Trying to catch up with a number of results, starting with Monday's Boston Marathon and working my way through the week...
At least one NNHS alum ran Boston, and I have to believe there were others. Jamie Kreider finished the marathon in 2:46:15, passing the half marathon in 1:17. Another friend of NSRP, Pat Hamilton (Dan's dad) finished the race in 3:07:46. Congratulations, Pat!
As he mentioned in his comment on last week's results, Dan Chebot ran the 5000m at Rochester's mid-week make-up meet, finishing in 15:46.05.
Chris Barnicle competed in the College Championship 5000m at the Penn Relays Thursday night, running 14:16.45 to place 16th.
(At least two Mass. teams competed at Penn in Friday's relay action. In the Boys Distance Medley Championship of America, Brookline's quartet of Robert Gibson, Ian Sandler, Ryan Hardiman, and David Wilson placed 13th in 10:41.85. In the Girls 4x800 CoA race, Lincoln-Sudbury (Emily Mephan, Molly Binder, Claire Arthur, and Ellie Hylton) ran 9:11.03 to place 11th.
Several alumni competed at the NESCAC championships on Saturday. Wesleyan's Steph O'Brien ran 2:19.74 in the 800m to place 7th. Williams senior Liz Gleason finished 10th in the 10,000m, running 40:32.39. For the men, Doug Brecher ran 15:52.35 for the 5000m, placing 15th. Scott Cole placed 24th in the 1500m with a time of 4:16.96.
Two other Bay Staters had good results at the meet: Alexandra Krieg won the women's 5000m by half a minute, running 17:37.64, while Jerzy Eisenberg-Guyot placed 7th in the men's 10K, running 33:34.55.
Added 4/28:
At the Yale Springtime Invitational, David Smith competed in three throwing events, posting (what I believe are) two personal bests. In the discus, Smith threw 36.45 (119-7) for 12th. In the hammer, he threw 41.28 (135-5) for 9th, and in the shot he threw 14.55 (47-9) for 8th.
April 26, 2008
April 24, 2008
Bated Breath
Oh, those long trips up to Maine in the summer! Those miles upon miles of nondescript turnpike between Portsmouth and Augusta that rolled by slowly, providing hours of idle time in the back seat of the station wagon. And remember, this was before portable music players, gameboys, in-car DVD players, e-this, and i-that, and anything else remotely entertaining.
What can I say? We did our best to fill the time. We played the alphabet game, the animal game, twenty questions, ghost, "going on a picnic" and others. When we were thoroughly sick of each other (my younger brother always cheated), we would invent other amusements. My favorite solitary activity for passing the time in the car was to hold my breath.
One thing you can say for the Maine Turnpike, the mile markers are easy to spot. And with my dad driving pretty close to 60 mph, holding my breath for a minute took about a mile, or holding my breath for a mile took a minute. Anyway, it was fun to inhale deeply and then hold my breath until the next mile marker. Eventually, I got the point that I could hold my breath for two miles.
I remembered all this when I read the following article in Tuesday's NY Times: This Time, He'll Be Left Breathless. The story profiles David Blaine, a self-described "endurance artist," who is preparing to break the world record for breath-holding.
Among the fascinating observations in the article:
"The natural impulse to stop holding your breath (typically within 30 seconds or a minute) is not because of an oxygen shortage but because of the painful buildup of carbon dioxide. Mr. Blaine said he began trying to overcome that urge when he was a child in Brooklyn and at age 11 managed to hold his breath for three and a half minutes."
I can relate. I also think there is a subtle analogy here for runners: many times when we slow down it is NOT because we have to, but because continuing is increasingly uncomfortable.
Anyway, I also enjoyed this nugget:
"What’s a little blackout to a guy who was once encased in a block of ice for 63 hours?"
What can I say? We did our best to fill the time. We played the alphabet game, the animal game, twenty questions, ghost, "going on a picnic" and others. When we were thoroughly sick of each other (my younger brother always cheated), we would invent other amusements. My favorite solitary activity for passing the time in the car was to hold my breath.
One thing you can say for the Maine Turnpike, the mile markers are easy to spot. And with my dad driving pretty close to 60 mph, holding my breath for a minute took about a mile, or holding my breath for a mile took a minute. Anyway, it was fun to inhale deeply and then hold my breath until the next mile marker. Eventually, I got the point that I could hold my breath for two miles.
I remembered all this when I read the following article in Tuesday's NY Times: This Time, He'll Be Left Breathless. The story profiles David Blaine, a self-described "endurance artist," who is preparing to break the world record for breath-holding.
Among the fascinating observations in the article:
"The natural impulse to stop holding your breath (typically within 30 seconds or a minute) is not because of an oxygen shortage but because of the painful buildup of carbon dioxide. Mr. Blaine said he began trying to overcome that urge when he was a child in Brooklyn and at age 11 managed to hold his breath for three and a half minutes."
I can relate. I also think there is a subtle analogy here for runners: many times when we slow down it is NOT because we have to, but because continuing is increasingly uncomfortable.
Anyway, I also enjoyed this nugget:
"What’s a little blackout to a guy who was once encased in a block of ice for 63 hours?"
April 23, 2008
Tigers Sweep Norwood
As any New Englander knows, late April can be bring any kind of weather -- 90 degrees and humid, 33 degrees and a driving rain. However, the weather the last few days has been absolutely perfect for running and was perfect for Newton North's fourth dual meet of the year, a resounding sweep of host Norwood.
For the boys, Adam Bao continued his outstanding season, winning both the long jump (20-1), triple (42-3), and 200 meters (22-9). Steve Long won the shot put (46-2), but really made noise in the discus, where he threw a PR and league-best 134-2. Sam Arsenault won the high jump (6') and 400 (53.0). Hymlaire Lamisere won the 100 (11.3) for the fourth straight meet.
