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Jon Rankin: To the Goddess of Victory (Letter #2)
(Elite Athlete Blog - Entry #7)
Posted February 27th, 2008 at 6:15 PM by Jon Rankin
Section: Motivation, Famous Quotes, 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.
Today I sit here in awe at how much life’s journey can be compared to that of a roller coaster ride. These last two weeks have been really down weeks for me. It’s not that my training is going poorly because I’m training very well; and it’s not because I had a ‘bad day’ at the USATF Cross Country National Championships a few weeks ago because I met my goal of finishing in the top-20 (I finished 20th place). Sometimes I just find my self a little lost or down emotionally for no reason at all. And it’s kind of weird because just a few weeks prior to last week and this week I was really happy and positive. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this way.
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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.”
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Ritzenhein Wins U.S. Cross Champs Despite Sore IT Band
Posted February 16th, 2008 at 5:00 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Cross Country
PHOTOS: Taken by Adam Jacobs (TheFinalSprint.com)
Flanagan Earns Impressive Victory at U.S. XC Champs
Posted February 16th, 2008 at 4:00 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: News & Results, Cross Country
PHOTO: Taken by Adam Jacobs (TheFinalSprint.com)
Conditions Excellent for Today’s USA XC Champs
Posted February 16th, 2008 at 11:30 AM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Cross Country
With a beautiful two kilometer loop course in Mission Bay Park bathed in Southern California sunshine, conditions are excellent for today’s USA Cross Country Championships, the selection trials for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships next month in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Athletes warming up on the course yesterday commented favorably on the smooth and soft grass surface, which resembles the manicured turf of a golf course.
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Flanagan Enters U.S. XC Championships as Favorite
Posted February 15th, 2008 at 4:21 PM by David Monti
Section: News & Results, Cross Country, Track & Field
At last year’s U.S. Cross Country Championships in Boulder, Colo., Shalane Flanagan had high hopes for victory. Her main rival, Deena Kastor, was in the midst of heavy training for the Boston Marathon, and Flanagan had been flying on the track, just setting an American indoor record for 3000m: 8:33.25.
But Boulder’s mile-high altitude played to Kastor’s favor (she was one of the few athletes who actually came down from a higher altitude to race in Boulder), and Flanagan was soundly beaten by about about a minute over the 8 km course.
“Boulder was really tough for me,” said Flanagan recalling the race on a teleconference today. “I felt really ill afterwards. Maybe it was altitude or just the effort of the race. There were a couple times on the course when I literally considered throwing myself off the course. I was completely exhausted and it took me a few days to recover.”
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TFS News Briefs: 2/15/2008
Posted February 15th, 2008 at 12:00 PM by Jimmie R. Markham
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, TFS News Briefs, Masters
Tyson Invitational Has High Profile Athletes
The Tyson Invitational meet will be held this weekend at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Indoor Track in Fayettville. Some huge names will be competing, including Sanya Richards, Wallace Spearmon, Jenn Stuczynski and the shot put and an all-star shot put shootout that will feature Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa, Christian Cantwell and Dan Taylor.
Read more at: [Google News][Tyson Invitational Start List]
Lagat To Run 10000m in London?
Bernard Lagat has hinted that he may move up in distance for the 2012 London Olympics, saying that, “athletes like Haile Gebrselassie [have shown] how possible it is to be stronger as you get older.” Lagat will compete in the 3000m event this weekend at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham, England.
Read more at: [BirminghamMail.net, UK]
IAAF Tokyo Marathon Preview
The Tokyo Marathon will be held this Sunday, February 18th and it will be doubling as Japan’s Olympic Men’s marathon Trials. A slew of speedy foreign runners has been invited, including Daniel Njenga of Kenya, a 2:06 marathoner. Historically, Japan has been strong in the marathon at the international level, so – with its mix of domestic and foreign talent – this should prove to be a high-octane race.
Read more at: [IAAF][Tokyo Marathon Website]
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Flanagan, De Reuck Interview Excerpts from USATF Teleconference
Posted February 15th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by Martha Jones
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews
USA Track & Field served as the host to a media teleconference Thursday afternoon featuring two-time USA women’s cross country champions Shalane Flanagan and Colleen De Reuck [Pictured].
Flanagan and DeReuck discussed their preparations for the 2008 USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Saturday, where both open and junior men and women will look to earn a spot on the Team USA squad for the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 30.
The championships in San Diego will feature six races that will determine national champions for masters men and women; junior men and women; and open men and women. The event will be televised in association with the AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships February 24, from 5-7 p.m. on ESPN 2.
Excerpts from Thursday’s teleconference with Shalane Flanagan and Colleen De Reuck follow:
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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.
