
5 TOM NYARIKI 30 KEN 28:12
Women:
1 LORNAH KIPLAGAT 28 KEN 30:32
2 CONSTANTINA DITA 32 ROM 31:14
3 PAMELA CHEPCHUMBA 24 KEN 31:44
4 ASMAE LEGHZAOUI 25 MOR 31:56 (Mini Winner)…..
10 ESTHER KIPLAGAT 35 KEN 32:53
11 LUDMILA PETROVA 33 RUS 33:08
Masters Women:
1 ELENA FIDATOF 41 ROM 34:44
2 GORDON BAKOULIS 41 NEW YORK NY USA 34:46
3 MARIA TRUJILLO DE RIO 42 LOS GATOS CA USA 34:57
Masters Men:
1 ANDREW MASAI 42 ALBUQUERQUE NM KEN 29:59
2 GENNADY TEMNIKOV 40 GAITHERSBURG MD RUS 30:17
3 DENNIS SIMONAITIS 40 DRAPER UT USA 30:38
4 SIMON KARORI 43 KEN 30:40
5 ANDREY KUZNETSOV 44 ROCKVILLE MD RUS 30:46
6 DANNY MARTINEZ 40 ALBUQUERQUE NM USA 31:26
7 EDDY HELLEBUYCK 41 ALBUQUERQUE NM USA 32:34
St Denis: 3000ST Tim Broe runs 8:22, and #1 Kemboi Ezekiel KEN 8:10.11 2 Tahri Bouabdallah FRA 8:10.83 3 Kosgei John KEN 8:11.09 - Great PR for Skinny Bob in #2!
W3000M 1 Szabo Gabriela ROM 8:31.88 2 Adere Berhane ETH 8:32.31 1 3 Masai Edith KEN 8:33.94
Continuing her World Domination - Jones Marion USA 10.89
W1500 1 Teter Nicole USA 4:05.52 2 Cioncan Maria ROM 4:05.64 3 Holmes Kelly GBR 4:06.15 -Marla Ruyan in #9
1 Devers Gail USA 12.56 - Gail you’re the best!
M5000m - 1 Limo Benjamin KEN 13:02.34 2 Goumri Abderrahim MAR 13:03.17 3 Amyn Mohammed MAR 13:03.80 - Limo was the tip for this season, and I am not changing the swing now!
Sapporo Half Marathon. Men
1) Samuel Kabiru (KEN) 1:01:11
2) Daniel Njenga (KEN) 1:01:34
3) James Wainaina (KEN) 1:01:55 (The Khann. hung with the leaders till 15km)
And after those results we move to the Bronx - Catherine would've won overall of course, but instead we had a new name on the winners rostrum - a west side newie! And in the top three, a couple of minutes back, was The Rope in the Warren Street colors(!) Rather a shock as I saw him a couple of days ago and nothing was mentioned.
More on this race will appear in the NY RUNNER magazine so I won't use up all my stories... needless to say the Nike Truck had fun (thanks to all of you who passed by to say hello). I had a great chat with the girl who won the race - more of that later. Team awards for the scoring points race went to the Warren St guys who have now sewed up the 2002 league.. I was riding back from the race with a member of the said team who was talking about the differing clubs in NYC (after telling me that WS are one of the top five clubs in the USA- is that a ho ho ho?) anyway he started talking about CPTC. This guy says, "Central Park have that good guy, Toby Tanser..." I asked him, "Is that a joke? Or do you know my name?" He didn't!
Lance Armstrong surprised almost no one but himself by opening his bid for a fourth straight Tour de France title with a victory in Saturday's prologue.
The 30-year-old won in 9 minutes and 8 seconds, topping Frenchman Laurent Jalabert by two seconds and Raimondas Rumsas of Lithuania by three.
Armstrong is the overwhelming favorite to win the Tour, and he lost no time reclaiming the leader's yellow jersey he has taken home the last three years.
Typical Bad News:
Stop Press; Congrats to Paul Cassidy & Anne Merrow, athletes I coach, for Bronx pr's, and to Victor Schulster, same clan, for a 15-minute pr!! Wow!
We are pleased to announce that the Vote4Toby rally is going well - thanks to the many athletes who have emailed/spoken their support. The Spaghetti Kenyan gives us his endorsement - with the state's best runner behind me I can't go wrong!
07/07
Good luck to all runners doin' da Bronx 1/2 Marathon. I will be up there working from the Nike truck, so drop by and say hallo. Also remember that on Monday it will be business as usual with the free Nike training group at the Wollman Rink. Did you know you could drop by (6:45PM) lace up a pair of Nike Shox and go run in the park for a 5-mile loop to see what you think of this shoe development. It beats buying from a running store after sitting on a stool wiggling your toes. No obligations, free refreshments, "It is a win, win situation," JJ, and "She should go - it's entirely free, she has nothing to lose!" Minnesota. So much to gain!
I hope to see you all there - to get there enter the park at 60th & 5th Avenue, take the left hand path and go straight to the Rink (no ice on there in the Summer!)
Eldo Lise & The Intrepid Reporter (RU) walking in a field....
07/05
Happy Birthday to the Skinny Kenyan - Isaya.
And to an Eldoret Meet:
Women:
10,000m Maragert Akai 34:37.7, 2. Susan Kirui 34: 49.6, 3. Mercy Kosgei 35:53.8;
5,000m 1. Rose Chepkurui 16:14.1, 2. Alice Timbilil 16:16.6, 3. Rose Tanui 16:51.7;
1,500m 1. Priscah Jepletting 4:25.5, 2. Jeruto Kiptum 4:31.2, 3. Faith Cheruto 4:33.2.
Men:
Awesome Men’s 10k on da dirt!
10,000m 1. Salim Kipsang 28.56.00, 2. Evans Kipchumba 29.11.00, 3. David Menjo 29.20.0;
5,000m 1. Robert Cheboror 14.05.4, 2. Hillary Kipchumba 14.08.5, 3. Isaac Arusei 14.22.0;
800m 1. David Karonei 1.49.6, 2. Stephen Mwangi 1.50.2, 3. Daniel Mukoya 1.50.7;
3000m s/chase 1. David Chemweno 8.49.2, 2. Luka Bett 8.51.4, 3. Nicholas Kemboi 8.53.5; 
Low Key Race with World Stars - where else? Kenya Focus continues:
"Five-time world cross country marathon champion Paul Tergat and Boston City marathon champion Catherine Ndereba won half-marathon races at the Lewa Conservancy in Isiolo on Sunday.
