Did Mike Rossi (viral marathon dad) cheat his way into Boston?

Lejeune wrote:

Lejeune wrote:

LMR,

Please immediately issue a retraction of your statement. It is bad enough that you disparage the military in general however it is completely wrong that you disparage and defame this specific Marine saying he did something dishonorable.

I hope that you can do the right thing here as I am hoping you just misspoke when you typed that.

I ask again, make clear that you did not intend to say a specific Marine did something dishonorable. Just make clear that you have a theory as opposed to fact. It is wrong for you to imply anything otherwise. You have a chance to make this right. Take it.

I am stating right now that I have simply looked at this runner as a person of interest. He may just be the best witness in the race for all I know. Maybe what I have uncovered IS just an odd coincidence. If I discovered some information that disproved my theory I would have not pursued it to the extent I have.

Behind the scenes a few of us have cleared other runners that also seemed suspicious at first glance. I have no interest in smearing the name of an American solider. And even if my theory does turn out to be true I will do whatever I can to avoid any form of public embarrassment to this person.

Mike is the cheater. Nobody else needs to be dragged down with him.

Please, just stop! We know Mike was at the start AND the finish line because of photographic evidence. We're saying he took a car (or bike I suppose) to the finish line then hopped back on the course. Why on earth would he need to hand his bib off to someone else? Stop barking up this tree.

And really, just stop posting here. You're embarrassing yourself.

Barb McKeever: A super injunction stops the press from reporting her incompetence and lack of integrity?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super-injunctions_in_English_law

SmartRunnr -- If you would be so kind, can you please elaborate on a couple of these points?

1. How would any runner from that area have a clue regarding Mike's improvement in training? I would think only his training partners would have a clue. Are you a training partner of his? If so, can you tell us a few of his workouts that indicated he was capable of 3:11?

2. Can you tell us please where GregTR is mistaken in his analysis of the photos? And if he is mistaken, that means Mike was around 1:31 (if I'm not mistaken) at the half? Does that mean he thought he was about 3 hour marathon shape?

4. Do you have any inside knowledge on what constituted a "thorough investigation" by the committee?

Thanks!

While it remains to be see regarding the 20 min 5K, most are agreed that that was a potential misstep by Rojo. Many people could be trained to run a 20 min 5K in 5-6 months. Many fewer could be trained to run a 3:11 marathon in that time frame.

SmartRunnr wrote:

Couple of facts that speak for Rossi here:

1) His large improvements in training (ask any runner from this area).

2) The race photos (that Greg downplayed their importance can only be explained with his bias).

3) Your 3) is a coincidence due to Mike's workload and private matters at that time (since then, he has repeatedly displayed his 3:11 achievement on social media).

4) The decision of the unbiased committee after weeks of thoroughly investigating (I provided the link).

5) Cheating would be so out of character for this devout Christian.

6) Cheating to BQ would also be pointless, for BQing is easy, and one can even run as a charity runner.

I realize you're a troll, but I'll respond anyway:

1. Provide us a runner to ask. Interesting that none of his races soon before or after that race showed that improvement.

2. What race photos? The one with a half a guy who could sorta look like Mike if you squint?

3. b.s. (no elaboration needed)

4. there was nothing in the decision "for him".

5. oh pu-leez. And his public taunting and narcissism is in character?

6. you're right, it was really stupid for him to cheat.

Appreciate your effort to make good. Thanks.

Fact: Jesus cut the course short in the Run Around the Sea of Galilee Ultra.

And 3 dudes finished first with the exact same time. It was a miracle.Almost as miraculous as Mike's 3:11.Almost.(Mike 3:11: Thou shalt cheat and demean they children's educators.)

UnregisteredUsername wrote:

Fact: Jesus cut the course short in the Run Around the Sea of Galilee Ultra.

Against my better judgement, I will feed the troll. Please answer the following,

Mike has told me in an email in no uncertain terms that he has 6 or 7 photos given to him by the LVM Committee that did not make the "final cut" of US Candids online photos. Forgetting for the moment that the person in charge of these photos at US Candids, a name I posted before but will not repost, told me that all photos of the race were posted online. Mike's AOL lawyer also told Brojos that Mike had 6 or 7 photos that he thinks shows him on the course but when asked for more details by Brojos, neither AOL lawyer or Mike provided any additional details or the photos.

