TheFinalSprint.com | Premier Running Destination for Marathons, Track and Field, Race News, Podcasts, Training Advice and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Running Destination for Marathons, Track and Field, Race News, Podcasts, Training Advice and More!

Lead Stories: Saturday, May 17, 2008

TFS Running Podcast 131:
Andrew Carlson

Posted March 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Today on Episode 131 of The Final Sprint Running Podcast I am joined by Andrew Carlson, the 2008 15k US National Champion who runs for Team USA Minnesota. Andrew has embarked on a career-defining season in 2008, kicking it off on New Year’s Eve with a course record in the New York Midnight 4-mile Run, then winning his 1st national championship in the Gate River Run 15k, then placing second in the 8k national championship in the Central Park Challenge.

In the interview, Andrew talks about his expectations for the 2008 season and his place within the resurgence in American distance running. He discusses his favorite events and what his plans are for the rest of the season. He also talks about Team USA Minnesota and the types of community outreach activities he does with them, what he meant when he said he revamped his training in 2008, how he got his start in running, when he plans to tackle his first marathon and much, much more!

TO DOWNLOAD: Right click and select “save as”

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Jimmie Markham
Guest: Andrew Carlson
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 15.0 MB | Length: 00:21:55

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Kastor Could See Sizeable Payday in Jacksonville Tomorrow

Posted March 7th, 2008 at 1:30 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results

Deena Kastor could see a sizeable payday at tomorrow’s Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Fla., which serves as the U.S. 15-K championships for both men and women.

Already the U.S. record holder for 15-K (47:15), Kastor will be looking for her sixth title in Jacksonville, worth $12,000. However, she may pick up an additional $5000 should she finish ahead of the first man (the elite women are given a five minute headstart). That seems likely given that the men’s field is not as strong as in previous years.
Read the rest of this entry »

2 comments, add yours | Permalink

Flanagan & Ritzenhein Dominate U.S. XC Champs

Posted February 16th, 2008 at 8:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

Shalane Flanagan and Dathan Ritzenhein each brought their “A” game to Mission Bay Park here today, running away with their first long-course U.S. Cross Country titles in commanding fashion.

Flanagan, who struggled with the high altitude in Boulder at last year’s championships where she was soundly beaten by Deena Kastor, jumped quickly to a five second lead after 2 km of the 8 km race, and expanded it with each lap. She was unrelenting, pressing all the way to the finish line to win by a whopping 70 seconds in 25:26.

“I had a blast,” said a beaming Flanagan who liked the grass course and the warm conditions. She added: “If we could have venues like this I would be coming every single year.”
Read the rest of this entry »

One comment, add yours | Permalink

TFS News Briefs: 2/13/2008

Posted February 13th, 2008 at 1:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field, Drugs In Sports, TFS News Briefs

Pistorius Launches Appeal
Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee (both legs below the knees) who was banned from competing against able-bodied athletes by the IAAF because they were said to offer him a physiological advantage, has launched an appeal with the Court of Arbitration of Sport. His goal is to qualify for the Olympics in the 400m dash.
Read more at: [The Press Association]

British MP’s Say Cheats Should Be Banned For Life
Members of the British Parliament are weighing in on the recent decision to allow Dwain Chambers to compete again after a two-year suspension. MP Hugh Robertson said, “once somebody has taken drugs and been found out, that should be it.”
Read more at: [Kent Online, UK]

Coe: Cheats Aren’t “Sucked In” But Are “Absolutely Complicit”
Lord Sebastian Coe, twice an Olympic gold medalist for Great Britain, doesn’t buy cheating athletes’ arguments that they weren’t aware of what they were doing when they took drugs, sating, “I do not accept there are any circumstances where athletes like Dwain Chambers are sucked into something without being absolutely complicit.”
Read more at: [Times Online, UK]
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

TFS Podcast 124: Olympic Hopeful Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle of Team USA Minn.

Posted January 31st, 2008 at 4:49 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 124 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle of Team USA Minnesota who finished 5th at the recent US Women’s Half-Marathon Championships with a solid time of 1:12:58 for her debut at this distance.

In the interview Kristen talks about the challenges and advantages of training through in Minnesota winters. She also talks about finally getting to have some consistent training under her belt after years of injuries, her goals for the 2008 season, including qualifying for the US Olympic Track & Field Trials’ women’s 5,000m and 10,000m and, hopefully, on to the Beijing Olympics from there.

Download the podcast to hear Kristen talk about her support group, including new husband and fellow elite runner Jason Lehmkuhle, as well as, her coach and other teammates on Team USA Minnesota.

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

[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Jimmie R. Markham | Guest: Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 19.0 MB | Length: 27:43 MIN

Episode Sponsored By: Nike +

Long Live Running!
Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned.

Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress,
set goals and challenge friends.