In women’s full marathon, last year’s winner Callen Areba and runner-up Anjelina Kanana retained their titles with Areba winning in 3:15:36 seconds. Kanana was timed at 3:37:36. Briton Hillary Walker came third with a time of 3:55.28."
Olympic gold medalist Said Aouita will become the new distance coach of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
TOBY’S PICK for the Commonwealth 5000m - Read Benjamin Limo. Place yer bets.
Out & About: Cuccini with the RunDoc! A little restaurant on East 74th Street that serves nice Italian food.
"She did it again ! Lornah just won the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta in the 2nd fastest time ever and a new personal best of 30:31 !!
The press talked a lot before the race about a "rematch" between Asmae Legzhauoi, the Morrocan World record holder, and Lornah but Asmae was not able to follow when Lornah ran her first mile in 4:38 ! Legzhauoi finished 4th in 31:53." From Lornah’s Camp!!! WOW!!!!
In da mailbag, "Thanks again for all of your help over the past few months. As I mentioned, since working with you, I have run PR's in the 5K, 4M, 5M, 10K (unofficial), 10M (unofficial) and half-marathon. So, obviously, I am pretty happy with your coaching! See you later. Dan." Good on yer - well done!!
Tuesday Night Races, "There was nobody there…." We hear, and here’s a look at the 2-mile results: McVeigh NYAC 10:04.7
2. Jerry Macari Urban Athletics 10:11.8 Da Boss
3. Matthew Rosetti NYH 10:20.4 Matt? Are you sure??
4. Pieter Bezuidenhout PPTC 10:30.5
5. John Prather CPTC 10:36.4
6. Patrick Mermagen - 10:43.4
7. Sam Grotewold - 10:52.1 - of the NYRR club web site.
8. Kavan Green Urban Athletics 10:52.7 Yea!
9. Mark Paulonis NY Harriers 13:16.5
10. Diane Kenna NY Harriers 13:16.6 The Queen of the Harriers
Meanwhile racing in CT. It was 96-degrees on the starting line. The race director begins, "Thank you all for coming, this is the worst weather we have ever had a race in. You are NOT going to set a pr in this weather. Do not race, do not be stupid. Just go out and have fun." 96??
The course was not hard, the heat just sucked but… suddenly runner #2 stopped running! Our reporter looked down and they’d crossed a pink drawn spraycan finishing line! We did not enter onto the track! Rather annoying, but for one place hardly worth even writing about. (Ed’s note: so why did you? Obviously it bothered you!) (Shuddup! RU).
Happy Fourth of July!
07/03
Here is my idea to stop the team disputes. Nobody recruits, and runners run for their zip code. Instead of Beverly Hills 90201 whatevers we could have the flying zero's with a tinge of Bond, 10007.... I mean radio stations could sponsor teams 107.51.
Nike runs continue with great success - Be there, check out details on da web (or this one if you scroll down)! Our focus will be a solid session in da Bronx, thus Monday at 7PM will be a nice recovery run, meet, talk, and leg turnover session.
"Central Park can be like the Bermuda Triangle; once I'm cut off from the landmarks of the city, I tend to lose my sense of direction." JZ
In Central Park right now they are filming the new Jack Nic film with Adam Sandler… hoardes of rubber neckers, ugh!
Eldo Lise, "Just picked up friend at airport -back from his trip to Cuba and dumping his girlfriend (not good combo). While waiting for luggage, we are talking to a "tri-athlete" that he sat beside on the way back- "tri-ass" more like it. He was going on and on about himself- so I interrupt and say (sipping on my slurpee)-yep I am trying to get fitter- he takes a look at me and says- "not by drinking slurpees"....I ask my friend later why he drags me into convos with social losers like that- "because I think he was hitting on me"...ah...the life of the wingman.
Here's 2 videos not to rent: America's Sweethearts and The Score (more like the snore).
Well it's Canada Day...135 years...debating on staying in, joining the flight attendants in my bldg for drinks or checking out the fireworks..."
Deena da Wise; "For the past six months, I've been training and racing at an extremely high level," said Drossin recently at her home. "My last two races I considered to be sub-par performances. I took that as a sign that I needed to take a little rest."
Seen in Central Park - TGV zooming by at speeds I have never matched in the park. He took a hiatus from the running scene for June, and we are glad to welcome him back for July. RLX was also in there. Myself I ran with Shiney - with a heat index of 105 we decided just to run a steady loop and it was most enjoyable as Shiney has a lot of interesting stories to tell. We are hoping that Teller Anderson will soon be back in the Fat Tuesday’s - we hear that he has a back pain, here’s to wishing him a speedy recovery. Shiney’s first job was at Harrod’s, his second in the Oilfields of Bakersfield, California.
"Kajsa Bergqvist capped off a great evening of sport filled with world leading performances when she won the women’s high jump competition with a new personal best performance and world leading 2.04 meters in Lausanne last night." Fantastic news from the IAAF meet! Kajsa is from Stockholm, a wonderful person and a fab ambassador for the sport. More results:
M800 1 Saïd-Guerni Djabir ALG 1:44.70 2 Borzakovskiy Yuriy RUS 1:44.85 3 Mutua Joseph KEN 1:45.04 4 Yiampoy William KEN 1:45.57 5 Wachira Nicholas KEN 1:45.60 6 Kimutai Japheth KEN 1:46.06
M1500
1 Lagat Bernard KEN 3:32.24 2 Chirchir William KEN 3:32.53 3 Maazouzi Driss FRA 3:34.37 4 Tahri Bouabdallah FRA 3:34.85 5 Rotich Laban KEN 3:35.72 6 Shabunin Vyacheslav RUS 3:36.07 7 Hachlaf Abdelkader MAR 3:36.40 8 Lassiter Seneca USA 3:37.28 9 Berryhill Bryan USA 3:37.39
M3000 1 Limo Benjamin KEN 7:36.02 2 Amyn Mohammed MAR 7:36.30 3 Kipketer Sammy KEN 7:36.38
M3000ST 1 Kemboi Ezekiel KEN 8:10.32 2 Kosgei Reuben KEN 8:10.36 3 Boit Kipketer Wilson KEN 8:11.27
W800 - Great speedy race; 1 Mutola Maria de Lourdes MOZ 1:56.25 2 Teter Nicole USA 1:57.97 3 Calatayud Zulia CUB 1:58.51
W1500 1 Cioncan Maria ROM 4:03.11 2 Zadorozhnaya Yelena RUS 4:03.20 3 Yegorova EPO Olga RUS 4:04.11
07/02
Happy Birthday Jerry 2:09 Lawson!
