As promised, the "JamCast" team was at the All-State meet at Durfee H.S. on Saturday. Thanks to all of you who wrote in to suggest events for us to videotape!
Before I list the videos and provide links, I want to thank Noah and Sam for joining me and for providing commentary. Noah did a ton of research to prepare to be our "play-by-play" announcer, and Sam added a lot of information from his knowledge of the DCL and the H.S. scene in general. We had a lot of fun, and all three of us apologize for our occasional mix-ups.
These videos are available on YouTube:
Girls 800
Boys 300H
Boys 400
Boys 1 Mile
Boys 2 Mile
The following videos are available if you ask me really nicely, and only leave positive comments on the blog:
Girls 1M - in which I announce that Kristin Kasper has "no chance"
Girls 4x800 - exceeds YouTube length limits (they should have run faster!)
Girls 400 (not offloaded from tape yet)
Boys 800 (not offloaded from tape yet)
Boys 100H (not offloaded from tape yet)
Boys 4x800 (not offloaded from tape yet)
Boys 4x400 (not offloaded from tape yet)
June 09, 2008
June 08, 2008
NN Boys Are 2nd at 2008 All-State Meet
Newton North came oh-so-close to earning another State Championship trophy, but in the end fell just two points shy of Charlestown in a day-long battle that wasn't over until North's 4x400 relay team crossed the line in fourth.
Still, North could be proud of several outstanding performances that earned the team the runner-up trophy, just a point ahead of Mansfield. Sam Arsenault had another outstanding day on a big stage, running a personal best 39.52 in the 300 hurdles to place second (he was seeded 7th). (Video below)
Sam also added a 3rd in the high jump, and ran a 51 lead off leg in the 4x400 relay. Adam Bao bounced back from a sixth-place in the D1 triple jump, leaping 44-6 to take 2nd, only an inch and a half behind the winner.
Seb Putzeys placed fifth in the 800m, and both the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams placed 4th, giving the team 36 points.
2008 State Meet Results
Congratulations to the North boys on a fine season -- undefeated in dual meets, 2nd at the State Relays, 2nd at Div I, and 2nd at the All-State meet.
Still, North could be proud of several outstanding performances that earned the team the runner-up trophy, just a point ahead of Mansfield. Sam Arsenault had another outstanding day on a big stage, running a personal best 39.52 in the 300 hurdles to place second (he was seeded 7th). (Video below)
Sam also added a 3rd in the high jump, and ran a 51 lead off leg in the 4x400 relay. Adam Bao bounced back from a sixth-place in the D1 triple jump, leaping 44-6 to take 2nd, only an inch and a half behind the winner.
Seb Putzeys placed fifth in the 800m, and both the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams placed 4th, giving the team 36 points.
2008 State Meet Results
Congratulations to the North boys on a fine season -- undefeated in dual meets, 2nd at the State Relays, 2nd at Div I, and 2nd at the All-State meet.
June 07, 2008
Ranti Wins State 800m Championship
Meg Looney, the 2007 runner-up in the girls 800m, must have felt out of place in the barrel of the seeded heat. She bolted to the front at the gun, and flew through the first 200m in just under 30 seconds. Emily Mepham decided to follow, expending precious energy to bridge the gap up to Looney.
Meanwhile, Carolyn Ranti was back in 4th, 10 meters behind and running her own race.
As the pace at the front slowed, Ranti reeled in the leaders. Looney and Mepham hit 400m in 64, with Ranti a second back. Around the turn, she established contact, but found herself on the inside. No problem. As Looney drifted out from the rail to hold off Mepham, who was on her outside, Ranti saw daylight and passed on the inside. Once she had the lead, her last 200 was a thing of beauty. She won going away, running a personal best 2:13.06, which is also the fastest girls time in Mass this year.
After dropping back to fourth, Looney rallied for second, with Alex Neville in third, and Mepham in fourth.
Meanwhile, Carolyn Ranti was back in 4th, 10 meters behind and running her own race.
As the pace at the front slowed, Ranti reeled in the leaders. Looney and Mepham hit 400m in 64, with Ranti a second back. Around the turn, she established contact, but found herself on the inside. No problem. As Looney drifted out from the rail to hold off Mepham, who was on her outside, Ranti saw daylight and passed on the inside. Once she had the lead, her last 200 was a thing of beauty. She won going away, running a personal best 2:13.06, which is also the fastest girls time in Mass this year.
After dropping back to fourth, Looney rallied for second, with Alex Neville in third, and Mepham in fourth.
June 03, 2008
June 02, 2008
Now Taking Requests...
So Noah, Sam, and I are planning to go to the All-State meet at Durfee with video camera in hand. If you haven't heard Noah's outstanding commentary, here's a representative sample:
2007 Boys All-State Mile
Since you never know how long our camera battery will hold out, we'll be somewhat selective in what we try to capture. So I'm opening up the request line. What events would you most like to see (and hear)?
2007 Boys All-State Mile
Since you never know how long our camera battery will hold out, we'll be somewhat selective in what we try to capture. So I'm opening up the request line. What events would you most like to see (and hear)?
June 01, 2008
Fernandez Runs Historic Double at CA State Meet
Usain Bolt, a 21-year-old Jamaican running in only his fifth competitive 100m (how is that possible?) set a world record of 9.72 last night at the New York Grand Prix meet, but that might not be the most remarkable story of the weekend.
German Fernandez of Riverbank H.S. pulled off the greatest H.S. distance double ever, running 4:00.29 for 1600m and then coming back two hours later to run 8:34.29 for 3200m. Fernandez time in the 3200 is a national H.S record, although it is a shade slower than the conversion of Jeff Nelson's legendary 8:37 2-Mile time from 1979.
Either way, the performance defies belief. Fernandez ran splits of 4:18.7 / 4:15.5... He passed 3000m in 8:03-8:04. And he led the whole race, while having to pass lapped runners. The runner in second ran 8:58 and finished almost half a lap behind!
Watch 3200
The girls distance events were also pretty special, with Christine Babcock running a national record 4:33.82 in the 1600 to win by a straightaway, and Jordan Hasay and Laurynne Chetelat running 9:52.13 and 9:52.51, respectively in the 3200.
California State Meet Results
German Fernandez of Riverbank H.S. pulled off the greatest H.S. distance double ever, running 4:00.29 for 1600m and then coming back two hours later to run 8:34.29 for 3200m. Fernandez time in the 3200 is a national H.S record, although it is a shade slower than the conversion of Jeff Nelson's legendary 8:37 2-Mile time from 1979.
Either way, the performance defies belief. Fernandez ran splits of 4:18.7 / 4:15.5... He passed 3000m in 8:03-8:04. And he led the whole race, while having to pass lapped runners. The runner in second ran 8:58 and finished almost half a lap behind!
Watch 3200
The girls distance events were also pretty special, with Christine Babcock running a national record 4:33.82 in the 1600 to win by a straightaway, and Jordan Hasay and Laurynne Chetelat running 9:52.13 and 9:52.51, respectively in the 3200.
California State Meet Results
May 31, 2008
North Edged by Brockton; Arsenault Wins 300H and HJ
All day long, Jim Blackburn was worried about BC high knowing that the 4x400 relay would probably be the difference between the two teams. It was, but by then Brockton had clinched the team title by eking out points in events where they were not expected to score and by beating North in the pivotal 4x100 relay. At the end of the day, the score was 52-51 Brockton, with BC High making it a close third with 48.
Sam Arsenault had a spectacular day for the Tigers, in fact, as good a day as you can have, as he won the 300 hurdles (PB 39.98), the high jump (PB 6-7), and anchored the winning 4x400 relay team. It got me wondering whether any other Newton North athlete has won two individual events and a relay in the same D1 championships. I'm almost certain that Jed Carpenter (400, TJ and 4x400) accomplished the feat in 2004, but I can't find the results to confirm it. Josh -- can you help me out here? Did Jed do it? Has anyone else done it?
North also had another winner as Seb Putzeys dominated the 800, pulling away to win in 1:56.05, over 2.5 seconds ahead of second place. Other scorers included Ivan Kostadinov, who placed 4th in the long jump (21-3.75 -- oh, for half an inch more!), Adam Bao, fifth in the Triple jump (43-5.5 -- oh, for two inches more!), and the amazing Dan Giovanucci, who threw two feet better than his previous best to pull out 6th in the shot put (47-3.25). "As big a performance as Smitty winning the state meet," according to North throws coach Mike Bower.
North's 4x100 relay (Lamisere, Peterson, Bao, Kostadinov) placed 4th (43.72 - oh, for 8/100ths of a sec... oh well, never mind).
In the girls meet, there was little doubt that Newton South was the best team, and they led the meet wire-to-wire. The first event on the track was the 2-mile, the Lions took 1-3-6, with Kelsey Karys winning in 10.52.95. Newton North freshman Margo Gillis ran a personal best 11:11.29 to place 2nd.
While South was racking up the points on the way to winning the team title by 20 over Lincoln-Sudbury, Newton North was placing in several events. Carolyn Ranti led for much of the 800 before being overtaken by state 1000 champ Emily Mepham and Attleboro's Alex Neville. For Ranti, the time was still a season's best 2:14.83. Emma Kornetsky and Michelle Kaufman placed 4th (16-4) and 5th (16-3) in the long jump. Kaufman also placed 5th in the 300 hurdles. Freshman Emily Hutchinson just missed placing in the high jump, clearing 5-1 but dropping out of a tie for 5th on more misses.
North's 4x800 relay team (Kornetsky, Gillis, Tabatabaie (?), and Ranti) placed 3rd behind L-S and Newton South, running 9:32.44. Ranti ran a 2:15 anchor split and very nearly ran down South's Bridget Dahlberg.
Speaking of Dahlberg, Noah pointed out to me that with the exception of the girls 800, runners from Newton or neighboring Brookline dominated the distance events for both boys and girls:
Girls 2M: 1. Karys (NS), 2. Gillis (NN), 3. Reed (NS)
Boys 2M: 1. Wilson (Brk), 2. Burnstein (Brk)
Girls 1M: 1. Dahlberg (NS), 2. O'Keefe (NS)
Boys 1M: 1. Gibson (Brk)
Girls 800: ... 3. Ranti (NN)
Boys 800: 1. Putzeys (NN)
Interesting.
So it's on to the All-State meet next Saturday at Durfee High School in Fall River, where Noah promises to reprise his acclaimed role as race announcer and pundit for "JamCam."
Div I Meet Results on Cool Running
Sam Arsenault had a spectacular day for the Tigers, in fact, as good a day as you can have, as he won the 300 hurdles (PB 39.98), the high jump (PB 6-7), and anchored the winning 4x400 relay team. It got me wondering whether any other Newton North athlete has won two individual events and a relay in the same D1 championships. I'm almost certain that Jed Carpenter (400, TJ and 4x400) accomplished the feat in 2004, but I can't find the results to confirm it. Josh -- can you help me out here? Did Jed do it? Has anyone else done it?
