Can Rice Lead to Gold?

Found this interesting article over at the New York Times...I wonder if I could score a pair of these for my next marathon?

Later this month, Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor of the United States plan to begin testing the latest design from the distance-running equivalent of Manolo Blahnik. Their shoemaker is a Japanese master craftsman whose soles are renowned not for space-age gels or air bladders but for the gripping properties of rice husks.

The rice-husk shoes are custom made for a handful of elite runners by Hitoshi Mimura, 59, a former marathon runner who is a master craftsman for Asics, the Japanese sporting goods manufacturer. The husks, which are ground and imbedded in the rubber soles of racing flats, are designed to absorb water and to provide up to 10 percent better traction along the 26.2-mile marathon course at the Beijing Olympics in August. Various shoes made by Mimura have been worn by three recent Olympic marathon champions. His footwear is known for its minimal weight, cushioning and efficiency at dissipating heat, which could play a vital role in the expected hot, humid and polluted conditions of Beijing.

Marathon running does not exactly produce the same kind of skidding as Nascar racing. Still, the Beijing course could become slippery from rain, slick with humidity, slithery at water stops and misting stations, and glassy along a four-mile stretch of stones that have a feel similar to marble.

"The Olympics are the epitome of running," said Kastor, a bronze medalist in the women’s marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics who, like Hall, is sponsored by Asics. "There is a very small margin of error in preparing and racing. You try not to leave any stone unturned. Those fractions of a second add up." Less than a handful of ground husks are used in each shoe. If a husk becomes dislodged, the resulting tiny crater is meant to suction water and to provide a reliable grip on the road surface. Kastor said she liked the fact that the shoes were also eco-friendly.

Shoes designed by Mimura, officially known as wet-grip soles, were on the feet of Mizuki Noguchi of Japan when she ran through the sometimes marbled and wet streets of Athens to win the women’s marathon at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also made the footwear for Stefano Baldini of Italy, the 2004 men’s Olympic marathon champion, and the racing shoes — without rice husks — for Naoko Takahashi of Japan, who won the women’s marathon at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Noguchi was quoted in a Japanese news report as saying that she slept with the rice-husk shoes next to her pillow the night before the 2004 Olympic victory. At the finish line in Athens, she took off one of her racing flats and kissed it. Later, she called Mimura the "god of shoes."

Last fall, Noguchi said that she would wear an updated version of her "magic shoes" to defend her title in Beijing. Hall, the American, read a news-agency account of her remarks and became intrigued. This spring, running in a different model of Asics shoes, he finished fifth at the London Marathon and joined the list of marathon medal contenders at the Summer Games. "I'm looking for a shoe to get excited about," Hall said. "It’s kind of like when you’re dating a girl. For some, it takes two days for them to know that’s the person they’re going to marry. For some, it takes four years. You’ve got to believe in your shoes. I’m as curious as everyone else about what makes this shoe so special."

Hall and Kastor said they planned to give the rice-husk shoes a thorough test drive to measure cushioning and stability. If they are not satisfied, they will run the Olympic marathon in more generic Asics models. Even under the best of circumstances, marathon runners face sore and swollen feet, blisters and the occasional wandering toenail.

Mimura, the shoemaker, is something of a legend in running circles in Japan, a marathon-mad country. A former marathoner whose best time was 2 hours 28 minutes, he went to work for Asics 41 years ago, as an 18-year-old, gluing together the upper and lower portions of running shoes.

Kastor met him for a fitting during the 2001 world track championships in Edmonton, Alberta. Using a tape measure, Mimura spent 20 minutes measuring her feet, Kastor said, including the length and circumference of each toe, the width of her heel, the length of her Achilles’ tendon and the width of her foot at six or seven spots. "I didn’t know you could get that many measurements for a foot," Kastor said. "But the shoes he made fit like a glove."

At his office in Japan, Mimura uses a more high-tech method — three-dimensional computer models — to measure the feet of Noguchi, the reigning women’s Olympic marathon champion. Four or five times a year, he measures her feet at 13 various points. For Beijing, Mimura has made racing shoes for Noguchi that weigh a scant 3.85 ounces — compared with 11 or 12 ounces for an off-the-rack jogging shoe.

To view the Olympic course, Mimura went to China in April for the Beijing Marathon. He found the course to be flat but composed of various surfaces, including stone (that could cause slipping); newly paved asphalt (which will increase the heat); and concrete that appeared harder than Japanese concrete (perhaps because Beijing’s main roads are meant to accommodate tanks and other military vehicles).

To combat these conditions, Mimura said he had designed the rice-husk soles with a polyester upper layer meant to aid ventilation while resisting dust or sand that could irritate a runner’s feet. He hopes to reduce the temperature inside the shoes from about 109 degrees to 99 degrees. For cushioning, Mimura has installed a sponge mid-sole that he calls "light and bouncy." He has also engineered an innersole made of cotton and polyester that is intended to wick moisture produced by sweating and by dripping water poured on the runner’s heads.

"Samurai cannot fight without their swords," Mimura said. "It is the same for runners and their shoes."

Snapshot: NYC Marathon Preparation

Okay, if you're like me, you've trained, tapered, and overcome your share of bumps in the road to your marathon. But there's still a lot you need to do right come marathon day. Taken from both running experts and running novices, all who share their hard-won wisdom below, here are a few ins and out of race day you should wisely consider. I know more than a few of these have served me well on big days past, and I will be taking heed of again for my upcoming race in NYC in a short couple of weeks.

1. Don't do anything new. Race day is not the time for new shoes, new food or drinks, new clothing, or anything else you haven't done on several training runs. Stick with a routine that works for you.
   
   
2. Eat first thing. Too many marathoners skip breakfast on race day, opting for just a cup of coffee and/or some sports drink. You need more than that. From the time you go to bed until the start of the race is usually eight to 10 hours. In that time, your liver glycogen — which is stored carbohydrate — gets depleted. If you don't have a simple, high-carb breakfast, you're going to be in trouble at 20 miles. Bananas, bagels, or energy bars are good picks.
   
   
3. Don't overdress. Marathons often start in the cool of early morning, and it's easy to overestimate the amount of clothing you'll need. As a rule of thumb, it will probably feel 10 or more degrees warmer once you get going, and temps will rise as the day goes on. If you wear too much clothing, you're carrying extra weight, and will sweat more than you want, possibly increasing your body temperature and risk of dehydration. By overdressing, you create a microclimate around the skin that induces sweating. The best clothing allows for some heat loss, but not so much that you become uncomfortably cold.
   