Freshman Ezra Lichtmann got the first of what will surely be many wins in his varsity career, taking the mile in 4:55. Jarad Forman won the deuce in 10:48. Seb Putzeys made it a distance sweep, winning the 800 in 2:00.1.
The Tigers also swept the relays to amass 101 points to Norwood's 35.
The Tiger girls were only slightly less dominant than their counterparts, overwhelming the Mustangs by a score of 99-37. Their were strong contributions from many of the usual suspects: Michelle Kaufman won the 100 (12.9) and the 300 hurdles (47.0), while placing second in the triple jump and third in the long jump. Vicki Marone won the 100 hurdles in 16.6 and had a huge win in the triple jump, leaping 34 feet. Emma Kornetsky, Carolyn Ranti, and Nora Barnicle won the 400, 800, and mile, respectively.
But the performance that really stands out is Margo Gillis' stunning win in the 2-Mile. The freshman ran 11:35.8, a time that appears to be the best in the BSC this year, and that would have placed 10th in the All-State meet last year. Wow!
For the boys, Adam Bao continued his outstanding season, winning both the long jump (20-1), triple (42-3), and 200 meters (22-9). Steve Long won the shot put (46-2), but really made noise in the discus, where he threw a PR and league-best 134-2. Sam Arsenault won the high jump (6') and 400 (53.0). Hymlaire Lamisere won the 100 (11.3) for the fourth straight meet.
Freshman Ezra Lichtmann got the first of what will surely be many wins in his varsity career, taking the mile in 4:55. Jarad Forman won the deuce in 10:48. Seb Putzeys made it a distance sweep, winning the 800 in 2:00.1.
The Tigers also swept the relays to amass 101 points to Norwood's 35.
The Tiger girls were only slightly less dominant than their counterparts, overwhelming the Mustangs by a score of 99-37. Their were strong contributions from many of the usual suspects: Michelle Kaufman won the 100 (12.9) and the 300 hurdles (47.0), while placing second in the triple jump and third in the long jump. Vicki Marone won the 100 hurdles in 16.6 and had a huge win in the triple jump, leaping 34 feet. Emma Kornetsky, Carolyn Ranti, and Nora Barnicle won the 400, 800, and mile, respectively.
But the performance that really stands out is Margo Gillis' stunning win in the 2-Mile. The freshman ran 11:35.8, a time that appears to be the best in the BSC this year, and that would have placed 10th in the All-State meet last year. Wow!
April 21, 2008
NNHS Alumni Results - April 19, 2008
David Polgar won the unseeded heat of the men's 1500 and placed 9th overall at the UConn Husky Spring Invitational on Saturday, running 4:03.96.
At the Little Three meet (Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan) hosted by Amherst College, Scott Cole ran 4:13.91 for 1500m, finishing 10th. Steph O'Brien finished 3rd in the 800m, running 2:18.60 to prevent a Williams sweep in that event. In the 5000m, Liz Gleason finished 6th, running 19:07.24.
The University of Rochester was in action at SUNY-Brockport on Saturday, but the results of the 5000 suggest perhaps it was a training effort for Dan Chebot and three of his Rochester teammates, who are all listed as DNF for the race.
Added 4/21: Noah Jampol had a very good weekend indeed at the Widener Invitational. On Friday, he ran a PR 16:20.49 for 5000m. Why he was running the 5000m, I don't know but perhaps he will fill us in. On Saturday, Noah doubled back to run a PR 4:05.66 for 1500m (4:24.5 mile equivalent). So that's the secret to running a fast 1500 -- taper with a 5K the day before!
At the Little Three meet (Amherst, Williams, Wesleyan) hosted by Amherst College, Scott Cole ran 4:13.91 for 1500m, finishing 10th. Steph O'Brien finished 3rd in the 800m, running 2:18.60 to prevent a Williams sweep in that event. In the 5000m, Liz Gleason finished 6th, running 19:07.24.
The University of Rochester was in action at SUNY-Brockport on Saturday, but the results of the 5000 suggest perhaps it was a training effort for Dan Chebot and three of his Rochester teammates, who are all listed as DNF for the race.
Added 4/21: Noah Jampol had a very good weekend indeed at the Widener Invitational. On Friday, he ran a PR 16:20.49 for 5000m. Why he was running the 5000m, I don't know but perhaps he will fill us in. On Saturday, Noah doubled back to run a PR 4:05.66 for 1500m (4:24.5 mile equivalent). So that's the secret to running a fast 1500 -- taper with a 5K the day before!
April 20, 2008
At the Women's Olympic Trials
My first thought was, "what is she DOING?!" My second thought was, "What are the REST of them doing?!"
The "she" is this case was Magdalena Lewy Boulet, who at four miles into the 2008 Women's Olympic marathon trials, already had a minute lead on the pack. The "rest" referred to the field of other fast women who for some reason were running at slower than six-minute mile pace. Lewy Boulet had played along for the first mile and then had decided to take matters into her own hands. She had been happily running 5:40 miles since the second mile of the race, while the other 150 women, including 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, had been content to let her go.
It's true there were windy parts of the course, but otherwise the day seemed well-suited to running fast times. The course, a five loop tour of Boston and Cambridge allowed spectators to see the runners multiple times. I won't speak for the runners, but it was really a wonderful experience for the spectators.
My daughter, Joni, and I were on our bikes, and we had managed to see the start (slow!), the loop up and around Boston Common, and then had crossed the river to see the runners at the 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, and 25 mile marks. We had watched #43 (it took a while for us to figure out that it was Lewy Boulet) build a lead of 1:45, had watched Kastor string out the chase pack with several 5:30 miles, had watched Blake Russell follow Kastor into third -- seeking to make up for the the heartbreak of 2004 in which she led for much of the race only to fade to fourth. It was a country mile better than any webcast.
