Injuries have been a disturbing trend recently for Americas top runners. Is there a specific reason? Are they training too hard trying to get to the point where they can run with the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Moroccans or is it some other mysterious reason. Back in the early to mid 90s when there was one distance runner, Steve Holman (1500/mile), Bob Kennedy (5000), Mark Croghan & Marc Davis (steeple), Todd Williams (10,000) up with the top-10 runners in the world, they were able to stay healthy and compete with the best. What has changed that American runners are now injury prone? Just look at some of the recent runners who have been supposed to carry the banner:Adam Goucher is always injured it seems, Brad Hauser has had injuries, Kennedy has been injured recently. Then there are others that have a good season and then disappear: Gabe Jennings, Michael Stember (big break through in 1500-PRs 3:35), Nick Rogers (5000), Josh Cox (marathon), Pascal Dobert (steeple). Is it a matter of guys not staying focussed or injuries from working too hard or both. Personally I have tried both ends of the spectrum. In college I ran hard almost everyday throughout my first three years because I felt that was expected. I spent most of my time in the training room with injuries, but by my senior year I did the smart thing and began listening to my body and ran PRs in every event and was healthy throughout the year. Better late than never. To be the best obviously there is a fine line between hard work and overdoing it, it just seems America's top distance runners are having trouble finding the line.