North also had another winner as Seb Putzeys dominated the 800, pulling away to win in 1:56.05, over 2.5 seconds ahead of second place. Other scorers included Ivan Kostadinov, who placed 4th in the long jump (21-3.75 -- oh, for half an inch more!), Adam Bao, fifth in the Triple jump (43-5.5 -- oh, for two inches more!), and the amazing Dan Giovanucci, who threw two feet better than his previous best to pull out 6th in the shot put (47-3.25). "As big a performance as Smitty winning the state meet," according to North throws coach Mike Bower.
North's 4x100 relay (Lamisere, Peterson, Bao, Kostadinov) placed 4th (43.72 - oh, for 8/100ths of a sec... oh well, never mind).
In the girls meet, there was little doubt that Newton South was the best team, and they led the meet wire-to-wire. The first event on the track was the 2-mile, the Lions took 1-3-6, with Kelsey Karys winning in 10.52.95. Newton North freshman Margo Gillis ran a personal best 11:11.29 to place 2nd.
While South was racking up the points on the way to winning the team title by 20 over Lincoln-Sudbury, Newton North was placing in several events. Carolyn Ranti led for much of the 800 before being overtaken by state 1000 champ Emily Mepham and Attleboro's Alex Neville. For Ranti, the time was still a season's best 2:14.83. Emma Kornetsky and Michelle Kaufman placed 4th (16-4) and 5th (16-3) in the long jump. Kaufman also placed 5th in the 300 hurdles. Freshman Emily Hutchinson just missed placing in the high jump, clearing 5-1 but dropping out of a tie for 5th on more misses.
North's 4x800 relay team (Kornetsky, Gillis, Tabatabaie (?), and Ranti) placed 3rd behind L-S and Newton South, running 9:32.44. Ranti ran a 2:15 anchor split and very nearly ran down South's Bridget Dahlberg.
Speaking of Dahlberg, Noah pointed out to me that with the exception of the girls 800, runners from Newton or neighboring Brookline dominated the distance events for both boys and girls:
Girls 2M: 1. Karys (NS), 2. Gillis (NN), 3. Reed (NS)
Boys 2M: 1. Wilson (Brk), 2. Burnstein (Brk)
Girls 1M: 1. Dahlberg (NS), 2. O'Keefe (NS)
Boys 1M: 1. Gibson (Brk)
Girls 800: ... 3. Ranti (NN)
Boys 800: 1. Putzeys (NN)
Interesting.
So it's on to the All-State meet next Saturday at Durfee High School in Fall River, where Noah promises to reprise his acclaimed role as race announcer and pundit for "JamCam."
Div I Meet Results on Cool Running
May 30, 2008
Class A Meet Today at Lincoln-Sudbury
The Division I State Championships (a.k.a, "Class A's") take place today at Lincoln-Sudbury H.S. Field events begin at 2:00; running events at 2:30.
Directions from Route 128/I-95:
Take Route 128/95 to Route 20 in Weston/Waltham.
Go west on Route 20 through Weston to Wayland Center.
In Wayland Center, turn right onto Route 27 (north).
Go north on Route 27 for 3.2 miles until you reach Sudbury Center.
Turn right onto Concord Road, go 1.1 miles.
Turn right at Lincoln Rd, the school will be on your left.
Schedule of Events:
Performance Lists
Directions from Route 128/I-95:
Take Route 128/95 to Route 20 in Weston/Waltham.
Go west on Route 20 through Weston to Wayland Center.
In Wayland Center, turn right onto Route 27 (north).
Go north on Route 27 for 3.2 miles until you reach Sudbury Center.
Turn right onto Concord Road, go 1.1 miles.
Turn right at Lincoln Rd, the school will be on your left.
Schedule of Events:
2:00 PM - FIELD EVENTS
TRIPLE JUMP (B-G)
HIGH JUMP (G-B)
SHOT PUT (G-B)
DISCUS (B-G)
JAVELIN (B-G)
LONG JUMP (G-B)
POLE VAULT (G-B)
2:30 PM - RUNNING EVENTS GIRLS FOLLOWED BY BOYS
TWO MILE RUN FINAL ON TIME
800 METER RUN FINAL ON TIME
300 METER HURDLES FINAL ON TIME
400 METER RUN FINAL ON TIME
*100 METER DASH TRIALS
*100 METER HURDLES TRIALS
*110 METER HURDLES TRIALS
**200 METER DASH TRIALS
ONE MILE RUN FINAL ON TIME
*100 METER DASH SEMI FINALS IF NECESSARY
*110 METER HIGH HURDLES SEMI FINAL IF NECESSARY
*100 METER HURDLES SEMI FINAL IF NECESSARY
200 METER DASH FINALS
100 METER DASH FINALS
100 METER HURDLES FINAL
110 METER HIGH HURDLES FINAL
***3200 METER RELAY FINAL ON TIME
400 METER RELAY FINAL ON TIME
1600 METER RELAY FINAL ON TIME
Performance Lists
May 28, 2008
May 31, 2008 - First (We Hate Bottled) Water Run/Walk Off
Carolyn Ranti and friends are organizing a race/walk in Newton this Saturday as their Environmental Service Project for AP Biology. The event will be held at Cold Spring Park and includes a 5K race (two loops of the Park) or 2.5K walk (one loop).
The event is intended to bring attention to the negative environmental impact of using bottled water in situations where safe municipal water supplies are available. There is no entry fee to race or walk, but the organizers are asking for small donations to benefit Newton's Green Decade Coalition.
Sign up at 2:00 on Saturday. The race starts at 2:30. There will be a table at the end of the parking lot (there will be signs directing people).
I plan to be there and it would be great to see other readers of the blog there!
May 22, 2008
Blog Vacation: In the Wilds of Maine
The Blog is on a mini-vacation until Tuesday, May 27, as I spend the long weekend in Tremont, Maine, fighting off the black flies, and running on the fire roads.
May 21, 2008
League Meet Results
League meet results pieced together from local news sources:
Daily News Tribune - Tiger Boys Excel at BSC Championships
MetroWest Daily News - Locals Shine at BSC track meet
Sam Arsenault ran a personal best 40.0 to win the 300-meter hurdles, high-jumped 6-4, and ran on the winning 4x400 relay with teammates Adam Bao, Seb Putzeys and Ivan Kostadinov.
Adam Bao won the triple jump (44-9), Kostadinov won the long jump (21-9), and both ran on the victorious 4x100 relay (43.4) along with Troy Peterson and Hymlaire Lamisere.
Seb Putzeys won the 800 in a personal best 1:55.7, beating Robert Gibson. It is a curious and astounding fact that Gibson, clearly the best distance runner in the state, winner of the 2007 D1 State XC championship and 2008 Indoor All-State 2-Mile, has not won an individual BSC championship race in any season this year.
Lamisere placed second in the 100-meter dash (11.2) and senior Alex MacLean came finished second in the shot put, while classmate Steven Long was third in the discus.
Jarad Forman ran a huge PR in the mile (DyeStat claims 4:34!), to take 4th. Wow. I mean Wow, wow, wow.
For the girls, Michelle Kaufman won the 300 hurdles (46.9) and long jump (16-9). Bonnie Guang won the shot put (33'). Margo Gillis placed second in the 2-mile in 11:28, according to DyeStat reports.
By the way, congratulations to Framingham's winning 4x100 (51.0?) and 4x800 teams (10:14). Did anyone see that coming? Also, great time for Weymouth's 4x400 team (4:04?).
Daily News Tribune - Tiger Boys Excel at BSC Championships
MetroWest Daily News - Locals Shine at BSC track meet
Sam Arsenault ran a personal best 40.0 to win the 300-meter hurdles, high-jumped 6-4, and ran on the winning 4x400 relay with teammates Adam Bao, Seb Putzeys and Ivan Kostadinov.
Adam Bao won the triple jump (44-9), Kostadinov won the long jump (21-9), and both ran on the victorious 4x100 relay (43.4) along with Troy Peterson and Hymlaire Lamisere.
Seb Putzeys won the 800 in a personal best 1:55.7, beating Robert Gibson. It is a curious and astounding fact that Gibson, clearly the best distance runner in the state, winner of the 2007 D1 State XC championship and 2008 Indoor All-State 2-Mile, has not won an individual BSC championship race in any season this year.
Lamisere placed second in the 100-meter dash (11.2) and senior Alex MacLean came finished second in the shot put, while classmate Steven Long was third in the discus.
Jarad Forman ran a huge PR in the mile (DyeStat claims 4:34!), to take 4th. Wow. I mean Wow, wow, wow.
For the girls, Michelle Kaufman won the 300 hurdles (46.9) and long jump (16-9). Bonnie Guang won the shot put (33'). Margo Gillis placed second in the 2-mile in 11:28, according to DyeStat reports.
By the way, congratulations to Framingham's winning 4x100 (51.0?) and 4x800 teams (10:14). Did anyone see that coming? Also, great time for Weymouth's 4x400 team (4:04?).
May 20, 2008
The Wii of All Flesh
Nintendo has launched it's fitness-themed video game for the Wii controller called "Wii Fit" and I'm not sure whether to applaud or make loud catcalls.
On the one hand, who could argue with fitness?
On the other, isn't there any area of our life that is safe from being turned into a video game? (That's a rhetorical question -- the last thing I need is to start a speculation-fest on Nintendo's plans for the rest of our bodily functions).
What is fitness, anyway? Isn't it something that by definition prepares you for things out in the real world? Does Wii Fit do that? Well, maybe it does. The more I watch the promotional videos, the more it looks like it might be a reasonable alternative to watching those TV exercise shows that have been on since the 1960s.
But there's still something really strange about going for a video-based run in the park...
A nice run in the park
On the one hand, who could argue with fitness?
On the other, isn't there any area of our life that is safe from being turned into a video game? (That's a rhetorical question -- the last thing I need is to start a speculation-fest on Nintendo's plans for the rest of our bodily functions).
What is fitness, anyway? Isn't it something that by definition prepares you for things out in the real world? Does Wii Fit do that? Well, maybe it does. The more I watch the promotional videos, the more it looks like it might be a reasonable alternative to watching those TV exercise shows that have been on since the 1960s.
But there's still something really strange about going for a video-based run in the park...
A nice run in the park
May 18, 2008
Record Day at MSTCA Div I Relays
(Photo - Henry Finch)
With Michelle Kaufman standing at the end of the runway, preparing for her final attempt in the long jump relay, the Newton North girls sitting in a row alongside the runway began their rhythmic clapping. They had just seen Emma Kornetsky jump a personal best 5.42 (17-9), and with Vicki Marone's 4.85 (15-10), and Kaufman's previous leap of 5.28 (17-4), the Newton North team was looking good for the win; still, the gallery wanted to see more.
Kaufman charged down the runway, hit the board with barely an inch to spare, elevated, and then flew. When she landed sometime later, she knew it was good. The mark was 5.65, 18 feet 4 inches, a personal best by almost half a foot, and enough to make North Asst. Coach Adam Carpenter "run around like a schoolgirl" (Shawn Wallace). The trio of marks was two feet better the next team, and set a new MSTCA Relays record.
