Saturday, February 28, 2015

Big Ten

Big Ten results are HERE.
Gopher men's summary is HERE. Women HERE
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Summit League

Summit League Championship results are HERE.
Championships summary is HERE.
NDSU Women's summary is HERE. Men HERE.
South Dakota summaries is HERE.

SMILE GUYS :-)

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UMAC Championships

Women's team champions, St. Scholastica. Photo by Brooke Krautbauer
UMAC Championships results HERE.
St. Scholastica women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE
Minnesota Morris summary is HERE.  .
Men's team champions, St. Scholastica Photo by Brooke Krautbauer

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Big Ten: Lihrman NCAA Record; Ferlic Wins 5K: USATF Live Results; Blankenship second, Garrett Heath fourth in 2-Mile




USATF Indoor Championship live results are HERE. Ben Blankenship second, Garrett Heath fourth in men's two-mile. As always a tactical race that heated up in the last half with the distance guys, XC champ Chris Derrick and steeplechase champ Evan Jaeger trying to stretch out the run for the finish while eventual winner Ryan Hill, Blankenship, and Heath trying to get in position to launch a kick.  In the end Hill had the most tactical skill and speed left to take the win in 8:26.72, Blankenship in 8:27.31, Jager 8:37.44, and Heath 8:27.99.  Derrick finished fifth in 8:32.51.

German Fernandez took the early pace as the entire field was strung out in a straight line behind them.  Blankenship followed in second, Heath in fourth.  Derrick and Jager took over with around 3/4 to go and began to wind up the pace.  There was a lot of jostling for position going into the last quarter before Hill took over to grab the win.

Unfortunately, on the NBCSN broadcast the video cut away in mid race for what seemed like an eternity, eliminating coverage of the middle of the race.  The belief that distance races are too long and boring for the viewing public still prevails in network TV, even on the Internet.  When what the broadcast really needs is intelligent announcing that injects the drama and tension, even in pedestrian, tactical races. All events have drama and a story line.  It just needs to be presented well.  They haven't figured out how to do that yet, and do not seem to want to make the effort.

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Friday, February 27, 2015

Updated Results: Big Ten Day 1; UMAC; Summit League, Kilt Classic; Ole Open

Big Ten Day 1 results are HERE.
Gopher women's summary is HERE. Gopher men's summary HERE. Photo gallery HERE.
UMAC Championships preview is HERE.  Championships Day 1 results HERE  Live results are HERE.
Minnesota Morris day 1 summary is HERE.

Summit League Championships Day 1 summary is HERE.

Kilt Classic results are HERE.
Hamline men's summary is HERE. Women HERE.
Macelester women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE
St. Kate's summary is HERE.
Augsburg women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE
Gustavus men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
Bethel women's summary is HERE. Men HERE.

Ole Open results are HERE.
Carleton women's summary is HERE. Men are HERE
St. John's summary is HERE.
St. Olaf women's summary is HERE.  Men's HERE.
St. Mary's summary is HERE.
St. Ben's summary is HERE.
St. Thomas men's summary HERE. Women's HERE
Concordia Moorhead summaries will be posted when we get them.
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Updated NSIC Results

NSIC full results are HERE.
MSU Mankato men's summary HERE.  Women HERE.

U-Mary's women's summary is HERE. Men HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.
Winona State women's summary is HERE.
Bemidji State women's summary is HERE.
Concordia St. Paul summary is HERE.
Southwest Minnesota State University summary is HERE.
St. Cloud State summary is HERE.
UMD women's summary is HERE.  Men HERE


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Bulletin: MSU Mankato Takes Men's, U-Mary Women's Team Titles at NSIC Indoor Championships

