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Lead Stories: Friday, August 29, 2008

Jon Rankin: Growing Up
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #6)

Posted February 14th, 2008 at 2:30 PM by Jon Rankin

Section: News & Results, Motivation, Cross Country, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Jon Rankin

Welcome to the official blog of rising U.S. track & field star
Jon Rankin; the inaugural member of TheFinalSprint.com’s
Elite Athlete Blog Series. Make sure to check back every other Wednesday for Jon’s latest entry.

Jon Rankin at the 2007 Continental Airlines Fifth avenue Mile I turned 26 last Saturday, February 9th. And as I grow older I assume I gain wisdom from the time I get to spend here on earth. As far as my running age is concerned, I’ve been a runner for a little over 10 years, but I’ve only really been able to train like one (meaning actually spending time on my feet running) for about half of that time. (The early part of my career had been riddled with stress reactions and fractures in both my left and right tibia and left foot). As a person I definitely grow older in age with every passing day, but I’m still a little kid when it comes to the game of middle and long distance running. The great thing is that with every race and every training session I complete I gain a little more insight about the type of athlete I am, what I’m good at and what I’m not so good at. This weekend’s USA Cross Country Championships here in San Diego (my hometown), the 12km race in which I’ll be competing will be no exception to my education and continued growth as a runner.
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Jon Rankin: The Answer
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #5)

Posted January 30th, 2008 at 4:52 PM by Jon Rankin

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Jon Rankin

Jon Rankin at the 2007 Continental Airlines Fifth avenue Mile I have a head cold. Those are never fun. My mind is cloudy and my perspective jaded from the congestion that lingers at the center of my forehead. My throat is sore, my body is hot and cold at the same time and I sound funny when I talk.

Prior to the onslaught of this head cold I had been training really well. I was elated with my first competition of the year and I was training with a renewed vigor due to the outcome. Yet, as last week came to an end and I returned from Hamilton, Bermuda to San Diego to continue what was a great week of training I found myself dazed and confused. I was pushing my self pretty hard and it was catching up with me in spite of how fast I was running.
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Podcast 84: JON RANKIN, third at today’s Fifth Avenue Mile, reflects on his successful summer

Posted September 29th, 2007 at 8:20 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years BR Sportswear is closing out their line of high -quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

Episode 84 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running Podcast in North America, features
my interview with emerging star JON RANKIN.

Rankin, a former UCLA All-American, had a lot of success in 2006 and has really improved since making the decision to work with Joaquim Cruz, the 1984 800m gold medalist, and after recovering from several stress fractures that plagued him in 2006. Earlier today, Rankin capped off the successful season by finishing third behind Alan Webb and Kevin Sullivan at the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile.

In the interview, Jon talks about today’s performance, what it’s like to be running in the lead with runners like Webb, highlights of the season and the source of his improvement, and the major focuses and goals in the months ahead.

Download the podcast to hear Jon discuss these topics, as well as, how former American mile record holder Steve scott, Coach Cruz and his agent Merhawi Keflezighi (brother to Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi) serve as a phenomenal support system, their ability to assist with his mental preparation and self-confidence, and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)

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Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Jon Rankin
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File Size: 23.7 MB | Length: 34:38 MIN

Episode sponsored by: Bill Rodgers Sportswear
After 21 years Bill Rodgers Sportswear is closing out their line of high-quality running apparel. Visit shopfest.com to take advantage of an unprecedented 50% discount on all in-stock items!

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Cont. Airlines 5th Ave Mile
Interview with Jon Rankin

Posted September 27th, 2007 at 4:45 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Special Features, Interviews

jon rankin ucla track cross country Jean Cann of MensRacing.com, a member of the New York Road Runners (NYRR) family of websites, recently did an interview with former UCLA All-American Jon Rankin about Saturday’s Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile. Rankin, who is coached by 1984 800-meter gold medalist Joaquim Cruz and represented by Olympic marathon bronze medalist Meb Keflezighi’s brother Mahawi, will be competing against a tough race field that is led by Alan Webb and Kevin Sullivan.

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

Q. Let’s start off with the Continental Airlines Fifth Avenue Mile, since it’s coming right up. Why did you choose to include it in your racing schedule?

A. I got a slow start to my season after coming back from my injury—I had broken my fifth metatarsal at the U.S. Championships in 2006 and missed a lot of time. I decided to extend my track season all the way until around this time of the year and the Fifth Avenue Mile happens to be at this time. My coach and I figured it would be great to shoot for if I was still feeling good. It’s a great event and I haven’t done it yet; I’m so excited to give it a try.

To read the interview in it’s entirety, please visit: MensRacing.com

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