There is something special about the calendar years that contain either World Championships or Olympic competition. For three solid years,World Championships are held every other year, we are treated to amazing races, and athletes pushing beyond the bounds of what we conceive as human limitations. What is nothing but drudgery, is that year in between.
The reason why that year in between is so painful, is that it is not filled with racing, it is filled with world record attempts. In other words, many high paid pros go to races that offer rabbits, and it is essentially a time trial for the runner. As exciting as it is when someone drops seconds off a previously established record, the racing can tend to be dull. While Haile Gebrassaliasse going sub 2:04 was amazing, there was no drama at the finish. No one nipping at his heels, or forcing him to maybe even shave more time off of that amazing record.
Rewind back to Sydney 2000, where track and field fans were treated to what many still call the greatest race ever to be held on that 400 m oval. Kenyan Paul Tergat desperately wanted to win gold in the 10k, after finishing 2nd behind Geb in Atlanta. In fact, Tergat had been finishing second to Geb for quite some time. It was obvious that they were going to duel it out on the last lap, and with that, there would be no records. Tergat completely changed the way he raced and unleashed a brutal, well time kick that should have netted him the gold. Sadly for him, the Emperor's will would not be broken. In the last 3 meters, Geb leaned and barely edged out his fellow African companion for the win. I watch this race on youtube maybe every other week and still get chills from it.
World records are great. There is no denying, but the fact is that world records also fall when there is a great race. When whether or not you are going to make it to the Olympics or not is what is on your mind, you get great racing. When a large prize purse and international prestige are driving you, world records still fall.
That is what is so great about these three glorious years. Races become battles of will and wit. When to surge, when to hold back, when to escape the pack. Do you stick it to your competitor early in the race, or nail him with a lethal kick in the final 300m? When records fall while watching these things transpire, they are even sweeter. The combination of smarts, and ability are on full display at this point.
So this summer, and the next, and well the one after that, enjoy the fast times. Revel when records fall, but remember, these are races, and should be celebrated as such. These are events that put the sheer will of one person against that of a fellow competitor. It will be nice to not watch time trials all year long, but to watch guys gut it out through the finish line, and then collapse in utter triumph, or defeat.
Chances to watch these great races-
USATF National Outdoor Championships Eugene, Oregon June 23rd-26th
IAAF World Track and Field Championships- Dageau, South Korea August 27th-Sept 4th
USATF Olympic Marathon Trials- Houston, Texas January 16th 2012
USATF Track and Field Olympic Trials- TBD 2012
2012 London Olympics- August 4th- August 13th 2012
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Moving Forward
"The reality is that I am not going to qualify for the trails. The time simply does not exist, and my responsibilities are far too great. That being said, my passion for running is unparalleled compared to any point in my life at the moment, so I will continue to run, and continue to pursue even faster times."
This quote is the first thing I wrote when recapping my New York City marathon experience this past fall. How true it still is, in every aspect. I do not think I could qualify for the trails on a bike right now, much less on my own two feet. My responsibilities may end up being slightly less with the current trajectory of life, but that remains to be seen. I still cannot say that I will not try for 2016 (dropped 35 minutes in two years and 4 marathons), but the odds are pretty slim. Still, my passion for running is exploding out my ears. I have not run at all in two months, and yet, its as if I just ran New York yesterday.
I have read several books about and on running since being in the bed. I have finally gotten around to purchasing Prefontaine, and have watched it twice. I am all over running forums, and am streaming every live running event I possibly can. I am even beginning to write a workout book for myself, and whoever may eventually be interested in it. Fact is, I think God has made me a runner, and he has instilled a passion for it in me that will not go away. To that end I will continue to drive harder, and run faster, that is when I can walk again.
