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.

US Wins Pan Am Cup XC, Jonathan Grey Finishes 4th; Ness 21st

Congrats to @usatf senior men on their #PanAmXC2015 team gold! pic.twitter.com/U47LlLEEw1

— Michael Scott (@urimiscott) February 23, 2015

Senior men's race at #PanAmXC2015 via @alcaldiabquilla pic.twitter.com/Zup7H8XwX8
— USATF (@usatf) February 22, 2015

#TeamUSA wins gold at #PanAmXC2015: http://t.co/mCKWMzhmpL pic.twitter.com/03U7tfcaTI
— USATF (@usatf) February 22, 2015

USA Track & Field: Team USA wins gold at APA Pan American Cross Country Cup http://t.co/EsW105ChKX
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) February 22, 2015

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.

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.

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.

Bunch finish in the men's 1500m more typical of cycling! Vincent Kibet of Kenya gets it from Bethwell Birgen, both 3.34.91 #IndoorGP
— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) February 21, 2015

New PR of 3:35.28 but hard to be satisfied without the win. Hungry for more. #IndoorGP #nikerunning

— Benjamin Blankenship (@benfblankenship) February 21, 2015

Strong indoor season so far for @benfblankenship: 1500m 3:35.28 PB/USA leader Mile 3:53.13 PB 3000m 7:45.44+ PB 2M 8:16.53 PB @OregonTCElite
— David Monti (@d9monti) February 21, 2015

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

AaronK's Track and Field Record Book: Two WR's (and TONS more)! http://t.co/HSmrVYGZYP This post has it ALL--WR/CR's.& TONS of GREAT marks!
— aaron krohn (@aaronkrohn1) February 22, 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.

Master of the elements & in the mix no matter the race, #superstar @_garrettheath is on AB! http://t.co/Y2k0gvCDTX pic.twitter.com/gtjcpwowjB

— AthleteBiz (@athletebizusa) February 19, 2015

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.

First track personal best in 3 years! 8:06 for 3k. Big Thanks @Jonpeterson89 for the pacing.
— Ben Sathre (@BenSathre) February 21, 2015

Also excited to announce I'm back being coached by the Pete the Great from St. Thomas. pic.twitter.com/uBnV8vcZWG
— Ben Sathre (@BenSathre) February 21, 2015

Red & White Open results are HERE.
Winona State summary is HERE.

Full video of Michael Lihrman besting his own NCAA D1 weight throw, plus reaction from the #Badgers senior. http://t.co/2YyWctzKuy
— Badger Track & Field (@Badger_Track) February 21, 2015

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.

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.

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.

Hassan Mead Heading Down Under

Excited to head far south @AthleticsNZ to join strong 5k field @TrackChallenge and start 2015 well. @OregonTCElite @Nike @runninelvis..
— Hassan mead (@HassyHass35) February 19, 2015

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.

MIAC AOW

MIAC men's Athletes of the Week HERE, women HERE

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.

New Irish record in the @DeloitteIreland Mile - 3:56.75 win by @benfblankenship #aitgrandprix
— Athlone IT (@AthloneIT) February 18, 2015

Well #AITgrandprix and @irishtv massively disappointed tonight. No results and cutting off from the mile race halfway through, rubbish!
— Thomas Cassidy (@thisistc) February 18, 2015

Kids relay race got more tv coverage than the elite men's mile #Athloneproblems #AITgrandprix
— Ronan Kearns (@DannyKearns) February 18, 2015

18/2/15 .. The night Irish athletics went crazy over blocks and a cooking show 😂 #AITgrandprix
— Deirbhile (@DeirbhileRyan97) February 18, 2015

Stamped my name next to the first sub-4 indoor mile on Irish soil. Crowd was unreal!!! 3'56 never felt so good. @AthloneIT #AITgrandprix
— Benjamin Blankenship (@benfblankenship) February 19, 2015

Results on Flotrack HERE

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 25^th running of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon – for which lottery registration closes on Friday. Then, in 2016, Grandma’s Marathon celebrates its 40^th anniversary.