We knew that Kastor would overtake Lewy Boulet, and she did, just before 24 miles, but we also hoped that Lewy Boulet's courage to lead the race by herself for so long would be rewarded. It was, as the 34-year-old from Oakland, California who had placed 5th in the 2004 trials, held on for second and a spot on the Olympic team. Russell, also, was to get satisfaction as she held on to third.
We also watched the 50-year-old warrior, Joan Benoit Samuelson, run an American age-group record 2:49:08. We watched former Williams All-American Caroline Cretti run a smart and disciplined race. moving up through the pack to take 21st in a PR 2:40:12. We didn't see Kate O'Neil after the 19-mile mark and were sad to hear later that she had dropped out (perhaps saving herself for another shot at the Olympic team in the 10,000 meters?). (Former Brookline runner Lauren Matthews also dropped out after the halfway mark.)
And, unlike the BAA Marathon -- the OTHER Boston Marathon this weekend -- we waited for the last two runners to pass before we finally headed on our way.
It was a great event, well-staged and well-raced. Congratulations to the runners and to the organizers. And thank you to the weather gods for a decent day, so uncertain a proposition in April.
Results, Checkpoint History, and Commentary
New York Times Coverage
The "she" is this case was Magdalena Lewy Boulet, who at four miles into the 2008 Women's Olympic marathon trials, already had a minute lead on the pack. The "rest" referred to the field of other fast women who for some reason were running at slower than six-minute mile pace. Lewy Boulet had played along for the first mile and then had decided to take matters into her own hands. She had been happily running 5:40 miles since the second mile of the race, while the other 150 women, including 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor, had been content to let her go.
It's true there were windy parts of the course, but otherwise the day seemed well-suited to running fast times. The course, a five loop tour of Boston and Cambridge allowed spectators to see the runners multiple times. I won't speak for the runners, but it was really a wonderful experience for the spectators.
My daughter, Joni, and I were on our bikes, and we had managed to see the start (slow!), the loop up and around Boston Common, and then had crossed the river to see the runners at the 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 22, 24, and 25 mile marks. We had watched #43 (it took a while for us to figure out that it was Lewy Boulet) build a lead of 1:45, had watched Kastor string out the chase pack with several 5:30 miles, had watched Blake Russell follow Kastor into third -- seeking to make up for the the heartbreak of 2004 in which she led for much of the race only to fade to fourth. It was a country mile better than any webcast.
We knew that Kastor would overtake Lewy Boulet, and she did, just before 24 miles, but we also hoped that Lewy Boulet's courage to lead the race by herself for so long would be rewarded. It was, as the 34-year-old from Oakland, California who had placed 5th in the 2004 trials, held on for second and a spot on the Olympic team. Russell, also, was to get satisfaction as she held on to third.
We also watched the 50-year-old warrior, Joan Benoit Samuelson, run an American age-group record 2:49:08. We watched former Williams All-American Caroline Cretti run a smart and disciplined race. moving up through the pack to take 21st in a PR 2:40:12. We didn't see Kate O'Neil after the 19-mile mark and were sad to hear later that she had dropped out (perhaps saving herself for another shot at the Olympic team in the 10,000 meters?). (Former Brookline runner Lauren Matthews also dropped out after the halfway mark.)
And, unlike the BAA Marathon -- the OTHER Boston Marathon this weekend -- we waited for the last two runners to pass before we finally headed on our way.
It was a great event, well-staged and well-raced. Congratulations to the runners and to the organizers. And thank you to the weather gods for a decent day, so uncertain a proposition in April.
Results, Checkpoint History, and Commentary
New York Times Coverage
April 17, 2008
The Stealth Marathon in Boston: Women's Olympic Trials Scheduled for Sunday
In yesterday's Boston Globe there was a nice article about Kate O'Neil (O'Neill found sport she can accelerate in), the Milton grad and 2004 Olympian who will be running Sunday in Boston for a sport on the Beijing Olympic marathon team.
I feel this race has really been flying under the radar. When I mention to anyone who will pretend to listen that there is another marathon in Boston this weekend, I get blank stares. People, this is the Olympic Trials! These are the best female marathoners in the country, 150 of them, and they will be running multiple loops through the streets of Boston and Cambridge. I know that Monday's race will have about 15,000 more runners, and about 1.4 million more spectators, but Sunday's race is still a big deal and you should make an effort to get down to watch it.
I mean, Joan Benoit Samuelson is running in what might be her final competitive race -- at age 50! How can you miss it?
The race starts at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. For a map and a guide to the competitors, check out the official race web site.
I feel this race has really been flying under the radar. When I mention to anyone who will pretend to listen that there is another marathon in Boston this weekend, I get blank stares. People, this is the Olympic Trials! These are the best female marathoners in the country, 150 of them, and they will be running multiple loops through the streets of Boston and Cambridge. I know that Monday's race will have about 15,000 more runners, and about 1.4 million more spectators, but Sunday's race is still a big deal and you should make an effort to get down to watch it.
I mean, Joan Benoit Samuelson is running in what might be her final competitive race -- at age 50! How can you miss it?
The race starts at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. For a map and a guide to the competitors, check out the official race web site.
April 16, 2008
Newton North Girls Upset Weymouth
Yes, I used the word "upset."
The deep and talented Weymouth girls were the Carey division champs indoors, and going into yesterday's meet at Weymouth, the favorites to repeat the accomplishment outdoors. But the Newton North girls, led by a monster day for Michelle Kaufman, won the meet 72.33 to 62.67.