Later, the Newton North boys would do their best to upstage the girls, jumping an aggregate 20.67 (67-8), or a staggering 22-7 per jumper, also an MSTCA Relays record. I didn't get the individual jumps from the record-setting trio of Bao, Arsenault, and Kostadinov, but perhaps one of my readers can supply the marks.
The victory for the girls in the long jump relay was one of four wins on the day. The Tigers also won the shuttle hurdle relay (with their B team taking fifth), the sprint medley (Carolyn Ranti splitting 2:15 to move from fourth to first on the final leg), and the discus. A 2nd place finish in the distance medley, a 3rd place in the shot put, and a 5th in the 4x800 completed the scoring for North. Alas, those 56 points were not quite enough to hold off Newton South, which scored 60 points, including wins in the 4x1600, distance medley, and shot put.
For the boys, the win the long jump was accompanied by a win in the sprint medley (in which the Tigers were relegated to the slowest heat after their entry card went missing), 3rd place finishes in the shot put and 4x400, and a somewhat disappointing 4th place in the triple jump. That was good enough for the Tigers to take third place in the overall standing with 36 points, 11 behind BC High and five behind Andover.
Misc Notes: The Brookline boys dominated both distance events. They won the 4x1600 in an All-Class state record 17:50.11, eclipsing by four seconds the time set by the 2004 Newton North team. Two hours later they won the distance medley by over 20 seconds. Other than a brilliant first 1600 by Newton South's Andrew Wortham, no one really gave Brookline any competition.
Newton South set a huge meet and all-class record in the girls 4x1600, running 21:07.08 to break their own previous record by a whopping 45 seconds -- and all this without Bridget Dahlberg, the best miler in the state! Newton South's B team ran 22:43 for 8th. I think it's safe to say that their 8x1600 relay team (avg 5:28) would be pretty formidable.
Mike Miller was complaining about having the pole vault count in the team scoring, since some schools have it, and other are barred from having it. However, in spite of the potential for the pole vault to impact the team competition, that didn't happen in the D1 meet (the Newton South girls gained a single point by placing sixth). However, the D2 meet is a nightmare, with the pole vault not only determining the team champion but taking place on Sunday, almost a day after the main competitions. This is such a bad idea that it deserves its own column on the subject.
I thought it was great to have this meet in mid-May instead of late April. It really felt like a championship meet.
Link to Div I MSTCA Relays Results on Cool Running
NNHS Alumni Results - May 17, 2008
I try to picture the final sprint, the final 100 meters after almost 25 laps of racing, the runner from Bowdoin trying to hold off the runner from Rochester, or was it the other way around?
I've run at that track, the one at Springfield College, and I can picture it in my mind, the runners passing the steeplechase water jump on the final turn, the spectators in the aluminum bleachers... Had I been there on Saturday for the ECAC Div III Championships, I would have been quite conflicted watching Dan Chebot (NNHS Class of 2005) and Pat Pierce (NNHS Class of 2004) sprinting for the finish together. On this day, Dan prevailed by half a second, 32:49.59 to 32:50.17.
At the same meet, Doug Brecher competed in the 5000 (I'm surprised he wasn't also in the 10K), running 15:39.15.
At the SEC Championships, being held this weekend at Auburn, Chris Barnicle placed 9th in the 10000m, running 30:11.15 for Arkansas.
I've run at that track, the one at Springfield College, and I can picture it in my mind, the runners passing the steeplechase water jump on the final turn, the spectators in the aluminum bleachers... Had I been there on Saturday for the ECAC Div III Championships, I would have been quite conflicted watching Dan Chebot (NNHS Class of 2005) and Pat Pierce (NNHS Class of 2004) sprinting for the finish together. On this day, Dan prevailed by half a second, 32:49.59 to 32:50.17.
At the same meet, Doug Brecher competed in the 5000 (I'm surprised he wasn't also in the 10K), running 15:39.15.
At the SEC Championships, being held this weekend at Auburn, Chris Barnicle placed 9th in the 10000m, running 30:11.15 for Arkansas.
May 16, 2008
Pistorius Can Run... Can He Qualify?
Oscar Pistorius, the 21-year-old South African sprinter and double amputee, has been cleared to seek a qualifying time for the 2008 Olympics by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Pistorius has run 400 meters in 46.46 seconds, about a second slower than the Olympic "A" standard of 45.55, and half second slower than the "B" standard. It seems to be quite a long shot for him to run an individual qualifying time in the next several weeks. However, if South Africa qualifies a 4x400m relay team, the country could select Pistorius to compete.
I heard the news on WEEI, normally not a big source of international Track and Field news. Here's a link to BBC coverage of the decision.
An excerpt from that article:
"On the basis of the evidence brought by the experts called by both parties, the panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage in favour of the double amputee using the Cheetah Flex-Foot."
"The panel does not exclude the possibility that, with future advances in scientific knowledge, and a testing regime designed and carried out to the satisfaction of both parties, the IAAF might in future be in a position to prove that the existing Cheetah Flex-Foot model provides Oscar Pistorius with an advantage over other athletes."
Pistorius has run 400 meters in 46.46 seconds, about a second slower than the Olympic "A" standard of 45.55, and half second slower than the "B" standard. It seems to be quite a long shot for him to run an individual qualifying time in the next several weeks. However, if South Africa qualifies a 4x400m relay team, the country could select Pistorius to compete.
I heard the news on WEEI, normally not a big source of international Track and Field news. Here's a link to BBC coverage of the decision.
An excerpt from that article:
"On the basis of the evidence brought by the experts called by both parties, the panel was not persuaded that there was sufficient evidence of any metabolic advantage in favour of the double amputee using the Cheetah Flex-Foot."
"The panel does not exclude the possibility that, with future advances in scientific knowledge, and a testing regime designed and carried out to the satisfaction of both parties, the IAAF might in future be in a position to prove that the existing Cheetah Flex-Foot model provides Oscar Pistorius with an advantage over other athletes."
State Relays Tomorrow
Saturday is the State Relays, and the decision to move the meet three weeks later in the season looks like a good one to me. It seems fitting that "the true state championships" should follow the dual meet season and happen when everyone has had a chance to shake off early spring sluggishness.
The Div I Relays will be at Andover. The Newton North girls are the defending champs, and the boys are the defending runners-up.
Here's a link to meet information, including the schedule of events.
It might not happen as teams try to maximize points, but I can't help hoping to see record assaults in the 4x1600 relays. These will be the first races on the track, with the boys running at 9:30 and the girls approximately 20 minutes later. It would be great to see the Brookline boys (Robert Gibson, David Wilson, Chris Mercurio, Ryan Hardiman) run sub 17:45. And if the Newton South girls run their best team they could run sub 20:45.
The Div I Relays will be at Andover. The Newton North girls are the defending champs, and the boys are the defending runners-up.
Here's a link to meet information, including the schedule of events.
It might not happen as teams try to maximize points, but I can't help hoping to see record assaults in the 4x1600 relays. These will be the first races on the track, with the boys running at 9:30 and the girls approximately 20 minutes later. It would be great to see the Brookline boys (Robert Gibson, David Wilson, Chris Mercurio, Ryan Hardiman) run sub 17:45. And if the Newton South girls run their best team they could run sub 20:45.
May 14, 2008
Tigers Wrap Up Undefeated Seasons
It's official. The Newton North Boys and Girls won their final meets yesterday at Framingham to record matching undefeated seasons. For the boys, it was their 11th straight unbeaten season. The girls won their 19th league title in the last 21 years. Congratulations to both teams on an outstanding dual-meet season!
The final score of the girls meet was 102-34, and Framingham is not a bad team! Highlights for the girls included a double win for Emma Kornetsky in the 400 (61.5) and the long jump (PR 16-10). Whoa. If I'm not mistaken, this is Emma's first season long jumping. All of a sudden she's in state meet territory.
Michelle Kaufman won two events, the 100 (12.6) and 300 hurdles (51.9), and there were many other multiple scorers for North. Perhaps the most surprising result of the day was that Framingham junior Camille Murphy took first in the mile ahead of North junior Carolyn Ranti. Murphy's time of 5:17.2 is the fastest in the BSC this year. In another exciting distance race, this time involving freshmen, North's Margo Gillis outkicked Framingham's Sarah Bowhill 11:45 to 11:52 to win the 2-Mile.
The score of the boys meet was 98-38, with Newton North's athletes continuing to set season-best marks. Sam Arsenault won a hard-fought 300 hurdles and was pushed to a BSC best time of 40.9. Sam also won the long jump and high jump. Adam Bao won the triple jump by an inch (41-1) and 400 by a tench of second (52.3), while Hymlaire Lamisere ran 10.9 in the 100, which is also a BSC best for the year.
Alex Maclean won the shot (46-1), Steve Long the discus (128-8), and Ben Klein the javelin (132-0).
Newton North swept the mile, with Jarad Forman winning in 4:46, just ahead of freshman Ezra Lichtmann (4:46.9). Dan Hamilton led another Toger sweep of the the 2- mile in 10:21, with Charlie Krasnow running a PR 10:41.8.
The final score of the girls meet was 102-34, and Framingham is not a bad team! Highlights for the girls included a double win for Emma Kornetsky in the 400 (61.5) and the long jump (PR 16-10). Whoa. If I'm not mistaken, this is Emma's first season long jumping. All of a sudden she's in state meet territory.
Michelle Kaufman won two events, the 100 (12.6) and 300 hurdles (51.9), and there were many other multiple scorers for North. Perhaps the most surprising result of the day was that Framingham junior Camille Murphy took first in the mile ahead of North junior Carolyn Ranti. Murphy's time of 5:17.2 is the fastest in the BSC this year. In another exciting distance race, this time involving freshmen, North's Margo Gillis outkicked Framingham's Sarah Bowhill 11:45 to 11:52 to win the 2-Mile.
The score of the boys meet was 98-38, with Newton North's athletes continuing to set season-best marks. Sam Arsenault won a hard-fought 300 hurdles and was pushed to a BSC best time of 40.9. Sam also won the long jump and high jump. Adam Bao won the triple jump by an inch (41-1) and 400 by a tench of second (52.3), while Hymlaire Lamisere ran 10.9 in the 100, which is also a BSC best for the year.
Alex Maclean won the shot (46-1), Steve Long the discus (128-8), and Ben Klein the javelin (132-0).
Newton North swept the mile, with Jarad Forman winning in 4:46, just ahead of freshman Ezra Lichtmann (4:46.9). Dan Hamilton led another Toger sweep of the the 2- mile in 10:21, with Charlie Krasnow running a PR 10:41.8.
May 13, 2008
Did I Say That?
If the key to good coaching is good communication, I think I might be in trouble. It's not that I don't communicate, it's that I seem to communicate much more than I actually mean.
The other day I was chatting with Duncan, one of the cross-country runners at Concord Academy, and he asked me about a runner who used to train with rocks in his backpack. I must have looked puzzled. Was this some expression -- "rocks in his backpack" -- that the kids were using these days and that I hadn't heard before? No, Duncan was adamant. "Don't you remember? You told us about a Newton North runner who used to train with a backpack full of rocks."
