Sunday night, ESPN2 telecast highlights of the USA Cross Country Championships with Bob Kennedy as a commentator and I taped it. The weather appears to have been a factor, especially on Sunday when the temperature was in the teens. I have no experience in cross country so it is hard for me to comment on the races. I do enjoy watching these elite athletes run. I find it helpful to look at their form and visualize running like they do. This is no different than emulating various athletes vicariously when playing pick-up basketball, football and baseball. Since the mental game seems so very important in distance running, creating a positive visual image of fast running feels like it is helpful.
The next step for the top Open and Junior finishers will be the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan on April 1 and 2. I know exactly where that is as I flew through that city on a business trip last year. At any rate, congratulations to all the amazing American athletes who qualified for World's. A special shout out for a fellow chemical engineer, Max King, who came in 3rd place in the 12k and to all the Boulder, CO area registered athletes including Jorge Torres (2nd 12k and 4th 4k), Dathan Ritzenheim (4th, 12k), Jason Hartman (5th, 12k and 2nd place in the Houston Half Marathon in January), Colleen De Reuck (2nd 8k), Renee Metivier (3rd 8k), and Sara Slattery (4th 8k). It would be nice if ESPN also covers the Worlds, but I won't hold my breath.
As for my own running, I was able to get a great speed workout in this evening (1200, 1200, 800, 800 in 5:40, 5:33, 3:40, 3:30 with a 165HR avg). For me that was motoring. Overall ran about 5 miles including warmup and recovery. On the Run is hosting Tuesday night work-outs at Clear Lake High School and I'll likely be there as much as I can. I really like speed work.
Looking forward to picking up my rodeo run packet tomorrow, heading off to Detroit for two days and then nailing a 10k PR on Saturday morning. My current running is such that only an injury or illness will stop it from happening.
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it looks like we are both attempting to PR at the 10k this weekend. you sound more ready then myself, but i will try to keep you in sight as we have very similar paces! best wishes and see you then.
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