Kaufman won four events, scoring twenty points: the 100 (12.7), 300 hurdles (47.8), long jump (16-1), and triple jump (35-2). Other winners for North included Vicki Marone in the 100 hurdles (16-7), Bonny Guang in the shot put (32-7), Paris Mongo in the discus (87-4), Emma Kornetsky in the 400 (60.8), and Carolyn Ranti, who won the 2-Mile (11:43) and then doubled back to take third in the 400, which might have been the most competitive race of the day.
After Weymouth, the Tigers have a good chance to remain undefeated in dual meets. if they can do that, they will earn their 18th Carey Division championship in the last 20 years, a staggering achievement.
Tiger Boys Best Weymouth
The Newton North boys remained unbeaten, as they won their meet against Weymouth 83-53, the same score as they won last week's meet against Brookline.
Hymlaire Lamisere recorded a season's best 11.1 in the 100m, and also won the 200 in 22.8. Sam Arsenault, who has been out with an injury, returned to the track for this meet and won the 400m in 53.8.
North's other winners were Seb Putzeys in the mile (4:42), Steven Long in the shot put (47-3), Ivan Kostadinov in the long jump (21-7), and Adam Bao in the triple (41-8).
Of course, I'm taking all these results from the local paper, and times and distances haven't always been accurate, so take them with a grain of salt.
Results and Story in the Daily News Tribune
The deep and talented Weymouth girls were the Carey division champs indoors, and going into yesterday's meet at Weymouth, the favorites to repeat the accomplishment outdoors. But the Newton North girls, led by a monster day for Michelle Kaufman, won the meet 72.33 to 62.67.
Kaufman won four events, scoring twenty points: the 100 (12.7), 300 hurdles (47.8), long jump (16-1), and triple jump (35-2). Other winners for North included Vicki Marone in the 100 hurdles (16-7), Bonny Guang in the shot put (32-7), Paris Mongo in the discus (87-4), Emma Kornetsky in the 400 (60.8), and Carolyn Ranti, who won the 2-Mile (11:43) and then doubled back to take third in the 400, which might have been the most competitive race of the day.
After Weymouth, the Tigers have a good chance to remain undefeated in dual meets. if they can do that, they will earn their 18th Carey Division championship in the last 20 years, a staggering achievement.
Tiger Boys Best Weymouth
The Newton North boys remained unbeaten, as they won their meet against Weymouth 83-53, the same score as they won last week's meet against Brookline.
Hymlaire Lamisere recorded a season's best 11.1 in the 100m, and also won the 200 in 22.8. Sam Arsenault, who has been out with an injury, returned to the track for this meet and won the 400m in 53.8.
North's other winners were Seb Putzeys in the mile (4:42), Steven Long in the shot put (47-3), Ivan Kostadinov in the long jump (21-7), and Adam Bao in the triple (41-8).
Of course, I'm taking all these results from the local paper, and times and distances haven't always been accurate, so take them with a grain of salt.
Results and Story in the Daily News Tribune
April 14, 2008
Stunning Times From Hall, Derrick
What a weekend, with two stunning results to buzz about for a long time.
In the Flora London Marathon, Ryan Hall finished 5th with a time of 2:06:17 in what would seem to be the fastest marathon in history. Never before have three men run under 2:06 in the same race. Never before have six men run under 2:07 in the same race. A pack of NINE runners went through the half marathon in 1:02:14, well under world record pace. When the pace slowed down at 25K with a "slow" 4:55 mile, Hall apparently asked the pacemakers to speed up and keep the pace honest. The mind reels.
Former world-record holder Khalid Khannouchi still owns the American Record at 2:05:38, but Hall has closed the gap, and by my count is now the 16th fastest marathoner of all time.
Meanwhile, Illinois H.S. senior Chris Derrick ran an out-of-this-world race at the Arcadia Invitational in California on Saturday. Footlocker runner-up Derrick won the inaugural 5000m at Arcadia in 13:55.96, the sixth fastest ever by a U.S. high schooler and the fastest ever in an all high-school race. The time is spectacular, but what makes it even more impressive is that Derrick led for all but one of the 12 and half laps, had to run wide to lap runners in the final laps, and closed with a final 800 of 2:05 and final 400 just over 60 seconds.
Here's the video from DyeStat.
With Footlocker Champ Luke Puskedra running an 8:46.60 in the 3200, one wonders whether the two will be in the same race at NON.
In the Flora London Marathon, Ryan Hall finished 5th with a time of 2:06:17 in what would seem to be the fastest marathon in history. Never before have three men run under 2:06 in the same race. Never before have six men run under 2:07 in the same race. A pack of NINE runners went through the half marathon in 1:02:14, well under world record pace. When the pace slowed down at 25K with a "slow" 4:55 mile, Hall apparently asked the pacemakers to speed up and keep the pace honest. The mind reels.
Former world-record holder Khalid Khannouchi still owns the American Record at 2:05:38, but Hall has closed the gap, and by my count is now the 16th fastest marathoner of all time.
Meanwhile, Illinois H.S. senior Chris Derrick ran an out-of-this-world race at the Arcadia Invitational in California on Saturday. Footlocker runner-up Derrick won the inaugural 5000m at Arcadia in 13:55.96, the sixth fastest ever by a U.S. high schooler and the fastest ever in an all high-school race. The time is spectacular, but what makes it even more impressive is that Derrick led for all but one of the 12 and half laps, had to run wide to lap runners in the final laps, and closed with a final 800 of 2:05 and final 400 just over 60 seconds.
Here's the video from DyeStat.
With Footlocker Champ Luke Puskedra running an 8:46.60 in the 3200, one wonders whether the two will be in the same race at NON.
April 13, 2008
NNHS Alumni Results - April 12, 2008
It was a nice surprise to hear from David Polgar this week. David has been training consistently this spring and launched his outdoor season by placing 10th in the 1500m in 4:00.68 at the Spec Towns Invitational, hosted by Georgia Tech on Saturday.