   
4. Prevent chafing. During a marathon, every moving body part that can chafe will chafe. And nothing is more irritating and painful than skin rubbed raw. To prevent this, make sure your shoes, socks, and clothing have no raised seams that will rub against the skin. Also, use Vaseline, BodyGlide, or something similar in key locations, including your armpits, nipples, and inner thighs.
   
   
5. Wear sunscreen. Marathoners sometimes don't think about the fact that they're in the sun long enough to get sunburned. This is particularly true if you finish in four or five hours, which takes you into the high-sun time of the day.
   
   
6. Pin your race number on your shorts. That way you can fiddle all you want with your upper-body apparel. If the temperature rises, you can peel off the long-sleeve shirt that kept you toasty for the first three miles. If the wind kicks up, reach for the shirt that's wrapped around your waist. Putting your number on your shorts allows you to add or subtract layers as needed to adjust to changing conditions. On a hot day, you could even exchange a sweaty shirt for a dry one. The easier you can vary your torso covering, the better.
   
   
7. Go for the jolt. Twenty years ago, researchers thought that caffeine helped runners burn more fat, thereby sparing precious glycogen. That theory has been mostly disproved, but caffeine does make the marathon feel easier.
   
   
8. Top off your tank. Most marathoners know enough to stay well hydrated in the days before their race. It's tough to superhydrate, however, because your kidneys have time to release any excess water you consume. But in the final minutes to half hour before the start, you can trick your kidneys by sneaking in a late drink. (Your kidneys will mostly shut down once you start running hard.) Another trick many marathons try is eating pretzels before the marathon, figuring the extra salt will help them retain the fluids they consume.
   
   
9. Keep your warmup short. It makes sense to not warm up much before a marathon. After all, you want to save energy. But you'll actually run more efficiently if you first loosen up your leg muscles. Consider doing a warmup just to the point of a very light sweat. You can also use the warmup to gauge the weather, to see how you will need to adjust your pace to the conditions.
   
   
10. Run even pace. This is possibly the oldest and most important of marathon strategies. "Both the laboratory data and experiences of countless marathoners show that even-pace running is the optimal approach," says Russ Pate, who has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and qualified for three U.S. Marathon Trials in '72, '76, and '80. "In my best marathons, I almost felt that I was running too slow the first five to 10 miles." Exercise physiologist Phil Sparling, Ph.D., concurs. "You have to run so slow that it feels like you're holding yourself back," says Sparling. "Later it feels so good when you're going strong and passing people."
    
    
11. Fix it sooner, not later. You might notice that your shoelace is beginning to come untied. Or you're starting to chafe in that one particular spot. Or a pebble has taken up residence in your left shoe. These things don't go away on their own. And the sooner you deal with them, the better you'll fair over the distance. It's like the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Only in the marathon, it's more like an ounce of cure early is better than a pound of pain later.
    
    
12. Drink early — and late. When you're aiming for a fast marathon time every ounce of fluid you consume helps maintain the blood flow to your skin (for cooling) and to your heart and muscles. Since running hard slows the absorption of fluids from your stomach, you need to begin drinking early to have the fluids become available later. That said, drinking at the 24-mile mark also helps. There might not be time to absorb all the water and sugars, but some can get into your system, and this will help you in that last tough mile. (Important note: If you expect to run four hours or slower, be careful not to overdrink and develop hyponatremia. Drink when you are thirsty, and stop drinking if your stomach becomes uncomfortably full of fluids.)
    
    
13. Use some gel. Sports drinks contain carbohydrates and other good stuff, but gels provide a more concentrated source of carbs that can prove especially helpful in the last half of the marathon. Some marathoners carry four gel packs, taking them at miles 10, 14, 18, and 22. That's an average of about 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour, or about the maximum the body can handle.
    
    
14. Draft off someone. Hey, it works for Lance Armstrong. The drafting effect isn't as strong in running, but it's still there. "I always tried to tuck in behind someone in my marathons, because it's so much more efficient to follow," says Ken Sparks, who has a Ph.D. in exercise physiology and ran a personal best 2:28 at age 46. "I'd often pick one of the first women. They'd usually run a strong, even pace." Just be decent about it and don't follow too closely, or better yet, agree to take turns leading so you're working together with this person. Alternative: Find a marathon that offers pace groups, and join the peloton, just like Lance.
    
    
15. Don't charge the hills. The goal in marathon running is to maximize your efficiency over 26.2 miles. That's why drafting works. And it's why running hard up the hills doesn't work. From an energy-output perspective, you gain more speed by putting your effort into the flats than the hills. When you're on the hills, just relax. Don't worry about those people who are passing you. You'll get them back later.

Grandma's Announces Online Registration

Out with the old, in with the new. For runners looking to participate in one of the three feature races during the 2008 Grandma’s Marathon weekend, June 19-21, the new year brings with it a transition to online registration. Grandma's Marathon officials announced details for their inaugural on-line registration program.

For the first time in more than three decades, Grandma's registrants will no longer be required to mail paper entry forms and checks. Instead, beginning Thursday, January17 when online registration officially opens for the 32nd running of Grandma’s Marathon, participants will be able to sign up for all three races solely through http://www.grandmasmarathon.com/.

"The response that we have received from our runners has been tremendous and we are equally excited about this opportunity to offer the convenience and ease of registering online. The entire process takes just a few minutes and entry confirmation is virtually instant," Scott Keenan, executive director of Grandma's Marathon, said in a media release. "We could not be happier with our decision to make this conversion to a more streamlined registration process."

Informational postcards, which include important registration dates and deadlines, were mailed last week to people who registered for last year’s Grandma’s Marathon, Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon or William A. Irvin 5K. Those interested in more information regarding online registration can visit the web site or call (218) 727-0947.

Some important dates for those interested in Grandma's race registration, such as myself ...

• Grandma's Marathon registration opens Thursday, January 17. (Race limit: first 9500 entrants.)
  
  
• Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon lottery registration is open from February 20 — March 2. (Race limit: 4500 entrants, chosen by lottery.)
  
  
• William A. Irvin 5K registration opens Wednesday, March 19. (Race limit: first 1200 entrants.)

Spirit Of The Marathon

The marathon ... arguably the toughest long-distance event an average runner can face. Born from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek soldier, who was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon in the first century AD, it has long been recognized an Olympic event since the modern games were founded.

In more recent times, the sport has grown with immense popularity, with more than 800 marathons being organized annually worldwide. Each enticing literally hoards of determined runners with dreams of long-distance PRs and glory. The current world record time for men over the 42.195 kilometres (26 miles 385 yards)distance is 2 hours, 4 minutes and 26 seconds, was just recently set by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia in the Berlin Marathon this same year on September 30, 2007. Truely, the marathon has come of age.

"Spirit of the Marathon", the first ever non-fiction feature film, captures the drama and essence of this famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries, including that of Deena Kastor and Daniel Njenga. As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports movie, Spirit of the Marathon is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike.