I still have no idea who this runner might have been, nor do I have any recollection of ever telling such a story.
But then, this happens to me a lot. I tend to think out loud, and when I am thinking about running, the words tumble out as I try to weave together information drawn from a variety of sources. Sometimes I struggle to find the right analogy or comparison. Sometimes, I use an example that doesn't quite work. And even when it does work, I find it hard to remember later exactly what it was I said. Whatever the reason, I frequently find myself asking "Did I say that?"
This used to happen all the time with Dave Polgar. Dave is a sweet guy, but very stubborn about certain things. I used to talk myself blue in the face trying to get him to accept what to me seemed like a simple proposition: for example, the value of warming up before running hard. But either I wasn't very clear, or he had selective hearing because we'd regularly have conversations like this:
Dave: You told me I should never stretch!
Jon: Did I say that? I THINK what I said was that warming up before a hard workout is more important than static stretching.
Dave: I'm not doing those drills... The last time you made me do those drills, I pulled my hamstring and couldn't run for a week.
Jon: Well, you need to warm up FIRST, before you do the drills.
Dave: [glares suspiciously] Coach, why are you trying to kill me?
Sometimes, I know, I say too much. I'll get carried away talking about some current hotshot runner or some legend from the past and I'll start talking about their workouts. Do this in front of a group of high school distance runners and the next thing you know they're trying to talk you into some completely extreme workout idea or training schedule, convinced that "it will be fun" and that it must hold the secret to running faster.
"I thought you told us we should be running 70 miles a week!"
"Did I say that? No, I think what I said was that so-and-so was able to run 70 miles a week because he built up his mileage gradually over four years..."
And so on.
It never ceases to amaze me that my words carry so much weight. And yet, I have had numerous examples of the influence that even casual words have had on athletes I have coached. It is a great responsibility to have people actually listen closely to what you say and change their behavior because of it. Perhaps the most memorable example was one time when I was talking about learning to handle discomfort. I described my own boyhood attempts to make myself tougher by learning to take cold showers (I have no idea where this idea came from and I know it wasn't successful).
The next day, one of my runners came to practice practically cursing at me. He had taken a shower after the previous day's practice and, with the water gushing hot, had bravely swung the faucet all the way in the opposite direction.
Now he was glaring at me. "Coach," he said, "why are you trying to kill me?"
The other day I was chatting with Duncan, one of the cross-country runners at Concord Academy, and he asked me about a runner who used to train with rocks in his backpack. I must have looked puzzled. Was this some expression -- "rocks in his backpack" -- that the kids were using these days and that I hadn't heard before? No, Duncan was adamant. "Don't you remember? You told us about a Newton North runner who used to train with a backpack full of rocks."
I still have no idea who this runner might have been, nor do I have any recollection of ever telling such a story.
But then, this happens to me a lot. I tend to think out loud, and when I am thinking about running, the words tumble out as I try to weave together information drawn from a variety of sources. Sometimes I struggle to find the right analogy or comparison. Sometimes, I use an example that doesn't quite work. And even when it does work, I find it hard to remember later exactly what it was I said. Whatever the reason, I frequently find myself asking "Did I say that?"
This used to happen all the time with Dave Polgar. Dave is a sweet guy, but very stubborn about certain things. I used to talk myself blue in the face trying to get him to accept what to me seemed like a simple proposition: for example, the value of warming up before running hard. But either I wasn't very clear, or he had selective hearing because we'd regularly have conversations like this:
Dave: You told me I should never stretch!
Jon: Did I say that? I THINK what I said was that warming up before a hard workout is more important than static stretching.
Dave: I'm not doing those drills... The last time you made me do those drills, I pulled my hamstring and couldn't run for a week.
Jon: Well, you need to warm up FIRST, before you do the drills.
Dave: [glares suspiciously] Coach, why are you trying to kill me?
Sometimes, I know, I say too much. I'll get carried away talking about some current hotshot runner or some legend from the past and I'll start talking about their workouts. Do this in front of a group of high school distance runners and the next thing you know they're trying to talk you into some completely extreme workout idea or training schedule, convinced that "it will be fun" and that it must hold the secret to running faster.
"I thought you told us we should be running 70 miles a week!"
"Did I say that? No, I think what I said was that so-and-so was able to run 70 miles a week because he built up his mileage gradually over four years..."
And so on.
It never ceases to amaze me that my words carry so much weight. And yet, I have had numerous examples of the influence that even casual words have had on athletes I have coached. It is a great responsibility to have people actually listen closely to what you say and change their behavior because of it. Perhaps the most memorable example was one time when I was talking about learning to handle discomfort. I described my own boyhood attempts to make myself tougher by learning to take cold showers (I have no idea where this idea came from and I know it wasn't successful).
The next day, one of my runners came to practice practically cursing at me. He had taken a shower after the previous day's practice and, with the water gushing hot, had bravely swung the faucet all the way in the opposite direction.
Now he was glaring at me. "Coach," he said, "why are you trying to kill me?"
May 12, 2008
David Wilder Kicks Them All Down
Track and field is not exactly a big part of the athletics program at Concord Academy. In fact, the Fighting Chameleons have never fielded a track team. That changed a little this spring with the introduction of a track club that met once a week. Even so, most of the kids who came out weren't much interested in actual competition.
The exception was David Wilder.
David was Concord's best cross-country runner in the fall, finishing 7th in the EIL League Meet, but he seemed particularly well-suited to the intensity of track races. He liked to see how hard he could push himself, and he liked nothing better than to be in a close race, battling someone for the lead with 200 meters to go. He stayed in shape over the winter, and this spring told me that he wanted to run a fast mile.
This was easier said than done. With no team and no meets on the schedule, it was a challenge to find opportunities for David to run. A few weeks ago we attended a meet for "homeless" track teams - team without tracks of their own. David ran the 1500m and finished fourth in 4:39 (a 5:00 mile). He had followed my advice and had gone out at a "reasonable" 71-72 seconds for the first quarter. Unfortunately, the leaders had run 67-68 and he was never in the hunt. He decided that next time he would stick with the leaders no matter what.
On Saturday, we drove down to Portsmouth, RI, for the SENE/EIL Championship meet. David was entered in the 1500m and the discus. I know that this is an unusual double, but David makes it work. He learned how to throw the discus in middle school from an exceptional throws coach, and his form is impeccable. With a team of one, it helps to be able to compete in multiple events!
It was windy at the start of the 1500. When the gun went off, the field of runners sprinted down the backstretch jockeying for position. David, whose had exactly one race worth of experience, expertly positioned himself in about 5th, staying in the second lane and out of trouble. The first 200 was about 31.5 for the leaders, with David about a second back.
When the leaders hit the headwind on the first turn, everything slowed, and David moved up into fourth. The quarter passed in 67, very fast for someone who had run 5:00 pace two weeks earlier! David had said he didn't want to be cheated in this race and wanted to finish with nothing left. All right, I thought, so far so good.
At the half, passed in 2:21, the race was down to three runners, with David hanging on to third. I thought it was 50-50 that the top two would pull away. It was very windy, and they probably didn't want to expend any extra effort at that point, but I, knowing the ferocity of David's kick, thought they might regret that decision.
As the leaders passed 1200 in 3:32, they were starting to accelerate for the final drive to the finish. There was a little gap, but they had not succeeded in getting rid of the lone representative of the CA track team. With a little over 200m, he was right there, still stalking the leaders, still waiting for the moment to make one really good move.
Watching the race unfold, my concern was that one of the two leaders would move first and open up a gap that would be unbridgeable. But with 150m to go, David seized the initiative, accelerating into the lead. Too soon? As he came around the final turn and saw all that empty tartan in front of him, he reached top speed. Later, he would tell me that he was pushing so hard because he didn't want to get caught, but with 50m to go he was pulling away.
David crossed the line in 4:25.4, a 14-second PR and roughly equivalent to a 4:45 mile. His 10 points in the 1500m would be enough to beat two other schools in the team scoring of the meet. Later he would add a 3rd place in the discus (throwing 97') for another 6 points.
After the 1500, I told David that he executed the race perfectly. But execution is one thing, the desire to finish the race with nothing left is something else again. Sticking with the leaders through that opening lap took guts. Not letting them get away took determination. The kick -- well, that was pretty cool, too.
The exception was David Wilder.
David was Concord's best cross-country runner in the fall, finishing 7th in the EIL League Meet, but he seemed particularly well-suited to the intensity of track races. He liked to see how hard he could push himself, and he liked nothing better than to be in a close race, battling someone for the lead with 200 meters to go. He stayed in shape over the winter, and this spring told me that he wanted to run a fast mile.
This was easier said than done. With no team and no meets on the schedule, it was a challenge to find opportunities for David to run. A few weeks ago we attended a meet for "homeless" track teams - team without tracks of their own. David ran the 1500m and finished fourth in 4:39 (a 5:00 mile). He had followed my advice and had gone out at a "reasonable" 71-72 seconds for the first quarter. Unfortunately, the leaders had run 67-68 and he was never in the hunt. He decided that next time he would stick with the leaders no matter what.
On Saturday, we drove down to Portsmouth, RI, for the SENE/EIL Championship meet. David was entered in the 1500m and the discus. I know that this is an unusual double, but David makes it work. He learned how to throw the discus in middle school from an exceptional throws coach, and his form is impeccable. With a team of one, it helps to be able to compete in multiple events!
It was windy at the start of the 1500. When the gun went off, the field of runners sprinted down the backstretch jockeying for position. David, whose had exactly one race worth of experience, expertly positioned himself in about 5th, staying in the second lane and out of trouble. The first 200 was about 31.5 for the leaders, with David about a second back.
When the leaders hit the headwind on the first turn, everything slowed, and David moved up into fourth. The quarter passed in 67, very fast for someone who had run 5:00 pace two weeks earlier! David had said he didn't want to be cheated in this race and wanted to finish with nothing left. All right, I thought, so far so good.
At the half, passed in 2:21, the race was down to three runners, with David hanging on to third. I thought it was 50-50 that the top two would pull away. It was very windy, and they probably didn't want to expend any extra effort at that point, but I, knowing the ferocity of David's kick, thought they might regret that decision.
As the leaders passed 1200 in 3:32, they were starting to accelerate for the final drive to the finish. There was a little gap, but they had not succeeded in getting rid of the lone representative of the CA track team. With a little over 200m, he was right there, still stalking the leaders, still waiting for the moment to make one really good move.
Watching the race unfold, my concern was that one of the two leaders would move first and open up a gap that would be unbridgeable. But with 150m to go, David seized the initiative, accelerating into the lead. Too soon? As he came around the final turn and saw all that empty tartan in front of him, he reached top speed. Later, he would tell me that he was pushing so hard because he didn't want to get caught, but with 50m to go he was pulling away.
David crossed the line in 4:25.4, a 14-second PR and roughly equivalent to a 4:45 mile. His 10 points in the 1500m would be enough to beat two other schools in the team scoring of the meet. Later he would add a 3rd place in the discus (throwing 97') for another 6 points.