At the Swanson Invitational, hosted by Wesleyan University on Saturday, Steph O'Brien won the 800m in 2:22.24 and anchored Wesleyan's 4x800 team to victory. Haleigh Smith placed second in the 5000m, running 18:54.58. On the men's side, Scott Cole ran a PR 2:02.37 to place 4th in the 800m
Missed results from last weekend: I missed Steph's race last week: she ran a PR 4:57.06 to win the 1500m at the Coast Guard Invitational. I also missed this: Noah Jampol ran 4:06.72 for 4th place in the 1500m at the Muhlenberg Invitational a week ago. I think that might be a PR for Noah -- and equates to a sub 4:26 mile.
At the Swanson Invitational, hosted by Wesleyan University on Saturday, Steph O'Brien won the 800m in 2:22.24 and anchored Wesleyan's 4x800 team to victory. Haleigh Smith placed second in the 5000m, running 18:54.58. On the men's side, Scott Cole ran a PR 2:02.37 to place 4th in the 800m
Missed results from last weekend: I missed Steph's race last week: she ran a PR 4:57.06 to win the 1500m at the Coast Guard Invitational. I also missed this: Noah Jampol ran 4:06.72 for 4th place in the 1500m at the Muhlenberg Invitational a week ago. I think that might be a PR for Noah -- and equates to a sub 4:26 mile.
April 12, 2008
Getting Up Early to Watch London...
I am sentimentally attached to the idea of getting up really early to watch something happening in a different part of the world. I don't know why I feel this way -- maybe it was because my parents woke me up in the middle of the night to watch the first lunar landing -- but I find it very romantic to rub sleep out of my eyes, plop down in front of a TV, and watch something happen in a far away land.
A couple of weeks ago I got a chance to do this when the Red Sox opened their major league season in Tokyo. My son and daughter came over the night before and joined me at 6:15 a.m. to watch the first pitch. No matter that it was a work day, it was great!
Well, tomorrow morning I'll have another chance. Thanks to the Internet, I'll be able to boot up the old laptop and watch the London Marathon LIVE... starting at 3:55 a.m.
Here's the link at WCSN.com
Even if you don't get up early to watch it, you can watch the replay on demand after the fact. It should be a fascinating race. Fast, of course, and featuring a deep field including two meteoric talents: U.S. Trials winner Ryan Hall, and half-marathon world record holder Sammy Wanjiru. Wanjiru says he wants to run 2:05. It could be hard to find a rabbit who can go that fast! 2007 winner Martin Lel is back, as well.
Letsrun.com has a ton of coverage.
The IAAF site has a nice article about Ryan Hall.
And here's a link to the meet's own web site.
A couple of weeks ago I got a chance to do this when the Red Sox opened their major league season in Tokyo. My son and daughter came over the night before and joined me at 6:15 a.m. to watch the first pitch. No matter that it was a work day, it was great!
Well, tomorrow morning I'll have another chance. Thanks to the Internet, I'll be able to boot up the old laptop and watch the London Marathon LIVE... starting at 3:55 a.m.
Here's the link at WCSN.com
Even if you don't get up early to watch it, you can watch the replay on demand after the fact. It should be a fascinating race. Fast, of course, and featuring a deep field including two meteoric talents: U.S. Trials winner Ryan Hall, and half-marathon world record holder Sammy Wanjiru. Wanjiru says he wants to run 2:05. It could be hard to find a rabbit who can go that fast! 2007 winner Martin Lel is back, as well.
Letsrun.com has a ton of coverage.
The IAAF site has a nice article about Ryan Hall.
And here's a link to the meet's own web site.
April 11, 2008
Heart Rate Monitoring
About 15 years ago, I bought a heart-rate monitor. It had two pieces: the transmitter, which I strapped around my chest, and the receiver, which I wore on my wrist. It seemed to work pretty well, picking up my heart rate accurately and adjusting quickly when my heart sped up or slowed down.
In the end, I didn't find it very helpful for training, but I did learn a few things. I learned, for example, that I have a very low maximum heart rate. Even running as hard and as fast as I could (at the end of an interval workout in one case, at the end of a 5K race in another, running up an 11% grade in a third), my heart rate never climbed above 165. This was far below the "predicted Max HR" of 220 minus my age, which suggested I should be around 185-190.
Most of the time, my heart rate was in the 120-130 range. I had to run pretty hard to get it as high as 150. I also learned that my heart rate response varied somewhat from day-to-day depending on how much sleep I had gotten the previous night, how hot it was, and other factors.
At the time, I was training with a guy who ran very similar times for most distances. Well, actually, his marathon times were better, but otherwise our performances were within several seconds for the 5K, 8K, 10K, and half marathon. He was much more serious about heart-monitor training, and used his monitor constantly. he had no trouble getting his heart rate to 160 on an "easy" aerobic run, and hit regularly 190 in his races.
My resting HR at the time was about 40, his was about 60.
An article in the NY Times today discusses the fascination with heart rate monitoring, but also its limitations. The Flutter Over Heart Rates.
The article makes several points that confirm what I experienced. The formula for predicting Max HR is "notoriously inaccurate," training based on HR often fails to take into account individual differences in HR response. the author also makes an interesting point: If you THINK that a particular heart rate is associated with a particular level of fatigue, the thought becomes self-fulfilling: you feel fine until you see that your heart rate is high and all of a sudden you feel tired.
I stopped using my heart rate monitor after a while. I just didn't find it to be that helpful. It was distracting and never seemed to correlate with the work that i was doing in my run. I don't doubt that some people find heart rate useful as a training guide, but for me it never clicked.
