Weekend of American Records

Hard not to mention David Rudisha's new WR in the 800, or Alan Webb's first win in... well, a long time, but we're going instead with the two American records set in two meets this weekend.

Molly Huddle Runs 5000m AR 14:44.76

Should we have seen this coming?

Molly Huddle, who had never before this year run faster than 15:17 for 5000m, improved on what has already been a breakthrough summer by running 14:44.76 Friday night in Brussels, dipping under Shalane Flanagan's old American Record by 0.04. The time was seven seconds faster than she ran in July and the third time she has run under 15:00 this year.

Many people have mentioned that the time placed her only 10th in a race won in 14:34.13 by Vivian Cheruiyot. It's true that the American Record is well off what would be considered top flight on a world stage, and more than 30 seconds slower than Tirunesh Dibaba's world record of 14:11.

I don't care about that. Huddle is deserving, having managed the transition from high school phenom to a fine career at Notre Dame (nine-time All-American) and now to pro. She has been competing at a high level for a long time, and has put it all together this year. It's what every runner wants.

In her Flotrack interview (see below), Huddle says being healthy and being consistent made the difference. I found this comment to be particularly interesting...

"...now I know that the training doesn't have to be spectacular and kill you, it just has to be consistent. That's a good thing to learn..."



Footnote: Huddle will celebrate her 26th birthday on August 31, the same day that Lisa Koll turns 23.


Lagat Gets American 3000m Record

This Tariku Bekele kid is pretty good. Any time any American runs great, it seems Bekele is front of him crossing the finish line. Bernard Lagat became the latest guy to run a great time but not get a top spot on the podium as he ran 7:29.00 for 3000m to take down Bob Kennedy's venerable record.

Lagat bounced back from a sub-par 1500 and showed he's still the man to beat. There were three other Americans in the race, including Chris Solinsky, but Lagat was better again, as Solinsky's personal best 7:34.32 was only good enough for 5th. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Solinsky has not beaten Lagat at any distance this season. He came the closest in Oslo, when Lagat set the 5000M AR and Solinsky ran 12:56 for the first time. (Bekele beat both of them in that race, too...)

Steeplechaser Dan Huling also ran a PB 7:46.97. Galen Rupp struggled, running 7:50.46.