Women - Team Rankings - 19 Events Scored
===============================================================================
1) University of Mary 142 2) Augustana College 119
3) Minnesota State Mankato 101 4) Minnesota Duluth 83
5) Winona State University 78 6) MSU-Moorhead 60
7) St. Cloud State University 37 8) University of Sioux Falls 36
9) Wayne State College 33 10) Northern State University 21
11) Concordia University, St. 15 12) Minot State University 12
13) Bemidji State University 2 13) Southwest Minnesota State 2

Men - Team Rankings - 19 Events Scored
===============================================================================
1) Minnesota State Mankato 163 2) University of Sioux Falls 120
3) MSU-Moorhead 96.50 4) Augustana College 94.50
5) St. Cloud State University 45 5) Minnesota Duluth 45
7) Concordia University, St. 44 8) Southwest Minnesota State 42
9) Wayne State College 34 10) Northern State University 23
11) University of Mary 21 12) Minot State University 11
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NSIC Photos










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Gopher Men Big Ten Preview; Summit League Championships Info

Gopher men's preview with links to live results, schedule, heat sheets HERE.

Summit League Indoor Track Championships info is HERE. Live results, schedule of events
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Thursday, February 26, 2015

Updated: NSIC Championships Day One

NSIC Championships day one results are HERE. Photos are HERE.
MSU Mankato men's summary HERE.Women HERE.
Winona State women's summary is HERE.
St. Cloud State summary is HERE.
Bemidji State summary is HERE.
Southwest Minnesota State summary is HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.
Concordia St. Paul summary is HERE.
U-Mary women's summary is HERE.
UMD summaries will be posted when we get them



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NSIC Champs Underway





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News: Pittsburgh Liberty Mile/Prize Money; Smock & Garrett Heath/USATF Foundation; Year of the Vault; The Throwdown: IOC Rule 40




IOC changes Rule 40 to allow athletes to promote their sponsors in ads as long as the ads are "generic" and don't afiliate with the Olympics HERE.
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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Big Tens: Women's Preview

Gopher women's Big Ten Preview HERE
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News: NSIC Championships; MIAC AOW; XC Ski Medals; Saying Sorry: Pan Am XC Highlight Video; USATF Championships Preview

NSIC Indoor Championships begin on Thursday.  Schedule, links to live results, video HERE.

MIAC AOW HERE

Stillwater XC skiers make history HERE and HERE.  Are interviewed HERE.

An English teacher's view of the continuing Lance Armstrong saga HERE.

Highlight video of the Pan American XC Cup from last Sunday HERE.

USATF Indoor Championship preview is HERE.
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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

News: Drake; Brixton; NSIC Summaries and AOW; Annie Bersagel



NSIC women's weekly summary and AOW are HERE. Men HERE.
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Rankings: NCAA DII & DIII

NCAA DII Indoor rankings HERE. MSU Mankato men stay in Fifth

NCAA DIII rankings are HERE.
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Monday, February 23, 2015

Science: Faster, Older, Younger; Sleep Science

The Mayo Clinic's Dr. Michael Joyner on human limits HERE.

Sleep research HERE.
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Weather Humor

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Rankings: NCAA DI; College Leaderboard; Top Times for Last Week

NCAA DI rankings are HERE.

TFRRS college leaderboard by event is HERE.

Top times by event for last week HERE.
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Sunday, February 22, 2015

News: Ellenson; US Marathon Trials Qualifying; Muscle/Fat; Will Leer

Story on Wally Ellenson, former Gopher basketball player and high jumper, HERE.

Primer on qualifying for the US marathon trials HERE.

Dieticians recommendations for gaining muscle while losing fat HERE

RunBlogRun pre-Millrose audio interview with Will Leer is HERE.
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US Wins Pan Am Cup XC, Jonathan Grey Finishes 4th; Ness 21st




Results and photos from the event are on the organizers Facebook page HERE Scroll down through the list of results for each race. Team USA Minnesota's Jonathan Grey was fourth in the men's senior race HERE.  Bailey Ness was 21st in the women's junior race HERE.
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Saturday, February 21, 2015

Updated Results: Parents Day Open; Tostrud Open; CSB-SJU Invitational; Big Dawg Invitational

Parents Day Open results are HERE
Gopher women's summary is HERE.
UMD women's summary is HERE.
St. Olaf women's summary is HERE.
St. Kate's summary is HERE.
MSU Mankato women's summary is HERE.
Macalester women's summary is HERE.
Bethel women's summary is HERE.
Carleton women's summary are HERE.
St. Thomas women's summary is HERE.

