Wow. Galen Rupp actually gave a good interview. What did I just watch?

Yes that shows that maybe now that Galen has left the NOP cult that he actually could emerge as a likable guy. He is much better here.

At WC this summer, I attended a 60 min Q&A w/ Rupp and Hasay that was open to the public. He was chill, very natural and unguarded. A lot of the questions were canned softies lobbed in by what were obviously Nike agents, but his responses to genuine questions from the audience were relaxed and candid. I regret not asking him about training changes under Smith and if he's thought about coaching himself someday.

Good luck at your upcoming How to Talk to Women class!

That was a great interview. Reminds me of the local hero in Switzerland, Viktor Röthlin. Really just a nice guy who's focused on doing the best he can in the sport, but otherwise, not a big show-offy person. Sure it would be nice to have our stars in Marathon running be memorable personalities like Michael Jordan or Jim McMahon, but those instances, while they shine so bright the world takes notice, are so rare it's a generational thing.

If only an interviewer can ask a hard question about his past with Alberto Salazar and Nike.

It helps that the host is pretty good at "talking to humans" and getting them to feel comfortable about opening up.

"Winning is why I do this"

The best thing about Rupp. He is a racer before he is anything else.

100% the opposite of a BTC guy. "Let's hug the inside rail, never move or pass anyone, and run for time."

first time for everything

I don't know why you mentioned Jim McMahon, but I'm happy you did. The Bears haven't had a quarter back as good as him since Sid Luckman. Maybe in a year or two Justin Fields will be a historical name in sports also. Or maybe not. Running/scrambling quarter backs sometimes have a short shelf life.

Sorry if I took the thread off topic, but I'm a Bears fan, and I appreciate it when someone gives somebody else credit, when credit is do. Thank You.

I'm surprised to hear he ran 34 miles. I wonder if he did that while training with Mike Smith or Al Sal.

Most of the previous interviews I'd watched with Rupp were right after races. Maybe that's a factor? Probably also just maturity that comes with age.

It was interesting to hear him state that he would like to get the AR in the Marathon.

Since the date of the 2024 Olympic Trials is up in the air (and could be as early as January 2024), does he run London or some other fast European marathon next Spring instead of Boston?

I can't find his result anywhere, even on the official event page. Did he not run? Was he just talking about the Chicago marathon but not competing at it this year?

He ran with Connor Mantz' bib.

Al Sal

He showed up at the finish line congratulating the finishers. He appeared to be wearing a couple of medals. But all the TV showed on my screen was two ribbons around his neck. I'd imagine those were his Olympic medals, but they also could have been from other races. Chicago marathon and the network they sell the rights to televise it has the worst coverage of any marathon I've ever tried watching on TV.

They spend way too much time showing how many thousands of bananas and bagels they have for the multitudes. And then we get a tour of the Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich neighborhoods that should only last no longer than one can spit.

But now, it seems to go on forever. Then, low and behold, we get a 5 minute commercial break.

When they come back from commercials, usually a break has been made that the TV audience missed. And the "Hosts" don't cover it very well. They're still interviewing wheel chair athletes. Which I don't at all mind. Imagine propelling yourself 18-19 mph in a racing chair. They deserve coverage also.

But holy fricken cow, try showing the whole race, even if it's on split screen like NASCAR does. I guess there's a reason Chicago is called the second city.