There's another reason that stopped using the monitor. After a while, it got kind of creepy to have so much information about what my autonomous nervous system was doing to regulate my heart rate. The first time that I watched my heart rate come down from 150 to 78 in a matter of a few minutes it was very cool. The tenth time, I decided I'd really rather let my body take care of this by itself, without having my mind "looking over its shoulder."
In the end, I didn't find it very helpful for training, but I did learn a few things. I learned, for example, that I have a very low maximum heart rate. Even running as hard and as fast as I could (at the end of an interval workout in one case, at the end of a 5K race in another, running up an 11% grade in a third), my heart rate never climbed above 165. This was far below the "predicted Max HR" of 220 minus my age, which suggested I should be around 185-190.
Most of the time, my heart rate was in the 120-130 range. I had to run pretty hard to get it as high as 150. I also learned that my heart rate response varied somewhat from day-to-day depending on how much sleep I had gotten the previous night, how hot it was, and other factors.
At the time, I was training with a guy who ran very similar times for most distances. Well, actually, his marathon times were better, but otherwise our performances were within several seconds for the 5K, 8K, 10K, and half marathon. He was much more serious about heart-monitor training, and used his monitor constantly. he had no trouble getting his heart rate to 160 on an "easy" aerobic run, and hit regularly 190 in his races.
My resting HR at the time was about 40, his was about 60.
An article in the NY Times today discusses the fascination with heart rate monitoring, but also its limitations. The Flutter Over Heart Rates.
The article makes several points that confirm what I experienced. The formula for predicting Max HR is "notoriously inaccurate," training based on HR often fails to take into account individual differences in HR response. the author also makes an interesting point: If you THINK that a particular heart rate is associated with a particular level of fatigue, the thought becomes self-fulfilling: you feel fine until you see that your heart rate is high and all of a sudden you feel tired.
I stopped using my heart rate monitor after a while. I just didn't find it to be that helpful. It was distracting and never seemed to correlate with the work that i was doing in my run. I don't doubt that some people find heart rate useful as a training guide, but for me it never clicked.
There's another reason that stopped using the monitor. After a while, it got kind of creepy to have so much information about what my autonomous nervous system was doing to regulate my heart rate. The first time that I watched my heart rate come down from 150 to 78 in a matter of a few minutes it was very cool. The tenth time, I decided I'd really rather let my body take care of this by itself, without having my mind "looking over its shoulder."
April 09, 2008
Led by Field Events, Newton North Beats Brookline
They might not have a track or a field, but track and field is alive and well at Newton North as the Tiger boys defeated a strong Brookline team 83-53 to keep an 11-year winning streak alive, and the girls dominated their meet with the Warriors by a score of 92-44. The Tigers will take identical records of 2-0 to Weymouth next Tuesday.
The Newton boys won on the strength of their horizontal jumps and throws. E.J. Metallides (106-8) led a sweep in the discus, Dan Gionvanucci (43-6) and Steve Long went 1-2 in the shot, and Dan Klein (138-6) and Christian Ford went 1-2 in the javelin.
Adam Bao had a big day, winning the triple with what might be a state-leading mark of 44-2, finishing second in the long jump behind teammate Ivan Kostadinov (PR 22-3!), winning the 400 in 53.2, and anchoring the victorious 4x400 relay.
Hymlaire Lamisere also had a huge day, winning both the 100 (11.3) and 200 (22.7 -- same pace for twice the distance!).
Brookline dominated the distance events, going 1-3 in the 800 (Gibson over Putzeys in 1:58), and going 1-2 in the mile and 2-mile, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers strength elsewhere.
Where Is Coverage of the Girls Meet?
For the second week in a row, the girls individual results are nowhere to be found. Not on DyeStat, not in the local paper, not on Facebook. Is this a conspiracy? Are we in the middle of a media boycott? The girls deserve more attention than they're getting, especially heading into next week's tough meet against the Weymouth squad that crushed them indoors.
We hope to have more to report next week!
The Newton boys won on the strength of their horizontal jumps and throws. E.J. Metallides (106-8) led a sweep in the discus, Dan Gionvanucci (43-6) and Steve Long went 1-2 in the shot, and Dan Klein (138-6) and Christian Ford went 1-2 in the javelin.
Adam Bao had a big day, winning the triple with what might be a state-leading mark of 44-2, finishing second in the long jump behind teammate Ivan Kostadinov (PR 22-3!), winning the 400 in 53.2, and anchoring the victorious 4x400 relay.
Hymlaire Lamisere also had a huge day, winning both the 100 (11.3) and 200 (22.7 -- same pace for twice the distance!).
Brookline dominated the distance events, going 1-3 in the 800 (Gibson over Putzeys in 1:58), and going 1-2 in the mile and 2-mile, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers strength elsewhere.
Where Is Coverage of the Girls Meet?
For the second week in a row, the girls individual results are nowhere to be found. Not on DyeStat, not in the local paper, not on Facebook. Is this a conspiracy? Are we in the middle of a media boycott? The girls deserve more attention than they're getting, especially heading into next week's tough meet against the Weymouth squad that crushed them indoors.
We hope to have more to report next week!
April 08, 2008
Newton North v Brookline Today
It looks like good weather for Newton North v Brookline dual meet today. Newton, the team without a track, will once again face a stiff challenge from the Warriors, who hope to end the Tigers' nine-year winning dual meet streak.
(The last time Newton lost a dual meet, it was to Brookline.)
Much depends on the status of Newton junior Sam Arsenault, who missed the first meet last week with an injury. If he is healthy, he is a threat to win both hurdle events and score in the high jump. If not, well... it will be a tall order for the Tigers to amass enough points to offset Brookline's distance dominance and all-around depth.
