Medtronic TC 10-Mile(US Championships) Preview

Medtronic TC 10-Mile(US Championships) Preview HERE

Two Gopher Men's Throwers to Compete in US Juniors Meet

A pair of #Gophers throwers (@d88co88 & @AirJon35) are set for the #USATFjrs meet | https://t.co/s1txa8ousl pic.twitter.com/am8eaQE4aI

— Minnesota M CC/TF (@GopherMCCTF) June 22, 2016

T&F News Women's USATF Champs Form Chart

T&F News Women's USATF Champs Form Chart HERE. Amanda Smock, Liz Podominick, Heather Kampf, Gabe Grunewald, Kara Goucher, Emma Bates, Heather Miller-Koch listed in top ten though for some it won't be the event they compete in at the championships.

Women with World Championship qualifying marks HERE. Podominick, Miller-Koch, Kampf, Grunewald.

NDSU All Americans Competing at USATF Champs

The USATF Outdoor Championships get underway tomorrow, with 3 former Bison All-Americans leading the way. pic.twitter.com/uMcaeDjFwQ

— NDSU Track & Field (@NDSUTrackField) June 24, 2015

Start Times for Men's and Women's 5K at the USATF Championships Changed Due to Weather

Via @jgault13: @usatf has officially changed #USATFoutdoors 5000m start times Sunday to 10:20a (W) & 10:45a (M). #RRW

— David Monti (@d9monti) June 24, 2015

Gopher Women's USATF Championship Preview

One future, three current & four past #Gophers are headed to #USATFOutdoors this week! http://t.co/Miov4NVq6w pic.twitter.com/RQC84aXfZN

— Minnesota W TrackCC (@GopherWCCTF) June 24, 2015

Cannot imagine a better way to start my journey to #USAs and quest to make the 2015 #worldteam. It's… https://t.co/1AdUJGIfxP

— Liz Podominick (@LizPodominator) June 23, 2015

Garrett Heath and Gabe Grunewald are Running Medtronic TC 1 Mile

Winona's Garrett Heath and Gopher Gabe Grunewald, who ran for Perham HS,  have been confirmed as entries for the May 14 Medtronic TC 1 Mile.  The race will be run on a new course along Hennepin Avenue in the Theater District and is hosting the 2015USATF Road Mile Championships.

Grunewald, a member of Team USA Minnesota, started her year with a win and a World Championships qualifying time in the 5K at the Stanford Invitational earlier this month.  She is part of the US team that will be attempting to defend their title at the IAAF World Relays in the Bahama's this weekend.  She could take part in two relays at that competition. Heath is the defending US men's champ in the Road Mile and has shown his talent in a variety of events.

In 2013 and last year Heath started his season by winning the Great Edinburgh 4K Cross Country race in Scotland  in January.  He competed both indoors and outdoors and in September finished a successful competitive season by taking the runner-up spot in the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York.  Thus demonstrating the ability to perform at a high level over a long season in a variety of conditions, disciplines, and venues.

Heath's brother, Elliott, is also familar to Minnesotans as he won both MSHSL cross country and track championships while at Winona HS in what was considered a "golden age" for high school distance runners that included standouts such as Hassan Mead and Stillwater's Ben Blankenship. He won the US Junior XC championship in 2007 and helped the US Senior team win a silver medal in the IAAF World XC Championships.  Elliott is recovering from hernia surgery done in late 2014.

MN USATF Champs and IAAF WC Qualifiers Listed

Still a long ways to go, but T&F News has compiled a list of the US athletes who have a qualifying mark for the US Championships and/or an  IAAF World Championship qualifier HERE.

Ben Blankenship, Gabe Grunewald, and Liz Podominick have hit the qualifying marks for the IAAF Championships.  Harun Abda(800), Garrett Heath(1500), Will Leer(1500), Mason Ferlic(steeple), Hassan Mead(5K), Emma Bates(10K), Meghan Peyton(10K), Amanda Smock(TJ), Jeff Herauf(heptathlon) have US qualifying marks.  Some of them would be IAAF qualifing marks, but they were set in 2014 before the IAAF beginning date for having those marks qualify for the 2015 championships.  Grunewald also has qualifying marks for the 800 and 1500 for the US Championships.

