What's he look like now and who is sponsoring him? Those are the determining factors as to whether or not he gets on the Oly team.
Gotta love Fam.
I take from this interview that he's go for the marathon payday after 2012 and focus on the steeple now. This seems like a great plan to me and I wish him luck - we need more fast men in the steeple!
I remember meeting this guy at a running store in Peoria during the Illinois state cross country meet. All of our guys were engaging long enough to figure out that he's really not that bright at all. Seems like a nice guy. A little cocky, but not overwhelmingly. My friend still has a signed drawstring bag that Fam wrote all of his PRs down on.
Who said you have to be "bright" in order to win races, make two Olympic teams, and inspire people to give it their all? And who are a bunch of Illinois State XC guys to judge brightness in the first place?
Glad to see he's still at it. He was very impressive at the 2008 trials. At least in the interview, his comments all seem pretty perceptive.
Phenom Man wrote:
I remember meeting this guy at a running store in Peoria during the Illinois state cross country meet. All of our guys were engaging long enough to figure out that he's really not that bright at all. Seems like a nice guy. A little cocky, but not overwhelmingly. My friend still has a signed drawstring bag that Fam wrote all of his PRs down on.
What a d!ckheaded thing to say.
Hanging on by a thread.
Isn't hurt, just training for the year?
Did you read the interview? He's starting his own brand and won't be sponsored by anyone.
DEPORT THAT GREASY WOP BACK TO ITALY TO BE WITH HIS KIND OF PEOPLE.
So his plan is to do the steeple in 2012? If he makes the team, the other steeplers should be embarrassed.
That's a nice plan if a marathon will pay you.
We only care how many Olympics and Worlds medals you have. That's our sport of T&F. You know already that only medals matter.
Phenom Man wrote:
I remember meeting this guy at a running store in Peoria during the Illinois state cross country meet. All of our guys were engaging long enough to figure out that he's really not that bright at all. Seems like a nice guy. A little cocky, but not overwhelmingly. My friend still has a signed drawstring bag that Fam wrote all of his PRs down on.
Have you considered that you may have been asking dumb questions and Fam was just trying to give his best answers without being impolite?
I like Fam. He has done well, and definitely is a breath of fresh air amongst some very bland distance guys. Your statement is idiotic. There is no reason he cannot make the team again.
fam serious wrote:
So his plan is to do the steeple in 2012? If he makes the team, the other steeplers should be embarrassed.
Yeah, what douchy posts. I read a long interview of him within the last year or two and his depth, well-roundedness, and dedication impressed me. Chances are near 100% that the teenagers had no idea how to communicate with someone as introspective and unique as Fam. No sarcasm. I wish him the best.
Phenom Man wrote:
I remember meeting this guy at a running store in Peoria during the Illinois state cross country meet. All of our guys were engaging long enough to figure out that he's really not that bright at all. Seems like a nice guy. A little cocky, but not overwhelmingly. My friend still has a signed drawstring bag that Fam wrote all of his PRs down on.
If you make the conclusion that someone is "really not that bright at all" just by talking to him at a running store for a little while, I am sorry to tell you that you probably are dead wrong. People are complex. You don't understand that, most likely because you are really not that bright at all.
I think his idea is great! His passion is great! His dedication is great. He's certainly "bright" enough to have made the parallel between two of the most popular individual sports, skateboarding and running, and is acting on it. Running needs to expose its top athletes. I am tired of not hearing a peep out of our top athletes until the weekend of a race, after which they disappear for another 5 months. Hearing their stories, seeing their training, and knowing how hard you actually have to work is inspiring and motivating. Books are great, but honestly kids don't read nearly as much these days as previous generations. They just watch videos all the time, play video games. More professional runners should be doing what he is doing.
Nope, I know him fairly well. Dumb as a rock, but very talented and dedicated. I think he'd be extremely lucky to make his 3rd team, but I don't put it past him. He is certainly good for the sport of running in the US. BUT, as someone pointed out, dumb has nothing to do with how fast someone can run. In fact, in his case, I think he runs faster because he is so dumb.
Fam is ultimately a pitiful figure. He is washed up, long-past the age where he should have moved on with his life. He will never be world class, and never make any meaningful money running. His setbacks are the result of old age and being past his prime. A true advocate of American distance running can only hope he will not have a chance come London. If he takes a spot on the team, it will be a shame, as the spot could instead have gone to a guy who still has a chance. And to compare himself to Pre, who was at one time ranked #1 in the world, is just delusional.
He is starting his own "brand" because no one will sponsor him because he isn't any good anymore. I remember seeing a feature on his life and how he painted (poorly) and how he trained alone. It was ultimately sad, not honorable, or inspiring. This sort of continuing of serious training is mental illness.
If Fam had any dignity, he would retire quietly and maybe coach a small college team. But he doesn't. So he'll continue to live in Never Neverland with all the other over-the-hill almost wases.