After the 1500, I told David that he executed the race perfectly. But execution is one thing, the desire to finish the race with nothing left is something else again. Sticking with the leaders through that opening lap took guts. Not letting them get away took determination. The kick -- well, that was pretty cool, too.
May 11, 2008
Adam Bao (TJ and Two Relays) Shines at State Coaches
Here we go again--I can't find the results for the Boys State Coaches meet online and I have to rely on the agate type in the Boston Globe for NN boys performances.
Well, agate or not, Adam Bao was huge at the State Coaches Meet. He won the triple jump by half a foot (43-5.5), helped NN's 4x100 relay team finish second (by 0.12) to Woburn in 43.93, and ran a leg for NN's victorious 4x400 relay (3:30.23). So why wasn't he the outstanding performer of the meet? That award went to Woburn's Chris Martin who tied for first in the long jump (21-11.5), and ran a leg on Woburn's 4x100 team. What am I missing? Bao had an outright victory, a relay victory, and a relay second-place; Martin a tie for first, a relay victory, and earns the outstanding performer award and three paragraphs in the Globe. I don't get it.
Well Adam, if you read this, you're my choice for Performer of the Meet.
And while I'm whining, what would it take for the Globe to have slightly less lame coverage of H.S. track meets? Here's what we got in Sunday's paper: four limp paragraphs on what sounds like a boring 800, three on Chris Martin (in which our correspondent tells us that Woburn's time of 43.81 is "just short of the meet record of 43.10"), two paragraphs on the 200, two on the mile, and 29 words for the rest of the meet. Hey, if you competed in the 100, 400, 2-Mile, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, triple jump, pole vault, or any of the throws, no coverage for you. The Globe even omits the 400 results entirely. Oh well, at least they had three pages and five articles about the Celtics 24-point loss to the Cavaliers.
Other medal-winners for Newton North included Seb Putzeys, who placed second in the mile (4:25.39) and Sam Arsenault, who placed 3rd in the 300 hurdles (41.23) and 4th in the long jump (21-5.5). I'm sure there were other fine performances for the Tigers, but they didn't make the Globe. Maybe the Daily News Tribune will have more detail.
Has the State Coaches meet started losing its mojo? I always thought it was a big deal kind of meet, but the Newton North girls chose not to compete, and many of the best performances of the weekend happened at Collins-McIntyre Invitational at Andover (At Andover, there were eight runners in the 2-mile with faster times than the winning time at the State Coaches meet, led by a blistering 9:19.95 from Brookline's David Wilson; in the girl's 2-mile, Newton South's Bridget Dahlberg and Kelsey Karys were way faster than anyone at State Coaches...).
Well, agate or not, Adam Bao was huge at the State Coaches Meet. He won the triple jump by half a foot (43-5.5), helped NN's 4x100 relay team finish second (by 0.12) to Woburn in 43.93, and ran a leg for NN's victorious 4x400 relay (3:30.23). So why wasn't he the outstanding performer of the meet? That award went to Woburn's Chris Martin who tied for first in the long jump (21-11.5), and ran a leg on Woburn's 4x100 team. What am I missing? Bao had an outright victory, a relay victory, and a relay second-place; Martin a tie for first, a relay victory, and earns the outstanding performer award and three paragraphs in the Globe. I don't get it.
Well Adam, if you read this, you're my choice for Performer of the Meet.
And while I'm whining, what would it take for the Globe to have slightly less lame coverage of H.S. track meets? Here's what we got in Sunday's paper: four limp paragraphs on what sounds like a boring 800, three on Chris Martin (in which our correspondent tells us that Woburn's time of 43.81 is "just short of the meet record of 43.10"), two paragraphs on the 200, two on the mile, and 29 words for the rest of the meet. Hey, if you competed in the 100, 400, 2-Mile, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, triple jump, pole vault, or any of the throws, no coverage for you. The Globe even omits the 400 results entirely. Oh well, at least they had three pages and five articles about the Celtics 24-point loss to the Cavaliers.
Other medal-winners for Newton North included Seb Putzeys, who placed second in the mile (4:25.39) and Sam Arsenault, who placed 3rd in the 300 hurdles (41.23) and 4th in the long jump (21-5.5). I'm sure there were other fine performances for the Tigers, but they didn't make the Globe. Maybe the Daily News Tribune will have more detail.
Has the State Coaches meet started losing its mojo? I always thought it was a big deal kind of meet, but the Newton North girls chose not to compete, and many of the best performances of the weekend happened at Collins-McIntyre Invitational at Andover (At Andover, there were eight runners in the 2-mile with faster times than the winning time at the State Coaches meet, led by a blistering 9:19.95 from Brookline's David Wilson; in the girl's 2-mile, Newton South's Bridget Dahlberg and Kelsey Karys were way faster than anyone at State Coaches...).
May 10, 2008
NNHS Alumni Results - May 10, 2008
Doug Brecher: 31:15 10K at New Englands!
Doug Brecher ran 5:02 pace for 6+ miles to place sixth overall in the New England Championships in a personal best time of 31:15.65.
David Smith: Three Events at Heps
The Ivy League championships (Heptagonals) were this weekend and Yale freshman David Smith competed in three events. In the shot put, he threw 14.59 (47-10.5); in the discus, 39.02 (128'); and in the hammer, 39.88 (130-10).
Doug Brecher ran 5:02 pace for 6+ miles to place sixth overall in the New England Championships in a personal best time of 31:15.65.
David Smith: Three Events at Heps
The Ivy League championships (Heptagonals) were this weekend and Yale freshman David Smith competed in three events. In the shot put, he threw 14.59 (47-10.5); in the discus, 39.02 (128'); and in the hammer, 39.88 (130-10).
May 07, 2008
Natalie Du Toit Qualifies for Beijing Olympics
I've written previously about the Olympic dreams of Oscar Pistorius, the South African sprinter and double amputee. Pistorius runs with the aid of prosthetic lower limbs, and the legality of these devices has been a matter of scientific and philosophical debate.
But I completely missed the story of Natalie Du Toit, a South African swimmer and single-leg amputee. Du Toit swims without a prosthesis and on May 3 she qualified for the Beijing Olympics by finishing fourth in the 10km race in the Open Water World Championships in Seville, Spain.
Du Toit surprise at Beijing place
An aspiring world-class swimmer before a collision with a car destroyed her left leg in 2001, Du Toit has never abandoned her dream of competing at the Olympics. Somehow it seems fitting that she would qualify in the 10k open water swim -- which will be contested for the first time in Beijing -- as it is the most grueling swimming event on the program.
On her web site, Du Toit lists two goals: one, to swim in the Olympics, and two, to be able to run. One down, one to go.
What Can We Learn From Sled Dogs?
This is why I love reading the NY Times Science pages. Tuesday's issue has an article that describes how the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) is studying sled dogs to find out why the heck they don't collapse with fatigue despite maintaining an extended caloric burn rate that puts Tour de France cyclists to shame.
Researchers Seek to Demystify the Metabolic Magic of Sled Dogs
The dogs endurance abilities are legendary, but even so the details are staggering: when competing in the Iditarod, a multi-week trek over 1100 miles of Arctic trail, the dogs burn 240 calories per pound per day, 2.4 times the metabolic burn rate Lance Armstrong maintains when touring the Pyrenees, and yet somehow they do not exhaust their reserves of fat and glycogen.
Dr. Michael Davis that there is a biological "switch" that the dogs turn on that makes them such great athletes on the trail. He also believes that other species might have the same ability to activate this switch.
"They have a hidden strategy that they can turn on," he said. “We are confident that humans have the capacity for that strategy. We have to figure out how dogs are turning it on to turn it on in humans."
Or is it possible the dogs are just more motivated than other species?
As I read, I couldn't help remembering the incredible passage from Jack London's "Call of the Wild," describing a dog who kept wanting to pull the sled, even unto death:
"He pleaded with his eyes to remain there. The driver was perplexed. His comrades talked of how a dog could break its heart through being denied the work that killed it, and recalled instances they had known, where dogs, too old for the toil, or injured, had died because they were cut out of the traces. Also, they held it a mercy, since Dave was to die anyway, that he should die in the traces, heart-easy and content. So he was harnessed in again, and proudly he pulled as of old, though more than once he cried out involuntarily from the bite of his inward hurt. Several times fell down and was dragged in the traces, and once the sled ran upon him so that he limped thereafter on one of his hind legs.
But he held out till camp was reached, when his driver made a place for him by the fire. Morning found him too weak to travel. At harness-up time he tried to crawl to his driver. By convulsive efforts he got on his feet, staggered, and fell. Then he wormed his way forward slowly toward where the harnesses were being put on his mates. He would advance his fore legs and drag up his body with a sort of hitching movement, when he would advance his fore legs and hitch ahead again for a few more inches. His strength left him, and the last his mates saw of him he lay gasping in the snow and yearning toward them."
I've known runners like that.
Researchers Seek to Demystify the Metabolic Magic of Sled Dogs
The dogs endurance abilities are legendary, but even so the details are staggering: when competing in the Iditarod, a multi-week trek over 1100 miles of Arctic trail, the dogs burn 240 calories per pound per day, 2.4 times the metabolic burn rate Lance Armstrong maintains when touring the Pyrenees, and yet somehow they do not exhaust their reserves of fat and glycogen.
Dr. Michael Davis that there is a biological "switch" that the dogs turn on that makes them such great athletes on the trail. He also believes that other species might have the same ability to activate this switch.
"They have a hidden strategy that they can turn on," he said. “We are confident that humans have the capacity for that strategy. We have to figure out how dogs are turning it on to turn it on in humans."
Or is it possible the dogs are just more motivated than other species?
As I read, I couldn't help remembering the incredible passage from Jack London's "Call of the Wild," describing a dog who kept wanting to pull the sled, even unto death:
"He pleaded with his eyes to remain there. The driver was perplexed. His comrades talked of how a dog could break its heart through being denied the work that killed it, and recalled instances they had known, where dogs, too old for the toil, or injured, had died because they were cut out of the traces. Also, they held it a mercy, since Dave was to die anyway, that he should die in the traces, heart-easy and content. So he was harnessed in again, and proudly he pulled as of old, though more than once he cried out involuntarily from the bite of his inward hurt. Several times fell down and was dragged in the traces, and once the sled ran upon him so that he limped thereafter on one of his hind legs.
But he held out till camp was reached, when his driver made a place for him by the fire. Morning found him too weak to travel. At harness-up time he tried to crawl to his driver. By convulsive efforts he got on his feet, staggered, and fell. Then he wormed his way forward slowly toward where the harnesses were being put on his mates. He would advance his fore legs and drag up his body with a sort of hitching movement, when he would advance his fore legs and hitch ahead again for a few more inches. His strength left him, and the last his mates saw of him he lay gasping in the snow and yearning toward them."
I've known runners like that.
May 06, 2008
North Boys, Girls at 6-0 With Wins Over Needham
For many of North's athletes it was their third meet in six days. No matter, as both Tiger teams ran, jumped, and threw their way to triple digits in twin victories over Needham Monday afternoon.