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.

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.

Erin Teschuk is the @Flotrack Kick of the Week! http://t.co/7m0UMCHfmt pic.twitter.com/D9RPVnw0xV
— NDSU Track & Field (@NDSUTrackField) February 17, 2015

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.

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.

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.

We're excited to welcome our newest member to the team, @jDedering! He ran 63:31 in the US 1/2 Marathon Champs. Look for some great things!

— Team USA Minnesota (@TeamUSAMN) February 17, 2015

Hey @TeamUSAMN, cheers to a fun and successful 2015! I'm excited to join the team next month!!!

— Josh Dedering (@jDedering) February 16, 2015

Tough choices for @NCAA/@njcaa T&F National Athletes of the Week. So many are deserving! http://t.co/BzigoCMYRq pic.twitter.com/ZaQAK5YP8D

— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) February 17, 2015

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.

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.

Myles Hunter's D2 Record Breaking Run!! 60m Hurdle Monster! @USTFCCCA https://t.co/7EQTGP0Nxf
— MavTrack™ (MN State) (@MavTrack) February 16, 2015

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

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

Unofficially 24 NEW All-Time Minnesota Indoor Records & 1 World Junior Record set today at Bethel: Full results... http://t.co/ZqpY6bNXOE
— Josh Gerber (@wayzataresults) February 15, 2015

Apparent AG record set in 2 mile Sunday during the USATFMN indoor meet at Bethel by 12 yo Grace Ping. pic.twitter.com/iHr6pDUBeZ
— Brian Maas (@TriGeekAddict) February 15, 2015

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.

ID NSIC Multi - Point Scorers @natgotsomechalk @PYalartai #Laure @NikNak624 @SamKettenhofen #HuskyNation pic.twitter.com/63FFPZiRH0
— Eric Hanenberger (@SCSUHUSKIES_XTF) February 16, 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.

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.

News: Lack of Ethics; Swearing; The Biz of Charity Racing

Yeah, that's a great message. Cheat, and you still get rewarded. http://t.co/EKxJLrfOnB
— Brian Maas (@TriGeekAddict) February 14, 2015

Research on swearing and pain relief HERE.

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

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

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.

NEW SCHOOL RECORD HOLDER IN THE 1000M! @UMDTFCC Emi Trost just won the women's 1000M in a 2:50 here at SDSU pic.twitter.com/DcEoxzUYLF
— UMD Athletics (@UMDBulldogs) February 14, 2015

UNREAL performance by Maddie Van Beek, who broke her own 5,000m school record by 33 seconds. 16:14.07 Top 20 in NCAA! pic.twitter.com/RwHlVnWwzd
— NDSU Track & Field (@NDSUTrackField) February 14, 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

My birthday present came early! All set to go to Columbia next week for #TeamUSA trip number 2 this… http://t.co/fr2TnSNAH5
— Jonathan Grey (@jsgreyrunner) February 12, 2015

Holy smokes! Have you seen the field for the Women's Wanamaker Mile!? @HeatherRaeKampf takes on the best in the US! pic.twitter.com/GofbvuwQmh
— Team USA Minnesota (@TeamUSAMN) February 12, 2015

SDSU Indoor Invitational Schedule HERE.

.@HeatherRaeKampf speaks with media before the #NYRRMillroseGames @nyrr #WanamakerMile pic.twitter.com/pwQEbkaq45
— NYRR Media Relations (@nyrrnews) February 13, 2015

Nice interview with the articulate @HeatherRaeKampf of @TeamUSAMN before tomorrow's @nyrr Women's Wanamaker Mile https://t.co/oIXqkKjYoP
— Dennis Barker (@dbinsaintpaul) February 13, 2015

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.