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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Hall, Ritzenhein Interview Excerpts from USATF Teleconference
Posted February 14th, 2008 at 11:00 AM by Jeremy Sussman
Section: News & Results, Marathons, Cross Country, Track & Field, Olympics, Special Features, Interviews
USA Track & Field served as the host to a media teleconference Wednesday afternoon featuring Team USA men’s squad members for the 2008 Olympic Marathon in Beijing, China, Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein.
Hall and Ritzenhein discussed their preparations for the 2008 USA Cross Country Championships in San Diego on Saturday, where both open and junior men and women will look to earn a spot on the Team USA squad for the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 30.
The championships in San Diego will feature six races that will determine national champions for masters men and women; junior men and women; and open men and women. The event will be televised in association with the AT&T USA Indoor Track & Field Championships February 24, from 5-7 p.m. on ESPN 2.
Excerpts from Wednesday’s teleconference with Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein follow:
Read the rest of this entry »
Which currently declared candidate would most improve USATF if elected as President of the Board of Directors?
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Page 2 Articles
- Live @ the USA XC Champs: Alan Culpepper wins the men’s USA XC Champs!
After an incredibly exciting race where Ritzenhein, Culpepper and Goucher stuck together in the lead pack, Alan Culpepper ultimately came out on top and became the 2007 men’s USA XC Champion!
Culpepper, who finished in 37:09, was a 2004 Olympian and has won two previous USA Cross Country 12 km titlist (1999, 2003). He was […] - Live @ the USA XC Champs:
At 10k mark, Culpepper & Goucher pass RitzAt the 10k mark, Alan Culpepper is now in first place and holds in a 5 second lead over Adam Goucher. Dathan Ritzenhein, who had held the lead until this point, is in third and trails Culpepper by 9 seconds.
The top three are incredibly close and it’s still anyone’s race! - Live @ the USA XC Champs: Ritz, Goucher remain 1 and 2 after 18:04
After the first 18:04 of action, Dathan Ritzenhein remains ahead of the pack. He is leading Adam Goucher by 7 seconds. Alan Culpepper currently holds the #3 position.
- Live @ the USA XC Champs: Ritzenhein in lead at 3k mark
AThe men’s race at the USA XC Champs is underway and Dathan Ritzenhein has taken the lead. Ritzenhein, the reigning USA Cross Country 12 km champion , was considered a top favorite coming into this weekend.
At the 3km mark, Ritzenhein is in first at 8:47. Goucher is in second in 8:54 and Jorge […] - Live @ the USA XC Champs: Kastor wins; edges Flanagan for her 8th XC Championship!
Kastor has proved once again why she is the # 1 ranked female runner in the world.
She defeated a very talented field of runners at today’s USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder, CO; finishing in a time of 26:47.
This is Kastor’s 8th U.S.A. Cross Country victory. She came into […] - Live @ the USA XC Champs: Women’s race begins; Kastor and Flanagan lead the pack
The open women’s race of the 2007 USA XC Champs is now underway. The two-favorites, Deena Kastor and Shalane Flanagan, are already leading the rest of this very competitive field.
Stay tuned for more updates as The Final Sprint reports LIVE from Boulder! - Live @ the USA XC Champs: “18 months to Beijing” Lecture
Although the 2007 USA XC Championships are in less than 24 hours, athletes and coaches are already concerned and preparing for next summer’s Olympic games.
Physiologist, Dr. Randy Wilbur, began the conference entitled “18 Months to Beijing: How heat, humidity and extreme pollution won’t keep USA athletes off the podium,” and was accompanied by […] - Live @ the USA XC Champs: February 9th Press Conference
The FinalSprint and I are proud to be in beautiful Boulder, CO for the 2007 USA Cross Country Championships.
A press conference featuring several of the elite runners, many of whom are favorites to win tomorrow’s championship race, took place earlier today and fueled the excitement for this highly anticipated weekend.
Race […] - Altitude, Mud To Play Big Roles At U.S. Cross Country Championships
Tomorrow’s U.S. Cross Country Championships at the Flatirons Golf Course here will offer both athletes and spectators a “Back to the Future” moment: for the first time since 1997 only one man and one woman will be crowned the open champions, and they will have to overcome both Boulder’s high altitude of 1655m (5430 feet) […]
- Meb Keflezighi to bypass tomorrow’s XC Championships
Olympic medalist Meb Keflezighi has decided to forgo this weekend’s USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder, CO.
Keflezighi has spent a month training in Mammoth for the Championships. Unfortunately, a severe cold prevented him from completeing last week’s intense workouts.
His current health status, paired with unpredictable race day conditions in Boulder and Keflezighi’s focus […]
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On October 11, 2008
gaber bahnasy said:
hi send me application me raink half marathon 1.10