"I was last out of the blocks and had no acceleration. I am not going to blame anyone in particular," said Greene. Who else could POSSIBLY be at fault for his poor performance, other than the great one himself? --David Barrett
We hear after the chicago Marathon Keith Dowling may be scooting over to visit Ireland, he is hoping that the Berko will entertain in the fashion he is famous for…. However we hear from the Berk himself, "I’m Mr. Boring when I’m back home in Ireland… I just work, I only get crazy on our training camps!" That’s the Berko I know!
Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan admitted she will look to defend both her 5,000 and 10,000m titles at the European Championships in August.
Following an emphatic victory over American Marla Runyan in the 3000m at then Norwich Union Classic at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, O'Sullivan confirmed she would double up in Munich.
"I might as well try it. You've got to try it, but I have to get the 5,000 qualifying time," said the Irishwoman.
Whatever happened to Ludmilla Enqvist the disgraced 100M hurdler? She was caught in a drugs scandal and has since slipped out of the scoop. Was she banned? Has she handed back any medals?
On the local scene things really start to hot up as the clubs start looking at the C-Champs line-ups. More than one individual was recruiting at Saturday’s race, and there are a lot of unattached runners to be ‘had.’ We hear that Amy Fredericks is leaving Warren Street…. Her 90-days will end a mere 2-days before the said champs… will we see her in new colors? Battles still rage about the Polish woman who competed for Witold Runners & then Warren St. The defense, we hear, claims that she never agreed to run for Witold and was signed up inadvertently for the club…. I personally could not get to the bottom of this if I wanted as the aforementioned woman speaks only Polish & (poor) Russian. Bearing that in mind it sees dubious that she would not have talked things through with Witold, who is Polish himself. Central Park TC has filed a protest with the NYRR concerning her performing for the WS team, as have GNY we believe.
For the Hundreds interested we report that the Icelandic ½ Marathon Champs are on the 07th of September…. I once asked someone why Americans write the month-day-year instead of the Euro format of day-month-year. I was told, "Because when you say the date you always say September the 7th… so therefore it is proper to write it that way!"
Really? And here was I thinking it was soon to be the fourth of July!
The 25th running of the New Haven Labor Day Road Race will be on September 2, 2002. Over 5,000 runners are expected to compete in the 20K, 5K and 1/2 mile Children's Fun Run. The race will again host the Men's & Women’s 20K National Championship. This will be the twelfth consecutive year that the New Haven Road Race has hosted a National Championship race.
Dan Gilbert’s quote of the day, "We enjoyed having you. The Harriers have always been more about food and beer than anything else....Diane has simply been more about beer." He was da host on Sunday…. The Queen of the Harriers responds, "Aw c'mon. Didn't you notice I ate alot of limes??" Lots more news... but it will come on 07/03 as the above is enough methinks... Nike Monday, Coffee Kevin & Tamar, Minnesota's travels, Lise's update....
07/01
Happy July!
Bernard Lagat, 3:26 1500m runner, "My parents had never been on an airplane before, nor had they ever seen me run (live) before. I had told my parents that I wanted them to come with me to Nairobi and they agreed, thinking that we would drive over. They didn’t know anything until we stopped at the Eldoret airport and I surprised them by telling them we were flying. My dad acted really cool the whole flight, but my mom was so nervous! She held on for dear life and let out some little screams once in a while, but my dad just sat back and drank tea."
No Fall Marathon for Geb? The final diagnosis on the injury that sidelined Haile Gebrselassie on June 2 during his attempt on the one hour track run world record was a rupture of the calf.
The Kenyan T&F team heading for Manchester; Track and field: Francis Nyatome (team manager), Dan Muchoki (coach), Rose Tata Muya (assistant coach) Joseph Mutua, Japhet Kimutai, William Chirchir, Sammy Kipketer, Benjamin Limo, Paul Kosgei, Wilberforce Talel, John Korir Cheruyiot, Eric Wainaina, David Kimutai, Naomi Mugo, Edith Masai, Esther Wanjiru, David Kiplack, Stephen Cherono, Abraham Cherono, Ezekiel Kemboi, Willy Kirui, Joshua Chelang'a, Jackline Maranga, Faith Macharia, Salina Kosgei, Iness Chemoss and Susan Chepkemei.
Northern Englander, John Mayock, has been selected for the 5000m (read to face Kipketer & Limo) and is not happy,
"I have to say I am disappointed. Why the selectors had to make their minds up so quickly, I don't know."
Preferring instead to run the 1500m against Chirchir where he felt his medal chances better. If John Yuda decides to do a 5/10 double Mayock could be in problems; mt own thoughts is the Kenyans continue to baffle by saying they are only sending 2 athletes per event in the track… apart from the steeplechase. After having five sub 13- runners in Oslo on Friday night one would think they could muster 3 men to sweep the medals….
3. Simon Wangui, KEN, 1:05:00? Losing by over half a minute? Is this the same runner who set a world leading 10-miler 46-min race in Philly?? June’s shock horror feature.
We get an email from the Mad Berko, "Still winning.........................................Noel."
Russians - surprise, surprise! Indoors 60 meter hurdles bronze medalist Yevgeny Pechonkin received a two-year ban and was stripped of his medal after failing a drugs test, the European Athletics Federation announced Friday.
Bislett Games; M5000M
1 Limo Benjamin KEN 12:57.50 12 2 Kipketer Sammy KEN 12:57.90 10 3 Kibowen John KEN 12:58.61 9 4 Bitok Paul KEN 12:58.94 17 Limo Felix KEN 13:34.44 20 Bakken Marius NOR 13:58.23 - Bitok gets under 13, Limo the WR holder in the 15k finds the track not to his liking, and the Norwegian Fav just dips under 14’
M1mile
1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:50.12 12 2 Rotich Laban KEN 3:51.99 10 3 Hachlaf Abdelkader MAR 3:52.42 11 Ngeny Noah KEN 3:57.39 - Noah will not be happy with that position, though Laban will, he has been going for years!