Blankenship, Grunewald, and Leer are members of the US team for the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas this weekend.  Official start lists will be declared after the technical meeting on Friday, May 1.

Ben Blankenship Breaking Out

Ben Blankenship winning a preliminary heat of the 1500 at the
2013 USATF Outdoor Track Championships. Photo by Gene Niemi

The frustration of the last two years has evaporated for Ben Blankenship during the indoor season.  Not only has he been running PRs, he's been a contender.  The sport's pundits have labeled it a "breakout" season.  Blankenship has been breathing a sigh of relief.

"There was a lot of pressure going into indoors," Blankenship says.  "I haven't run well for two years now."  He'd won some road miles, run a fast time to win one of them, the 2013 Minnesota Mile in Duluth, but the road success didn't spill over onto the track. The "silver lining," however, was the fact that he'd strung together a year of injury free, high intensity training.  He'd found a compatible training partner in Nike Oregon TC Elite teammate Ciaran O'Lionard.

The duo has different strengths, Blankenship's being endurance and O'Lionard's speed.  More importantly, however, the pair's strengths were not so superior to the other's so that their workouts became opportunities to improve their weaknesses rather than being more like a race than training.  As he has gotten older and wiser, Blankenship said, he'd begun to understand the difference.  Racing was to win.  Training was to develop the tools to make winning possible.  

Blankenship, like most to elite athletes, would be categorized as off the charts in competitiveness, which is often necessary for racing, not so much in training.  Blankenship's training partners had most often been too fast or too strong, thus each training session was more intense than necessary.  Fatigue and, eventually, injury followed.  Blankenship and his coach, Mark Rowland, an Olympic medallist in the steeplechase, have put together a more collaborative training plan of late.

Rowland is "open to ideas in training," and "this is the first year I've taken the reigns more," said Blankenship. "I have a great support system."  In addition to O'Lionard and Rowland, Blankenship credits the environment in Flagstaff, AZ, where an increasing number of top middle distance runners are migrating  for altitude training, with being equally accommodating and helpful in his progress this season.

The facilities in Flagstaff are available to run indoors if snow and ice storms make outdoor workouts difficult at best.  Plus there are other like-minded and talented athletes to train with occasionally, bounce ideas off of, or just hang out with during the build up to each season.  The indoor season this year was a chance to post some good times, build confidence, and, most importantly, be in a position to win races, not just be along for the ride.

Blankenship says he had a "pretty good indoor season," but he would have liked to have had a few more wins.  His biggest disappointment was the USATF Championships 2-mile, he said, because he thought he had a real shot at winning.  Tactical mistakes cost him his chance. Going into the last lap "I allowed Ryan Hill to get two steps (ahead) and, at this level right now, we have a lot of Americans who are running really well so you can't let that happen if you want to be in position to win. There was no time to catch up."

His goal in each of the races at USATF was to being positioned to win at the end of the race.  In retrospect he knows that he wasn't as sharp as he expects to be outdoors and for the races that really count at the end of the season, so it wasn't surprising that he didn't close like he wanted to.  He learned valuable tactical lessons, but wasn't yet strong enough or quick enough to be in position and prevail in the usual end of race battles to get to the finish line first.

Even so, in his worst place finish of the indoor season at the Birmingham GP meet 1500(4th in 3:35.28), he set a PR and was less than a second out of first place in a high-caliber, international field.  The goal for the year and the outdoor season is to make the US team for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing.  But Blankenship doesn't just want to make the team.  He wants to be competitive in Beijing.  That would be the culmination of a real break out season.

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

#Badgers weight throw record ✔️ #B1G record ✔️ Collegiate record ✔️ Help us congratulate @Lihrman on his new record! pic.twitter.com/dJKxjzCKBQ
— Badger Track & Field (@Badger_Track) February 28, 2015

.@Lihrman: "I wanted that record." #Badgers #B1G pic.twitter.com/EIthmEUHnr
— Badger Track & Field (@Badger_Track) February 28, 2015

.@masonferlic PR's (13:58.7) to outkick Wisconsin's Malachy Schrobilgen and take the 5,000m title! #GoBlue #B1GTF
— Michigan Track&Field (@umichtrack) February 28, 2015

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.