The following clip is a trailer of this upcoming inspirational movie, coming hopefully soon to a theatre near you.

And Marathons For All

Did I mention a while back that had I registered for Grandma's Marathon? Well I did, and stayed up well past midnight to make sure my online registration was properly accepted. No bother, because I'm now all set to race in what I feel to be one of the most beautiful marathons the U.S. has to offer a runner. It will be held in Duluth, MN on June 21st. If you're a marathoner, this is a great race. I get excited about this race each and every time I race it. Of course, I get that way with every marathon I run.

You see, I have this feeling that everyone needs to attempt the marathon experience at least once in their lifetime. Alright, maybe I didn't mean "everyone" in the literal sense, but most of the runners out there anyway. I guess I consider the marathon distance to be one of the pinnacles of running, and something everyone should be allowed to sit in awe of their accomplishment at the finish line. Many runners and non-runners alike view the marathon as the ultimate running achievement, and often as something to aspire to. Not only does it deserve vision, dedication, and months of training, but it requires hours of race-day effort. Just far enough to push your boundaries, but not so far out of reach that you cannot obtain it through perseverence. When you look at it like that, it's quite possibly one of the perfect goals your everyday runner can have. And, I guess, in a sense Grandma's has been my aspiration for many years now. But the thing is, I'm beginning to also feel that it's become that continual "once-in-a-lifetime" for me ... like 14-times over-continual. Possibly it's time to add some new training incentives?

So enter my largest running goal of 2008: running in November's ING New York Marathon. Like I say, if you want to dream, be sure to dream big. Honestly though, I really want the chance to experience running in this big-city race. To encounter each of the five culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhood boroughs, to cross over the five equally unique and architecturally diverse bridges, and to soak in the thousands of spectators in the finishing lap through world-famous Central Park. Yes, I am trying to enter into one of the biggest marathon experiences out there in the world today. But let me also go on record saying this chance won't come easy.

Now if only I were a faster runner, I might have a good shot at a guaranteed entry through qualification. But I'm just not Lance Armstrong-fast (yeah, some guys have all the luck.) I guess I'll have to take my chances with the race's application lottery. Groan. I have heard so many horror stories from runners who have tried repeatedly to enter NYC via the application lottery method, only to be passed over the full three years before finally obtaining acceptance by default. Though I will gladly wait the full three years if need-be, personally I'd rather not delay my experience that long. In order to run this year in November, I am going to need a "golden ticket". Quite literally, a guaranteed entry into the race.

So is there any possibility this Midwestern runner will be able find the right Willy Wonka bar in time? As it turns out, possibly so.

I have this friend (a friend of a friend, who's brother's roommates's cousin's first nephew ... alright, you get the picture) and she works for ING ... who also happens to be the title sponsor for the NYC marathon. Through some earlier discussions and inquiry, she has been in contact with those involved with the race. To my surprise, they are attempting to secure a race "sponsorship" on my behalf. What is a sponsorship exactly? To be quite honest, I don't really know as yet. But, if all goes well, it might be that golden ticket I've been trying so hard to find.

Within a few weeks I should hopefully know more, so say a little prayer for me. Who knows, maybe this will be the beginning of a long time ambition of mine to run a marathon in each of the 50 states. Uff-da, I forgot to mention that one to my wife yet.

Lance At Boston?

So, did you hear the news yesterday? Lance is going to run Boston. No, I'm not kidding.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong plans to run the 112th Boston Marathon in April to raise money for his foundation. This race will be the American's third marathon. The 36-year-old cycling champion qualified for the Boston Marathon with a 2:46:43 finish at the 2007 ING New York City Marathon. Boston's qualifying time for Armstrong's 35-39 year-old age group is 3:15:00.

"For him to qualify in New York and then to take that time and apply it to Boston says a lot about what Boston means to the sport of marathoning," said Jack Fleming, a spokesman for the Boston Athletic Association. "It's tough to call your marathon career complete without running Boston."

Armstrong won the 1993 World Cycling Championship as well as multiple stages of the Tour de France before being diagnosed with an aggressive form of testicular cancer in 1996. Though the cancer spread to his lungs and brain, Armstrong recovered to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999-2005.

Following his retirement from professional cycling, Armstrong competed in the 2006 ING New York City Marathon, completing the race in 2:59:36. He returned to New York City a year later, improving his time to 2:46:43. Armstrong and others running for the foundation raised about $500,000 at the 2007 ING New York City Marathon.

The 112th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 21, 2008, Patriots' Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The race begins at 10:00 a.m.

Okay, any predictions out there? I'll venture out on a limb and say 2:42:16 ... though he did look a little winded at NYC'07 ...

Race Report: Drake Half-Marathon

Race: Drake On-The-Roads Half-Marathon
Distance: 13.1 miles
Official Time: 1:52:20
Watch Time: 1:51:12
Pace/Mile: 8:28

I woke up Saturday with one goal in mind: run my own race. No pushing the pace if it just wasn't there on the day. I just wanted to run a strong race and a smart race. Ultimately, I intended to see if my training was on track for a possible sub-4 hour at the upcoming Grandma's Marathon in June. With recently only logging an average of 18-24 miles weekly, and the half-marathon being my first race of the year, I was just vying for a finish in less than two hours. And, if things went well and my body felt like being pushed a little, it would hopefully be in the lower 1:50's. We'd just have to wait and see.

When I arrived at Drake campus around 7:00am, the weather was about ten degrees colder than last year's race, hovering at around 38 degrees. There was also a brisk wind coming from the west. Needless to say, it was downright chilly. But at least it wasn't pouring down rain like it had been for the race a few years back…now that was a race! So, even with the windy conditions, I knew the cooler weather would help the runners have a chance to lay down some decent time splits. I made my way down to the stadium area and began my stretching routine.

I think my only mistake of the day was jumping into the starting line pack further back than I should have. Not only did I have to shuffle towards the starting line for well over a minute after the gun had sounded, but it made for a difficult pace for the first couple of miles until the crowds finally thinned out. My first mile split came up agonizingly slow in around 9:15, so I found a couple of guys who were running fast and stuck behind them. By the time we hit the three mile mark I had brought my pace back down to around 8:30, and keep increasing slowly to make up for lost time. Down Kingman Blvd and onto Polk Blvd. Here the racing crowds split up, with the 8K runners looping back and the half-marathon crowd marching onward.

Leaving Polk Blvd and hopping over 56th Street, we next cruised through the Waterbury neighborhood. With its blend of hills and curves, as well as the two-mile ascension north towards Urbandale Avenue after, the race began to get a bit challenging here. Fortunately, after a quick evaluation, I was still feeling quite fresh and set my sights on laying them down as efficiently as possible. I made it a point to pass as many runners as I could along the way, while repeating my silly little mantra of "new-york-marathon" to help keep myself inspired.