Tostrud Open results are HERE.
St. Olaf men's summary is HERE.
Carleton men's summary is HERE.
Bethel men's summary is HERE.
St Thomas summary is HERE.

CSB-SJU Invitational results are HERE.
St. John's summary is HERE.
St. Ben's summary is HERE.
Hamline men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
Gustavus men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE

Pointers Big Dawg Invitational results are HERE.
St. Mary's summary is HERE.
Carleton men's summary is HERE.
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Ben Blankenship Fourth in Birmingham

Ben Blankenship finished tied for fourth in the 1500 at the Birmingham GP Indoor meet in 3:35.28. Result is HERE.



Oh yeah, a guy named Mo Farah broke the 2-mile indoor WR, but who's counting....
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Friday, February 20, 2015

News: More is Better; USATF and the SISU Club Marketing Video; Garrett Heath

Research that appears to show that more can be better when it comes to running HERE.

The tale of the SISU video.  USATF applies rules to club marketing video HERE.

Two Minnesotans on US teams for APA Pan American Cup races on Sunday.  Jon Gray is running for the senior men's team and Bailey Ness for the junior women.  Preview is HERE.

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Updated Results: Snowshoe Open; Lihrman; BSU Twilight; USD Twilight; NSU/SMSU Dual

Snowshoe Open results are HERE.
Gopher men's summary HERE
UMD men's summary HERE.
Augsburg men's summary is HERE.
Macalester men's summary is HERE.
St. Olaf men's summary is HERE.
Hamline men's summary is HERE.
MSU Mankato men's summary is HERE.
Concordia St. Paul men's summary is HERE
Bethel men's summary is HERE.
St. Thomas men's summary is HERE.
Red & White Open results are HERE.
Winona State summary is HERE.
Bemidji State Twilight results are HERE.
Bemidji State summary is HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.
U-Mary men's summary is HERE. Women HERE.

University of South Dakota Twilight results are HERE.
MSU Mankato women's summary is HERE.

NSU SMSU Dual results are HERE.
SMSU summary HERE.

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Thursday, February 19, 2015

Preview: Snoewshoe Open & Parents Day Invitational; Bemidji State Twilight; Red & White Open; Tostrud Open; Big Dawg Open

Gopher men's track preview for Friday's  Snowshoe Open HERE.  Links to schedule, heat sheets, and live results.

Gopher women's preview for the Parents Day Invitational on Saturday HERE. Links to schedule, heat sheets, and live results.

Preview of the Bemidji State Twilight and Alumni meet HERE. Link to meet schedule/ program andLive results HERE.

Red & White Open preview is HERE. with links to the schedule, heat sheets, and live results.

Tentative meet schedule for the Tostrud Open is HERE.

UW Stevens Point Big Dawg Invitational schedule is HERE.
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Research: Protein; Athletes and Soldiers; Carbs

For decades carbohydrate loading has been the mantra of endurance sports nutritionists.  Now the proteins are getting some attention HERE.

Comparing the physical and psychological adaptations needed to be an athlete or a special forces soldiers HERE.

In case you want more info on carbs, try this HERE. Talks about how the body metabolizes carbs and why heavier runners don't need more than lighter ones.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Hassan Mead Heading Down Under

The purpose of the trip, said Mead in a short conversation in the airport while he was changing planes en route to New Zealand, is to get a qualifying mark in the 5K for this year's IAAF World Championships.  As already noted HERE Mead will be one of a number of top international runners in the Auckland Challenge meet on February 26.  Many with the same goal of running faster than the IAAF standard of 13:23.