M100M
1 Chambers Dwain GBR 10.05 12 2 Greene Maurice USA 10.06 10 3 Montgomery Tim USA 10.10 - A shocker, it was supposed to be a USA showdown!
W1500M
1 Cioncan Maria ROM 4:03.55 12 2 Iagar Elena ROM 4:03.63 10 3 Zadorozhnaya Yelena RUS 4:04.09 9 4 Turova Alesya BLR 4:04.36 8 5 Varga Judit HUN 4:04.86 7 6 Teter Nicole USA 4:04.89
W5000M 1 Szabo Gabriela ROM 14:46.86 12 2 Adere Berhane ETH 14:46.99 10 3 Tomashova Tatyana RUS 14:47.85 9 4 Masai Edith KEN 14:48.14 8 5 Yegorova Olga RUS 14:48.29 7 6 Leghzaoui Asmae MAR 14:55.10 6 7 Chepkemei Susan KEN 15:00.05 5 14 Loroupe Tegla KEN 15:32.20 - Tegla still in there, EPO Olga gets toasted, and from Central Park to Norway Asmae dips under 15!
& taking the 100M in fine style Marion Jones USA 10.96
Out & About; A busy weekend. First stop was the FRNY race - where I was in the results I do not know, though I do not applaud having a missing result after entering and running a race.
The race begun and as nobody took out the pace I thought I would. As we hit the first mile in 5:06 I was thinking ‘this is what Paula Radcliffe had for her 21st mile in the London Marathon… Oh dear!’ Meanwhile a wry spectator was asking "Why did you go out so hard, would it not be better to run from the back?" Man, if we’d gone out slower it would have been a death march!
Even out of form I like to try! Anyway Mile 2 and The Rope comes along as Sean pulls away. The Rope, running as a bandit, graciously takes the inside line. Brent, from WS, is thinking, "I drag this guy round in our WS training on Thursdays - why isn’t he in a team singlet?" We are now joined by the young Khannouchi. Nothing much happens except shortly after 2-miles the rope drops out, or back. Meanwhile a bit back Shiney is chugging along, "I woke up, went back to bed, and thought let me just run…" And Leonardo Chalco having a training run. Onto the East side The young Khannouch brushes into a pedestrian and is sent spinning, his legs were spindling beforehand, and I think the fatigue was surmounting.
Sean (I don’t know his second name) is still way out unchallenged, and I hear some people ask, "Who is that guy?" I did not know myself.
Back in the women’s race the Master Zoomalong was continuing to humble the Open division of New York’s running scene - she ran, and won unchallenged! It was good to see The Gazelle back in the top few places, she is hosting a Crepes Soccer party for the World Cup and was rather concerned about the unsociable hour these Soccer games have been starting….
The team comps are rather controversial these days - recruiting and whatnot. Warren Street men took the medals from Greater New York for the Men, and the Central Park women defeated Moving Comfort (though of course if Zoomalong scored for MCNY…..) And
Amador Ybanez & Gordon Bakoulis, for me, took the outstanding performance awards for the day. And for the future GNY were; 1-2-3-4-5 age 19 and under---with #5 a 13-year old. Watch out in a few years….
Strasbourg, France: 800m: Wilson Kipketer DEN 1:44.71, Henry Rotich KEN 1:45.73, Nicolas Aissat FRA 1:45.90
1500m: Mehdi Baala FRA 3:33.18, Mickaël Damian FRA 3:38.78, Abdelslam Kennouche ALG 3:41.37
5000m: Mohamed Khaldi ALG 13:17.71, Khoudir Aggoune ALG 13:19.75, Driss El-Himer FRA 13:20.79
3000m steeple: Ezekiel Kemboi KEN 8:20.95, Zouhair Ouerdi MAR 8:22.82, Frédéric Denis 8:22.83
Women’s distance 800m: Aurélie Coulaud FRA 2:02.12, Virginie Fouquet FRA 2:02.31, Peggy Babin 2:02.83
Two of RU’s friends feature in the 800M - the dart yielding Wilson who used to compete on the Scandinavian circuit in the mid Nineties (and had the world’s longest darts game in Karlskrona before a 1500m race…) and the beautiful Virginie of France - a model in the making.
Sheffield Results: M1500 SLOW! 1 El Guerrouj Hicham MAR 3:40.20 2 Too Michael KEN 3:41.03 3 Graffin Andrew GBR 3:41.54 4 Whiteman Anthony GBR 3:42.21
M3000 1 Amyn Mohammed MAR 7:57.83 5 2 Hissou Salah MAR 7:58.30 4 3 Mottram Craig AUS 7:58.64 3 4 Broe Tim USA 7:58.69 (Komen - 8:03!!)
Shocking 100m rsults 1 Chambers Dwain GBR 9.95 2 Lewis-Francis Mark GBR 9.97 3 Gardener Jason GBR 10.11 4 Williams Bernard USA 10.15 5 Nagel Morne RSA 10.21 6 Greene Maurice USA 10.24 7 Boldon Ato TRI 10.25
Most of you who read this page know what I think of the New York diets… protein loaded and full of it. Did you hear that the Atkins diet guy died of a heart attack last week??
Sunday; Feeling a little fatigued from Mgee’s Mexican Party (good to see ½ of NYC’s running mob in one blob) we had a tired World Cup watching experience followed by a long run in the park. Ran into the Rope & later Shiney who helped to drag the run along somewhat! Saw Monsieur Mileage doing the miles in the park, we hear that he is off to Interlaken later this year (super jealous as that is a most wonderful place in Switzerland).
In the afternoon it was out to Irvington with Steve Marsalese & Marianne to The Harrier party. Now a funny thing is that I never seem to socialize with the club I am actually in (do we see a Groucho Marx angle here?) Well as I mentioned I was not invited to the CPTC thing (recall TGV’s "I’m invited and I don’t even know anyone…" Plus Partime, "I’m invited, and I’m not even in the club…") Anyway truth be told I would always head for a Harriers Party given the chance probably due to the last time I went to a CPTC party I paid $40 for a paper plate (no fork) of cold pasta with a tomato sauce with less taste than a TBS afternoon movie… oh and I had to listen to someone give speeches about the good old days to boot… so I was rather happy to be Irvo’ bound.