Once we topped out in the Beaverdale neighborhood around mile 8 and began our trudge back south, I dropped my pace to 8:05 and set a goal of passing as many people as I could for the next two miles. Focusing on the person in front of me, I would pick them off one by one. All except for the couple of faster guys who kept themselves just out of my reach. Instead, I made them my sole focus for about a mile. But by the time mile 10 came around, I was beginning to feel a little stiff and decided to let them have their lead and stay out in front. Maybe I'd catch them another day. Knowing Kingman Blvd was coming up quickly, I eased my pace back a little and settled in for a consistent rhythm that would bring me home. This area is personally one of the greatest spots for me to run along, especially during training, and having all those people cheering and volunteers handing out water just provided me so much needed energy.

As we reentered the Drake area and turned north back onto 25th Street, I could finally see the finish line ahead. "Co'mon now, only a few blocks further", I told myself. Of course, this was it...my final chance to pass those two stubborn guys before I crossed the finish. They were already about 100 meters out in front of me as I began throwing my tired feet out in front of me over and over. But with only a block left to the line, I edged them both out and still somehow found a reserve of energy enough to enthusiastically slap high-fives to my kids as they cheered wildly with my wife from the sidelines. I then straightened my shoulders and charged over the finish line with a huge smile on my face.

I guess I am putting this down as my most evenly paced effort in a half-marathon race, though I don't have much to compare it to as this was only my second half-marathon ever. However, it was good enough for a new PR. I pushed myself to my limits, raced hard, and had a great time. Next up, Dam to Dam 20K in May.

Congratulations to all the Drake On-The-Roads Races runners! And a special shout out to Kent who finished just a few seconds ahead of me...I'll be gunning for you next year, buddy! :)

Snapshot: NYC Marathon At A Glance

When - Sunday, November 2nd
Begins at - Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island
Ends at - Tavern on the Green, Central Park

With barely over a month until the race, I felt compelled to begin a series of "snapshot" blogs. These will be all about the NYC Marathon: general runner information, experiences to expect, and survival tips, as well as some typical visitor information for the Big Apple. First in this series, marathon information at a glance.

One of the world's most renowned road races, the New York City Marathon drew nearly 100,000 applications in 2007 alone. It is a travelogue of New York's five boroughs as it passes through neighborhoods which represent virtually every major cultural and ethnic group on earth. A remarkable event that celebrates individual achievement, it also brings together millions of New Yorkers who line the streets for an entire afternoon to cheer and encourage the participants - from the winners to those that finish hours later. It is a city that recognizes courage and perseverance, as well as coming in first.

Over the years, the New York City Marathon has grown from a modest race that took place entirely in Central Park to a city-wide event with well over 38,000 runners. Participants, as well as spectators, come from all over the globe with over 100 countries and all 50 states represented in one of the world's largest and most famous running competitions. The race attracts many world-class professional athletes - not only for the more than $700,000 in prize money, but also for the chance to compete in the media capital of the world before more than two million cheering spectators around the race course, as well as 315 million worldwide television viewers. Crossing the finish line in Central Park is one of the great thrills of a lifetime, as any one of the more than 700,000 past participants will attest (and something I am definitely thrilled to be able to soon consider myself part of!)

The course begins in Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island and the first two miles are over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, which offers a panoramic view of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, as well as the Fire Department boats that shoot geysers of multi-colored water hundreds of feet up into the air as the race begins. The route then wends its way through Brooklyn, the borough that features the largest segment of the race, with runners passing through an amazing variety of neighborhoods, including Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint. At 13.1 miles, runners cross the Pulaski Bridge, marking the halfway point of the race and the entrance into Queens. After a short stay in Queens, runners must take on the dreaded Queensboro Bridge before finally arriving in Manhattan. The race then proceeds north on First Avenue, crossing briefly into the Bronx for a mile before returning to Manhattan. It then continues south through Harlem down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park. At the southern end of the park, the course leaves the park and continues along Central Park South, where thousands of spectators cheer runners on during the last mile. At Columbus Circle, the race re-enters the park and finishes outside Tavern on the Green.

It is these final miles through Central Park that determine winners, and annually witness the most dramatic moments of the race as runners struggle to complete the 26.2 mile course. Central Park, the scene of the first race of 127 participants in 1970, is ultimately the center stage that welcomes the runners, all winners in their own right, to the finish line.

>> Download the Official Marathon Course Map
>> See an amazing pictorial of the actual NYCM course

Close Finishes In NYC Marathon

With phenominal final-mile surges, Martin Lel of Kenya (2:09:04) and Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain (2:23:09) led the way to two very close races in both the men's and women's categories of the 2007 ING New York City Marathon this morning. Especially inspiring was Radcliffe's performance, in her first marathon since becoming a mother earlier this year. This race will mark her seventh win out of eight marathons she has competed in. Just incredible!

Tens of thousands of runners from all over the world took to the streets in the marathon today. With roughly 39,000 participants in total, I'm sure many memories were made along the way. Just crossing that finish line in Central Park must be one of the greatest thrills of a lifetime these runners will experience.

Another famous face in the crowd happened to be Lance Armstrong, running in his second New York City marathon. He finished in 2:46:43, a much better performance than his debut last year. He ran the 2006 New York Marathon in 2:59:36. "It felt better than last year," he said during a television interview moments after finishing the race. "I suffered less. The pounding was easier, the experience of having done it before. Last year, the last 10 miles I didn't pay attention to anything. I was focused on finishing. This year I was able to see more. The last mile I could have stopped." Armstrong apparently also added that it is unlikely he would compete in another marathon. Hmmm, that's too bad ... I was hoping to give him a run for his money in next year's event (I am just kidding, of course.) But my goal to join him at the 2008 starting line still holds true. :)

Congratulations to all New York Marathon finishers ... you've raced hard, and you've raced long. You deserve a well-earned rest!

Photo by WCSN

Snapshot: Watching the ING New York City Marathon

If you can’t make it in person, you can still catch all the action of the 2008 ING New York City Marathon live on TV and via the web on Sunday morning, November 2nd. Get complete race day coverage using these resources below:


TELEVISION

New York: The race will be broadcast live exclusively on WNBC 4 New York for five hours. Telemundo Channel 47 will have live cut-ins during the race as well as segments leading up to the marathon. The WNBC 4 New York broadcast will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the pre-race warm-up and will follow the race through the five boroughs, across the bridges, and over the finish line until 2:00 p.m.

