They only thing interesting to me about this story is that some event organizer offered a 3200 and 1600 that long ago. I hadn't yet heard of anyone race, train for, or mention either of those 20 years ago. There was a time during which 100% of runners, coaches, and meet directors would have given you a blank stare if you mentioned either. I imagine that period includes the 20th century and, I guessed, quite a bit of the 21st. When did these distances start to be considered valid racing events?
haha I didn't even realize these weren't common events, they were the main events in PA which is obv a pretty big state. agree it's not a very interesting story, this main story (which i also don't find interesting) reminded me of it. cheers
What is this guy even talking about? 16/32 was the standard across the nation 20yrs ago. A few states like Oregon ran 15/30. Rare to see a real mile/2mile. Dude forgot we’re in 2023, not 1990.
haha I didn't even realize these weren't common events, they were the main events in PA which is obv a pretty big state. agree it's not a very interesting story, this main story (which i also don't find interesting) reminded me of it. cheers
What is this guy even talking about? 16/32 was the standard across the nation 20yrs ago. A few states like Oregon ran 15/30. Rare to see a real mile/2mile. Dude forgot we’re in 2023, not 1990.
that's what i always thought - i'm 41 and until that guys post yesterday I thought 1600/3200 was the standard nationwide distance. To be fair we referred to them as mile/2 mile usually iirc.
adobe, I've had the opportunity to spend time talking to Lauren. She is anything but an entitled Stanford brat. She is as blue collar as they come. She gave it a shot by asking them, since she knew her elite days were at their peak and she may never get another shot.
It wasn't exactly the same. Desi could barely run at all and 100% knew she wasn't going to be competitive. She didn't make it to 5K. Hall wasn't 100% and gave it a go and it didn't work out. He made it about to the half if I recall correctly.
MMM...they are actually really similar situations. And they were definitely not the only two injury situations like that at the games.
Des and Kara, with Lauren as a guest on their new podcast, talk about the horrors of being an alternate and also being in the position to give up a spot.
Des wanted to give up her spot in London 2012 but it was too much of a financial hit to not be labeled an Olympian. And contractually it didn't count till she stepped foot into the race. (Take that fwiw when considering who's an Olympian.) Plus she'd be giving up her spot to the 7th person in waiting.
Kara once didn't give up her World team spot to Des when she was injured because she would get a reduction from Nike for not running, so she ran injured.
They talked about the email situation with Lauren feeling desperate and Kara understanding, but not getting into how she felt being asked. It was a really interesting conversation, even though I felt like they were holding back a bit.
Kara was saying everything all worked out and to me it was conspicuous that two out of three are Olympians. But Lauren has Picky Bars and is most certainly the best writer of the 3 of them (no ghostwriter) and by spring, all three will have books out.
I give them credit for bringing it up at all. That and bunhuggers—to wear or not to wear.
MMM...they are actually really similar situations. And they were definitely not the only two injury situations like that at the games.
That and bunhuggers—to wear or not to wear.
Funny how Kara gave up the bunhuggers when she switched to trying the Leadville marathon. Before, whenever the cameras were around, sleet/snow/freezingass temps - she rocked them even if she had to wear armwarmers and mittens and headbands and beanies.
Funny how Kara gave up the bunhuggers when she switched to trying the Leadville marathon. Before, whenever the cameras were around, sleet/snow/freezingass temps - she rocked them even if she had to wear armwarmers and mittens and headbands and beanies.
My take from the conversation is that while they do associate them with peak shape and fast times, they wouldn't choose to wear them with no eyes around. Kara said it was an adjustment to get used to in college cause she had worn shorts over tights in high school. But both she and Lauren said they more wore boy shorts when they weren't at peak racing weight. Then Lauren, at least, would have misgivings that this was a tell and she was showing vulnerability—that she wasn't in peak shape.
Des always wore shorts but even she wore bunhuggers on the track for a Worlds final in the 3000. Cause it was the 3000.
MMM...they are actually really similar situations. And they were definitely not the only two injury situations like that at the games.
Des and Kara, with Lauren as a guest on their new podcast, talk about the horrors of being an alternate and also being in the position to give up a spot.
Des wanted to give up her spot in London 2012 but it was too much of a financial hit to not be labeled an Olympian. And contractually it didn't count till she stepped foot into the race. (Take that fwiw when considering who's an Olympian.) Plus she'd be giving up her spot to the 7th person in waiting.
Kara once didn't give up her World team spot to Des when she was injured because she would get a reduction from Nike for not running, so she ran injured.
They talked about the email situation with Lauren feeling desperate and Kara understanding, but not getting into how she felt being asked. It was a really interesting conversation, even though I felt like they were holding back a bit.
Kara was saying everything all worked out and to me it was conspicuous that two out of three are Olympians. But Lauren has Picky Bars and is most certainly the best writer of the 3 of them (no ghostwriter) and by spring, all three will have books out.
I give them credit for bringing it up at all. That and bunhuggers—to wear or not to wear.
That sounds like they signed garbage contracts. Do you think Lebron or Ronaldo get reductions if they aren't labeled Olympians?
So all those bashing LF are perfect and have never said or done anything they regret? What is wrong with asking if there might be a chance to compete at the Olympics? Oh wait, this is the LRC MB, where impulsive, baseless rapid demonization of high level athletes, ESPECIALLY smart and capable women is the norm. Same as is done with Jordan Hasay. I bet 100% that not one of those bashing her is at her level. The best athletes respect each other because they know what the route and journey is like.
So all those bashing LF are perfect and have never said or done anything they regret? What is wrong with asking if there might be a chance to compete at the Olympics? Oh wait, this is the LRC MB, where impulsive, baseless rapid demonization of high level athletes, ESPECIALLY smart and capable women is the norm. Same as is done with Jordan Hasay. I bet 100% that not one of those bashing her is at her level. The best athletes respect each other because they know what the route and journey is like.
You sweet summer child.
The reason why its a problem is bc: the question undermines the very spirit and process of the trials process. And 2. As Des and Kara lined out (and other posters here did as well,) for a qualifier to give up their spot to another unqualified person has financial and professional implications. This is their JOB. So another athlete asking (still lol) for a spot they did not earn and all the benefits that go with that spot is 100% cringe. And they DEFINITELY earn the cringe.
I read Fleshman's book and thought it was really, really good. As far as memoirs go I think this will be one of my favorites of the year. That being said i am disposed to like it because it is so candid about the internal workings of professional running. The moment in question didn't come off as egotistical in the book. It felt more like she was speaking of the desperation of being an elite athlete knowing that you were not going to be able to afford your house anymore bc of a contract reduction and the crazy things you do, which you now aren't proud of. I was mainly surprised that she wrote about it in her book bc it seemed she wasn't proud of it and obviously didn't have to include it. I thought as a whole the book was incredibly honest and fair, and knowingly unflattering of Fleshman herself. Not surprised to find pages of people who haven't read it giving their amaaaaazing takes on one piece of it out of context.
I would also say that perhaps one thing to keep in mind is that 4 weeks earlier fleshman had run 14:58 in new york (at the time sub 15's were still INCREDIBLY rare for US women) before getting a stress reaction on the warm down and having to be in the pool for 3 weeks and then squeeze in one week of land running before the trials. it isn't super unreasonable or entitled to think with another month to get back in shape a fresh fleshman would be the best option to represent the US. That being said i agree it's uncomfortable and not super reasonable to send that email, and that seemed to be lauren's own POV as well