Mead said that he was fit and thus the decision to make the journey South.  If the weather cooperates  placing well in the event in Auckland should require a time well under 13:23.  Mead will stay in New Zealand and train until March 12, he said, then travel to Sydney, Australia to run a 1500. Then it's back to Flagstaff in the US for some more altitude training to prepare for the outdoor season.
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MIAC AOW

MIAC men's Athletes of the Week HERE, women HERE
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Ben Blankenship/AIT Grand Prix

Ben Blankenship winning in Ireland.
Photo courtesy of AIT GP
Ben Blankenship won the mile in AIT Indoor Grand Prix Meet in Ireland in 3:56.75, but Irish TV cut out in the middle of the race causing a stream of criticism on social media.








Results on Flotrack HERE
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Grandma's Marathon Race Director Jon Carlson to Retire

Jon Carlson, only the second race director in the event's history, will step down September 30, 2015. Press release is below:

.
Grandma’s Marathon-Duluth, Inc. has announced the retirement of Jon Carlson as the executive director effective September 30, 2015.

“My 12 years here with Grandma’s Marathon have been more enjoyable and rewarding than I could have ever imagined. Obviously, this year’s Grandma’s Marathon will now mean a bit more than the others,” Carlson said. “In the meantime, we have a lot of work left to do to ensure a great event for the participants coming to our race in June, and I am eager to continue our focus toward that goal.”

Carlson, 61, was the nonprofit organization’s race director from July 2003 until September 2013, when he was chosen to succeed Scott Keenan, who stepped down after 37 years with the organization. Keenan started Grandma’s Marathon with the North Shore Striders Running Club in 1977 and in May 2013 announced Grandma’s Marathon that year would be his last as executive director.

“The bottom line is simply my desire to spend more time with my family,” Carlson said. “My wife and kids deserve more of me, and I am just thankful and excited to be at the point in my career and my life to have this opportunity to do so.”

Prior to joining Grandma’s Marathon as race director in 2003, Carlson had worked in the Minnesota Power employee benefits department since 1980. He served on the Grandma’s Marathon board from October 2002 until being hired as a full-time staff member.

“Jon’s dedication and efforts as race director and executive director have been major factors in the growth and stability of our races and events. While his guidance and passion will be deeply missed, we appreciate having him here in the coming months to assist with the transition,” said John Hartwick, chairperson of the 17-member board that governs Grandma’s Marathon. “Our board and staff could not be happier for Jon and his family, and we all wish them well in this next chapter.”

The successor for the organization’s top position will be selected through a nationwide search that is expected to result in a new director being on board by the end of May. Carlson will guide the organization during the upcoming Grandma’s Marathon weekend in June and will have time both before and after the 2015 race weekend to work with the new director in order to ease the transition process.

Grandma’s Marathon weekend features milestone events in the next two years. This year marks the 25th running of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon – for which lottery registration closes on Friday. Then, in 2016, Grandma’s Marathon celebrates its 40th anniversary.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

NCAA DI Indoor Dual Meet Rankings

Final NCAA DI indoor dual meet rankings for men's teams are HERE. women's HERE. Gopher women finish 7th, men 12th.
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News: USATF Indoor Champs Viewing Party; FloTrack Kick of the Week; NSIC Weekly Summaries and AOW: NCAA DI Separates Men & Women for Outdoor Championships; Emily Gordon; Blayne Dulian

USATF Indoor Championships viewing party details HERE.

NSIC summaries and AOW for men HERE, women HERE.

NCAA approves schdeule change for NCAA DI Outdoor track championships.  Men and women will compete on separate days HERE.

Team USA Minnesota Emily Gordon's blog and biochemistry lesson HERE.