#mshsl boys Nordic ski state champions... Team/ Forest Lake Individual/ Leo Hipp, Forest Lake Full results here: http://t.co/FymKqbmT4S
— John Millea (@MSHSLjohn) February 13, 2015

#mshsl girls Nordic ski state champions... Team/ Wayzata Individual/ Sarah Bezdicek, Osseo Full Results here: http://t.co/CSA649jBg7
— John Millea (@MSHSLjohn) February 13, 2015

Girls' Nordic Ski wins third consecutive State Championship. http://t.co/sWP3VZs47r pic.twitter.com/NiApRXXEoo
— Wayzata Trojans (@WayzataTrojans) February 13, 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.

Prediction: the 2015 TC 1mi will be 5-8 seconds slower & Willis' CR will not be broken http://t.co/e8lVQZgqyf @DowntheBackstre @tcmarathon

— John Davis (@JDruns) February 12, 2015

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

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

Congrats #NCAAD3 Scholar Athletes of the Year: Wintheiser @StOlafSports, Regan @StevensDucks! http://t.co/Hhq2RNbouk pic.twitter.com/GSBlyZ5L6F
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) February 11, 2015

Trio of U-M Men, Team Garner USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors in Cross Country » http://t.co/ake7RFwebw pic.twitter.com/UFL7rw7v3s
— Michigan Track&Field (@umichtrack) February 11, 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

ICYMI: Last night we were the recipients of the Alan Steinfeld Development Award by @RunningUSA! #RunningUSA2015 pic.twitter.com/FBQ1CLJKyM
— Team USA Minnesota (@TeamUSAMN) February 10, 2015

Podcast on applying scientific information to your training HERE.

UMAC AOW HERE.

Results: NSIC summary, AOW, Indoor Performance List

NSIC summary and Athletes of the Week HERE.
NSIC Indoor performance list is HERE.

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.

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

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.

Rankings: NCAA DI

NCAA DI Rankings are HERE

News: Team USA Minnesota/Alan Steinfeld Award; Erin Teschuk; Finisher's Medal; USATF MN 2014 Award Winner Photos; Ultrarunning and pot

Congratulations @TeamUSAMN for being awarded the Allan Steinfeld Award! @tcmarathon is so proud of you!! pic.twitter.com/TVMLIlumMk
— Virginia Achman (@TCMVirginia) February 10, 2015

#Bison women's track standout has the eighth-fastest mile time in the world http://t.co/r4Vq404oxR @NDSUathletics pic.twitter.com/xG7Urg1Wig
— inforum (@inforum) February 10, 2015

WSJ on the allure of a finisher's medal HERE.

USATF Minnesota 2014 Runners of the Year photos are HERE.

WSJ on ultrarunning and pot, a not so unlikely combination? HERE

News: USATF Memo on the IAAF Nomination; USATF, USATF XC Champs Race Video Replays; Abda; Indoor Mile Stats; Sponsor Battle; Treadmill Running

USATF Memo on the deliberations of the USATF Board regarding the recommendation of a candidate for the IAAF Council is HERE.

RW article USATF is HERE.

USATF Webcast replays of XC Championship races are HERE

My @oregontcelite teammate, roommate and good friend @ha_runabda toed the line with me this weekend in… http://t.co/AaW9UH9Mv0
— Patrick Casey (@patkc13) February 8, 2015

Post-@NBIndoorGP, Willis #10 all-time male indoor Mile; Blankenship #8 U.S. male indoors. http://t.co/DgGQwde1Wd pic.twitter.com/4c4r8dLMyf

— Bring Back the Mile (@themile) February 9, 2015

The battle for sponsor dollars between athletes and organizations. Federations want to protect their sponsor deals.  Athletes want to have the ability to market themselves through all avenues, including logos on their uniforms.

@JillGeer with @usatf being the best track team in the world, let's leverage that to change @iaaf uniform rls so athletes can monetize kit.
— Lauren Fleshman (@laurenfleshman) February 6, 2015

NYT on why treadmill running can feel harder to some HERE.

