Solving the US marathon problem

Do you do LSD (the drug)?

I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. Your subject is "solving the US marathon problem" but you don't suggest what is exactly the problem? According the list you posted, this year is by far the fastest. So what's the problem?

The problem has solved itself, and except for possibly Japan, the US is the strongest distance running nation by far of the non-African nations. And Japan's success doesn't seem to carry over to the track. I'm not sure we can do much more in this day and age than what we're doing. Doesn't mean we should stop looking for a better way, but we certainly don't need to weep and gnash our teeth at how we're failing.

Hall has shown every American that it is possible. Period.

I'm curious why so many people place so much importance on the marathon.

I agree with the OP. Americans fear the marathon and erroneously feel it will kill their running careers by making them slower and more injury prone. This, simply, is not true. Runners coming out of the collegiate systme should not be afraid to run their first marathon at 22 or 23. The OP is simply saying that the marathon has served as a retirement for American distance runners in the past. Now, young runners (Ritz, Hall, etc) are embracing the marathon while in their prime with 5-10 years to still emplore their potential in the event.

Here is my dumb thought......maybe the NCAA should have the Marathon competion?....A national NCAA Champion!...could be the first or last event at the NCAA Championships!....you qualify by a good 10k time.

what you think?

Alacrity wrote:

The OP is simply saying that the marathon has served as a retirement for American distance runners in the past. Now, young runners (Ritz, Hall, etc) are embracing the marathon while in their prime with 5-10 years to still emplore their potential in the event.

Thanks for translating. There may have been some latent LSD within the post, so I apologize for the lack of overall focus. Without getting too personal, I was sitting on the potty while typing...all number one and I was very careful not to infect the keyboard.

If you look at the '04 Trials, the top guys there all entered the marathon well after they turned pro. Culpepper debuted at 30, Dan Browne at 27, and Meb at 27. I'm not saying that their careers are over, but odds are their best time for 42k is behind them.

Obviously, if you are going to improve in the marathon, the Brian Sell approach makes the most sense. Sell debuted at 25 years old and he's only gotten better. From 2.20, to 2.10.

My question about collegiate running is asking if we are lumping everyone into 5k/10k without offering the opportunity to go longer while they are in a prime age.

Shouldn't we have an avenue to find the US version of Wanjiru, or the Lebron James/Kevin Garnett of US marathoning?

Hall's decision to run 42k was spontaneous after his AR for the half. Thank God he went for it. Hopefully he will lead the way for other young runners out of college. McDougal!

usaalltheway wrote:

Hall has shown every American that it is possible. Period.

Every American growing up at altitude. Semicolon.

Who? Question mark.

Your momma! Exclamation point.