Gopher SID profile of Blayne Dulian HERE.
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Monday, February 16, 2015

Results: NSIC Heptathlon

Concordia St. Paul's Colin Goligoski wins the NSIC Heptathlon title, followed by MSU Mankato's Nathan Hancock in second and Ben Ojika, third.
Concordia's Colin Goligoski in the pole vault on his way to the
NSIC Heptathlon title.
Results are HERE.
Concordia St. Paul summary is HERE.
MSU Mankato summary is HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.
UMD summary is HERE.


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News: Gender Equity: News Team USA Minnesota Member; USTFCCCA AOW

More on the UMD women's hockey program and head coach Shannon Miller's battle against what she believes is discrimination and the administration says is a budget issue HERE.





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Research: The Last Taboo

Labelled the Last Taboo in sports, the menstrual cycle is known to have effects on female athletes but science has not yet figured out what the effects may be and/or what causes them HERE.
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Rankings: NCAA D1, DII, DIII; College Top Performers by Event; Ten Best List; Myles Hunter NCAA Record Video

NCAA DI Indoor rankings HERE. DII rankings are HERE. DIII are HERE.

College leaderboard HERE. .Top athlete listed in each, click on event to get full list

The ten best list.  Top ten times from the weekend HERE.

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Updated Results: USATF MN All Ages Indoors #5: NSIC Multi Event Championships

USATF MN All Ages indoor meet #5 results are HERE.


NSIC Day 1 heptathlon results are HERE.
Mankato State men's summary is HERE.

NSIC pentathlon results are HERE
Augustana summary is HERE.
UMD summary is HERE.
U-Mary summary is HERE.
St. Cloud State summary is HERE.
Southwest Minnesota State summary is HERE.
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Saturday, February 14, 2015

Hassan Mead Heads to Auckland for a 5K

Hassan Mead will get a jump on the outdoor season as he'll be competing in the February 26 Auckland Challenge 5K. More details HERE.
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Updated Saturday Results: SDSU Indoor Inv; Yellowjacket Open; Millrose Games; Husky Classic; Meet of Hearts: SJU and CSM Triangular; Darren Young Classic; UW River Falls Inv; St. Thomas Showcase

SDSU Open results are HERE
MSU Mankato men's summary HERE. Women's HERE.
UMD womens' summary is HERE.
Concordia St. Paul summary is HERE
U Mary women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE.
St. Cloud State summary is HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.

Yellowjacket Open results are HERE.
UMD men's summary is HERE.
Bemidji State summary is HERE.
St. Scholastica women's summary HERE (Also includes summary for team member who competed in the  SDSU Open)
University of Northwestern(St. Paul) men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
St. Mary's summary is HERE(includes results from St. Thomas Showcase)

Millrose Games results(by event) are HERE.

Iowa State Classic results are HERE.
Iowa State summary of meet highlights HERE.
Gopher women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE
Michigan men's summary HERE.

 Husky Classic results on FloTrack HERE.
Christy Cazzola 8th in 800 heat, 13th overall

 Meet of Hearts results are HERE.(includes women's pentathlon)
Hamline men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE..
Gustavus women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE.
St. Olaf women's summary is HERE.
Carleton men's summary is HERE. Women HERE.

SJU Triangular men's results are HERE.
Macalester summary is HERE.
Concordia Moorhead summary is HERE.

 CSB Women's triangular women's results are  HERE.
Macalester summary is HERE.
St. Kate's summary is HERE.
Concordia Moorehad  summary is HERE.

 Darren Young Classic results are HERE.
Bethel women's summary is HERE. Men HERE. 

 UW River Falls Invitational results are HERE.
U of MN Morris  summary is HERE.

 St. Thomas Showcase results are HERE.
Carleton men's  summary HERE.
St. Thomas  men's summary is HERE. Women HERE.
St. Olaf men's summary is HERE.
Augsburg  women's summary is HERE. men's summary is HERE.
Winona State  women's summary is HERE.
Macalester men's summary is HERE.
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News: Lack of Ethics; Swearing; The Biz of Charity Racing

Research on swearing and pain relief HERE.