United States: NBC Sports will broadcast a one-hour highlights show nationwide beginning at 2:00 p.m. CST on November 2. Be sure to check your local listings for details. (In the metro New York area, it will be on WNBC 4 New York.)

Around the World: A one-hour highlights show will be broadcast in nearly 125 countries worldwide. Check your local listings for details.

INTERNET STREAMING

United States: On Sunday, November 2, it’s the world’s race — the ING New York City Marathon. Catch all the action LIVE, only on NBC’s UniversalSports.com. Coverage for the ING New York City Marathon begins at 8:00 a.m. CST. The ING New York City Marathon will be available on demand after the live broadcast.

International: Watch the entire race live on the Internet at UniversalSports.com for FREE! Viewers will get the entire race broadcast from 8:00 a.m. CST to 11:45 a.m.

RACE DAY: START TIMES

Early Start, Athletes with Disabilities, Presented by Avis - 7:30 a.m.

Wheelchair Division, Presented by Avis - 8:35 a.m.

Handcycle Division - 8:55 a.m.

Professional Women - 9:10 a.m.

Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge - 9:15 a.m.

Open Field, including Professional Men - Wave One 9:40 a.m, Wave Two 10:00 a.m, Wave Three 10:20 a.m.

Note: Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, November 1.

"Spirit of the Marathon" Review

A friend and I went to see the movie "Spirit of the Marathon" tonight at the local theatre. Two words: humbling and inspiring. For any runner, or anyone who hangs out with runners, this is a jewel of a film. Just the type of thing I've needed lately to give my running engine a kickstart.

The movie is an award-winning documentary that follows six runners in their quest to complete the Chicago Marathon: two elite runners, two first timers, one aspiring to qualify for Boston, and one man in his seventies who has already completed a few marathons. It perfectly captures the obsessive nature of battling the monster that is the marathon. Whether it's the pre-sunrise runs, the solo 20-milers or the sea of strewn paper cups on the course, it's all there. I felt the movie was a genuine reflection of what I've personally seen and experienced in my many years of marathoning ... both the highs and the lows. If you're considering becoming a runner/marathoner, this movie is a good one to see.

I don't know about you, but I am now totally psyched for the 2-3 marathons I have scheduled for this year! This film has breathed a little fresh air into why I love running so much, and why I strive to endure running the marathon distance on a yearly basis. To see everyday people, beginning runners on up to professional athletes, struggle and strive in the same set of circumstances as I am ... that's motivational.

Nobody will ever say running - or running a marathon, for that matter - is easy, but just like you sometimes I need a gentle reminder that I'm not the only person out there who struggles. Let's face it, every runner experiences their own ups and downs, and finding motivation is often a very necessary step in achieving that running goal. This movie helped me to remember I'm not the only one on this planet who has their own personal training woes to deal with.

For a different and equally informative review of the movie (would this constitute him as Siskel to my Ebert?), check out Topher's blog.

Race Report: Des Moines Half Marathon

Race: Des Moines Half-Marathon
Distance: 13.1 miles
Official Time: 1:50:43
Pace/Mile: 8:26

There's nothing like waking up race morning to a nice, cool 48° outside, partly cloudy skies, and a slight wind. What better conditions to set a new half-marathon PR with? That I did.

With only two weeks until my planned trip to New York City for the marathon debut of my life, I originally decided today would be treated like a training day. A nice and easy 13.1 miles on a spectacular course, with very few ups and downs along the way. But all that went out the window when I realized the prime conditions we'd been given this race morning. Suddenly, I found myself dreaming of new splits and a myriad of ways to increase and maintain my pace...oh, that elusive sub-1:50 would soon be mine. Heck, maybe I'd take off the kid-gloves and do some serious swinging towards a 1:45...

Toeing the line (okay, officially I was more like a full 100ft back), I eyed the competitors in my immediate vicinity and braced myself for the start that would inevitably unleash the furious nature that I surely had inside... ready, GO!

Moments later, unfortunately I quickly learned the "furious" nature from within had apparently decided to sleep in. That long training run on Friday suddenly reminded me that my legs were still a tad tired, and contending with slightly warmer starting temps than I'd expected, I decided it might be better to conserve a little energy and play it safe. Nestled in a crowd of a few thousand of my closest running friends, I began calculating an 8:10-8:15 pace that would give me a chance at breaking the 1:50 barrier.

Though the crowds were a little thicker than my experience from previous DSM marathons past, it did make for finding other like-minded runners of the same pace much easier. Settling in behind a few guys who were talking of BQ dreams, the first few miles of the course soon flew by, taking us from one end of downtown to the other, past the half and full-marathon split, then down onto Fleur Drive. My pace during this time fluctuated only slightly per mile, primarily due to the crowds.

Turning off of Fleur Drive, racers then entered the Water Works Park area south of the downtown area. Here, the next five miles would take us through the beautifully wooded roadways and past a long stretch of the Raccoon River. This is a particular favorite area of mine, and I often spend my lunch hour on training runs there. The park road is bounded by George Flagg Parkway, making it a great place for spectators to get close to the action without having to walk far. Shortly past the 5.5 mile mark, I encountered my kids doing their best to enthusiastically high-five every runner they could. Both they and my wife gave me big hugs, then cheered me on as I pulled away to begin the large loop portion at the back of the park. Miles 6-8 clicked off rather quickly, and soon I found myself reapproaching Fleur Drive.

Crossing over the roadway we next entered Grays Lake Park, widely considered the “Place to Meet” in the Des Moines Metro area. The centerpiece of the park’s renewal plan is the two-mile trail encircling the lake, also a runner favorite. Here I felt my pace beginning to lapse somewhat, my mile average dropping to roughly 8:30 or so. I could tell I was feeling tired, but I also knew I needed to keep going if I wanted to stay close to my 1:50 goal.

Rounding the lake, we began the push up the bike trail, over the MLK Jr. Parkway bridge and onto the final stretch. Mile 12 came up quickly, and I noticed my watch reading 1:41...this would be cutting it close. I picked up the speed as much as I could and followed the course as it turned north towards the downtown finish line area. You could hear the crowds during this final half-mile, and along with Laura and the kids about a hundred yards from the line, they carried me my final steps.

Though I missed my sub-1:50 goal by only mere seconds, I'll admit I am still happy to be bettering my PR by close to two minutes.

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of running the Des Moines Marathon or Half-Marathon, I seriously suggest you check it out. It is well-known for it's beautiful course and plenty of friendly spectators. Definitely, a "must do" if you live in the Midwest.

Finally, a guick shout out to my family for their support and encouragement today...without you my racing would never be as special you make it for me.