The horizontal jumps will be crazy deep, with Adam Bao, Ivan Kostadinov, and Arsenault vs. Alex Lippincott and Ian Sandler. This could be the day when Adam Bao emerges as an MVP candidate.
As always, we wonder where Seb Putzys will run. It seems he would be the favorite for the 800, regardless of whom Brookline runs there. Would he run in the mile against Gibson? Seems unlikely. By the way, it was good to see that Brookline's David Wilson (runner-up in the State XC meet to Gibson) is back in action after an injury curtailed his indoor season.
The girls meet doesn't have the same "clash-of-the-titans" feel to it, but in fact, Brookline could make this meet close. In the end, I think Newton probably has too much overall depth, but you never know.
(The last time Newton lost a dual meet, it was to Brookline.)
Much depends on the status of Newton junior Sam Arsenault, who missed the first meet last week with an injury. If he is healthy, he is a threat to win both hurdle events and score in the high jump. If not, well... it will be a tall order for the Tigers to amass enough points to offset Brookline's distance dominance and all-around depth.
The horizontal jumps will be crazy deep, with Adam Bao, Ivan Kostadinov, and Arsenault vs. Alex Lippincott and Ian Sandler. This could be the day when Adam Bao emerges as an MVP candidate.
As always, we wonder where Seb Putzys will run. It seems he would be the favorite for the 800, regardless of whom Brookline runs there. Would he run in the mile against Gibson? Seems unlikely. By the way, it was good to see that Brookline's David Wilson (runner-up in the State XC meet to Gibson) is back in action after an injury curtailed his indoor season.
The girls meet doesn't have the same "clash-of-the-titans" feel to it, but in fact, Brookline could make this meet close. In the end, I think Newton probably has too much overall depth, but you never know.
April 04, 2008
Would YOU Carry the Torch?
On Sunday, the Olympic torch relay will pass through London, site of the 2012 Summer Games, on its way to Beijing, site of the 2008 Games. Peter Walker, a London-based writer for the Guardian Unlimited, poses this question in his April 4 blog:
"So let's consider this (admittedly unlikely) scenario: you get a call later today asking you to be a last-minute torch bearer. Do you slam the phone down in self-righteous disgust? Agree eagerly as a proud would-be ambassador for 2012? Or take part and arrange to have a friend waiting en route ready to hand you the Tibetan flag and fire extinguisher?"
In case you haven't been following current events, China has been in the news a lot lately, and not only for their attempts to curb air pollution in Beijing, but for its human rights record and the recent military measures taken to suppress protests in Tibet. The word "boycott" is in the air again, although it seems unlikely that the U.S. or any other Western country is going to go so far as to consider boycotting the Olympics, themselves.
Instead, there seems to be an inordinate amount of attention around the torch relay, with protests planned in a number of countries, including the U.S. I happened to be listening to "Talk of the Nation" on NPR last night, and the subject was planned protests in San Francisco when the torch relay passes through that city next month.
So what would you do? The torch relay is supposed to symbolize the common bonds between nations, and whatever you think of its symbolism, isn't that a worthy goal? Or do you feel that by participating, or even by sanctioning the relay, you tacitly sanction the actions of the host country?
And if you do feel that participation in the Olympics should be conditional on every country, and especially the host country, being on its best behavior with regard to human rights, non-aggressive foreign policy, and earth stewardship, which countries would pass the test?
Despite the idealism of both ancient and modern Olympic movements, the Games have never been entirely free of politics -- how could they be? We remember the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and the reciprocal Eastern Bloc boycott of the 1984 L.A. Olympics, but there have been many other boycotts and/or bans based on politics.
In 1956, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands boycotted the Melbourne Olympics to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary. Other countries boycotted due to the Suez crisis. In 1972, African nations threatened a boycott unless the IOC banned South Africa, which it did. Of course, politics and violence intruded on the 1972 Olympics in a much grimmer way with the murder of 11 Israeli athletes by the Palestinian terrorist group "Black September."
Four years later in 1976, 22 countries boycotted the Montreal Games because the IOC would NOT ban New Zealand, a country whose rugby team had toured South Africa.
Until Beijing, it seemed that boycotting and the threat of boycotting had become a thing of the past. The controversy over the torch relays shows that to be false. For better or worse, the Olympics exists in a world of politics and political theater.
Which brings us back to the original question: what would you do if you suddenly got a call to carry the Olympic flame through Boston?
"So let's consider this (admittedly unlikely) scenario: you get a call later today asking you to be a last-minute torch bearer. Do you slam the phone down in self-righteous disgust? Agree eagerly as a proud would-be ambassador for 2012? Or take part and arrange to have a friend waiting en route ready to hand you the Tibetan flag and fire extinguisher?"
In case you haven't been following current events, China has been in the news a lot lately, and not only for their attempts to curb air pollution in Beijing, but for its human rights record and the recent military measures taken to suppress protests in Tibet. The word "boycott" is in the air again, although it seems unlikely that the U.S. or any other Western country is going to go so far as to consider boycotting the Olympics, themselves.
Instead, there seems to be an inordinate amount of attention around the torch relay, with protests planned in a number of countries, including the U.S. I happened to be listening to "Talk of the Nation" on NPR last night, and the subject was planned protests in San Francisco when the torch relay passes through that city next month.
So what would you do? The torch relay is supposed to symbolize the common bonds between nations, and whatever you think of its symbolism, isn't that a worthy goal? Or do you feel that by participating, or even by sanctioning the relay, you tacitly sanction the actions of the host country?
And if you do feel that participation in the Olympics should be conditional on every country, and especially the host country, being on its best behavior with regard to human rights, non-aggressive foreign policy, and earth stewardship, which countries would pass the test?