For the boys, there were BSC-best performances from Sam Arsenault in the high jump (6-4) and Adam Bao in the triple jump (PB 45-9). Arsenault also won the 300 hurdles in 41.1, while Bao won the long jump in 20-6. Seb Putzeys also won two events, as he pulled off the challenging 400/800 double, running 52.9 for the 400, and coming back to run 2:09 in the 800.
North's Dan Giovanucci won the shot put (45-4), making three North shot putters over 45' in the last week, while E.J. Metallides took the discus. Jared Forman ran a PR 4:43.5 to win the mile. The tireless Dan Hamilton won the two-mile (running his third deuce since last Wednesday. Troy Peterson won the 100 and Hymlaire Lamisere won the 200. Final score: 106-30 Newton North.
For the girls, Weston just seems to have revved them up. Michelle Kaufman was everywhere again, winning four events, including the 100m hurdles in a personal best 15.9. Carolyn Ranti has apparently become a sprinter, as she won the 200 and 400 (the latter in a personal best 60.8). Bonny Guang won the shot put (30-8) and discus (91-0), and Emily Hutchinson pulled off an unusual double, winning the javelin and high jump. This, you might say, is a versatile team.
North wraps up its dual meet season next Tuesday at Framingham, hoping to clinch league titles. But first there's the State Coaches Invitational meets on Saturday. The boys will be at Durfee and the girls at Somerville.
For the boys, there were BSC-best performances from Sam Arsenault in the high jump (6-4) and Adam Bao in the triple jump (PB 45-9). Arsenault also won the 300 hurdles in 41.1, while Bao won the long jump in 20-6. Seb Putzeys also won two events, as he pulled off the challenging 400/800 double, running 52.9 for the 400, and coming back to run 2:09 in the 800.
North's Dan Giovanucci won the shot put (45-4), making three North shot putters over 45' in the last week, while E.J. Metallides took the discus. Jared Forman ran a PR 4:43.5 to win the mile. The tireless Dan Hamilton won the two-mile (running his third deuce since last Wednesday. Troy Peterson won the 100 and Hymlaire Lamisere won the 200. Final score: 106-30 Newton North.
For the girls, Weston just seems to have revved them up. Michelle Kaufman was everywhere again, winning four events, including the 100m hurdles in a personal best 15.9. Carolyn Ranti has apparently become a sprinter, as she won the 200 and 400 (the latter in a personal best 60.8). Bonny Guang won the shot put (30-8) and discus (91-0), and Emily Hutchinson pulled off an unusual double, winning the javelin and high jump. This, you might say, is a versatile team.
North wraps up its dual meet season next Tuesday at Framingham, hoping to clinch league titles. But first there's the State Coaches Invitational meets on Saturday. The boys will be at Durfee and the girls at Somerville.
May 05, 2008
This Day and Age
I know it's my own fault for not attending the Weston Invitational, but I've become impatient with meets that in this day and age still can't get it together to provide online results within, say, 24 hours of the end of the meet. What's a harried Internet journalist to do? Actually go to the meets and keep detailed notes?
As it is, I rely on hints from the DyeStat message boards, local papers with their spotty coverage, and other blog sites. But none of them makes up for not having access to the actual results.
By the way, Henry Finch and the other folks that contribute to the Newton South Running Times did their usual great job getting photos of the meet. Here's a photo from Henry showing Newton South junior Bridget Dahlberg pulling away from Emily Jones in the final straight of the girls mile. According to the DyeStat boards, Dahlberg ran 4:55 with Jones a couple of seconds back. From the picture, it also looks like a Marshfield (?) runner and Lincoln-Sudbury runner (Emily Mepham?) are on their way to excellent times, as well.
Here's another good picture of a Newton North shot putter (Ed Metallides?)... It just shows how out of touch I am that I don't know for sure...
Sure would be nice to have those results!
And while I'm whining about the hard life I lead tracking down times, let me say that I am reserving a special place in Hell for the college administrators who have chosen to host their athletic web pages on for-profit servers with countless pop-up ads and annoying audio promotions. Sorry, Noah, I hate visiting the Bluejay sports pages and I always feel like I should run an anti-virus scan after I've spent fifteen minutes looking for your results. And the video reports from Arkansas' hog-wired site? It's this kind of thing that gives bandwidth a bad name.
But back to Weston. I know it's hard work to get results out, but this is their 11th year. Wouldn't you think they'd have some sort of system by now? Or has the meet grown too popular for the "low-key" way that it's run? It just seems a shame when you go to all the trouble to assemble a meet with some of the best H.S. athletes in mass. and then can't tell the world how fast they ran, how far they threw, how long and how high they jumped.
As it is, I rely on hints from the DyeStat message boards, local papers with their spotty coverage, and other blog sites. But none of them makes up for not having access to the actual results.
By the way, Henry Finch and the other folks that contribute to the Newton South Running Times did their usual great job getting photos of the meet. Here's a photo from Henry showing Newton South junior Bridget Dahlberg pulling away from Emily Jones in the final straight of the girls mile. According to the DyeStat boards, Dahlberg ran 4:55 with Jones a couple of seconds back. From the picture, it also looks like a Marshfield (?) runner and Lincoln-Sudbury runner (Emily Mepham?) are on their way to excellent times, as well.
Here's another good picture of a Newton North shot putter (Ed Metallides?)... It just shows how out of touch I am that I don't know for sure...
Sure would be nice to have those results!
And while I'm whining about the hard life I lead tracking down times, let me say that I am reserving a special place in Hell for the college administrators who have chosen to host their athletic web pages on for-profit servers with countless pop-up ads and annoying audio promotions. Sorry, Noah, I hate visiting the Bluejay sports pages and I always feel like I should run an anti-virus scan after I've spent fifteen minutes looking for your results. And the video reports from Arkansas' hog-wired site? It's this kind of thing that gives bandwidth a bad name.
But back to Weston. I know it's hard work to get results out, but this is their 11th year. Wouldn't you think they'd have some sort of system by now? Or has the meet grown too popular for the "low-key" way that it's run? It just seems a shame when you go to all the trouble to assemble a meet with some of the best H.S. athletes in mass. and then can't tell the world how fast they ran, how far they threw, how long and how high they jumped.
May 03, 2008
NNHS Alumni Results - May 3, 2008
I was delighted to see that Pat Pierce, NNHS '04 and now a senior at Bowdoin College, placed 9th in the 10000m at the New England Div III championships with a time of 32:22.24, 80 seconds faster than his previous season's best time from two weeks ago. Pat has patiently worked through several injuries during his college career and it is great to see him racing well again. In the same race were two other former Bay Staters: Jerzy Eisenberg-Guyot (Brookline, now Tufts) ran 32:25.29 for 11th, and Philip Gingras (Walpole, now Westfield State) ran 32:58.96 for 20th.
Anyone know where Doug Brecher was? I hope he's not injured...
Also competing at the NE DIII meet, held at the Coast Guard Academy, was Stephanie O'Brien, who won her heat of the 800 in 2:19.17 to place 9th overall.
Today (Sunday) is the second day of several conference meets (Centennial, America East), as well as the Stanford Cardinal Invitational. I'm looking forward to adding results for Noah Jampol, Dave Polgar, and Chris Barnicle (scheduled to run the 10K at Stanford).
Edit:
Dave Polgar ran 3:58.55 for 1500m to place 12th at the America East Championships.
Noah Jampol ran 4:16.25 to place 18th in the Centennial Conference championships.
In the NY State Collegiate Championships, Dan Chebot ran 15:43.05 in the 5000m.
And from the world of road running, Josh Seeherman took to the paved pathways of Wakefield to finish 7th in the 26th Annual Breakheart 6k Road Race in a time of 22:05.
Anyone know where Doug Brecher was? I hope he's not injured...
Also competing at the NE DIII meet, held at the Coast Guard Academy, was Stephanie O'Brien, who won her heat of the 800 in 2:19.17 to place 9th overall.
Today (Sunday) is the second day of several conference meets (Centennial, America East), as well as the Stanford Cardinal Invitational. I'm looking forward to adding results for Noah Jampol, Dave Polgar, and Chris Barnicle (scheduled to run the 10K at Stanford).
Edit:
Dave Polgar ran 3:58.55 for 1500m to place 12th at the America East Championships.
Noah Jampol ran 4:16.25 to place 18th in the Centennial Conference championships.
In the NY State Collegiate Championships, Dan Chebot ran 15:43.05 in the 5000m.
And from the world of road running, Josh Seeherman took to the paved pathways of Wakefield to finish 7th in the 26th Annual Breakheart 6k Road Race in a time of 22:05.
Weston Twilight Meet Preview
Cool temperatures, overcast skies, and scattered showers are in the forecast most of the day, with the chance of partial clearing towards evening -- conditions that will make for chilly spectating at the Weston Twilight meet.
Even on warm spring days, you need to wear warm clothes for Weston. The meet begins in the late afternoon (4:30 for the field events, 5:00 for the running), and continues into the dark, and it can be COLD! It doesn't help that the meet notoriously runs behind schedule, making it tricky to know when to warm up.
Last year's meet featured a breakthrough performance for Carolyn Ranti in the 800 (to take second), and a tremendous race in the girls 2-Mile, with Emily Jones holding off Jess Barton, and both well ahead of Bridget Dahlberg and Colleen Weatherbee.
Jones and Dahlberg are back, but entered in the mile this time, along with All-State indoor 1000m champ Emily Mepham. Odd as it seems, although Dahlberg has won three state titles in the mile, she might be considered the underdog against Jones. It should be a great race. In the girls 2-Mile, state runner-up Kelsey Karys will take on state 3rd-place finisher Rebecca White. Although Karys has a seed time twenty seconds faster, this should be a closer race than that. In all, there are nine girls seeded faster than 11:30. Tenth seed is Newton North freshman Margo Gillis. It will fascinating to see how she handles what is sure to be a demanding pace.
Omar Aden will be the heavy favorite in the boys mile. Aden, the All-State champ is seeded at 4:13, eight seconds faster than Dracut's Dan Roarke. Actually, Aden's main competition is likely to come from Chelmsford's Chris Brown. If the weather is cold and even a little bit breezy, I don't expect a really fast time but it should be a good race.
Bay State rivals Seb Putzeys and Robert Gibson will tangle again in the boys 800, and will be joined by "Lil Stizz" -- Wayland's Brett Stein. Gibson beat Putzeys in the team's dual meet a couple of weeks ago, but everyone should be a bit faster now.
Carolyn Ranti is in 800 again where she'll take on Lincoln-Sudbury's Ellie Hylton and Newton South's Diana Braver.
One of the deepest fields, at least going by the seed times, is the girls 400m. It's hard for me to believe that Emma Kornetsky is seeded only 13th with a 60.80!
The girls long jump is also very deep, with 23 athletes seeded at 15-0 or better! Coaches' exaggeration? I suspect so, but there's no question it is a good field. Seventh-seeded Allison Hollland (Watertown) finished fourth in the indoor All-State meet.