Now-to an actual physical update. I wish I could say I was walking, but sadly I am not. Still looks like March will be the date for that. The good news is that we are beginning to see the healing take place on my tibia. The fractures are what are called non union, which are the hardest to heal, but none the less, my body is fighting. I can now bear 20 lbs of weight on it, which is a start, if only I weighed 20 pounds total. My knee is doing fine, with the exception of one thing. Just below it, on the inside of my leg, there is a screw that is just sticking outside of the bone-not fun. The doctor is assuring me that it will be taken out as soon as the broken bone heals. Please heal soon! The best part about the progress of my leg is that I can ride a recumbent bike now, to start building my cardio back. The only time I have a chance to do that right now is at PT, as we just cant seem to pull the trigger to buy one for our own house. When you have no source of income, dropping 300 bucks is pretty tough to do.
The arm is doing amazing. Last Tuesday, I was given the go ahead to use my arm on my own. I still cannot really bear any weight on it, like use a walker or crutches, but I can actually use it now. I was measured in PT last week and could only raise my arm up 28 degrees forward. I did it again yesterday, and I have already improved to 84 degrees, with full range of motion being 180 degrees. Granted, it is still the most painful thing at the moment to workout, but I am really pushing it and we are beginning to see results, I am ready to do the same thing with running, just as soon as I am allowed.
I go back to the doctor on March 8th, and I am really thinking that I will be able to start walking then. With the bone stimulator, the loads and loads of milk I am drinking now, and the fact that I can put some weight on my leg, means that healing should really begin in earnest. I will say I wake up some mornings feeling like I am having growing pains on steroids in my lower leg, perhaps that is the beginning of the coming back together of the bone.
Thank you everyone for your wishes, and I hope you all continue to follow my recovery. Take care, and happy running.
This quote is the first thing I wrote when recapping my New York City marathon experience this past fall. How true it still is, in every aspect. I do not think I could qualify for the trails on a bike right now, much less on my own two feet. My responsibilities may end up being slightly less with the current trajectory of life, but that remains to be seen. I still cannot say that I will not try for 2016 (dropped 35 minutes in two years and 4 marathons), but the odds are pretty slim. Still, my passion for running is exploding out my ears. I have not run at all in two months, and yet, its as if I just ran New York yesterday.
I have read several books about and on running since being in the bed. I have finally gotten around to purchasing Prefontaine, and have watched it twice. I am all over running forums, and am streaming every live running event I possibly can. I am even beginning to write a workout book for myself, and whoever may eventually be interested in it. Fact is, I think God has made me a runner, and he has instilled a passion for it in me that will not go away. To that end I will continue to drive harder, and run faster, that is when I can walk again.
Now-to an actual physical update. I wish I could say I was walking, but sadly I am not. Still looks like March will be the date for that. The good news is that we are beginning to see the healing take place on my tibia. The fractures are what are called non union, which are the hardest to heal, but none the less, my body is fighting. I can now bear 20 lbs of weight on it, which is a start, if only I weighed 20 pounds total. My knee is doing fine, with the exception of one thing. Just below it, on the inside of my leg, there is a screw that is just sticking outside of the bone-not fun. The doctor is assuring me that it will be taken out as soon as the broken bone heals. Please heal soon! The best part about the progress of my leg is that I can ride a recumbent bike now, to start building my cardio back. The only time I have a chance to do that right now is at PT, as we just cant seem to pull the trigger to buy one for our own house. When you have no source of income, dropping 300 bucks is pretty tough to do.
The arm is doing amazing. Last Tuesday, I was given the go ahead to use my arm on my own. I still cannot really bear any weight on it, like use a walker or crutches, but I can actually use it now. I was measured in PT last week and could only raise my arm up 28 degrees forward. I did it again yesterday, and I have already improved to 84 degrees, with full range of motion being 180 degrees. Granted, it is still the most painful thing at the moment to workout, but I am really pushing it and we are beginning to see results, I am ready to do the same thing with running, just as soon as I am allowed.
I go back to the doctor on March 8th, and I am really thinking that I will be able to start walking then. With the bone stimulator, the loads and loads of milk I am drinking now, and the fact that I can put some weight on my leg, means that healing should really begin in earnest. I will say I wake up some mornings feeling like I am having growing pains on steroids in my lower leg, perhaps that is the beginning of the coming back together of the bone.
Thank you everyone for your wishes, and I hope you all continue to follow my recovery. Take care, and happy running.
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