Despite the idealism of both ancient and modern Olympic movements, the Games have never been entirely free of politics -- how could they be? We remember the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and the reciprocal Eastern Bloc boycott of the 1984 L.A. Olympics, but there have been many other boycotts and/or bans based on politics.
In 1956, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands boycotted the Melbourne Olympics to protest the Soviet Union's invasion of Hungary. Other countries boycotted due to the Suez crisis. In 1972, African nations threatened a boycott unless the IOC banned South Africa, which it did. Of course, politics and violence intruded on the 1972 Olympics in a much grimmer way with the murder of 11 Israeli athletes by the Palestinian terrorist group "Black September."
Four years later in 1976, 22 countries boycotted the Montreal Games because the IOC would NOT ban New Zealand, a country whose rugby team had toured South Africa.
Until Beijing, it seemed that boycotting and the threat of boycotting had become a thing of the past. The controversy over the torch relays shows that to be false. For better or worse, the Olympics exists in a world of politics and political theater.
Which brings us back to the original question: what would you do if you suddenly got a call to carry the Olympic flame through Boston?
April 03, 2008
North Sweeps Dedham in Outdoor Opener
The Newton North boys and girls opened their outdoor track season with wins against host Dedham, Wednesday in cold and blustery conditions.
The Boys prevailed by a lopsided score of 106-26, winning all but three individual events and sweeping both relays. Multiple event winners included Newton's Adam Bao who won the long jump (20-4) and triple jump (42-3), Steve Long who won the discus at 101 and the shot at 45-8, and Dedham's Phil Weltman, who dominated the 100 (10.9) and 200 (22.3), and finished second in the triple jump. Sam Arsenault did not compete due to an injury. Next up for the Tigers is Brookline, 85-51 winners over Natick on Tuesday.
The NN girls also won, outscoring the Marauders 92-44. I haven't been able to find any results yet...
The Boys prevailed by a lopsided score of 106-26, winning all but three individual events and sweeping both relays. Multiple event winners included Newton's Adam Bao who won the long jump (20-4) and triple jump (42-3), Steve Long who won the discus at 101 and the shot at 45-8, and Dedham's Phil Weltman, who dominated the 100 (10.9) and 200 (22.3), and finished second in the triple jump. Sam Arsenault did not compete due to an injury. Next up for the Tigers is Brookline, 85-51 winners over Natick on Tuesday.
The NN girls also won, outscoring the Marauders 92-44. I haven't been able to find any results yet...
April 01, 2008
Newton North/South Track Teams to Compete Together?
Almost a year ago, the Newton North track and athletic fields were torn up to clear the area for the construction of the new Newton North H.S. project. However, that project has been delayed and is facing increased costs.
It now seems possible that one consequence of the ongoing project costs would be the creation of a joint Newton North/Newton South track team. According to the Newton Tab, the idea has been discussed by the Newton School Committee and has received serious consideration from the Mayor's office.
Newton South currently has a track, but Newton North does not, and will not have a track for several years. Already the team has to be bused to practices and will have no home meets.
The MIAA might raise objections to the plan, particularly because a combined Newton North/Newton South team would draw on a student population of over 4000 students. However, both schools currently compete in Division 1, which includes Brockton with an enrollment of 5000.
I haven't been able to figure out whether the combined team would compete in the Bay State League or the Dual County League. I talked to Lincoln-Sudbury coach Mel Gonsalves, who summed up his feelings about facing the powerhouse Newton team by saying "Bring it on!" According to a BSC coach who preferred to remain anonymous, apparently Weymouth and Braintree are considering a merger of their teams so that they can continue to compete with Newton.
One obvious problem is what would happen to the current coaching staffs from the two schools. One proposal mentioned by the Tab is to keep the current personnel, but specialize. For example, one coach might handle the jumps, another the throwing events, another the sprints and hurdles, etc. With more coaches, the team is also considering adding the pole vault as a supported event for the first time since the 1990's.
While most of the people I talked to are in favor of the plan, Jim Blackburn, at least, felt it was a bad idea. He told me that merging the two teams would mean more bureaucracy, more meetings, and more hassle. On the other hand, he did feel that absorbing South's distance crew would improve the combined team's 4x800 relay. "It wouldn't help us in the long or triple jump, though," he said.
It now seems possible that one consequence of the ongoing project costs would be the creation of a joint Newton North/Newton South track team. According to the Newton Tab, the idea has been discussed by the Newton School Committee and has received serious consideration from the Mayor's office.
Newton South currently has a track, but Newton North does not, and will not have a track for several years. Already the team has to be bused to practices and will have no home meets.
The MIAA might raise objections to the plan, particularly because a combined Newton North/Newton South team would draw on a student population of over 4000 students. However, both schools currently compete in Division 1, which includes Brockton with an enrollment of 5000.
I haven't been able to figure out whether the combined team would compete in the Bay State League or the Dual County League. I talked to Lincoln-Sudbury coach Mel Gonsalves, who summed up his feelings about facing the powerhouse Newton team by saying "Bring it on!" According to a BSC coach who preferred to remain anonymous, apparently Weymouth and Braintree are considering a merger of their teams so that they can continue to compete with Newton.
One obvious problem is what would happen to the current coaching staffs from the two schools. One proposal mentioned by the Tab is to keep the current personnel, but specialize. For example, one coach might handle the jumps, another the throwing events, another the sprints and hurdles, etc. With more coaches, the team is also considering adding the pole vault as a supported event for the first time since the 1990's.
While most of the people I talked to are in favor of the plan, Jim Blackburn, at least, felt it was a bad idea. He told me that merging the two teams would mean more bureaucracy, more meetings, and more hassle. On the other hand, he did feel that absorbing South's distance crew would improve the combined team's 4x800 relay. "It wouldn't help us in the long or triple jump, though," he said.
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