100th Blog: Running For Something

Well, today marks my 100th blog post for the Pursuit of Runningness. It's rather funny...I suppose if you would have asked me a year ago what a blog was, I'm not quite sure I could have provided you with an accurate answer. However, since starting this blog last fall I've rapidly learned what this resource is and can do. The blog has allowed me a chance to connect with friends, family, and new running acquaintances, while also allowing me to provide some plausibly interesting and individualistic commentary on life's adventures...primarily through the focus of running and faith. And although I've occasionally found myself stumbling here and there (I'll plainly admit, my writing skills lack), I've come to realize now the outreach and influence that blogging is capable of. And I am ultimately thankful for the ability to have this freedom, not to mention the relationships it has generated.

However, today isn't about a bloggy, journalistic celebration. Because the blog will continue on, much like my running and my faith. Instead, this 100th post is devoted to a vision of combining these two in a more unique way. It's about running for something.

Up until recently, you couldn't have expected me to believe that I will be running in one of the grandest of all marathons to be held later this year...the ING New York Marathon. But what started as a improbable dream has become one of the truest of all running realities for me this spring. That's when I'd learned ING would be accepting me as a sponsored runner for their November event. Admittedly, it gave me more than just goosebumps…it made me realize how blessed I am to be able to run in something I'd always hoped for. To be honest, the ability to run this race has been a longtime dream-in-making for this aging runner. And I know it will be something I cherish for many years to come. But competing in an event of its magnitude has recently led me to consider the question...why me, why now?

I mean, I have been relatively happy running in the Midwest up until now. My typical marathon circuit has consisted of trading off between Grandmas Marathon in MN and the Des Moines Marathon in my hometown. So why do I feel as though everything has effortlessly worked out for me to go to this fall? For example, take the totally unexpected sponsored entry, the cheap airfare we found for my wife and I, the discounted hotel accomodations (cheap for NYC standards) just mere blocks away from where I'll catch a bus to the starting line, as well as my wife's unexpected but totally enthusiastic response of "we're going!" when it all started going down...it just all seems to be fitting some sort of a plan. And although it seems beyond my comprehension at times, I honestly feel God has had a purpose for my participation from the start. I know He wants to use this race for His good.

As you have seen more than once on my blog, I've been following Ryan Hall's story for quite some time now. Ryan is a very gifted athlete who won last fall's 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon and will be racing the men's marathon event at the Bejing Olympics this summer. He also happens to be a man of deep faith and a firm believer of using the gifts God has given us to make a difference. Recently, Ryan and his wife teamed up with World Vision as a way to generate attention and raise funds to help support children and families in AIDS impacted communities in Africa. World Vision happens to be a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to provide things like: clean water, health care, nutritious food, education, and economic opportunities. Their Team World Vision organization has provided a simple way of giving everyday athletes the ability to reach beyond their own goals to where help is needed most.

In 1-John 3:18 it says, "let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and truth." Now, I know it's easy as a runner to set a goal of achieving a personal best in an event…it can be challenging, exhilarating, and satisfying on a deeply personal level. But there's more to experience and a larger impact that can be made - one that goes further than one can ever dream. For far too many years, I'll admit these races have been about me and my goals. So this year I want to purposefully set a goal that goes beyond me. I guess sometimes running accomplishments in and of themselves are empty without being done for a greater purpose.

After some long and careful consideration, I've decided that I would like to give my training and upcoming NYC experience a purpose. I've come to realize that there is something bigger than me - and it's time to take some action on its behalf. And I've decided as a way of running for something (rather than just "in" something) I am going to partner with Team World Vision for the 2008 ING New York Marathon on Nov 2. After talking with their sponsorship director, I feel this is an inspiring opportunity to hopefully combine my efforts with others to provide something to those who so desperately need it right now.

Up front, I want to clarify that the donations I will be asking for will not used to financially support me or the race in my behalf, and that all funds will be collected and used solely by World Vision for their outreach programs worldwide. Basically, what I am doing is joining a team of like-minded athletes who are using their particular racing event to help raise awareness and funds for some of the world's most vulnerable children.

Throughout the fundraising process, I'll keep track of these donations through a personal Team World Vision website where you will be able to see the numbers grow until the actual marathon event is over. (Currently, World Vision is working to add the ING New York Marathon to their list of team events, and I am waiting for this to be available. When it is ready, I'll be providing more information on my blog, as well as sending it directly to friends and family, about how you can participate.)

If you have EVER in your heart wanted to donate to a worthwhile cause such as this, but just couldn't decide the best way to do it, why not use "such a time as this" to support my efforts through Team World Vision by making a one-time donation?

Here are a few examples of how such a simple, one-time gift would be used:

• $25.00.....provides basic lifesaving medicines and supplies to those who are weak or ill, or helps pay educational support for a child's school fees and essentials like uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies.
  
  
• $30.00.....sends either seeds, tools, and training in Africa that can help thousands of hungry families survive, or goes to prevent starvation (every day, 14,000 children die by the suffering caused by hunger).
  
  
• $50.00.....provides either livestock to a family that would supply a village or family with eggs, milk or even wool, or access to safe water and sanitation that can cut a community's child mortality rate by half.

A donation does not need to consist of much - even a few dollars will help; just whatever your heart leads you to give.

In summary, I simply feel God has given me the ability to do what I enjoy the most. Now I want to do my best to honor Him by using that ability to help others. And hopefully, by teaming with World Vision, maybe I can somehow use this gift to help bring a little hope to children and families in areas directly impacted by poverty, disease, natural disaster and war, who need it most right now.

Seeing the current events occurring around the world, I know we can all say the opportunities certainly abound to lend a hand. Maybe it's time to put a little hope in motion.

Thanks for your consideration & stay tuned for more info -
Mike

Update: If you would like to make a donation, please visit my World Vision Firstgiving page at http://www.firstgiving.com/mikeeilers.

Boston Marathon Results

Defending champion Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won his fourth Boston Marathon on Monday, with Ethiopia's Dire Tune taking the women's crown in the event's tightest finish ever. Cheruiyot, the first Kenyan man to win four Boston Marathons after victories in 2003, 2006 and 2007, had an official time of 2:07:46 and followed by Abderrahime Bouramdane in second place and Khalid El Boumlili in third. It was the 16th time since 1991 that a Kenyan has won the world's oldest annually contested marathon.

"The course is so tough, so it feels great to me," he told a news conference after winning the $150,000 winner's prize and becoming only the fourth man to win four Boston Marathons. Cheruiyot also earned a likely chance to represent Kenya at the Beijing Olympics this summer.

The real drama was in the women's field, where Tune and Russia's Alevtina Biktimirova battled shoulder-to-shoulder through the final stages with both runners sprinting ahead of the other as they neared the finish line. Tune ended up winning in finishing in 2:25:25, just two seconds ahead of Biktimirova.