This year's meet entries
Last year's Weston results
Even on warm spring days, you need to wear warm clothes for Weston. The meet begins in the late afternoon (4:30 for the field events, 5:00 for the running), and continues into the dark, and it can be COLD! It doesn't help that the meet notoriously runs behind schedule, making it tricky to know when to warm up.
Last year's meet featured a breakthrough performance for Carolyn Ranti in the 800 (to take second), and a tremendous race in the girls 2-Mile, with Emily Jones holding off Jess Barton, and both well ahead of Bridget Dahlberg and Colleen Weatherbee.
Jones and Dahlberg are back, but entered in the mile this time, along with All-State indoor 1000m champ Emily Mepham. Odd as it seems, although Dahlberg has won three state titles in the mile, she might be considered the underdog against Jones. It should be a great race. In the girls 2-Mile, state runner-up Kelsey Karys will take on state 3rd-place finisher Rebecca White. Although Karys has a seed time twenty seconds faster, this should be a closer race than that. In all, there are nine girls seeded faster than 11:30. Tenth seed is Newton North freshman Margo Gillis. It will fascinating to see how she handles what is sure to be a demanding pace.
Omar Aden will be the heavy favorite in the boys mile. Aden, the All-State champ is seeded at 4:13, eight seconds faster than Dracut's Dan Roarke. Actually, Aden's main competition is likely to come from Chelmsford's Chris Brown. If the weather is cold and even a little bit breezy, I don't expect a really fast time but it should be a good race.
Bay State rivals Seb Putzeys and Robert Gibson will tangle again in the boys 800, and will be joined by "Lil Stizz" -- Wayland's Brett Stein. Gibson beat Putzeys in the team's dual meet a couple of weeks ago, but everyone should be a bit faster now.
Carolyn Ranti is in 800 again where she'll take on Lincoln-Sudbury's Ellie Hylton and Newton South's Diana Braver.
One of the deepest fields, at least going by the seed times, is the girls 400m. It's hard for me to believe that Emma Kornetsky is seeded only 13th with a 60.80!
The girls long jump is also very deep, with 23 athletes seeded at 15-0 or better! Coaches' exaggeration? I suspect so, but there's no question it is a good field. Seventh-seeded Allison Hollland (Watertown) finished fourth in the indoor All-State meet.
This year's meet entries
Last year's Weston results
May 01, 2008
North Sweeps Braintree
Delayed a day because of Tuesday's rain, Newton North made another long trip South on Rt. 128 Wednesday to sweep Braintree. The Tiger boys won twelve individual events and outscored the Wamps 105 to 31. The girls were only slightly less dominant, winning both relays and eight individual events to win by a score of 90-46. Both teams are now 5-0 with only Needham and Framingham standing in the way of undefeated seasons.
For the boys, Adam Bao won three individual events (400, long jump, triple jump) and ran the 3rd leg of the winning 4x400 relay. Sam Arsenault (high jump, 300m hurdles) and Steve Long (shot put, discus) won two events each. Hymlaire Lamisere (100), Ivan Kostadinov (200), Seb Putzeys (800), Dan Hamilton (2-Mile), and Ben Klein (Jav) all won their events.
For the girls, Michelle Kaufman had her usual busy day at the office, winning two events (100, 300 hurdles) and placing second in two others (long jump and triple jump). Other winners for North included Vicki Marone (long jump), Nora Barnicle (800), Carolyn Ranti (mile), Franca Godenzi (2-Mile), Paris Mongo (discus), and Bonny Guang (shot put).
Many of the Tigers will compete at the Weston Twilight Meet on Saturday night. Next Tuesday, May 6, the Tigers continue their Bay State road trip, competing at Needham.
For the boys, Adam Bao won three individual events (400, long jump, triple jump) and ran the 3rd leg of the winning 4x400 relay. Sam Arsenault (high jump, 300m hurdles) and Steve Long (shot put, discus) won two events each. Hymlaire Lamisere (100), Ivan Kostadinov (200), Seb Putzeys (800), Dan Hamilton (2-Mile), and Ben Klein (Jav) all won their events.
For the girls, Michelle Kaufman had her usual busy day at the office, winning two events (100, 300 hurdles) and placing second in two others (long jump and triple jump). Other winners for North included Vicki Marone (long jump), Nora Barnicle (800), Carolyn Ranti (mile), Franca Godenzi (2-Mile), Paris Mongo (discus), and Bonny Guang (shot put).
Many of the Tigers will compete at the Weston Twilight Meet on Saturday night. Next Tuesday, May 6, the Tigers continue their Bay State road trip, competing at Needham.
April 26, 2008
Alumni Results from Boston, NESCACs, Penn Relays
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.
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 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.
March 31, 2008
The Amazing Nolan Shaheed
If you checked the results of the IAAF World XC Championships, you know that the best XC runner the world has ever seen, Keninisa Bekele, overcame a dislodged shoe early in the 12km race to win his 12th World XC title, and his sixth long-course title in the last seven years. (He failed to finish last year in the heat of Mombasa, after being in the lead much of the race). I imagine that elite male runners of a certain age have spent the best years of their competitive lives looking up at Bekele and wondering when they would have their chance.
This weekend was also the U.S. National Indoor Track and Field Championships for Masters athletes. Technically, anyone over 30 was eligible to compete, but the real action was on the North side of 40. Among the competitors was the amazing Nolan Shaheed, who won gold in the 1M and 800m in the 55-59 age group. The presence of Shaheed on the track, like the presence of Bekele on an XC course, produces a kind of despair among his contemporaries.
Never heard of Shaheed? Ok, here's a short course:
- He is an accomplished musician and music producer who toured with the Count Basie orchestra as lead trumpeter, and has played with Nat Cole, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and others.
- He is 58 years, old, and in truth, he has lost a step or two. For example, he "only" managed 2:09 for 800m and 4:43 for the mile. Oh, wait a minute. his 800m time was faster this year than last year.
- In 2007, he won the 800m, 1M, and 3000m for his age group. He does this triple a lot, as long as his plane arrives in time for him to compete in the 3000m Friday night. He almost always wins every event... by a lot.
- He holds five age group world records, including the M55-59 indoor and outdoor 1M records, and the M50 outdoor 800m record (1:58.65)
- He has won over 30 national championships
- He is a fearless racer who takes the lead and pushes the pace whether he is in a tight race or leading by half a lap.
on Saturday, Shaheed won the M55 mile by 30 seconds. On Sunday, he won the 800m by 0.6 seconds, beating another world-class masters athlete Alston Brown, who had just turned 55.
2:09 for 800m at age 58. Amazing.
March 30, 2008
NNHS Alumni Results - March 29, 2008
March - In like a lion, out like a barracuda.
With New England temperatures making it feel like February, it's still hard to loosen up to the idea of running really fast outdoors. Nevertheless, many colleges are holding their first outdoor meets of the season.
Tufts University hosted their annual "Snowflake Classic" and there were actual snowflakes in the air as Doug Brecher, ran a tremendously impressive 31:38 to take second-place in the 10,000m, and earn an ECAC qualifying time. That's 5:05 per mile for 6.2 tedious miles of empty tartan, folks. Brookline alum Jerzy Eisenberg-Guyot finished 6th in the same race, running 33:06.
After a week of Spring break base training in Newton, Noah Jampol opened up his outdoor campaign with a solid 4:10.40 1500m at the 2008 Maryland Terrapin Invitational in College Park, Maryland. Sorry we didn't get to go for a run while you were in town, Noah.
Wesleyan senior Stephanie O'Brien finished 5th in the 1500m in 5:05.46 at the Trinity College "Bantam" Invitational. At the same meet, Scott Cole -- or someone using his name -- finished 8th in the 800m in 2:05.92.
And in other running news... the agate type at the back of the Boston Globe Sports Section recorded that Jamie Krieder, a good friend of the Newton Summer Running Project won the weekly Fresh Pond 5M road race in 27:30.
(Added 3/31) - At the 2008 SCSU Owl T&F Invitational in New Haven, Yale freshman David Smith tripled in the shot, disc, and hammer. His 49-0.25 in the shot is a PR and placed him 3rd. I'm not sure about the discus (117-0) and hammer (111-03).
With New England temperatures making it feel like February, it's still hard to loosen up to the idea of running really fast outdoors. Nevertheless, many colleges are holding their first outdoor meets of the season.
Tufts University hosted their annual "Snowflake Classic" and there were actual snowflakes in the air as Doug Brecher, ran a tremendously impressive 31:38 to take second-place in the 10,000m, and earn an ECAC qualifying time. That's 5:05 per mile for 6.2 tedious miles of empty tartan, folks. Brookline alum Jerzy Eisenberg-Guyot finished 6th in the same race, running 33:06.
After a week of Spring break base training in Newton, Noah Jampol opened up his outdoor campaign with a solid 4:10.40 1500m at the 2008 Maryland Terrapin Invitational in College Park, Maryland. Sorry we didn't get to go for a run while you were in town, Noah.
Wesleyan senior Stephanie O'Brien finished 5th in the 1500m in 5:05.46 at the Trinity College "Bantam" Invitational. At the same meet, Scott Cole -- or someone using his name -- finished 8th in the 800m in 2:05.92.
And in other running news... the agate type at the back of the Boston Globe Sports Section recorded that Jamie Krieder, a good friend of the Newton Summer Running Project won the weekly Fresh Pond 5M road race in 27:30.
(Added 3/31) - At the 2008 SCSU Owl T&F Invitational in New Haven, Yale freshman David Smith tripled in the shot, disc, and hammer. His 49-0.25 in the shot is a PR and placed him 3rd. I'm not sure about the discus (117-0) and hammer (111-03).
March 27, 2008
Running, Endorphins, and You
This NY Times article describes recent research that, for the first time, provides hard evidence for the connection between endurance exercise, the release of endorphins in the brain and feelings of well being, calmness, even euphoria -- the elusive "runner's high."
Yes, Running Can Make You High
Although I, alas, am not someone who experiences intense "highs" after running, I used to run with a guy who said, "If running was a drug, it would be illegal."
The article talks about the possibility of helping runners experience stronger effects from this phenomenon, to which my wife replies, "they want to make running MORE addicting?"
Yes, Running Can Make You High
Although I, alas, am not someone who experiences intense "highs" after running, I used to run with a guy who said, "If running was a drug, it would be illegal."
The article talks about the possibility of helping runners experience stronger effects from this phenomenon, to which my wife replies, "they want to make running MORE addicting?"
More About Hamstrings and Stretching
I've been thinking a lot of hamstrings and stretching lately, so it was surprise and amazement that I read the following extraordinary paragraph on www.runnersworld.com, in the "Ask The Running Doc" feature. The column is by Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, who writes:
"To reduce your risk of re-injury, please take the time to stretch your hamstrings after every run. Running normally causes microtears between the hamstrings’ muscle fibers, and without stretching the fibers heal back shorter. Over time this decreases your stride length—so you run slower—and makes the hamstring vulnerable to a serious pull or tear. The more you stretch daily, the better; you can’t do too much. If you follow this advice, hamstring worries can be forgotten!"