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

Read the rest of this entry »

One comment, add yours | Permalink

Team USA Stars to Meet and Greet Junior Olympians

Posted December 4th, 2007 at 2:58 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: News & Results, Cross Country

Two of America’s outstanding distance runners, American record holder Dan Lincoln and national champion Katie McGregor (Pictured), will be special guests at the 2007 USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships presented by Finish Line this weekend in Lawrence, Kansas. The duo will be on hand to sign autographs, cheer the runners on, and participate in the commencement awards ceremonies.

More than 3,000 athletes will compete at the event, to be held December 8 at Rim Rock Farm in Lawrence, Kansas.

The American record holder in the 3,000m steeplechase, Lincoln is a three-time national champion in the event. He was a three-time NCAA champion in the steeplechase and won the 2003 NCAA 10,000m title. While at the University of Arkansas, he was a 12-time All-American, including earning the honors in cross country.
Read the rest of this entry »

One comment, add yours | Permalink

Podcast 103
JASON LEHMKUHLE Climbing the Marathon Leaderboard

Posted November 12th, 2007 at 4:48 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

Episode 103 of The Final Sprint Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with Team USA Minnesota’s JASON LEHMKUHLE.

Jason shattered his marathon PR and outperformed many of America’s most prominent runners to finish in 2:12:54 and come in an impressive 5th place at last Saturday’s U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials in NYC.

In the interview Jason talks about the keys to his success at the Trials, why the course was not as difficult as he expected, what it’s like to be running with and passing America’s most successful elite runners, the tremendous crowd support, dealing with the tragic lose of Ryan Shay, and how it makes (or should make) an athlete (especially one like Jason who knows they have a heart murmur) take extra medical precautions.

Download the podcast to hear Jason discuss these topics, as well as, his racing plans for the spring, his long buildup to the 10,000m U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, his future in marathoning, what makes Minnesota an ideal place to live and train, his freelance graphic design work, helping younger runners, and much more!

Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs | Guest: Jason Lehmkuhle
Producers: Greg Cherniet, Adam Jacobs
Musicians: Ryan Ahlwardt, Darnell Perkins
File Size: 19.9 MB | Length: 29:04 MIN

Episode sponsored by:
Camelbak - the originator and leader in hands-free hydration.

To learn more Camelbak Elixir, their effective, easy-to-use and portable electrolyte beverage, as well as Camelbak’s running specific hydration systems, please visit www.camelbak.com.

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

Read the rest of this entry »

One comment, add yours | Permalink

New York Road Runners raising $250,000 for elites by selling ING New York City Marathon entries for $1,000

Posted August 5th, 2007 at 5:25 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The New York Road Runners (NYRR), which provides support for the Team USA Minnesota Distance Training Center, is raising money for U.S. post-collegiate development through the ING New York City Marathon, which will be held Nov. 4. The organization has set aside 250 spots in this year’s marathon at $1,000 each with a goal of raising $250,000. The ING New York City Marathon filled its allotment of 38,000 entrants in June.

In addition, a $2,500 donation to the New York Road Runners through its NYRR Champion’s Circle program will give donors guaranteed entry into the ING New York City Marathon in 2007, as well as complementary VIP finish line seating at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men’s Marathon on Nov. 3.

The Men’s Marathon Trials will be held in New York City’s Central Park. Funds raised through the NYRR Champion’s Circle will also be directed to fund long-term development of professional USA distance runners to prepare them to compete successfully in domestic and international competition.

“We are big believers in our sport and in our athletes, but without additional support to keep our athletes and coaches going like at Team USA Minnesota, there will be few great athletes to help fuel our sport on all levels,” said Mary Wittenberg, NYRR president and CEO and ING New York City Marathon race director. “Our athletes work at least as hard and are as compelling as Tiger, LeBron, Venus or Serena, but they need grassroots support of all types to rise to the upper echelon of the sporting world.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink

Twin Cities Marathon increases partnership with Team USA Minnesota

Posted April 19th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Marathons

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 7 in Minneapolis, announced that they had expanded their partnership with Team USA Minnesota, an Olympic develop training group which is also based in Minneapolis.

Organizers of the event reported that it had increased its financial support for the training group, coached by Dennis Barker, who is also the head cross country and track coach at nearby Augsburg College. In return Team USA Minnesota athletes would increase their involvement in Medtronic TCM events, including the marathon, USA 10 Mile Championships, the TC 5-K and the Medtronic TC 1 Mile.

Members of Team USA Minnesota, which include Katie McGregor, Carrie Tollefson, Jason Lehmkuhle, Matt Gabrielson, Sara Wells and others, would also participate in the Target Pharmacy Health & Fitness Expo panel discussion during the TCM weekend, Oct. 5-7.

Specific terms of the increased financial support were not disclosed. Team USA Minnesota also receives financial support from Life Time Fitness, its principal sponsor, and and the New York Road Runners, through the USA Distance Project.
Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this post | Permalink