I'll admit I'm as jaded as most LRC regulars, but I must admit that circumstances have led me to the conclusion that Brenda embodies all that I have hoped for and worked for as a runner, but at a much higher level. She has put in the struggle, suffered through every setback.
If you don't know her story, I invite you to read:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/martinez-720677-handler-vigil.html
Was at the protest tent after the race and despite being crestfallen (she looked way more despondent leaving the tent than when she went in btw), she graciously was signing autographs & taking photos with folks who seemed oblivious as to what had just transpired. Major props.
Brenda Martinez is one of my favorite runners. She is tough as nails, came from a poor background and her running talent got her to college on a scholarship and beyond. No idea why so many elite groups rejected her... been following this sport for 20+ years and this will be the hardest I will be cheering for a runner when she races the 1500.
kmaclam wrote:
Was at the protest tent after the race and despite being crestfallen (she looked way more despondent leaving the tent than when she went in btw), she graciously was signing autographs & taking photos with folks who seemed oblivious as to what had just transpired. Major props.
Clearly a class act. It sucks her graciousness will be overshadowed or completely unknown because of another athlete's poor race. Plenty of sore losers in this sport and, dramatic video and post-race excuses aside, true T&F fans know who they are. I hope Martinez takes some consolation in that.
Brenda Martinez is a class act!!!!
Why does there have to be a story. Everyone in this country has been building churches, parents have Cancer, totally impoverished, everyone killed in a Traffic Acc., born with some disease, recovering now from Cancer, lost this limb or that and on and on and on. Last Olympics the USA BooHoo stories went on and on for an hour on every athlete. Why can't just once every four years we have the top athletes in the world compete. Don't want to hear the life of building churches and saving the world hero stuff. Got to hear that every day, on every channel on all stories and commercials. Every second for four years, then just give us a break for two weeks please!
[quote]BOOHOOHOO wrote:
Why does there have to be a story. Everyone in this country has been building churches, parents have Cancer, totally impoverished, everyone killed in a Traffic Acc., born with some disease, recovering now from Cancer, lost this limb or that and on and on and on. Last Olympics the USA BooHoo stories went on and on for an hour on every athlete. Why can't just once every four years we have the top athletes in the world compete. Don't want to hear the life of building churches and saving the world hero stuff. Got to hear that every day, on every channel on all stories and commercials. Every second for four years, then just give us a break for two weeks please!
Wow! You are in the wrong thread! Your verbiage doesn't relate to the "reality" that has been posted!
BOOHOOHOO wrote:
Why does there have to be a story. Everyone in this country has been building churches, parents have Cancer, totally impoverished, everyone killed in a Traffic Acc., born with some disease, recovering now from Cancer, lost this limb or that and on and on and on. Last Olympics the USA BooHoo stories went on and on for an hour on every athlete. Why can't just once every four years we have the top athletes in the world compete. Don't want to hear the life of building churches and saving the world hero stuff. Got to hear that every day, on every channel on all stories and commercials. Every second for four years, then just give us a break for two weeks please!
You seem to have recognized that suffering, pain, and heartbreak are inescapable features of the human condition.
Indeed, all human endeavor can be characterized as nobly ignoring the futility of our efforts.
it is right and proper that we celebrate it.
aahghhh wrote:
Brenda Martinez is one of my favorite runners. She is tough as nails, came from a poor background and her running talent got her to college on a scholarship and beyond. No idea why so many elite groups rejected her... been following this sport for 20+ years and this will be the hardest I will be cheering for a runner when she races the 1500.
Brenda has the heart of a lion. Only one other runner's heart surpasses hers....and that would be the heart of Jordan Hasay.
Offended Henrietta wrote:
aahghhh wrote:Brenda Martinez is one of my favorite runners. She is tough as nails, came from a poor background and her running talent got her to college on a scholarship and beyond. No idea why so many elite groups rejected her... been following this sport for 20+ years and this will be the hardest I will be cheering for a runner when she races the 1500.
Brenda has the heart of a lion. Only one other runner's heart surpasses hers....and that would be the heart of Jordan Hasay.
Ah, sir, you forget Mary Cain.
I really thought she showed class in the interview. I didn't watch Montano's whole interview but from what I watched she didn't seem to take responsibility. It looked like she clipped Martinez's foot.
Martinez said it- this is track and field. Most of us have enough spike wounds to know that it is NOT a non-contact sport.
Thanks for that.
I've always liked B-Mart. After yesterday and reading that article, I'll be rooting hard for her in the 1500. I would be proud as an American to have her represent our country.
She's a gutsy, classy woman. I hope New Balance appreciates what they have in her.
She's also a fox.
BOOHOOHOO wrote:
Why does there have to be a story. Everyone in this country has been building churches, parents have Cancer, totally impoverished, everyone killed in a Traffic Acc., born with some disease, recovering now from Cancer, lost this limb or that and on and on and on. Last Olympics the USA BooHoo stories went on and on for an hour on every athlete. Why can't just once every four years we have the top athletes in the world compete. Don't want to hear the life of building churches and saving the world hero stuff. Got to hear that every day, on every channel on all stories and commercials. Every second for four years, then just give us a break for two weeks please!
You clicked on the thread you hypocrite.
Extremely classy, a hard worker, and will make the U.S. proud in Rio if she makes it in the 1500m, which I think she has an excellent chance of doing if she can put this race in the rear view mirror.
I'm a Brenda fan because she goes out there and does events that are out of her comfort zone. How many 800 specialist do you see racing 5Ks?
Why was she rejected from training camps? Does it have to do with her asma rumors and using inhaler right before racing? Does anyone have insight to any truth in this?
Too bad her husband is a straight up loon
I love Bmart. I'm still pissed about what happened. But USATF and the track world in general is pretty screwed up and unorganized so I'm not surprised that nothing will be done.Typical sh*t show.
Then in Rio we'll have all kinds of dopers winning medals again. Only to see some of them stripped away years later. This cycle of cheating and stripping medals is getting so old.
Gunitaasshat wrote:
Why was she rejected from training camps?
They didn't think she was good enough coming out of college (I'm looking at you, Mammoth Track Club).
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year
Rest in Peace Adrian Lehmann - 2:11 Swiss marathoner. Dies of heart attack.