I heard a very elite runner last week commnent that the number one reason US Distance running is behind is expectations. US distance runners are paid way too well. Their contracts totally revolve around simply placing top 3 at the US Chanpionships, so they are basically done by the end of the season. He thought this was especially illustrated through the fact that US runners will beat up on a foreign guy through their NCAA careers and once they graduate, that foreign kid will go home and start blasting times. In the meantime, our guys, on average really need to marginally improve to compte with the best in the US. Just some thoughts?