So assuming for a minute that Rossi received some photos from the Committee (which is a big assumption along the lines of the realness of Santa Claus and Easter Bunny) and he has claimed to me in private and even here and elsewhere of their existence, why won't he or hasn't he showed them to anyone? Now more than ever since Brojos has offered money to see them. He could use that money for his "charity" and shut everyone up, a true win-win for him. Saying he doesn't have to is not a reason or excuse. Since he is the one who from the start has claimed he has photos and other proof, its on him to show us the "goods" since he has bragged about their existence. Otherwise it makes him look not only more guilty, but perhaps the biggest schmuck in history. He has nothing to lose at this point.

In addition, if these photos were given to him by the Committee and they show him on the course, then why didn't the Committee's statement say so? In fact, they make no mention of these or any photos, nor do they make any positive attribution toward Rossi? Why? Because they can't because they know ( as we or anyone with any modicum of logic and reasoning knows) they can't back any positive attribution about him up. So instead they make a convoluted statement that says that there was no evidence that his time was inaccurate. Not only is that not an endorsement or statement of innocence, it is false because the fact that there is not one single time-stamped photo of him on the course means that his time is innacurate. Everyone else who ran the race can point to at least one or more photos at the 5 photo checkpoints but ROSSI CANNOT!

So again, please try to answer these questions with some substance rather than rhetoric.

Cecily Tynan

‪#‎TBT‬ 2001 RUNNER'S WORLD 1/2 MARATHON

I'm a slower runner now, but I'm also a much smarter one! Certainly not an expert, but I've learned many valuable lessons on long distance running over the years. Here are some of them:

PACE MATTERS: Whether its a race or training run, finding the right pace can mean the difference between finishing strong or painfully slow (I've done both.) If you try to run a marathon (or even 1/2 marathon) faster than your 10k pace, your legs will have a tough time getting you to the finish line! It's vital to find the right pace for your distance (usually >30sec/mile slower pace for a marathon than your best 10k, even run slower on a hot, humid day.) A good tool is a race pace calculator that takes into account your age and gender

http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/racepaces/rp

Of course, if you want to race a marathon, you'll also have to put in a lot of miles. Most running coaches recommend a beginner marathoner gradually works up to 50 miles/week over the course of 4 months.

DON'T RACE INJURED/RETURN TO RUNNING SLOWLY: Aches and pains, more than typical muscle soreness, is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Running through those pains can turn into serious injuries. Seek out an experienced PT or a reliable sports doctor. If your doctor gives you the green light to run a marathon with any type of muscle, tendon or ligament tear, get a second opinion. It's not worth destroying your body for any finisher's medal! Volunteer to work the water stop instead if you don't want to miss the race.

When you return to running, gradually ramp up the mileage and realize you WILL be slow at first. Studies show a runner loses VO2 Max (aerobic fitness) and muscle strength after just 2 weeks without running. After 11 weeks off, VO2Max drops >25% (that means a 20min 5k runner comes back in 25:30 shape.) Be patient, you'll be back eventually. But, if won't happen overnight.

SET GOALS, BUT FEEL FREE TO CHANGE THEM: In my running prime, I was aiming to qualify for the Olympic Marathon trials. But, after 4 sub-3hr marathons, I discovered the fastest I could run was 2:54 (not the 2:48 for the b qualifying standard- "just 6 minutes") Shaving big chunks off a marathon time is virtually impossible. So, I shifted my focus to multisport. I'm happy I did. If I continued chasing that unattainable 2:48, I would have ended up injured and missed out on other great experiences, like racing the Ironman World Championships in Kona and competing professionally in duathlons. Sometimes you just need to admit you can't do something and move on.

HONESTY COUNTS. Disqualify yourself immediately or, better yet, don't cross that finish line if you are racing with someone else's bib number or unintentionally cut the course (if you cut intentionally, you have bigger issues.) A bogus race time isn't fair to other finishers and fellow runners WILL notice immediately if your posted race time is clearly out of your reach. Fess up immediately, rather than getting buried in a mountain of lies. 15 minutes of fame isn't worth a lifetime of infamy (just ask Rosie Ruiz.)

KEEP YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT: Unless you are a professional runner trying to live on your race winnings, running is a hobby. Don't let your running goals get in the way of more important things, like your family and your job. In my prime, I used to travel around the world racing. Now that my children are active, my races are local and few and far between. I'd rather cheer on my children at their soccer games than run a race for my own glory. Every parent is different. But, remember: your children grown up very quickly; that goal race will still be there long after the children have left the nest.

