To all runners jealous of Galen Rupp,
There is a painful yet simple reason why you criticize Galen Rupp and also why his name is in the news and your name is not: he is faster than you. It is ironic to note that if you were as fast as Galen Rupp you probably would not be wasting your time criticizing other runners because you yourself would understand what is required to become a world-class athlete. You would also feel better about yourselves if you were as fast, although basing your self-worth strictly off of running performances would be a self-destructive and superficial way to live your life. Be that as it may, all you runners - and I will give you the benefit of the doubt that you actually are runners - must not forget that Galen has the two crucial factors necessary for success: talent and discipline. It takes talent to run 100-plus miles a week (i.e. your body physically being able to withstand the taxing training) and to run your last lap of a 10000 meters in 60 seconds; it takes discipline to train day in and day out, through injuries/sickness, and make sacrifices like not going out on the weekends and binge drinking. (Most of you wish you could run 100 miles a week and if you have even had the opportunity to try it you probably have gotten injured). Keep in mind these factors are required regardless of any alleged drug/steroid uses which by the way have yet to be proven. If Galen were to die or quit tomorrow, he will have already accomplished spectacular and impressive feats. In other words, he does not have to prove himself anymore simply because he already has laid down some incredible times. People would not be less enthusiastic if Lance Armstrong only won 6 Tours instead of 7 – or 2 instead of 1 for that matter. The fact is that Galen has competed with top collegiate and world-class athletes and we should applaud that. Also, in response to these “advantages” that are being carelessly throwing around, y’all have not articulated what they are, and even if you do you fail to realize one important fact about sports: just as really good college football players get access to the best resources, facilities, and trainers, so too do top runners. Solinsky, Mcdougal, Withrow, Ritz all have enjoyed access to top-notch physical therapy supervision and their coaches aint half-bad either. So when it comes down to it, there are no “advantages” that Rupp has over other top collegiate runners. And even if he does have access to an underwater tredmill, he has earned that privilege because of how well he has performed. If you are a crappy JV runner on some non-competitive high-school track team, there is no reason nor justification for you to have access to an underwater tredmill. Instead of wasting your time online criticizing Galen Rupp I suggest you get outside because your time would be better spent running. If you want to stay inside and play the intellectual game then I suggest you read the genealogy of Morals by Nietzsche and learn about how people with less power develop a sense of ressentiment (no I didn't spell it wrong) towards people in power, forming attitudes of blind jealousy and mindless hatred. Maybe you would realize how you resent the fact that Galen is better than you and you could come to terms with feelings of insecurity. When you beat Galen’s time of 27:33, tell me. I will be equally impressed and will defend you against people’s illegitimate claims. So on that lovely note, I defy you: go on, keep criticizing Rupp, in the end you will only be getting what you want, not what you need.