ANDREW WHEATING RETIRES

Sad? He has done nothing in years, been largely absent from the scene, and his continued absence will not be noticed.

Finally. Dude was just so herky derky about running. Like just do it.

At least give him credit for all the great moments he had in college/early pro career. Dude was good for the sport

For those that don't use Facebook/social media:

Dear Professional Running,

First off, I want you to know how much you have meant to me over the last 7 years. You've changed my life in ways I couldn't even imagine. You've made me laugh, you've made me cry, you've brought me a happiness that can't be replicated anywhere else. However, you've also hurt me so many times I've lost count. I just want you to know, it's not you, it's me. I'm a different person from when we first met. I was young, I was driven, I wanted us to be the best couple in the world. Like Batman and Robin, or spaghetti and meatballs, or Taylor Swift and... my point is, I wanted us to be the best together.

But sadly, I've changed, I want new things, new stimulus, new adventure, a new challenge. You haven't changed and I don't know what more I can do to fit what you want. I think it's time for us to split ways. Please don't cry, you'll always have Robby Andrews' charm and Kyle Merber's tweets to fall back on. But I'm ready, and I would love it if you would support that. If not, fine, I thought we could both be mature about this but if you're going to be rude about it then I'll be the mature one and not mention the hurtful things you did in 2014.

In all seriousness, I am retiring from professional running. To those who have supported me through the good and the bad, I love you. Thank you so much for the years of kind words, congratulations, and high fives. Any Wheating fan was an instant friend to me and I couldn't have asked for a kinder group of people with a stronger passion for the sport of running.

To Mark Rowland and the OTC organization, thank you, for giving kids a chance to accomplish olympic dreams. For supporting us throughout our careers and creating a fun atmosphere for kids to compete. Mark, you always showed a positivity that gave me hope during the toughest times. The amount of time and energy you put into each one of your athletes is seen and cherished by every one of us. I wish I could have gotten that olympic/world medal to prove to the world how truly amazing of a coach you are.

To my agent, Mark Wetmore and everyone at Global Athletics, thank you for fighting to get me the best opportunities for success. I didn't always make it easy for you but you fought tirelessly for me. Thank you for getting me across the world to race, for tickets to Celtics and Red Sox games, and for handling the business side of things with such class. I couldn't have asked for better representation.

To my friends and family, thank you for understanding when I couldn't make it home on the holidays, couldn't make it to your birthday parties, couldn't go snowboarding with you, it hurt to have to say I couldn't make it. Thank you for supporting my athletic journey the entire way, for showing up at my meets, and texting me after races. You're love was truly felt and I couldn't be more thankful for it.

To Nike, there isn't a thank you big enough in the world for the support you have given me. From the moment I graduated from Oregon to every race result there after, you have been in my corner since day one and it's meant the world to know you were there through the good and the bad. Please continue to do the amazing things that you do for this sport, for the kids that compete in it, and for the world that watches.

To my competition, I hated every single one of you... for 4 minutes or less. But I loved you just as much when the race was over. I've never thought ill of any of you and I truly wish you all the best. Keep the flame stoked and don't ever stop believing in your potential. I'll see ya behind the stands.

So, in the words of the hot girl I spoke to once in high school...

Peace out weirdo(s)!

https://www.facebook.com/andrew.wheating/posts/1650136125024829

he is in a sport with very limited great coaching opportunities. It is hard to stay on top and even harder to make a living at running.

He was clean, hard working, an Olympian and fun as heck to watch.

Twitter is always the last to know. He only announced it 9 minutes ago there.

His early career was definitely exciting. It's sad to see how hard it's been for him being so high in the sport, but not quite high enough. Glad he at least made some good friends along the way. He was much more likable than many of the others who come and go.

Congrats to him on such a great, inspiring career.

Dude made bank.

Did he ever try a coaching change?

The 2008 men's 800m trials is still one of the greatest races I've ever watched. That race and his 3:30.9 give Wheating a place in US running history. If you graphed out his career, he had a high peak early and dropped off rapidly, and maybe injuries kept him from reaching his potential. He still had a great career.

He was also an entertaining personality. His videos were funny.

https://youtu.be/WTt4uPO13lY

https://youtu.be/VJMSVGQHKXI

Anyhow, good luck to him as he moves on.

Is Andrew going back home to Vermont?

who?

Huge waste of talent- poor work ethic, booze, and having a coach that made mediocrity ok. Judging from what is written, it appears 7 years later he is not one single bit more mature. WASTE. OF. TALENT. Funny how some people that have it all throw it away.

Down the drain wrote:

Huge waste of talent- poor work ethic, booze, and having a coach that made mediocrity ok. Judging from what is written, it appears 7 years later he is not one single bit more mature. WASTE. OF. TALENT. Funny how some people that have it all throw it away.

Exactly what I just wrote! And when he can't compete in the mile anymore does he even try moving up to the 5K (he was good in HS) or using his tall frame for the steeple or even going to the roads? No, too lazy. Have a nice retirement, won't miss you!

an honest assessment wrote:

Sad? He has done nothing in years, been largely absent from the scene, and his continued absence will not be noticed.

A solid though in that post . I never really saw anything to make me believe he was driven to be the best.

Off into the sunset wrote:

The 2008 men's 800m trials is still one of the greatest races I've ever watched. That race and his 3:30.9 give Wheating a place in US running history. If you graphed out his career, he had a high peak early and dropped off rapidly, and maybe injuries kept him from reaching his potential. He still had a great career.

Yup. Multiple NCAA titles, two-time Olympian, fifth(?) all-time in the 1500 for the USA. Pretty good. His rivalry with Andrews was fun to watch, too (#WheatingTookaBeating). He seemed like he'd be THE MAN for a long time, but some people just lose it earlier than others. It must have been a real bummer to have spent so many years trying to get back into that earlier form and never quite being able to get there.

Those vids are solid. Any Olympian who makes fun of himself that much gets a thumbs up.

This is not a huge surprise but it is disappointing. It’s a shame that Vin Lanana stepped away from coaching. When Vin was coaching OTC those guys were on fire. Wheating and Russell Brown flourished under Vin.