Let's hear it for those steeple women. Marisa Howard runs a 15+ second PB to make 1st Olympic team at age 31. Constien 9:03 FTW!

Props to Howard for the race, but the second she opened her mouth about it being” God’s will or something”; I just tune out.

It’s laughable that an all powerful being who could show his existence at any time would use a third place woman steeplechaser to highlight his power.

(By the way, this is ttie for any athletes who say stuff like this)

They did. She explained that she knows her hurdle technique is weak and she likes more space for herself and to avoid interfering with others. She also figured she needed a fast race to have any chance to qualify. She says part of her stutter step is because she played basketball and soccer.

She did say, "Glory to the Lord even if I got last today." In your head, just replace God with Universe or Fates or Creator or Luck.

Val Constien had ACL surgery just over a year ago. Her facial expression from when she made her move onward was one for the ages - it was like she was possessed by a savage beast.

Are 'steps' really a thing in steeple? I ran it a number of times to get a point or two in college and we never worked out steps. The barriers are so far apart and you're almost always running in a pack. There was no way to count out 44 steps or whatever it would be. It's not like the 400 hurdles where they are 16 strides between and you stay in your lane.

Hate to break it to you but the “glory to God” crowd aren’t very tolerant of replacing God with any other thing.

Did you hear about the religious dyslexic insomniac?

He was up all night wondering, "Is there a dog? Is there a dog? Is there a dog?"

Maybe that's your problem, you tune out. You could also listen to what she said in totality again, instead of quoting only a small portion of it and commenting specifically on that small portion.

sorry if she offended you (but you just don't get it and we understand why)

Reminds me of Val Constein in the 2021 trials! Such an awesome race. US women’s steeple is getting to be at the level of US women’s 800.

It was a tremendous race. Women's steeplechase has that potential as long as the opening kilometer is fast. Immense props to the young lady who took it out. Otherwise they are content to loiter through 1000 in 3:10 or higher and all the permutations diminish.

When Frerichs had the breakthrough silver at 2017 world championships in London it was the same type of scenario. She went with the 9ish pace for the first time in her life and great things happened.

I felt sick for Markezich, after following her in the ACC for the past two years. She's been a warrior and team player in cross country, indoors and outdoors. During that final backstretch I kept thinking get over the water clean and you're home free. And it would have played out that way. Her struggle over the final barrier was irrelevant. It was obvious she was injured and couldn't rally. That was adrenaline and pride to the finish line.

Don't kid yourself that this has any relevancy toward the Paris final. Those women are an entirely different level. None of the Americans will be within view after one lap. There is no variance in the international steeplechase strategy right now. Beatrice Chepkoech will take every race out well below 9 minute pace and hope she can eliminate all but one or two principal challengers.

I felt exactly the same way. The words don't matter. Injecting that theme turns me off completely.

It's the reason I prefer the swimming trials to the track and field trials. You almost never hear that topic from swimmers. When they are asked about the race they talk about the race.

Love that photo.

I was not expecting the greatest inspiration to come out of these trials to be from both 3rd place runners in the Steeple. One just starting out and the other well past that. This is why I watch.

Excellent piece on Vander Malle Howard weeks before the race. No, I'm not associated with Tracksmith.

tracksmith.com

The 100% Pursuit | Tracksmith

A profile series spotlighting those willing to extend themselves until they are unable: first up is veteran steeplechaser Marisa Howard.

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Why would they for themselves? That's the point of Faith. I'm guessing with anyone who is devout in a religion with some sort of ultimate deity, they will replace Luck or Fate or Placebo with that deity. As a disclosure, I'm not sure how to categorize myself - kinda agnostic?

Yes, I understand that your underlying point is that there are plenty of intolerant people out there who will immediately scream, "No, Less Filling!" when someone says, "Tastes Great!" (reference to silly 80's beer advertising). If you want to continue to be part of the problem of intolerance "[externally saying] laughable [people believe this crap]," then feel free to do so, as I assume most religious people are tolerant of different beliefs. As with everything, the vocal extremes get the most air time.

That being said, I kinda tune out that part, too, so I get it. I hope someone will eventually do a post race interview saying, "Glory to Luck, Fate, Universe, God, Allah, Buddha, Brahma, Kami, etc, and anyone else I missed: I just wanted to cover all my bases."