A (not so?) surprising face in crowd was Lance Armstrong this year, his first Boston race. Hearing different stories about Heartbreak Hill during his training for the marathon, Armstrong mentioned after the race that some runners had told him it would be much easier than he should expect. Apparently, he found it a different story by race end.

"They were wrong," Armstrong said shortly after finishing his first Boston Marathon on Monday 2:50:58. Heartbreak Hill, the last in a series of hills between miles 18 and 21, is a key test for runners nearing the end of the up and down course. The first of the hills was the worst, Armstrong said, and the heartbreaker lived up to its name.

Armstrong said he planned to run Boston again, though he added he’s too busy with other things to get more serious about running. "It is a hobby, it keeps me fit on a daily basis, it keeps me inspired and motivates me to go out and run," he said.

Armstrong added he regrets not training harder when he’s suffering in the middle of a race. "Every time I come out here, I swear to myself I’m going to train harder for the next one," he said. "But I never do."

Oh, to be like Lance.

My Bags Are Packed…Let's Roll!

As you can see, my marathon bags are nearly packed and ready to go. I have yet to throw in a couple of items before they are complete, primarily our flight & hotel itinerary and my shaving kit, though I will likely perform a hasty, last-minute final check before heading out to the airport early tomorrow morning. And I do mean, early...as in our flight to NYC leaves at 5:00am? Big ole yawn.

Through my calm exterior I can tell the realization is beginning to sink in that, in just a little over two days, I will be running with a world-record crowd of nearly 40,000 other runners as we elbow our way from the Verrazano Bridge start on Staten Island, all the way to Central Park finish in downtown Manhattan. For 26.2 miles I will be experiencing firsthand the thrill this grand and majestic race, as it weaves us over five landmark bridges and through five historic city boroughs. I know my anxiety level will be high the morning of the race, as expected, but I'm hoping the three or so hours I will spend at Fort Wadsworth waiting for the marathon to begin will provide me a chance to relax and some time to reflect on what it took to get me to this moment.

From several sources, including Weather.com web site, all signs are pointing towards wonderful weather for the race on Sunday. Lows in the upper 30s, highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s, with light winds and a mostly sunny sky. Perfect, as most marathoners would say, for running fast times.

One of my hopes during the marathon is to see my lovely wife, and our friends who will make the journey with us, sometime during and just after the race. Their plan is to find me just after the 16-mile mark of the race, as I cross over the Queensboro Bridge from Queens and head north on First Avenue towards the Bronx. I know this point in the race will possibly be a crucial time for me to just recognize a familiar face in the crowd, as the race begins taking runners into its final miles. Though I have run and finished many marathons over the years, I know that finishing the final 6-10 miles are always the toughest for a runner. And New York City won't be any different, as I've been told that the course gets challenging as it winds it way over the final couple bridges and, lastly, through the hills of Central Park. Then our final challenge will be to find each other in the throngs of the over 1 million well-wishing spectators. Fortunately, the 1-2 mile post-race walk will give my legs a chance to stretch out some, but I know it will be great when I finally see her.

Personally, I don't know what finish time I'll receive -- there are so many factors involved with running the New York City Marathon for the first time -- but my goal is to finish close to around the 4-hour mark as possible. Of course finishing in under four hours for my inaugural NYCM would be wonderful and all, but I'll take whatever is given me. I'll just hope and pray I will do my best. Honestly, I want only to finish knowing that I have given it my all and have "run with endurance the race that is set before me (Hebrews 12:1).” To hopefully have a wonderful experience of the marathon, and of siteseeing in New York City, while sharing it all with my wife. That would make this trip the best.

Before leaving, I would like to thank all the family and friends who have or will support me this weekend. I really appreciate you all being there for me and this crazy endeavor. You all make it worth while.

So, the question is...am I ready? Ready to run with this insane amount of runners? Oh man, you bet!

I'll see you all when I get back on Tuesday.

Now, let's roll...

Can Rice Lead to Gold? Part II

Here's an update from Ryan Hall's blog about his continued pursuit of Olympic Marathon gold using shoes of rice I wrote about earlier last month:

"So the rice husk shoes finally arrived last week. I read about the shoes in a 'Running Times' article and contacted Asics immediately to see what the deal was behind the shoes that had produced so many Olympic Marathon medals. It turns out that these special shoes, which are produced in Japan, are designed with rice husk in the sole in order to better grip the road and to repel the heat from the hot black pavement. They were designed after taking an extensive look at the coarse we will face in Beijing.

When I first took them out of the blue shoe bag my first thought was, “wow, these little incredibly simple.” They almost look like some of the old school marathon shoes that are now coming back into style as retro shoes. However, the more I examined them the more I thought these shoes are what elite athletes are constantly scowling the specialty running shoe stores, internet, or paying ridiculously high prices on ebay for. The beauty is in there apparent simplicity. They have a very light and breathable white upper that contribute to the extreme lightness of the shoe but will also allow for breath ability and dissipation of the water (in the same way a steeple spike is designed) that I will constantly dosing myself with throughout the race. No excessive stylish plastic to add any additional weight, just the bare minimum. Then there is the sole of the shoe. That’s were it starts getting more complex than the spotted chartreuse orange speckled foam lets on. The material, embedded with rice husks, is very light and spongy. What I like about the sole, even more than the rice husk technology, is the responsiveness of the shoe. What do I mean by responsiveness? I mean that when you drive your foot down on the pavement the shoe makes your foot want to pop back up off the road quicker than it normally does. Basically, I am referring to spring-like sensation. These shoes are more responsive than any shoes I have worn. How do I know? I took them on there first test drive during an interval workout in Big Bear. Now, I had just returned from a week of emotional exhaustion and travel from Eugene and was expecting to have to re-adjust to altitude during my first interval workout back at 7,000ft. I was surprised when I began my first repeat and saw 4:38 for my first mile of the repeat. It was the easiest 4:38 I had run all season. My legs felt like they were popping off the road and yet still had the support of a marathon shoe that would get me through a little over two hours of running.

I had high expectations for this shoe and with all the hype around them I thought they could do nothing but fail. I was wrong. I am certain these magical shoes will be what Asics Japan calls my sword on August 24th. Having a pair of shoes tailor made not only for the marathon, but also for the coarse we will be running, gives me even more confidence that anything is possible. Now all I need is big eyes on the starting line."

A reminder, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony will commence this Friday, Aug 8...only a few scant days away. The Men's Marathon event will be held Sunday, Aug 24, the last day of official competition.

Marathon wishes and long distance dreams

Due to popular demand, the gripping documentary "Spirit of the Marathon" will be back for an encore presentation this Thursday, February 21. This documentary, the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event, follows six runners as they prepare for, and ultimately face, the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. All runners come from different walks of life, different ability levels and all have an incredible story about reaching their goals.

