I don't understand even the mild criticism directed at Amby Burfoot. He tried to look into it. He eventually put his name out there after the evidence was overwhelming -- photos of Meza entering the course in three different locations. He is the first major name in the sport (apologies to Derek and Gene Dykes) to go on the record.
Also, these criticisms are being leveled on a running forum of a running news website that has completely ignored the story.
Ackley wrote:
I don't understand even the mild criticism directed at Amby Burfoot. He tried to look into it. He eventually put his name out there after the evidence was overwhelming -- photos of Meza entering the course in three different locations. He is the first major name in the sport (apologies to Derek and Gene Dykes) to go on the record.
Also, these criticisms are being leveled on a running forum of a running news website that has completely ignored the story.
To be fair, elite athletes don't campaign on issues like this.
Their campaigns are out on the road - their training miles, victories and records.
They do it for the sport and the fans.
And when the Whitlocks, the Dykes and the Burfoots of the world show their excellence, they earn the fans' respect and the sport's history will always regard them highly.
But today the fans and the sport has to protect their own, and collectively call upon the race directors to take appropriate action.
Ackley wrote:
I don't understand even the mild criticism directed at Amby Burfoot.
This is Letsrun, unfortunately there are a certain percentage of contributors who are hostile to everything and don't have an off switch.
How fast could a 70 year old man with talent run on anabolics and EPO like chemicals.
http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/108/11/4206?sso-checked=true
Who cares if you can run 26.2 @ 6:36 a mile at 70?
I'm sure there are 35 year olds who can do that every day.
Agree, and of course they probably haven’t met Amby, who’s a decent, friendly person.
ExpertKipWatcher wrote:
Ackley wrote:
I don't understand even the mild criticism directed at Amby Burfoot.
This is Letsrun, unfortunately there are a certain percentage of contributors who are hostile to everything and don't have an off switch.
No one was hostile towards Amby. If you disagree with someone's approach, then you're hostile? I didn't read one post where anyone was hostile towards Amby. What pot are you trying to stir and why? I'm glad that anyone brings this to light and I actually give Derek more credit than anybody else, including Amby Burfoot. Is that hostile?
Of these three one or more is being economical with the truth, but who?
Meza:
"The last few years I’ve trained 100 miles a week for several months before my marathons. I do pretty fast 8-milers with the high school team."
Bland:
"When we’re training for marathons, we do a lot of weekend runs together. We do hilly trail runs for 90 minutes to two hours in Griffith Park or Mount Wilson or Debs Park. Frank is a phenomenal runner and I have great respect for him."
kegboy:
"Frank claims to run 100 mpw during marathon season and does "fast 8 milers" with the high school team. Neither are true. He would come run with us on tuesday and thursday afternoons at the parks, most of which were no more than 6 miles.
I don't remember a single fast 8 miler with him...I ran on the varsity team for four years and never once saw him dip below probably 8:15 - 8:00 pace."
This is getting interesting, what does coach Diaz say?
According to Amby Burfoot, this:
"threatening voicemail on my phone. The caller identified himself as Coach Lalo Diaz of Loyola High School in Pasadena, CA, where Meza is listed as an assistant cross-country coach. The message said that Meza had retained an attorney and that I should “cease and desist” from whatever I was doing."
Hilariously Kip had been busy in the comments area of that article claiming that he was wronged, I wonder if we will see his sockpuppets in this thread?
Animalmom wrote:
I’d love to be in the Frank Meza war room now. Who else is in it do you think?
The coach who threatened, his accomplices, the LAM RD, charities etc?
They are all screaming at him for being a dope and “how can we contain it”
I'm still not convinced that was Diaz that threatened. Anyone can leave a message saying they're Diaz. Before we incriminate someone, we should get evidence locked down.
It would be nice if there was some record of the phone number from which the call came.
Yeah, it could be another troll like Ghost of Igloi who’s disappointed Burfoot didn’t draw blood.
Meza's comments to Burfoot regarding running with "the boys" on Sunday's also basically incriminates himself (and thus, the Loyola program) of violating CIF-SS rules:
QUESTION: Does a meeting on Sunday of a single student with a coach constitute a violation of Bylaw 1410?
ANSWER: Yes, the intent of Bylaw 1410 is to allow no contact with student athletes on Sundays.
https://cifss.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018-2019-blue-book-final-7-31-18.pdf
LoLyola wrote:
Meza's comments to Burfoot regarding running with "the boys" on Sunday's also basically incriminates himself (and thus, the Loyola program) of violating CIF-SS rules:
QUESTION: Does a meeting on Sunday of a single student with a coach constitute a violation of Bylaw 1410?
ANSWER: Yes, the intent of Bylaw 1410 is to allow no contact with student athletes on Sundays.
https://cifss.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018-2019-blue-book-final-7-31-18.pdf
When the LetsRun horde is on the case, cheaters better duck and run (or bike or drive).
So now we have a cheating coach working in a cheating program?
It would probably be a sensible idea to email Diaz and point out what is being attributed to him.
Seems odd for a grown man to leave a threatening voicemail and then refuse to pick up the phone or return calls. Sounds just like what an impersonator would do though.
I mean, "I'm phoning on behalf of my friend and telling you to cease and desist because he's retained an attorney". Sounds like something a kid would say.
How about... wrote:
It would probably be a sensible idea to email Diaz and point out what is being attributed to him.
Seems odd for a grown man to leave a threatening voicemail and then refuse to pick up the phone or return calls. Sounds just like what an impersonator would do though.
I mean, "I'm phoning on behalf of my friend and telling you to cease and desist because he's retained an attorney". Sounds like something a kid would say.
Who would have known that Amby Burfoot was making inquiries at that time?
Man, 100+ mile weeks, on top of strenuous full-time employment (almost certainly 40+ hour weeks), volunteering, and coaching, all at 70+ years old... Where does he find time to sleep and recover?
Great point! Bad news travels fast, ha ha. Especially when it’s about you!
pathfinder wrote:
Animalmom wrote:
I’d love to be in the Frank Meza war room now. Who else is in it do you think?
The coach who threatened, his accomplices, the LAM RD, charities etc?
They are all screaming at him for being a dope and “how can we contain it”
I'm still not convinced that was Diaz that threatened. Anyone can leave a message saying they're Diaz. Before we incriminate someone, we should get evidence locked down.
It would be nice if there was some record of the phone number from which the call came.
It would be an odd choice. I do not see what would have been gained by impersonating Diaz, of all people. Amby has already spoken to Frank and would have known if it were him.
I have the number and have heard the message. I plan to reach out.