Rewind to July 25, 2009. Davenport, Iowa and that other Great American Road Race, BIX 7. It served as our USA National Championships. I had the privilege of draping the champions laurels around Meb Keflezighi (32:25) and Molly Huddle (37:39).
Fast forward to yesterday. Molly taking her legend talents to the streets of Houston. A new American Record for the Half, 1:07:25. Grant Wintheiser and Al Sanabria the only Nebraskans with a faster half. The top 4 women all under 1:07. 5 American women under 1:12:00. 46 women under 1:20. 87 women under 1:30.
The men’s half featured saw a new American Record for Masters Men. Put down your coffee cup, Bernard Lagat (43) finished 15th overall in an eye popping 1:02:00. Kevin Castille, also 43, finished 42nd o/a in 1:05:11.
The common chorus from everyone? A lightning fast course. Specifically designed to bring out every runner’s relative blazing speed. Personal bests regardless of talent level. See, this matters up top, in the middle, and all the way back.
More of the same in the full 26.2. A wide open road, long straight aways, winning time 2:08:30, top 3 under 2:10. Americans taking advantage with 6th-10th finishes all under the Olympic Trials A standard of 2:20. Of local interest, Zach Hine (1:04:48 at the Twin Rivers YMCA Half in Valley, NE) finishing 8th overall in 2:18:33. Sarah Crouch (2:35:22) and Polina Carlson (2:39:43) both hitting the Olympic Trials A standard of sub 2:40. 25 women under 2:50, 42 under 3:00.
Look, we only get so many shots at the marathon (quality over quantity more important to this old coach). Why train for 16-20 weeks just to wander around town? No matter your talent, put yourself in the best position to run your best marathon. That is all.
Photo courtesy of my old buddy Mike Scott.
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