The Queen of the Harriers was there, as was PonyTail Ted (who went to college with the great Henry Rono), Steve Conroy, Mark and Dublin girlfriend, Glen, Comfy Ed, Cindy, Tim, the hosts and more… Quite a club. Great party, and lots of interesting talk on too many obscure issues to mention (and about too many people who read this website - Ed's note).
Congrats to Sir Roland for picking the team that went the distance, and became, in front of $1.5 billion people, the Champions of the World Viva Brasil!
06/28
Africa took 34 medals in Atlanta, with Kenya leading the field.
Kenya: 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze
Nigeria: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze
South Africa: 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Being Overweight is unhealthy.
Everyone can lose weight.
Calories taken in must be less than calories expended if you wish to lose weight.
"I went to the 1992 Olympics with a list of people in my pocket who had prior positive tests. There were ten or 12 names there. I think a lot of people know about what went on. Very few of them spoke up."
-Wade Exum former head of USOC drug testing program, who is going to make publicly available to the press, documents involving the coverups this Saturday.
Last night was Michelle Rossettie’s surprise wedding shower than Urban Socials threw her. We told her that we were having a party for Cre who has been suffering from a stress fracture. I said his wife wanted to organize a welcome back party for his cast-off (literally).
Then I emailed her working partner Bob, "Hey Bob can you go over to Michelle and say that you’ve an email from Urbanoso asking you to go to a party where you hardly know Cre… tell Michelle that you don’t think you, or her, should go…"
Hopefully at this point Michelle would ‘talk’ Bob into going… if she agreed then Bob was instructed to change the line of thought, "Perhaps we should go…"
Then to further try to dupe Michelle the day before the party, (leaving it late so hopefully she could not manage) I asked her to bring some cookies for Cre!
06/27
Becky Lee’s Grandma’s - "I had a personal best by 15 minutes." Great job!
So Brazil Vs Germany in the World Cup finals. To be fair this was on the cards… There has only been ONE final in the last Fifty years without either Germany or Brazil being there….. that was ’78 when Argentina won. Predictable?
We hear from Michelle about the Canadian Tough Qual. Times for the Commonwealth G. "The Canadian Olympic Association(COA) is tired of never getting medals at any games so they have decided that the people they do send to championships or games will be medalist and if there are no potential medalist then they will not send anyone. It's kind of a joke because they do nothing to help but yet expect medals. Standards are 32:00(10k) and 15:08(5k)." OUCH, that is too fast!
Lottery Live on TV: In a New York City Marathon first, the annual New York City Marathon lottery ceremony, where the open field is selected for the five-borough race, is scheduled to be televised live on the WNBC (Ch-4) Today Show in New York between 5-7 a.m. this Thursday morning.
Green Bay, Wisc., Cellcom Green Bay Marathon: Men - 1. Andrey Kuznetsov (40+), RUS, 2:23:33; 2. Jonathan Ndambuki, KEN, 2:24:48; 3. Petru Lazarescu, ROM, 2:26:51. Women - 1. Tatiana Titova, RUS, 2:46:55; - Wow, Jonathan is a top runner (he won Big Sur) but the old Master had his number! Did I ever tell the story of how Andrey ended up in Moscow in January wearing beach shorts and Dame Edna sunglasses? #7 in the men’s race was New Year’s EVE 2001 CP winner Janko Bensa running 2:31 for $700 - Andrey took $3.5K
Lydia Cheromei’s husband’s 3000m race; 11 Hosea Kogo KEN 9:11.71
More Canuuk News: Canadian Outdoor Champs men’s 5000m Sean Kaley (OttawaLions) kicked with 800m to go. Covering the last two laps in 2:01 Kaley won in 14:07.88, with Jeff Schiebler (KajaksTC) 2nd in 14:10.17 & Da Femmes, national 10,000m champion Courtney Babcock (MountainW) in 16:37.77, with Andrea Grove (MountainW) 2nd in 16:43.10, Aster Demissie (EdmontThu) 3rd in 16:49.08
El G who will race in Bilslett on Friday over the Mile distance: "I am now back in Morocco, training in Ifrane, in the altitude of the Atlas mountains. After competing last month in Eugene I spent one day in Rabat to see my family and my little sister, and then came straight up here. The first days were a little cold and rainy, and we tried to adapt to the change, then luckily the weather improved and we were able to work well.
My friends and pacemakers, Hossine and Aziz and my brother are always with me. We live in a chalet with two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen and a cook comes by every day to prepare our meals. Often after training some friends come along from the nearby Al Akhaouine University in Ifrane, and we discuss a lot of different subjects, frequently speaking English. It’s good to get your mind off athletics!"
Bad news: Romas Ubartas, the 1992 Olympic discus champion from Lithuania who was temporarily suspended earlier this month after he tested positive for a banned steroid, can compete again, athletics officials said Monday.
Happy Birthday Jane Monti!! Have a wonderful day, the ice cream is in the post…. It’ll melt as she is on her hols visiting Deena Drossin.
06/26
Nike Running class - Monday, 01st of July, 7 PM @ the Wollman Rink. Free Coaching, refreshments and nike gear: We also have had massages, Chiropractors, Shoe experts (there every week), Docs, Nutritionalists....
other fun things to help you with your running goals & focus. Differing fun thingies to keep YOU da runner interested... read on;
There will be raffles (we gave out a speed monitor), and free stuff give-outs like T-Shirts to regulars.
Someone asked how many people attend, and what is the standard; My group is growing tremendously well; The first week only 13 came (the biggest of the Nike weekly series, but this Monday was 32(!) and I am sure that will also be the biggest of the Nike runs.
The standard of runners goes from people who just want to come and walk, and enjoy the freebies/refreshments to fast zippers who scoot around! Everyone is welcome - even if you can just hop 200 meters!
"HI TOBY,
YOUR GRACIOUSNESS AND KINDNESS WON OVER MY WIFE TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF RUNNING."
We received that nice email from Artie today who attended the classes with his wife Irma.
Central Parkus; The Fat Tuesday’s AC. Mile repeats with Shiney, da male model…. On the last repeat I was thinking, ‘he is flying, or I am dying…’ we hear that he is going to enter the 5-miler on Saturday… The Rope turned up later with jetlag in a different time zone, just back from CA… and as for Smokin’ J he turned up looking like Roy Orbison on a dean Martin roadtrip.