Updated: Two-Day Meet Results: Meyo; Sevigne; Thundering Herd Classic

Meyo Invitational complete results are HERE.
Gopher women's summary is HERE.
Mason Ferlic 8th in mile in 4:03.24.
Christy Cazzola 6th in women's mile in 4:43.64

Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational results are HERE.
Gopher women's summary is HERE.

Thundering Herd Classic results are HERE.
NDSU men's summary is HERE. Women's Day 2 summary is HERE.
MSU Moorhead summary is HERE.
U-Mary women's summary is HERE. Men's HERE.
Concordia Moorhead men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.

Updated Results: Ted Nelson Classic; Gene Glader Classic; Dennis Young Classic; Wartburg Select; Michael Smith; Ben Blankenship; Harun Abda

Ted Nelson Classic results are HERE.
Mankato State men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
Winona State summary is HERE.
St. Cloud State summary HERE
Gustavus summary is HERE

Gene Glader Classic results are HERE.
St. John's summary is HERE.
Bethel woman's summary is HERE.  Men HERE
St. Mary's Summary is HERE.
St. Kate's summary is HERE.
Macalester men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
Hamline men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
Augsburg men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
St. Olaf  Not Posted

Dennis Young Classic results are HERE.
Southwest Minnesota State summary Not  Posted

Wartburg Select results for men HERE. Women HERE.
St. Thomas summary is HERE
Carleton men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.

Lake Superior Challenge results are  HERE.
St. Scholastica men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE.
UMD men's summary is HERE. Women's HERE
Concordia St. Paul summary is HERE.
Bemidji State summary is HERE.
St. Ben's summary is HERE.

Running with the Big Boys, @WayzataTrack alum Michael Smith runs 48.31 at Penn. Courtesy @popp_mark School of Sprint. pic.twitter.com/GuEaP1a3bh
— Brian Maas (@TriGeekAddict) February 7, 2015

This slow train is getting a little faster. 8 laps felt damn good tonight. 2nd to @nickwillis & ready for more pain! pic.twitter.com/wFTr2yXmFt
— Benjamin Blankenship (@benfblankenship) February 8, 2015

“@_Dr_Juice: S/O to @Ha_RunAbda. Proud of you son #TrackNation #NewBalance” thanks big bro!
— Harun Abda (@Ha_RunAbda) February 8, 2015

New Balance Indoor GP Meet results by event are HERE. Highlights: Ben Blankenship second in the mile in 3:53.13.  Hassan Mead third in the 3k in 7:48:72. Harun Abda in the 1000 meters in 2:20:33.
Ben Blankenship FloTrack interview HERE.

Summaries will follow as available

Updated USATF XC Champs Top 25 Results M&W

Full results for all the races from Masters to Juniors are HERE
Highlights: Keegan Hurley 18th  in 27:19 and Sean Heaton 45th in 31:05 in the men's Junior race.
Shaelyn Sorensen finished 6th in 22:21to earn a spot on the US Junior team.  Bailey Ness was 10th in 23:04.  Patricia O'Brien was 18th in 23:59.  Emily Castanias was 19th in 24:02.

In the Open women's 8K Meghan Peyton was 14th in 29:20.  Ladia Albertson-Junkans was 24th in 30:24.

In the Open men's 12K Jon Grey was 10th in 37:33. Eric Finan 24th in 38:52. Garrett Heath 26th in 38:55.  Jon Peterson 30th in 39:09. Former Team USA Minnesota runner Patrick Smyth was 5th in 37:01 to earn a spot on the US team. .

10th place overall!!! It was a tough field and great race! @BoulderUSAXC @TeamUSAMN @PUMARunning #ForeverFaster
— Jonathan Grey (@jsgreyrunner) February 7, 2015

Happy with my 14th place finish today at #USAXC. Going to USATF team processing. @SauconyRacing
— Meghan A. Peyton (@nutMEGrunner) February 7, 2015

If you were eatching the USATF.TV coverage of the men's junior race you know that Obsa Ali was in fourth and on his way to making the US team.  Then on the finish line video he was nowhere in sight.  Obsa's tweet below confirms he's OK.