The interesting thing is that no matter how accomplished a runner you are, the marathon remains a significant challenge. Even when the elite runners line up, it is not a given that they will finish the race. They go through the same suffering and pain the rest of us do. It takes training, faith and guts to finish a marathon. It's a good metaphor for just about anything in life.

From what we've been hearing, anyone who has ever chased a dream, beat the odds or taken on a challenge should do their best to check out this movie. I unfortunately missed out on the big screen debut last year due to a prior family committment. But not to fear, I recently secured a ticket to the local 7:30PM showing in Des Moines this Thursday evening. I'll also be dragging along my long-time marathoning friend and current adventure racing teammate with me.

Sufficed to say, we're both really looking forward to this. Marathoning has been a huge part in both our lives, and we know a special opportunity when we see one. If you're planning on coming to the encore presentation, let us know and maybe we'll have a chance to connect with you before the show. I will also be posting a review of the movie, so make sure you drop by the blog and leave your thoughts after.

Check out the movie's riveting trailer and see what all of the hype is about, or go purchase tickets now if you haven't already. Hope to see you at the movies!

Hall To Run London Marathon

Ryan Hall, who won the U.S. Olympic marathon trials this past fall in New York, will be testing himself at the London Marathon this Sunday on his way to Bejing.

Astoundingly, this is only his third marathon. He made his debut by finishing seventh at last year's Flora London Marathon, then went on to steamroll the field and the hills in Central park on his way to a trials record victory on November 4th.

Hall, who has lived at altitude (7,000 feet above sea level at Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernadino Mountains) since he was 3 years old, thinks he discovered his talent late. "My very first run was 15 miles around the lake," Hall said. "You would think I would have known I could be a distance runner."

After twice winning the California state cross-country championships in high school, Hall went on to Stanford in search of his Olympic dream. But, in the process leaving his close-knit family of five siblings, he began to struggle with results, weight gain and depression. He quit Stanford for one academic quarter and regrouped on long forest runs with his father, drawing strength from his deep Christian faith and family. He then returned to become the runner-up at the 2003 N.C.A.A. cross-country championships and won the 2005 championship at 5,000 meters.

"I think what I've learned from having success in high school and losing it all in college, it taught me you can't make your life successful based only on athletics," Hall said.

He learned that lesson painfully at the trials. He had trained with Shay in Mammoth, Calif., and he and his wife Sara were teammates at Stanford with Shay’s wife, Alicia. Hall was ecstatic after crossing the finish line first. Fifteen minutes later, he was overcome with grief. He and Sara stayed with Alicia Shay in January in Flagstaff, Ariz., where they trained and coped together. Sara, a 5,000- and 1,500-meter runner, will compete at the track trials in June with Alicia. Hall keeps a picture of Shay in the bible he carries with him.

This Sunday's event is his last big race before the Olympics. Apparently, he feels he needs this short-term goal to help gauge his training against some of the world's top talent later this summer.

"I needed something else to be excited about," Hall said Wednesday in London. "You could go crazy thinking about it for six months."

The Road To Beijing ... Runs Through NYC

For a select few of America's top distance runners, the road to the Beijing Games next year will run through New York this weekend. On November 3, New York Road Runners (NYRR) will play host to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon where these elite athletes will vie for their chance at a spot on the prestigious summer olympic team. The Olympic trials race is turning heads across the nation and around the world, and the mantra for this week is "Americans can run." Lest anyone believe they couldn't??

The course will be a criterium-style course in Central Park that will start in Rockefeller Plaza and finish near Tavern on the Green. The criterium loop in Central Park will be the reverse of the loop used when NYRR hosted the USA 8 km Championships from 2002 to 2004. Athletes will run the loop five times, with distance added to complete the full 42.195 km of the marathon.

For an indepth and interesting behind-the-scenes look into the race and its participants, be sure to check out Chasing Glory, a unique seven-week series of videos and text-based commentary leading up to Saturday's event.

From NYRR web site:
"On November 3, 2007, New York Road Runners will host the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Men’s Marathon in New York City. As part of an unprecedented promotional buildup to the race, which will select the U.S. men’s team for the 2008 Beijing Games, NYRR is proud to present 'Chasing Glory,' a seven-week series of web videos and text-based commentary offering exclusive athlete and coach interviews and insight."

If you're looking for an inspirational story about some of these gifted athletes, read the NY Times article "Team Turns Unsung Runners Into Elite Marathoners" about the Hansons-Brooks Team. Wow, talk about being inspired by a group of 'average' runners and their efforts to bring back the heyday of distance running to America ... sign me up!

Although I won't be able to be there in person to experience this epic race, I'm sure this will be a very exciting event for New York and the thousands of spectators sure to line the course as it winds through Central Park. If you are hoping for a chance to view some of the action yourself, check out the broadcast information below:

Television - Tune in to the live start on Saturday, November 3, at 6:35 a.m. CST on NBC's Today In New York. A half-hour highlights show will be aired on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. CST on NBC. (Check local listings for exact time in your area.)

Internet Streaming - On Saturday, November 3rd, it's America's race -- the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men's Marathon. And on Sunday, November 4th, it's the world's race -- the ING New York City Marathon. Catch all the action LIVE, only on NBCSports.com/Marathon!

Photo by JupiterImages

Countdown To Boston

"Boston is a course you need to do many times before you get the hang of it," says Bill Rodgers. "I know I did." Coming from a four-time champion, that's saying something.

The 112th Boston Marathon is only but a few short days away, and my bet is that many runner's anxieties are high. The following quick video is a course guide for 1) those who will be toeing the line at this prestigious race (Bill and Nitmos come to mind - good luck guys!), and 2) those of us who will be cheering them on from afar. (Someday I hope to be one of those #1 people.)



Also, here's how to catch some of the live action:

• National Television Coverage in the United States
  
  The VERSUS cable network wil televise the Boston Marathon for the fourth consecutive year. The telecast will air from 9:30 a.m. (ET) to 12:30 p.m. (ET). The Boston Marathon is distinguished as the only road race in the United States to have a complete, live, national television broadcast.
  
  
• Global webcast on the internet
  
  The Boston Marathon will be covered live on WCSN.com on April 21st, 2008 with the coverage starting at 9:30AM ET. A subscription to WCSN is required to view the event. After the event, the broadcast will also available for viewing in the WCSN archives.

It should be a great race. Oh, I hear they boosted the prize money for this year's race...the Boston champions will now receive the largest prize money check of the five commercial events of the World Marathon Majors. That's some serious cash incentive to put it all out on the line, folks.