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Lead Stories: Friday, May 16, 2008

Dathan Ritzenehin:
Homeward Bound: New Beginnings and Role Reversals
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #5)

Posted May 6th, 2008 at 4:30 PM by Dathan Ritzenhein

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein

Welcome to the official blog of top U.S. distance runner Dathan Ritzenhein! Check back every other Tuesday for Ritz’s latest entry at http://dathanritzenhein.thefinalsprint.com/ as he prepares to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics!

Sunday night, a night of great races [at the Peyton Jordan Cardinal Invitational], made me want to be out there racing. Even though I was at home, already in my pajamas, I wanted to be there racing. Watching Brent Vaughn grit his teeth down the homestretch, and Shalane [Flanagan]’s American Record was also exciting. I would check the computer intermittently to catch an update of the races. Stanford is such a great place to go if you want great weather and fast times. No other place or meet has the predictability and guarantee that Stanford can offer.

It is always one of the hardest things to do; watching races when you are sitting at home, but I just have to keep my head down and work hard know that I will be ready for August 24th.
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Dathan Ritzenhein Returns to Action to Defend Title at 2008 Healthy Kidney 10K

Posted April 29th, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results

dathan ritzenhein winning 2007 healthy kidney 10k U.S Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein will return to the roads of Central Park to defend his title in the Healthy Kidney 10K on Saturday, May 17, it was announced today by New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Ritzenhein will face stiff competition from an international field that includes ING New York City Marathon 2006 champion Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil and 2007 IAAF World Half-Marathon Championships silver medalist Patrick Makau of Kenya.

Race sponsor Embassy of the United Arab Emirates has once again established a prize-money purse of $23,500—$7,500 for the champion—plus a $20,000 bonus for breaking the Central Park 10K record of 28 minutes, 8 seconds, which Ritzenhein set at last year’s race. Ritzenhein donated his 2007 first-place check of $7,500 to the National Kidney Foundation.

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Dathan Ritzenehin: The Not-So-Casual Life Of A Professional Runner
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #4)

Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 PM by Dathan Ritzenhein

Section: Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein

This week I went looking to trade in our truck for a more eco-friendly, family-friendly vehicle. While I thought I found something I liked, it wasn’t quite what my wife had in mind. Apparently a coupe isn’t as practical as a sedan when kids are involved. While we were there I was asked my occupation by the salesman. I always hesitate when answering this question because responding with “professional runner” isn’t a typical, run-of-the-mill occupation. Even here in Eugene, track town, USA, I still get odd looks and unusual responses to that answer. Such as, “You run for fun? What kind of job is that?” or “Wow! You must have a lot of time on your hands if all you do is run!” Well, I thought I would answer that response first by saying, I’m actually very busy, and secondly I will give a common play-by-play of my daily life.
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Dathan Ritzenehin: Keeping That Competitive Edge
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #3)

Posted April 8th, 2008 at 11:45 AM by Dathan Ritzenhein

Section: Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein

Well, my break is officially over, and I’m back in the swing of things. Being an athlete I find myself extremely competitive. I’m especially competitive when I’m not running, but not by choice, it’s just who I am. I think it’s because I’m not outside seeing people, running my old routes, and challenging against myself and the clock in workouts.

During this break I found myself competing against my wife in many things. Luckily she didn’t want to divorce me after this latest break. We have this little game on my phone, bubble breaker that we compete against each other to see who can get the best score.
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Dathan Ritzenehin: Putting Things Into Perspective
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #2)

Posted March 25th, 2008 at 9:30 AM by Dathan Ritzenhein

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein

Hayward Field is finally complete and track season has officially started in Eugene! Yesterday my wife, daughter and I spent the afternoon watching the Oregon Preview meet. It was a great day. It was warm and sunny and just so nice to sit in the sun and watch instead of competing. It still amazes me at how much the community of Eugene, Oregon supports track and field. No where else would you find 5,000 fans who turn out for a season opener track meet. I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season brings. If this is the turn-out for the preview meet, having the trials here will be unforgettable. It will probably be like the Prefontaine Classic for 10 days straight.

