I always chuckle at these threads when i remember big man solinsky got pushed off the track by a tiny African runner and threw a fit instead of jumping back in.
He was like a linebacker out there compared to a Kenyan. Dropped like 8:40 in high school then sub 13? Wtf?
Solinsky was always massively talented. He ran 14:40 to win Footlocker XC.
The "badger mile" method of counting all easy runs at 7:00 pace (I think that's what it was) also had him running underestimated volume, where his true weekly mileage was far north of 100mpw for years. The dude put in the work. Matt Tegenkamp also ran sub 13 for 5k on the same system when it wasn't normal at all for American men to do that. When Matt retired, it was only Bob Kennedy, Bernard Lagat, Galen Rupp, Chris Solinsky, and Dathan Ritzenhein who had also done it.
In short, Chris came very close to maximizing his potential and his peak was unfortunately cut short by the freak injury.
With badger miles I think there were also either rounding or predetermined increments. I specifically remember being told by a Badger cross-country runner that 60 minutes was 8 badger miles (not 8.5).
I also remember it being from him getting tangled in a dog leash, not from “speed work”. Am I making that up in my head? Used to see him often on the trail around Nike HQ when I was visiting.
I always chuckle at these threads when i remember big man solinsky got pushed off the track by a tiny African runner and threw a fit instead of jumping back in.
One thing being missed here is that Chris was a tough MF'er who raced with a ton of confidence and pride. Similarities to Pre in his demeanor. I've met few people who wanted to win more than him.
I always chuckle at these threads when i remember big man solinsky got pushed off the track by a tiny African runner and threw a fit instead of jumping back in.
Link ???
I don't have the clip handy, but it was a Golden League meet very soon after he set the American record. It might have even been the Galen Rupp ploy race. He was flung into the infield like a ragdoll.