2nd in the 2 mile at the US Indoor Championships, but the disappointment only makes me more determined. #USATFind pic.twitter.com/uw3jfysLE7
— Benjamin Blankenship (@benfblankenship) March 1, 2015

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.

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 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: 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.

Peterson 12th, Moore 15th, Monson 19th at .US 12K Road Championships

Team USA Minnesota's Jonathan Peterson finished twelfth on Sunday at the .US 12K Championship in Alexandria, Virginia in 34:55.  "Very solid 34:55/12th for current stage of training!" wrote Team USA Minnesota coach Dennis Barker on Twitter. "Not the results I wanted today, but still strong effort in a respectable field." added Peterson. Former TCTC member Joe Moore finished fifteenth in 35:15. Hamline grad Devin Monson was 19th in 35:45.

Results are HERE.

Ralph Maxwell Remembered

Ralph Maxwell (1919-2014)

Ralph Maxwell, one of the most decorated Masters athletes passed away on September 28, surrounded by family.  A long remembrance of Maxwell's many achievements from Ken Stone on Masters Track is HERE.

It's a Boy!

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and US Masters Champion Mubarak Hussein and his wife Liana welcomed their baby boy into the world this week.  While he arrived early, at least Hussein's son had the good sense to wait until his dad arrived before he left the womb.  

News:MIAC AOW; NSIC Week in Review/AOW; UMAC AOW; NCAA; HS Results; Kampf; Erb; RRCA Roads Scholars; Barres; Jones

MIAC men's Athlete of the Week HERE, women's HERE.

NSIC week in review/AOW for men HERE, women HERE

UMAC Athletes of the Week are HERE.

NCAA DI national rankings HERE, DII regional rankings HERE, DIII regional rankings HERE.

Kasson-Mantorville Invitational boy's results HERE, girl's HERE.

PEM/Jodi Rahman Invitational results are HERE.

St. Cloud Tech Invitational results are HERE.

Women's Running chat with Medtronic TCM champions Ester Erb is HERE.

T&F News interview with Heather Kampf HERE.

Erb is also one of the RRCA 2014 Roads Scholars along with Team USA Minnesota's Emily Gordon and Jon Peterson  HERE.

Amby Burfoot writes more on his Mystic, CT "neighbor," Spyros Barres, who wins US Masters titles despite Crohn's disease and an ileostomy HERE.

A Roger Robinson analysis for Running Times on the impact Steve Jones had on the marathon in the 1980s HERE  Toni Reavis remembers Jones' World Record in Chicago in 1984 HERE.

Piers Has Lost Her Basketball Skills, but not Her Running Prowess

Woman's Masters winner Sheri Piers heads downhill
to the finish. Photo by Gene Niemi

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon women's Masters winner Sheri Piers gives credit to her friend Kristin Barry for introducing her to running.  The Maine duo finished first and third in the Masters competition on Sunday.  For Piers it was her third US and Twin Cities title and her second consecutive win.  As in the open women's race, Piers' route to the title was not without drama.

Women's open race winner Ester Erb and  Piers each found themselves searching for a port-a-potty around mile 20.  Like Erb, Piers didn't lose much time on the potty break. "Do I have time to go to the bathroom?" Piers asked her boyfriend.  He gave her the OK and Piers won the race by more than three minutes finishing in 2:42:44.  "While the goal was to win the Masters," said Piers.  "I still wanted to finish in the top ten." She finished twelfth.

Not bad for a self professed lover of her first sport, basketball.  She had run in high school, but stopped during college only to take it up at the behest of Barry. An empty water bottle tempted her to try her shooting skills as she tossed it toward the garbage can.  "Air ball," she said.  The basketball skills may no longer be there, and one reason she enjoys running is that unlike basketball, you can compete in running at a high level no matter what your age.

She returns regularly to the Twin Cities race "because the people here are so nice. They recognize the Masters."  The elite Masters are treated with the same respect as the open winners, Piers said, holding the bouquet of flowers given to both the Open and Masters winners.  Age is not an obstacle in running, Piers says.  You can compete in running throughout your life.  While basketball may be the preserve of youth, running is for everybody, she said.