EMBRACE THE EXPERIENCE: Don't take your running too seriously. After all, you're doing it for fun and fitness. At races, thank the race organizers, water stop volunteers and photographers (those guys work hard trying to get photos of every single runner along the course.) You'll have some good races and you'll have some bad days (we all do.) Either way, hold your head up high and give a bright smile for that finish line photo. Honest, hard work toward a fitness goal is reason to celebrate, no matter what your finish time. Happy running!

So # 3 is a coincidence due to what? Oh yea the Eagles game he rushed to that afternoon and splattered all over Facebook and Twitter. Btw I'm not climbing those steps and walking miles just hours after the race of my life! Workload and private matters, laughable. A bad troll at best. At least get your facts straight.

Mike Ruiz wrote:

Cecily Tynan

If you try to run a marathon (or even 1/2 marathon) faster than your 10k pace, your legs will have a tough time getting you to the finish line!

After 11 weeks off, VO2Max drops >25% (that means a 20min 5k runner comes back in 25:30 shape.)

Shaving big chunks off a marathon time is virtually impossible.

(if you cut intentionally, you have bigger issues.) A bogus race time isn't fair to other finishers and fellow runners WILL notice immediately if your posted race time is clearly out of your reach. Fess up immediately, rather than getting buried in a mountain of lies. 15 minutes of fame isn't worth a lifetime of infamy

At races, thank the race organizers, water stop volunteers and photographers (those guys work hard trying to get photos of every single runner along the course.)

very interesting

Once again we need to clean up the thread.

1) Can we all just please ignore Ken? It's obvious he's not going away and anything he'll ever post will be pure nonsense. I know some of it is entertaining and I know many of you can't believe he's actually serious but I'm afraid he is. Just ignore him and I assure you he will give up.

2) SmartRunnr is a decent troll, but only appears to be a better one because he/she is filling a void after mandatory registered posting.

3) Can we focus on Mike's attire and twitter posts? Much more entertaining...

But really, in all seriousness... oh wait

I'm on board with ignoring Ken. I still don't understand why the response to Ken's idiocy on this thread was to require username registration. Ken's username was always registered. Might as well take some antibiotics to clear up that viral inflection. It did get rid of Mike's pathetic posts at least. I guess that makes Mike the gonorrhea that your doctor accidentally cures by prescribing an antibiotic to combat your flu virus.

To sum up, Mike is gonorrhea.

And the fact that people are actually responding to "Smart Runnr" shows how lame this thread has gotten.

Kind of a random question, but does anyone else get the feeling that Mike probably jerks off to that video he made of himself "running" Boston?

She speaks our tongue! :)

On the contrary, I am amused how Ken was misled by the wording in a Runner's World scribble.

I have not been active at road races in the last years, did Champion Chips really disappear? Seems all "bib" nowadays...

It tells you everything about someone when they vigorously boast about a 4:01 and a 20:47 (no proof) online. Poser and phony.

Mike, you are not impressing anyone who has enough interest to do a google search about decent running times.

A guy showed up for our fun run tonite and ran between 35:00 and 39:00 for just under 5 miles. Can't get the time any narrower as approximating between myself and a friends times that finished before and after him.

Anyway the guy looked a lot like our boy. Not decked out in BA attire but did have sunglasses. Did not get a chance to talk to him and was nt sure what to say if it was him.

Looks a lot skinnier than the BA pictures.

Probably not him but definitely a string resemblance. Interesting if he starts showing up regularly.

Dear God this was beautiful. Perfect synopsis.

I'm getting pissed a fatty is still posting here.

SmartRunnr - it is quite interesting how invested you are on Mike's behalf. You seem to be a huge fan who displays no doubt whatsoever. However your facts could not be weaker.

1) "large improvements in training." Why don't you have one of the runners in your area post on here and give their name. But I wasn't talking about recent improvements and don't pretend you don't know that. I'm talking about his race history from Athlinks before and after his miraculous LVM 3:11.

2) The photos. Go back and read the Brojos article and what countless others on this. Follow the logic if you are able. Citing what you remember one person, Greg, had to say is irrelevant and you know it. But your mention of Greg demonstrates you've been following closely. Do you have a horse in this race?

3) Utter BS as someone else just mentioned. The repeated 3:11 on social media has evolved long after Mike was busted. He must feel he has no choice other than to use it as his signature. Well, he does actually have a choice, but has made his decision.

4) Weeks of thorough investigation. Nonsense.

5) The Christian card. Wow. Now I'm a believer. Never mind anything I've said above. Mike didn't cheat after all.

6) BQing as a charity runner. Such an after the fact statement. Don't you now regret not going that route?