Boulder Babies

All of the above. And you're wrong - it IS all about us.

Buffy,

Don't you think you are being a bit harsh? Boulder is a lovely town with plenty of mountain trails and nightlife. In fact, it's such a draw that many world class athletes from other countries regularly train there. Many of these visitors have purchased second homes in Boulder.

Run around "The Res" and you will see great African milers, superb Japanese marathoners, and some rather mediocre college kids. You may even see a few better than average American guys driving around town in their fancy cars (you know, 'cause they're always hurt).

Wetmore seems like he has a lot of coaching potential. He's got the book knowledge down pat. Hopefully, he'll get to coach a world class athlete someday. Too bad Culpepper left him before he cranked out that 2:09. He was close to getting credit for that one.

Boulder. It's no Eldoret but, the golf and microbrews are better.

Portland Runner,

No other city even compares in microbrew potential to Portland, OR. The trails are comparable. It depends on how much you like mud.

If you're from Portland, ME then you probably have no idea what I'm talking about.

Mud is character building, good beer is the reason life is worth living.

Adam Goucher is the best American above the mile, this is clearrrrr, Culpepper could beat him at the marathon distane but that is it. Meb, Abdi, Alan can't run with him at 2k, 3k,5k, 10k(if he ran it). He is the ONLY American that has a chance in hell at a decent finish in 2004 or 2008(maybe Webb) Olympics. Yes, he is hurt alot, but when he is healthy I don't know what arguement you could make that would convince anyone that any of the above 3 could beat him off a legit hard pace or a slow pace kicking-pleaseeee. How about a little respect for the guy even if he was hurt alot.

Hey, that's great and all, but you've got to run the race to win. You can't win if you don't compete. As much as I wish Gouch would come back, I don't think it's going to happen- wasted talent.

I think that the messages that followed yours help prove my point. A big bunch of babies.

I think Boulder sucks. I think a lot of people think you have to live in places like Boulder to be a successful runner.

How many times have we seen kids on this board write "We're thinking about moving to Boulder so we can get serious about our running.." as if moving to Boulder was some magic move that would make you a better runner?

No, I'm sorry. The best running climate is wherever you can get the support (monetarily, emotionally, what have you) to train consistently. Or, a place with a low cost of living so you don't have to work 70 a week. Or a place with a low-cost group like Hanson's. Not a place with high rents, high cost of living, and few jobs. Maybe it IS a good place for the established runner, but not for the up-and-comer.

I'm conviced that the best places to train right now are in the Midwest - particulary Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc. Low cost of living. Ample opportunities to hook up with national class groups (Hanson's, Invaders, WI Runner). Within a day's drive of MANY major races (aside from the west coast). Etc, etc, etc.

NOLIMIT wrote:

Adam Goucher is the best American above the mile, this is clearrrrr, Culpepper could beat him at the marathon distane but that is it. Meb, Abdi, Alan can't run with him at 2k, 3k,5k, 10k(if he ran it). He is the ONLY American that has a chance in hell at a decent finish in 2004 or 2008(maybe Webb) Olympics. Yes, he is hurt alot, but when he is healthy I don't know what arguement you could make that would convince anyone that any of the above 3 could beat him off a legit hard pace or a slow pace kicking-pleaseeee. How about a little respect for the guy even if he was hurt alot.

Coulda. Woulda. Shoulda.

Any idiot can train himself into a hospital bed.

Does anybody know why Wetmore is such a bum?

Guest, I disagree with your first sentence - personal opinion. I have no disagreement with anything else in the post.

Thinking about Buffy's initial post, I guess I don't see the problem. The letsrun community contains a number of subcommunities. Lots of people do or have trained in Boulder, so some discussion of specifics happens. Plenty of posters discuss NAIA subjects too, but I just ignore them. Not relevant to me. Try it, Buffy.

Boulder.....the home of many good runners with big dreams and a tons of excuses. Mind you, many have done well but the majority are just a bunch of talkers.

This is not to say that runners anywhere(US) do not have excuses why they have not made the BIG time running scene.

It just there seems to be a concentration of "been there done that" types that have settled at the foot of the NW

rockies of Colorado = BOULDER.

I agree....Boulder is not the running meca.....maybe the meca for the running neurotic.

NOLIMIT wrote:

Adam Goucher is the best American above the mile, this is clearrrrr, Culpepper could beat him at the marathon distane but that is it. Meb, Abdi, Alan can't run with him at 2k, 3k,5k, 10k(if he ran it). He is the ONLY American that has a chance in hell at a decent finish in 2004 or 2008(maybe Webb) Olympics. Yes, he is hurt alot, but when he is healthy I don't know what arguement you could make that would convince anyone that any of the above 3 could beat him off a legit hard pace or a slow pace kicking-pleaseeee. How about a little respect for the guy even if he was hurt alot.

The reality is that if Pre didn't die in a car crash and was about 22 years old he'd be kickin' everybody's ass.

What's your point about Goucher's if, if, if.

Wanted: Gardener to take care of grounds at local Monestary. Must be able to work with a robe on. Prefer male with ponytail, must be single and must believe that you can walk on water. Successful candidate will be allowed to jog on the estate and will have access to young girls in the community.

There are no more Frank Shorters in Boulder or anywhere else on the American scene....

"We ran twice a day, sometimes three times. Twenty miles a day, sometimes more. There were a couple of 170-mile weeks... All we did was run - run, eat, and sleep." - Frank Shorter

Live and train in Boulder? Why? Just so you can say you saw so and so run by your house at whatever pace? Who has accomplished the big stuff on the track and in cross country over the last 15 years? Look at Jennings. She lived in NH. Trained alone. Got the medals when it counted. Go and live where you can train hard, be supported and focus.

Budhist Monk wrote:

Wanted: Gardener to take care of grounds at local Monestary. Must be able to work with a robe on. Prefer male with ponytail, must be single and must believe that you can walk on water. Successful candidate will be allowed to jog on the estate and will have access to young girls in the community.

I've been looking for that job.

When was the last time you trained in Boulder. There is opportunity for the up-and-coming runner in Boulder. Check out a local newspaper for jobs and housing. Its expensive in Boulder, but not right outside Boulder (Broomfeild, Louisville, etc.). If you are an up-and-coming, than find and train with those who are 'world-class'--if thats the level you are aiming for. Like some one already mentioned, there are many elites that train in Boulder. Beyond the elite runners, it is a city of athletes--there is no better environment.

okay well i definetly agree on the arguement that what ever place motivates you than you should be at that place. i live in boulder now and i have a tougher time running here than i did back in the northeast BUT... when i was in the northeast i had a ton of people to run with... i was in college running with some great runners. out here i know very few people. however, if i did know alot more runners out here i would say this place is a hell of alot better to run than the northeast. when i was back in the northeast over break i had a few friends that could barely go out on a run because of the 10 inches of snow on the ground. half the time you just end up falling and hurting yourself in weather like that... let alone doing work outs. however when i got back out here it was like 55-60 degrees and since i have been out here half of the time the highs have been around there. today it snowed outside a little bit but i would be willing to bet that shit will all be gone tommorrow or at worst the next day. if your looking for a great climate to run boulder is it.. as long as you know some peeps out here where you can push each other. that guy was right too about boulder being a city of athletes... everyone that lives out here does something, rather it be hiking, climbing, bikeing, or running. well at least almost everyone... you do get the occasional hippie burn out that hates all sports... funny bastards.