The Boss was back in Tempo action - a loop of the park after a loopy bender weekend… I never got the full scoop but the lifting of his eyebrows told the story. And for news of our other trainer, the intrepid reporter, one of his athletes reports, "Since the third week in April of this year I have run PRs in the half
marathon (big one!), a 4-miler (big one!), the 5K, and the 800 meters.
That is 4 PRs in about 8 weeks!! Not to mention that I have run
completely
injury-free (knock wood) since I have been training with you." Thanks R2
‘Easier’ times now needed for runners wanting to run the Boston Marathon -- particularly older runners -- Age Group - Men - Women - Adjustment from 2002 18-34 3 hrs 10 min 3 hrs 40 min -- 35-39 3 hrs 15 min 3 hrs 45 min -- 40-44 3 hrs 20 min 3 hrs 50 min -- 45-49 3 hrs 30 min 4 hrs 00 min + 5 min 50-54 3 hrs 35 min 4 hrs 05 min + 5 min 55-59 3 hrs 45 min 4 hrs 15 min + 10 min 60-64 4 hrs 00 min 4 hrs 30 min + 20 min 65-69 4 hrs 15 min 4 hrs 45 min + 30 min 70-74 4 hrs 30 min 5 hrs 00 min + 40 min 75-79 4 hrs 45 min 5 hrs 15 min + 55 min 80 and older 5 hrs 00 min 5 hrs 30 min + 70 min
Great Bagels found; City Bagels, on 18th St (east side somewhere). Brought to us by Kwasi - these were superb, really tasty and big! A definite boon to any diet, check em out!
Coming to town, Jerry Lawson - just passing through. Jerry is a really nice guy, and a brave front runner. His admirable tactics have led to his email address which includes amongst other things the numbers; 2:09:35!
Men’s Euro Super 5000 league, and yes that is the nephew of Pekka Olympic-Champ 1500m ’72 Vasala! 1 Dimitri Maximov RUS 14:09.92 2 Sam Haughian GBR 14:11.60 3 Smail Sghyr FRA 14:14.00 4 Marco Mazza ITA 14:14.72 5 Samuli Vasala FIN 14:16.63
06/25
Serena Williams is playing on the center court, the recent French Open champion, though on another minor court we have Kournikova against a girl whose claim to fame was being beat by 45-yr old Martina last week.. where do the cameras go?
Our own Becky-Lee ran Grandmas, bouncing back from her other Marathon last month - well done. Kenyan Elly Rono beat
Pavel Andreyev of Russia and Andrey Gordeyev of Belarus.
Rono, 32, went on to win in a great time, and a PR, of 2:10:57. Andreyev ran2:11:20 and Gordeyev was 2:12:43.
Zinaida Semenova of Russia beat Anna Pichrtova of the Czech Republic, 2:32:21 to 2:32:39 For the women’s title.
How to go from 2:13 to 2:07 by Ian Syster, "Less mileage, more quality. We run our long runs very hard. Someone is always pushing the pace."
Kenya’s Commonwealth Games team in Manchester, UK: Erick Wainaina and Joshua Chelanga for the Marathon.
Esther Maina will be the only woman representative.
Another surprise selection was that of Commonwealth Champion Japheth Kimutai who finished last in the 800meters trials runs with the former world junior champion, Joseph Mutua, in the event.
Others include, 5,000m - Benjamin Limo, Willy Kirui, Sammy Kipketer; 10,000m -Paul Kosgei, John Korir, Wilberforce Talel; 3,000m SC - Stephen Cherono, Ezekiel Kemboi, Abraham Cherono; 1,500m - William Chirchir, David Kiplak; Women: 800m - - Faith Macharia, Salina Kosgei; 1,500m - Jackline Maranga , Naomi Mugo; 5,000m - Edith Masai, Iness Chenonge; 10,000m - Susan Chepkemei.
Brazil's goalkeeper Marcos is doubtful for Wednesday's semi-final against Turkey after he got injured in a training match on Monday. And FIFA President Sepp Blatter has finally bowed to the weight of public opinion and appointed six European referees to take charge of the World Cup semi-finals.
Great fun at the Nike class - we hear from Mr Z that Dennis ran well, dipping under the Eights - good job, Artie was back in town… a good turn out all around with fun and a nutritionist no less. Our own Tamar was in the group quietly taking note of the truths….. The N. came up afterwards, "Funny, usually when I say who thinks Carbs are bad everyone yells… but this group…." She should know - This is the bagel group!
06/23
Sweden’s ‘Absolut' Marathoner. Anders Szalkai, and his daughter Smilla.
No surprises here to read, "Injured Rodgers Rop and unprepared world silver medallist Simon Biwott have been dropped from Kenya's Commonwealth Games team." These guys don’t run for metal medals!
I ran a long run in Central Park with Shiney on Sunday, it was a glorious day and thanks to Shiney I got in a quality long run, my first for 2002 when I’ve felt like, ‘yes, that was a solid, good, LONG run.’ Shiney went for the world record in races per days - From Sunday till Tuesday he ran 4 races placing 2nd, 1st, 2nd, & I don’t know the result of the last race. Pretty damn impressive!
"thursday night workout followed by dublin house for post workout sports drinks, then after a quick shower & shave it was over to the east side for brazil v. england, another change out of smoky clothes, to diane's for bloody marys bagels and even more football, then on to work. as long as i don't start hallucinating i should be fine. i've got the next four years to sleep ..." A day in the life; Ponytail Ted from da Harriers.
The power of a sub 2:20 course; The Berlin Marathon, scheduled for September 29, 2002, has reached its 33,000 runners and 8,000 inline skater course limits.
Marla, "I'd rather struggle with lofty goals than settle for comfortable ones."
Susan Chepkemei, world half-marathon best, ran a highly tactical race and won in 32:38.3. She was followed by Ndereba, world marathon best, in 32:50.2. Alice Timbilil, former IAAF World 3000m Youth Champion was third in 32:50.2 in the Commonwealth Games Kenyan trials.
News from LORNAH KIPLAGAT’S PIETER: (coincidentally the only man to tip South Korea BEFORE the W-Cup. Monsieur Mileage is the only tipper of Germany!)
Just like last year wanted Lornah test herself on the track on the 5000 meter. Last year she ran 15:08 and this year she wanted to go sub 15:00 minutes.