The author is credited with being "...the world’s premier running physician... medical director of the New York Road Runners, ING New York City Marathon, all of Elite Racing’s Musical Marathons, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program." I on the other hand, am nobody.
And yet, I think Dr. Maraham is wrong, or at least seriously incomplete. First of all, numerous studies have failed to show that systematic stretching before or after runs helps prevent injuries. Here's a recent NY Times Article on that very topic. It states:
"The truth is that after dozens of studies and years of debate, no one really knows whether stretching helps, harms, or does anything in particular for performance or injury rates."
I know, I know, you (and I) don't care what these studies say, we're going to keep on stretching no matter what the papers say... but surely the world's premier running physician would at least hedge a little bit in the face of all that evidence, wouldn't he?
But what I found far more troubling was that line about the micro-tears. "Running normally causes microtears between the hamstrings’ muscle fibers, and without stretching the fibers heal back shorter." What kind of organism is built so that normal activity causes it to break down? Is the human body a lemon when it comes to running?
No, of course not! What's missing from this discussion is that we stretch every time we move. Warming up by walking or jogging is a form of stretching, as are flexibility drills, and, in deed, those static stretches that we all learned and that are now discredited.
Anyway, as someone who has been suffering with sore hamstrings for some time now, I can tell you that I have been stretching more than I ever have in my life. Three, four times a day. Before runs, after runs, in boring meeting. If stretching were a religion, I would be up for canonization. And you know what? It's made almost no difference whatsoever to my injury, or my running, or my sense of well being. I have even begun to suspect that it, not normal running, is introducing those pesky micro-tears that Dr. Maraham warns about.
You know what works? Massage works. Massage + patience + a good warmup + adequate sleep + a sense of humor works even better. Stretching is not the answer. Maybe it's part of the answer, but from where I sit, it's only a small part.
"To reduce your risk of re-injury, please take the time to stretch your hamstrings after every run. Running normally causes microtears between the hamstrings’ muscle fibers, and without stretching the fibers heal back shorter. Over time this decreases your stride length—so you run slower—and makes the hamstring vulnerable to a serious pull or tear. The more you stretch daily, the better; you can’t do too much. If you follow this advice, hamstring worries can be forgotten!"
The author is credited with being "...the world’s premier running physician... medical director of the New York Road Runners, ING New York City Marathon, all of Elite Racing’s Musical Marathons, and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program." I on the other hand, am nobody.
And yet, I think Dr. Maraham is wrong, or at least seriously incomplete. First of all, numerous studies have failed to show that systematic stretching before or after runs helps prevent injuries. Here's a recent NY Times Article on that very topic. It states:
"The truth is that after dozens of studies and years of debate, no one really knows whether stretching helps, harms, or does anything in particular for performance or injury rates."
I know, I know, you (and I) don't care what these studies say, we're going to keep on stretching no matter what the papers say... but surely the world's premier running physician would at least hedge a little bit in the face of all that evidence, wouldn't he?
But what I found far more troubling was that line about the micro-tears. "Running normally causes microtears between the hamstrings’ muscle fibers, and without stretching the fibers heal back shorter." What kind of organism is built so that normal activity causes it to break down? Is the human body a lemon when it comes to running?
No, of course not! What's missing from this discussion is that we stretch every time we move. Warming up by walking or jogging is a form of stretching, as are flexibility drills, and, in deed, those static stretches that we all learned and that are now discredited.
Anyway, as someone who has been suffering with sore hamstrings for some time now, I can tell you that I have been stretching more than I ever have in my life. Three, four times a day. Before runs, after runs, in boring meeting. If stretching were a religion, I would be up for canonization. And you know what? It's made almost no difference whatsoever to my injury, or my running, or my sense of well being. I have even begun to suspect that it, not normal running, is introducing those pesky micro-tears that Dr. Maraham warns about.
You know what works? Massage works. Massage + patience + a good warmup + adequate sleep + a sense of humor works even better. Stretching is not the answer. Maybe it's part of the answer, but from where I sit, it's only a small part.
March 26, 2008
World XC Championships on Sunday
On Sunday, Mach 30, Edinburgh, Scotland hosts the 2008 IAAF Cross-Country Championships. The event includes four separate races: junior women (6K), junior men (8K), senior women (8K), and senior men (12K).
The IAAF web site has complete coverage, including history, a course map, previews of the races, and more.
Ever wonder what it would be like to train with the Kenyan team preparing for the world championships, an event their senior men have won 23 out of 36 times it has been run? here's a link to an article on Kenyan XC team preparations for Scotland. An excerpt:
"We must regulate the speed at which the vehicles will approach the runners so that they do not leave behind a cloud of dust that might affect their breathing or knock them down all together..."
March 25, 2008
The Achilles Hamstring
Unlike its more famous cousin the Achilles tendon, the hamstring is not instantly familiar as a symbol of mortal vulnerability. In fact, hamstring injuries -- like bad backs -- often seem elusive, their severity uncertain and ill-reported. People even make fun of professional athletes who complain too often of a "bad hammy" (Manny Ramirez). Bill Parcells famously mocked then Patriots receiver Terry Glenn, saying that it took Glenn longer to recover from a bad hamstring than it took Parcells to recover from his heart attack.
But for anyone who has suffered with a chronic hamstring injury, it is one of the most frustrating, discouraging, soul-sapping conditions imaginable. You never know from day-to-day where you stand, and how you're doing. If a hamstring injury is a metaphor for anything, it's a metaphor for the way the wonderful running machine can be completely ruined by the malfunction of one link in the power chain.
Hamstring injuries are extremely common, but poorly understood. Most of us figure that we get hamstring injuries when we run too fast before we have warmed up, and that we will cure them by being more conscientious about stretching and warming up. This is fairly simplistic, but sometimes it works.
But other times, an initial hamstring injury becomes chronic. An initial injury becomes a trigger point -- a small area that is permanently knotted by errant nerve signals. The muscle tissue around the trigger point is affected, and feels sore, and yet stretching does nothing to alleviate the problem. Using a roller, stick, or even a tennis ball to massage the area can help, but sometimes it doesn't, and the weakness continues. Anything faster than jogging feels mechanically awkward. It's impossible to generate power. Speed suffers, of course, but so does any semblance of fluid stride. The athlete loses confidence, over-compensates by using other muscles in ways they are not used to (possibly developing a secondary injury).
At some point, the injury to the body infects the mind, and the athlete becomes afraid to test him or herself with anything close to full speed. Hamstring injuries can go on for months or years. A pattern of discomfort takes hold and becomes difficult to break.
So what to do?
Well, I think dealing with a chronic hamstring injury requires first that someone competent locate the actual area of the problem, not just the area that feels uncomfortable. Trigger points can refer pain elsewhere in the muscle, making it hard to identify the true problem spot. A good massage therapist can relive the complex of tight muscle fibers, opening up the area for healing. This hurts, by the way, but it is necessary.
The next requirement is patience. Easier said than practice, unfortunately, especially after a long period of suffering with the injury. And yes, patience applies not only to having reasonable goals day-to-day, but also taking the time to develop a good warm-up routine, with or without stretching. (I am not a fan of extensive pre-run stretching, feeling that you are as likely to re-injure yourself with too aggresive stretching, as you are to do any good.)
The final ingredient after therapy and patient rehabilitation is to get your confidence back. I wish I had an easy answer for that one!
But for anyone who has suffered with a chronic hamstring injury, it is one of the most frustrating, discouraging, soul-sapping conditions imaginable. You never know from day-to-day where you stand, and how you're doing. If a hamstring injury is a metaphor for anything, it's a metaphor for the way the wonderful running machine can be completely ruined by the malfunction of one link in the power chain.
Hamstring injuries are extremely common, but poorly understood. Most of us figure that we get hamstring injuries when we run too fast before we have warmed up, and that we will cure them by being more conscientious about stretching and warming up. This is fairly simplistic, but sometimes it works.
But other times, an initial hamstring injury becomes chronic. An initial injury becomes a trigger point -- a small area that is permanently knotted by errant nerve signals. The muscle tissue around the trigger point is affected, and feels sore, and yet stretching does nothing to alleviate the problem. Using a roller, stick, or even a tennis ball to massage the area can help, but sometimes it doesn't, and the weakness continues. Anything faster than jogging feels mechanically awkward. It's impossible to generate power. Speed suffers, of course, but so does any semblance of fluid stride. The athlete loses confidence, over-compensates by using other muscles in ways they are not used to (possibly developing a secondary injury).
At some point, the injury to the body infects the mind, and the athlete becomes afraid to test him or herself with anything close to full speed. Hamstring injuries can go on for months or years. A pattern of discomfort takes hold and becomes difficult to break.
So what to do?
Well, I think dealing with a chronic hamstring injury requires first that someone competent locate the actual area of the problem, not just the area that feels uncomfortable. Trigger points can refer pain elsewhere in the muscle, making it hard to identify the true problem spot. A good massage therapist can relive the complex of tight muscle fibers, opening up the area for healing. This hurts, by the way, but it is necessary.
The next requirement is patience. Easier said than practice, unfortunately, especially after a long period of suffering with the injury. And yes, patience applies not only to having reasonable goals day-to-day, but also taking the time to develop a good warm-up routine, with or without stretching. (I am not a fan of extensive pre-run stretching, feeling that you are as likely to re-injure yourself with too aggresive stretching, as you are to do any good.)
The final ingredient after therapy and patient rehabilitation is to get your confidence back. I wish I had an easy answer for that one!
March 24, 2008
NNHS Alumni Results - March 22, 2008
In the Boston area, the Northeastern Husky Spring Classic is one of the first outdoor meets of the year, offering a chance for collegiate and open athletes to get in some early season competition. At this year's event, Dave Cahill dominated the 400m hurdles, winning by five seconds in 56.33. Bentley's Kevin Chan competed in the discus, throwing 114-11.
For Yale's David Smith, Spring Break is a chance to go wild and throw heavy objects around. He did just that at the UC Irvine Spring Break Invitational, competing in the shot (46-09.5), discus (123-08), and hammer throw (116-05).
Wesleyan competed at the Bulls Invitational in South Florida on Friday, March 21. Seeded at 5:15 in the 1500m, Stephanie O'Brien showed that she has wheels for the longer events, running 5:00.96 and finishing 6th overall. Haleigh Smith finished 11th in 5:06.15. Scott Cole competed in the 800m, running 2:13.19 to finish 11th.
For Yale's David Smith, Spring Break is a chance to go wild and throw heavy objects around. He did just that at the UC Irvine Spring Break Invitational, competing in the shot (46-09.5), discus (123-08), and hammer throw (116-05).
Wesleyan competed at the Bulls Invitational in South Florida on Friday, March 21. Seeded at 5:15 in the 1500m, Stephanie O'Brien showed that she has wheels for the longer events, running 5:00.96 and finishing 6th overall. Haleigh Smith finished 11th in 5:06.15. Scott Cole competed in the 800m, running 2:13.19 to finish 11th.
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