A peak at the business side of the charity race business HERE.

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Friday, February 13, 2015

Updated Results:SDSU Invitational; Iowa State Classic; Husky Classic; Darren Young Classic; Meet of the Hearts

Day 1 results from SDSU Indoor Invitational HERE.
MSU Mankato Day 1 men's summary HERE. Women HERE.
Southwest Minnesota State Day 1 summary is HERE.

Day 1 results from Iowa State Classic HERE.
Iowa State Day 1 summary HERE.
Gopher women's Day 1 summary is HERE.

Husky Classic Day 1 results from FloTrack(by event) HERE.

More Day 1 summaries will be here when available

Live results for Saturday's  Darren Young Classic will be  HERE.

CSB Quadrangular schedule/heat sheets are HERE.

Meet of the Hearts schedule/heat sheets HERE.
Carleton Day 1 pentathlon summary HERE.
Friday's pentathlon results are HERE(at the end of the women's results in the compilation of the full results
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Results: SDSU Inv; Husky Classic; Iowa State Classic

Live results for the SDSU Indoor Invitational HERE.

Live results for Husky Classic HERE.

Iowa State Classic HERE.

USTFCCCA previews of Millrose, Iowa State, Newe Mexico, and Spire HERE.



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Thursday, February 12, 2015

News: Jon Grey/Pan Am XC; M&W Wanamaker Miles; SDSU Indoor Inv; St. Thomas Showcase; Iowa State Classic; Husky Classic; Hersh/Hightower; MSHSL XC Ski Champs




SDSU Indoor Invitational Schedule HERE.



Preview of men's and women's Wanamaker Miles HERE.

St. Thomas Showcase preview HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Gopher women preview for Iowa State Classic HERE and HERE.

Husky Classic Preview HERE.

More on the Hersh/Hightower IAAF Council seat controversy: Bob Hersh's response to the USATF Board memo is  HERE.






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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

News: MIAC AOW; Training Adjustments for Older Athletes:One Tradition Ends, Another Begins; Nick & Will; TC-1 MIle Predicition

MIAC Athletes of the Week men HERE, women HERE.

As you age some training adjustments are needed HERE.

Lots of runners set  new course records HERE.

FloTrack Workout Wednesday with Will Leer and Nick Willis HERE.

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Rankings: NCAA All Academic Awards for DI, II, and III

NCAA All Academic Awards for DI HERE, DII HERE, and DIII HERE.



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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

News: USATF Hersh/Hightower; Performance Flexibility: Steinfeld Award: Applying Science to Training; UMAC AOW

More on the continuing debate over who is the best candidate for USATF for the IAAF Council HERE.

Performance Flexibility: Joint, Spine, And Nerve Mobility For Runners HERE



Podcast on applying scientific information to your training HERE.

UMAC AOW HERE.
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Results: NSIC summary, AOW, Indoor Performance List

NSIC summary and Athletes of the Week HERE.
NSIC Indoor performance list is HERE.
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Rankings: NCAA DII(MsU Mankato #3); NCAA DIII; National and Regional

NCAA DII rankings HERE. MSU Mankato at #3 this week. Regional rankings are HERE.

NCAA DIII(WI teams still dominate the top 5) HERE. Regional rankings are HERE.
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Monday, February 09, 2015

New Course for May 14 Medtronic TC 1 Mile Announced

The Medtronic TC 1 Mile will have a new course for the May 14, 2015 event.  Instead of its former location down the Nicollett Mall, the event will race down Hennepin Avenue, starting near the Parade Athletic Fields adjacent the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, past the Basilica of St. Mary, and finish in the heart of the Hennepin Avenue Theater District near the 6th Street intersection.