The World best for 2002 was 15:00:49 from Elvan Abeylegesse in the Grand Prix of Hengelo. Lornah ran from the beginning 71 seconds per lap and had only at 3K a few times 72 seconds.
However, a 69 seconds last lap was enough to run the fastest time in the World on the track this year: 14:51:95! She ran the race in her racing shoes and not in spikes to avoid any injuries. Her time is a personal best, her former PB was 15:06, a course record and World best in 2002. Next race will be the Peachtree 10 K in Atlanta on July 4. Trainings partner Jane Kiptoo also ran a personal best and finished in15:19!
Talking track - I have given up racing the track events, for a good reason. Getting slower. So I decided to go and watch the Empire State Games Qualifier as I had a couple of athletes running, well since I had not raced that day I thought why not…. I ask the organizers, ‘What time is the 5k?’ ‘dunno, check the list’ ‘Um the list has no times…’ ‘dunno what time it starts then.’ GREAT - warm up, lie down, or stretch… man I just wanted to go to Starbucks and get some java. However this meet was up in da Bronx and although there are more Starbucks than Duane Reade’s in NYC not in da Bronx! I walked past ‘breakfast $1:69’ signs but no coffee shops. Mind you I will say that I love the people up in the Bronx - very friendly, I had a ball on the #5 train on the way home when someone got on and wanted to share her bag of Dunkin’ Donuts… Ophs, got distracted! R2 ran a PR, the first time running a 5k under the big digit. Dan da Dog, despite warning, set off tooo fast, and paid the price that we all have paid. Kwasi - never saw him, Century Man - he ran good, but that was in Central Park! As was Randy, Cruiser, Sharon, & Jen - what a team!! Good for you guys!
1 Janina Malska winning the Nike Fitness Run… okay, Warren Street? In the Mini she was Witold Runners! That is the shortest ninety days that ever passed by in NYC!
USA TF Champs: Great 10’s!! Amrericans are Rockin!!
1 Mebrahtom Keflezighi Nike 27:41.68 2 Abdi Abdirahman Nike 27:42.83 3 Alan Culpepper adidas 27:48.09 &
1 Jen Rhines adidas 31:57.38 2 Milena Glusac adidas 32:15.09 3 Katie McGregor adidas Ameri 32:17.49
When I ran with Jen in Central Park every time she saw a Pug she’d squeal and go off chasing after the thing to pet it!
The tuna at Cilantro, choice restaurant of Sherlock, is very nice. The ambiance is spoilt a little by the rush turnover, but to be fair it was a Friday night, and we were in the back garden. It’s foodfare is South Western and it is well worth a visit if you are on the Upper East Side hungry and looking for that type of food. The Sherlock recommends, "Margaritas!!"
IAAF World Half Marathon Champion Paul Kosgei ran the fastest 10,000 meters time ever on Kenyan soil as the National Championships-cum-Commonwealth Games Trials concluded in the city of Nairobi on Saturday.
Kosgei clocked 27:44.14, slashing almost four seconds off World champion Charles Kamathi's previous mark ( 27:47.33) which was set at last year's Nationals.
John Korir and Wilberforce Talel followed in 27:44.55 and 27:46.70 respectively as Kamathi, bogged down by a recurring groin injury, finished 10th in 28:20.64.
The Cherono brothers - Stephen and Abraham - appear destined for a bright steeplechase future, if their performances at the Kenyan trials are any measure.
Stephen, who holds the world junior steeplechase record, won the Kenyan title in 8:18.02 with Abraham clocking 8:19.26 to take third place. Up and coming Ezekiel Kemboi was second in 8:18.31.
Euro Cup, Division One: Check out the slow men’s 5000m!
s
M5000m
1 Jesús ESPAÑA ESP 15:06.70 2 Dennis JENSEN 6DEN 15:09.33 3 Jose RAMOS 1 POR 15:10.28 4 S. SCHUTGENS NED 15:10.48 5 8Claes NYBERG SWE 15:10.63
M1500 1 A. TRAVASSOS 1 POR 3:42.60 2 Reyes ESTEVEZ ESP 3:42.60 3 Mark KOERS NED 3:42.87
M800M
1 Wilson KIPKETER DEN 1:44.28 (CR) 2 Antonio REINA ESP 1:45.53 (PB) 3 Bram SOM NED 1:45.86 (SB) 4 Khaled AZERKAN SWE 1:46.93 (SB)
W800m 1 Jolanda CEPLAK SLO 1:58.55 2 Mayte MARTINEZ ESP 2:01.36 3 N. DZIDKOVA BLR 2:01.70 4 Sandra TEIXEIRA POR 2:02.63 5 Stella JONGMANS NED 2:03.93
W3000 1 Luisa LARRAGA ESP 9:11.93 2 Ines MONTEIRO POR 9:21.27 3 2 Inna POLUSKINA 5 LAT 9:28.15 (SB)
W1500m 1 Alesia TUROVA BLR 4:09.17 2 N. RODRIGUEZ ESP 4:10.21 3 Jessica AUGUSTO POR 4:15.52
Sunday brunch; At the lenox - had a steak, and a pile of muffins, then we went for a walk and had a beer and an ice cream at The BoatHouse in Central Park. It was a really nice afternoon, it was fun chatting with The Rocket, "So Kotov won Comrades drinking three beers per day? I have tried that." ‘Yes Rocket, but 3 is your warm up!’ "And carrot soup? Were the carrots grown in Chernobyl Russia?" Spot on! We were of course chatting about the miraculous achievements of the 44-yr old Belarus winner’s methods of winning.
06/21
Select results from the Tuesday track night: 1. Matt 'Shiney' Chaston - 4:31.5
2. Jerry 'Chubby' Macari Urban Athletics 4:43.31.that was the mile, and the 800m: @ fat Tuesday's: Conor O’Driscoll Westchester TC 2:02.7....
3. Matt 'Shiney' Chaston - 2:11.8, and
4. Charlotte 'super smooth' Cutler CPTC 2:13.7
Eng Vs Brazil - could not do it live! I was going to hook up with Steven Paddock (a virtual neighbor), but the hours were too tough, then Minnesota tried to bribe me with bagels and starbucks, "And my Mum phoning every minute! How could you refuse?" Then we heard that the Harriers were doing a double - the bar first then Diane's house after (again with a bagel invite!) Ouch, I'll go Spanish and see the 10 AM replay.. thus if you saw me this morning avoiding converse you'll understand why!