With the trials just around the corner, the town is full of enthusiasm and pride. It really has made me look forward to having the Olympic Trials here in Eugene. Not only did the track get an update, the entire town seems to be sprucing things up as well. The trails are being groomed, new woodchips are being spread, and roads are being resurfaced. We live only a half mile from the Rexius Trail and every day it seems that more and more people are out running or walking on it.
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Injury Forces Ritzenhein Out of Central Park Challenge

Posted March 12th, 2008 at 1:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Ritzenhein_NYCM_06 A foot injury has forced Dathan Ritzenhein out of Saturday’s Central Park Challenge, incorporating the U.S. Men’s 8-K Championship, the New York Road Runners announced.

Ritzenhein, the 25 year-old who placed second at last year’s Olympic Trials marathon in Central Park, is no doubt disappointed that he cannot race Alan Webb, one of the few opportunities he would have to face the U.S. mile record-holder in a road race. The injury, to the third metatarsal on his left foot, warrants extra caution, given that this is an Olympic year.
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Dathan Ritzenehin: XC Champs, Alter-G & Olympic Training
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #1)

Posted March 12th, 2008 at 10:30 AM by Dathan Ritzenhein

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Elite Athlete Blogs, Dathan Ritzenhein

This past month has reinforced in me that hard work, dedication, and focus can really pay off. I wouldn’t say that leading up to the US Cross Country Championships I was 100% confident going into the race. My ultimate goal was to just make the team. For the past four weeks my training log resembled something of a rollercoaster. The highs and lows were dictated by the training my leg would allow.

After returning from a cross country race in Edinburgh, Scotland a few weeks ago, I noticed a slight pain in my IT band and lateral quad. At first it was minimal, and I was able to train through it with not problems, but after a grueling week of traveling it began to hinder my training. Fortunately, I had the Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill on which to supplement most of my training.
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Sore IT Band May Hamper Ritzenhein At US Cross-Country

Posted February 13th, 2008 at 8:38 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

As one of the top entrants in Saturday’s U.S. Cross Country Championships here, Dathan Ritzenhein has to deal with an obstacle besides strong competition from Ryan Hall: a sore iliotibial band.

Ritzenhein, who finished third at last year’s Championships, still feels soreness in his leg from running the Event Scotland Great Edinburgh Cross Country on January 12. That invitational competition utilized the same course which will be used at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on March 30. “Ritz” found it challenging.
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Ritzenhein to make 2007 track debut, Solid fields on tap at Road to Eugene ‘08

Posted May 25th, 2007 at 2:53 PM by Bob Ramsak

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Ritzenhein_NYCM_06 Solid fields have been assembled for this weekend’s second running of The Road to Eugene ‘08, to be held at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.

While the main program is scheduled for Sunday, the men’s and women’s 5000m races, along with the men’s 3000m steeplechase, will be held on Saturday evening, immediately following the conclusion of the NCAA West Regional Championships.

For distance running fans, the 2007 track debut by Dathan Ritzenhein will be of significant interest. Arriving on the heels of his victory over Craig Mottram in the Healthy Kidney 10-K in New York’s Central Park, “Ritz” will lead a 5000m field that includes Mexican rising star Juan Luis Barrios and Adam Goucher.
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Ritzenhein headed to New York For 8-K Championship

Posted February 22nd, 2007 at 8:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Lured by the chance to compete against a top-notch field and possibly break one of the longest-standing U.S. road running records, Dathan Ritzenhein is headed here to contest the U.S. Men’s 8-K Championship next month. The nearly-five mile race in Central Park will utilize the same course which will form the heart of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials Marathon slated for Saturday, Nov. 3.

“We’re kicking off our Olympic Trials year with the U.S. 8-K on March 17,” New York Road Runners President and CEO Mary Wittenberg told the New York Track Writers who had gathered for their weekly luncheon at a mid-town restaurant. She added: “Dathan is a race-maker. He’s always in the mix.”
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