200 meters away from making the USA worlds team. Glad I'm still alive though.
— Obsa Ali (@obsali17) February 7, 2015

I'm out of the hospital and nothing really dangerous was found in my heart. Extra thanks to @kevullman for the visit and @usatf for support

— Joe Moore (@_swellhead) February 8, 2015

News: Training Advice for College Freshmen; Supplement dangers; TC Kids

Hassan Mead and other runners give advice to high school athletes who are making the transition to college athletics HERE.

Potential danger of dietary supplements HERE.

Thank you @ginavalgoi @HeatherRaeKampf & Danny Docherty for leading warm ups today. #TCKids. pic.twitter.com/YzToxxospy

— Virginia Achman (@TCMVirginia) February 7, 2015

Results: Thundering Herd Classic; Meyo Invitational; Frank Sevigne Invitational; Women's Collegiate Vault Recordholder's Showdown; USXC

Live results by event from the Meyo Invitational HERE.
Men's 5K HERE(Edina grads Will Burke runs 14:50.11, Matt Lumbar 14:53). Women's 5K results are HERE. (Gophers Jamie Piepenburg 17:11.93)
Women's DMR results HERE. (Gopher women  11:43.49)
Women's 600 results HERE (Gopher's Lauren Domski 1:33:73)
Gopher women's summary is HERE.

Live results from the Frank Sevigne Invitational are HERE.
Gopher women's summary is HERE

Live results for Thundering Herd Classic HERE.
Women's DMR results are HERE.
U-Mary women's summary is HERE.
NDSU women's summary is HERE.

BOOM @UMaryTFXC pic.twitter.com/NwtU7Lc2ps
— B (@brieee_cheese) February 7, 2015

We've been waiting all #YearOfTheVault for this. It's #PayneVsMorris at @Lobo_track on Saturday. Who ya got? pic.twitter.com/E4uJpLSh0A
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) February 6, 2015

Excited to have great role models @HeatherRaeKampf @ginavalgoi & Danny Docherty join us at #TCKids tomorrow at the Univ of MN Fieldhouse!
— Virginia Achman (@TCMVirginia) February 6, 2015

Welcome To Boulder Cross country runners! Can't wait to spectate the #USATFXC Championships tomorrow! Schedules here: http://t.co/Yeg21MR8X7
— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) February 6, 2015

@nutMEGrunner, @Jonpeterson89, @jsgreyrunner, and @EricFinan race tomorrow at @BoulderUSAXC! Details: http://t.co/eafAAHU0Xg
— Team USA Minnesota (@TeamUSAMN) February 6, 2015

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's going to be quite as muddy or snowy (or short of a race) as… http://t.co/zdLA5UScDR
— Garrett Heath (@_garrettheath) February 7, 2015

Pre race dinner with some amazing athletes! #USAXC @HudsonElite @TeamUSAMN @elliptigo @BoulderUSAXC pic.twitter.com/9gHHhK2Tfo
— Jeff Caron (@JeffCaronRun) February 7, 2015

News: Keys to Success; Multi Sports; Gender Equity; Herauf

A TedX talk from Professor Tim Noakes on the importance of coaching, teamwork, and belief in oneself as key elements of success in sports and life HERE.

Sports skills are not confined to one sport.

