Something Special

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