A good track turn out tonight. Kavan in his ‘where’s the safari party shorts’ ("Well when I’m outta shape I want to low key"), Kevin also was a welcome sight Back-on-track, It has been a long time since he was last down witnessed by his complete lack of faith in the Urbanoso’s, When I announced that the second bonus 400m was in actual fact an 800 he predicted, "There’ll be a 35% drop out rate." The Chubby Boss, on hand, said, "Only Partime will drop out…." And that’s how the song was run! What a group! Thre were some huge improvements from the last time we did this session namely Conor smashing from 19:10 to 17:40, and Dorian coming from 24 to 22! Way to go! Welcome back to Cruiser, good to have her back.
Congratulations to Michelle King, and Marc Davies - Engaged to be married! You may remember Marc as being the rebel American Steeplechaser who had an interview in Runner'sWorld that annoyed a few people with his comments on Pre - at least he was opinionated! Nothing worse than someone who does haven’t anything to say…. That can’t be said for Wilson Pickett huh? The wedding will be in Toronto next year.
From Anne, "Americans are overweight because we grow insanely huge crops of corn, wheat, and soy, and mass-produce our meat, fruits, and vegetables. So food is cheap and low in quality, and portions are enormous. If we went back to smaller-scale production, stopped feeding our cows corn, started buying better foods, we'd all be healthier."
Of course one man, one vote, But… Why are English people ½ the size of the average American? Food is very cheap there, and plentiful. France ditto. Greed, a lack of self discipline are 2 key factors why I ballooned up in weight. Sure I’d like to eat three muffins for breakfast, but I won’t. Yes, I too might like a slice of chocolate cake.. the same theme with people who say, "Oh, it is alright for you - you love to run." No, a lot of the time I hate running, period.
I am sorry for my vote it all goes back to exercise - case in point today at the gym, a girl next to me had a personal trainer; she walked on the treadmill, got off, swung a dumbell five swings, got back on the treadmill - this for thirty minutes. The whole time nattering NON-stop about her film career (don’t know who she was, but everyone else seemed to…)
Now if she’d walked to her local supermarket, gone round the isles, and carried her shopping home she have a cupboard full of produce, a better workout, and change to spare!
Out and about; brunching with the Rocket - I had a spinach stuffed Turkey Burger, wasn’t the best thing the Lenox have to offer. What was good was to hear that the Rocket is in hard training, "On Wednesday three hill sessions, and 24-miles!" Ouch!
Dining out at Baluchi’s - I love their bread, it is scrumptious and almost too good. I have always liked Indian food, preferring the ethnic spicier food than the Upper East Side watered down version though. Steven Paddock told me of a good place down on 29th & 8th Ave…...
Not for the first time we got something wrong; the equation of 1 inch = 2lbs is only correct for male distance runners, not females. The correct figure should be 1.7lbs, so Paula Radcliffe, 68" x 1.7 = 115.6 so she is actually 2lbs on the donut side of the road.
This year sees the 30th year of Central Park Track Club’s existence in the being; the date is October, however it looks like they will celebrate in December, and couple the celebrations with the annual Xmas ones. We hear that the slightly younger web site is nearing 300,000 hits - wow! How did the club survive before da web?
The Nike class was a great succees, and I will be hoping for more of you to come out on Monday. I care not what level of ability you have, fast, slow, or a metronomed even-steven - there is a place for you in the group, and a cliff bar, or two, waiting for you at the workout’s finish.
The feedback I received has been very positive, we got a nice email from Jonathan of Scarsdale just yesterday - thanks U2.
Spain's former Olympic 1,500 metres gold medallist Fermin Cacho has been in hospital since last Monday suffering from a brain disease.
Cyclo: After a ninth place yesterday Erik Zabel took a quick revenge. The Telekom-rider outsprinted his compatriot Sven Teutenberg (Phonak) on the second stage of Tour de Suisse. The yellow jersey remains however on the young Frenchman Eddy Lembo.
Congrats to Marla and her beau who will get hitched in August…. This site can keep secrets, we did hear that she was going to run NYC a month ago…. But yes we can keep hush hush about somethings!
06/20
Olympic silver medallist Eric Wainaina has been named in Kenya's marathon team for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Simon Biwott, silver medallist at last year's world championships, and Boston marathon champion Rodgers Rop were also selected. If all three come to the starting line that will be an awesome squad!
Finally some sunny days to string together for once! Just what the Corporate Challengers’ wanted huh? AS Monsieur Mileage said, "It is a walk, not a race!" And perhaps they should make it one. There was a related article in a paper talking about how in Europe the crowds cheered loudest for the first few competitors and did not hang around for the back of the packers AS MUCH as they do for American races (ie NYCM). My belief on this subject (yawn) is that people taking part in events here in America often go with a mindset to participate, be a number, whereas a larger percentage (not much but a larger one than here) in Europe go to compete.
Myself? I was drinking beers with The Rocket and missed the whole thing.
From Eldo Lise, "Spent the day looking after friend's 2 girls- as I've said many times before- so much easier to look after a whole orphanage or other developing -country kids who grow up having to be self-sufficient..... I am beat! Played "zoo" today - which involved a tour of stuffed animals ("pretend they are real") from the zoo keeper (she's 4) and then had to buy some animals...where does the logic come in to sell a camel (wearing a dress of course) for $170, a monkey for $1 and a zebra for $16. Hard to negotiate a good price with that logic- but bonus points for her imagination.
Here’s a racing report from Michiel in Holland:
"GEBRES 1 HOUR ATTACK
One of the greatest athletes of the last decade Haile Gebreselassie seems just to be coming from planet earth like the rest of 'runnersworld'. The 4 times world champion and 2 times Olympic champion athlete from Ethiopia was unbeatable until the end of the last millennium. However, the last two years he is showing signs of normal human behavior. This means that he was beaten a number of times or didn't achieve the goal he set.
And what is there more for Gebre to achieve since he is still world record holder in 'his' events, the 5 and the 10 kilometers on the track. His manager from early on Jos Hermens, a former athlete and now owner of an athlete agency based in Nijmegen, the Netherlands has been holder of the world-1hr-record himself from 1976 till 1991.