Track plays a key role in other sports! http://t.co/iMyDrMcvLF
— UMD T&F/CC (@UMDTFCC) February 6, 2015

Wayzata's First Family of Nordic Ski is having a gosh darn great week! http://t.co/N9OtsbGpCs
— Brian Maas (@TriGeekAddict) February 6, 2015

Starting with the 2015 cross country season, Minnesota girls will be able to race the 5K: http://t.co/FKy9EGOYiw pic.twitter.com/DE39BLUlgq
— runningtimes (@runningtimes) February 6, 2015

 .  Gopher pentathlete Jess Herauf was named Big Ten Field Athlete of the Week for her school record in the pentathlon last weekend HERE

Jess Herauf  U of M Photo

Rather late on this one

News: Gender Equity; Keeghan Hurley; Fred Kurz; Specialization; US Championships

Cross-country change approved, beginning this year (2015); varsity girls will now run 5,000 meters, same as boys. #mshsl

— John Millea (@MSHSLjohn) February 5, 2015

Just about to board a plane to boulder Colorado for the USA cross country championship for a chance to make the world team! ✈️#iowastate

— keeghanhurley (@keeghan_3_6) February 5, 2015

Fred Kurz 10 Mile trophy newly updated with the 2014 victors! @ultrarussell & @taniaschueller. Registration is open! pic.twitter.com/BaeFTTz93G

— RunMDRA (@RunMDRA) February 5, 2015

ESPN’s QB Survey countered current trends toward HS specialization. 95 pct of those surveyed played multiple sports. http://t.co/AUxlvlAIAM

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) February 5, 2015

Excited to experience @BoulderUSAXC in-person this wknd as @tcmarathon team preps to host 2 #USARC events in 2015. #TC1Mile #TC10Mile

— Greg Haapala (@ghaapala) February 5, 2015

News: KM on XC; MIAC AOW; USATF Commercial

A lead in to the USATF XC Championships: Kenny Moore on cross country HERE.

MIAC Athletes of the Week are HERE.

Team USA Minnesota's Emily Gordon gets her blog back up to date HERE.

Lauren Fleshman on USATF You're Welcome commerical HERE.

News: NSIC Weekly Summary and AOW; Mountain Man Mead; Running Health Research; Best Distance, Blankenship; Bend

NSIC weekly summary and Athletes of the week for men HERE, women HERE.

Just about that time, leaving mountain man behind.. http://t.co/mDjBDxTNY4
— Hassan mead (@HassyHass35) February 3, 2015

Studies that say you are running too much, too fast, etc. Really?  A look behind the headlines HERE and HERE

Determining your best distance HERE.

Looked terrible, and felt even worse - but damn it was a fun opening night http://t.co/iLFTnVYXY2
— Benjamin Blankenship (@benfblankenship) February 4, 2015

Course preview of XC 2k loop #inbend. Sweet vid by @corbinbrands. Name the 2 famous athletes: https://t.co/Kp1s9MW5kx pic.twitter.com/gcdm0Ah9n1
— Lauren Fleshman (@laurenfleshman) February 3, 2015

Rankings: NCAA DII; DIII

MSU Mankato still number one in NCAA DII men's rankings; U Mary 18th and UMC 22nd in women's HERE.

NCAA DIII rankings are HERE. Wisconsin teams continue to inhabit the top 5 in men's and women's rankings.

Rankings: NCAA DI; Top 10; Weekend Recap; T&F News College Dual Meet Rankings-Gopher Women 6th, Men 8th

NCAA DI rankings are HERE.

USTFCCCA Top 10 rankings for each event(all levels-DI, II,  III, NAIA, NJCAA, etc.) HERE.

USTFCCCA weekend collegiate recap HERE.

Jesse Squire's T&F News college dual meet rankings for men HERE, women HERE.

Ben Blankenship during 2-mile at the Armory
on Saturday. Photo Run

Science: Nutrition; Birthdates

Nutritional "triggers" and performance: You are what you eat? HERE.

Some of Global Senior Director of Gatoade Sports Science Institute and visiting professor at Loughborough University(UK) School of Sport, Exercise and Health, Asker Jeukendrup's, papers on sports and nutrition HERE.

Well, @runnersworld thinks @Adam_Goucher and I conceived @ColtGoucher at the right time. 😳 http://t.co/jyQ1bVv0s9 pic.twitter.com/ji7UUt7gkf

— Kara Goucher (@karagoucher) February 2, 2015