 "The course elevation map, at least on paper, reminds me of New York’s Fifth Avenue Mile, and that’s super-fast,” said Heather Kampf, the 2012 Medtronic TC 1 Mile champion who competes for Team USA Minnesota. “I'm happy to see the course doesn’t turn and that spectators will be able to see runners coming from a long way. It’s always better to put the climb in early, and I think given the quality of fields anticipated for the TC 1 Mile, the race will be fast if we want it to be fast. Pro athletes will be excited that the record bonus is still out there."
Course map

Course elevation
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Interview with Medtronic TC 1-Mile Race Director Jeff Decker on the Evolution of the New Course

Medtronic TC 1 Mile race director Jeff Decker answers questions about the new course for the May 15 race.

Down the Backstretch: Can you give us a chronology of how the course change developed?

Jeff Decker: The course change was prompted by the planned Nicollet Mall Renovation Project and the addition of the Metro Transit Green Line to the tracks that crossed our Nicollet Mall course. With trains now running every 3-5 minutes, there was no longer time for race waves to clear between trains.  Since the renovation was on the horizon, we looked for a new permanent course away from Nicollet Mall.

Just to give you an idea of the logistics of the Nicollet Mall course, the typical train schedule, when only the Blue Line ran on the tracks, allowed for about 10-15 minute breaks in between trains. We scheduled our seven race waves between those trains, pairing a member of our race planning committee with a Metro Transit official at the crossing who were in communication with the start line which was 275 meters from the tracks. A train would pass, we’d send a wave. Shortly after the last runners would pass over the tracks, another train would pass. We were able to keep our runners safe and not disrupt train service with only the Blue Line in operation.

Knowing we needed to move away from Nicollet Mall, our race planning committee pulled together a few different concepts and we reviewed our options with our city partners last December.  It was in that meeting where we moved forward with a Hennepin Avenue course.

 DtB: What was the process of deciding on the new course?. 


JD: We had a few different goals in designing a new course.  This event has historically hosted numerous USA 1 Mile Road Championships.  We wanted to keep the course as similar as possible to the Nicollet Mall course, meaning no major turns and relatively flat.  Also, this event has a large Corporate Team Challenge component to it – some 1500 runners.  It was important to us to try to keep it in close proximity to the old course so we could maintain that engagement. 

Nicollet Mall was such an iconic section of Minneapolis. We wanted to maintain that iconic feeling with our new course.  We felt that starting near the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, running past the Basilica, and running through the Minneapolis Theater District allowed us to keep the iconic feeling of the old course.  Of course, there are many other factors that went into it – finding a course that offered some start line staging and also some space for our post finish area, avoiding the light rail, and other considerations.

DtB: Is this just a one year deal or is it more long term.

JD: We consider this to be a long-term solution.

DtB:  Any consultation with athletes. 

JD: Yes. Our pro athlete recruiting team was involved in the course planning. They reached out for athlete feedback on the course relative to what it would mean to the event record bonus. We were confident we had designed a great course and the feedback we received has been positive.

DtB: I see you don't call it a Course record bonus.  It is an event record bonus as without that distinction the winning times for this year's event would automatically earn whatever bonus was offered.

JD: We will continue to offer the $10,000 record bonuses that have been in force since 2009.  The bonus will be contingent on runner breaking the existing event records of 3:56.1 for men and 4:30.8 for women. The bonus is one of the most lucrative bonuses among road miles and something that’s appreciated by our pro athletes.

DtB: What is the impact on the downtown?  You're going down one of the more well travelled streets in downtown Minneapolis

JD: We take community impact very seriously. One of the main reasons we landed on this course was that this stretch of Hennepin Avenue has been used successfully by other running events and city officials had confidence in the ability of traffic to move through downtown with limited impact.  Between race waves, traffic will be allowed to cross Hennepin, just as it did on Nicollet Mall.  In the lead up to the race, we’ll be in communication with businesses along the route, letting them know what we have planned. For every one of our events, we contact businesses and residents likely to be affected so that they can plan for any disruptions in their routines.


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