Evan Jager runs fastest flat 3000 meters ever by an American Steepler

Evan Jager; good over land and sea
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Evan Jager's "absolutely incredible dream of a season"continued in Stockholm, Sweden today as he ran 7:35.16 for 3000 meters; becoming the 9th fastest American ever at the distance (video highlights here). More importantly, Jager became the fastest American ever that primarily runs the Steeplechase. This makes sense, as he set the American Record earlier in the season in Monaco, running 8:06.81 for the 3000 meter Steeplechase.

After the race, Jager told Flotrack's Kevin Liao "I'm very pleased with how it went. I'm really happy." Jager would finish 6th overall, as Kenya's Isiah Koech would take the win in 7:30.43.

Jager will now run a few 1500's to look to improve on his 3:38.33 PR from 2009.

Jager's company on the American All Time Top 10 list for the flat 3000 meters is a who's who of the best American distance runners ever. If he continues on at the pace he has this season, he'll be remembered in the same way.

Top 10 Americans All Time at 3000 Meters
1. 7:29.00 Bernard Lagat
2. 7:30.84 Bob Kennedy
3. 7:31.00 Matt Tegenkamp
4. 7:33.37 Sydney Maree
5. 7:33.45 Galen Rupp
6. 7:34.32 Chris Solinsky
7. 7:34.96 Adam Goucher
8. 7:35.08 Alan Webb
9. 7:35.16 Evan Jager
10. 7:35.32 Dathan Ritzenhein

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Bookworm: "14 Minutes" by Alberto Salazar and John Brant

While much of the press on Alberto Salazar's incredible new autobiography, "14 Minutes," has been focused on Salazar's much known faith and his brush with death, that spawned the title of the book (spoiler: he was pronounced dead for 14 minutes), I took away a different set of realizations. Those nuggets of information from the man himself were the confirmations of many rumors that had been floated in circles and message boards for years, but were never really confirmed to the public.

Here are a few of those:

1. Salazar had a hand in the hiring of Vin Lananna
While there's no real confirmation that he was against Martin Smith, he did present to the athletic director that Rupp would attend the University of Portland, unless certain things changed. Most importantly, he had Phil Knight's blessing, to the tune of "I guess you'll just have to fix it." He then goes on to state that after this was remedied, that "Galen joined the Ducks fold, and soon Oregon's distance-running tradition was restored." That certainly can not be argued with, as since Rupp came aboard, Oregon won the NCAA Cross Country title twice and has produced stars like Rupp, Andrew Wheating and Matt Centrowitz.

2. Salazar was not happy with Alan Webb's insubordination
As many distance fans recall, Salazar's goal with Webb was to rebuild him from the ground up; a goal that in his mind, would require Webb to "spend an entire year away from world-class competition." As Salazar puts it "Alan grew impatient and wanted to run some major meets. I told him let's hit some singles and doubles before we swing for a home run, but Alan resisted." Salazar's attention to detail is notorious and while it may not work for all, it certainly has produced World class results.

3. Salazar faced much ridicule for his stance on Prozac
In the mid 90's, many recall that Salazar said that Prozac helped him run faster and break through a plateau. People took issue with this, including a competing Adidas Elite team at the 1994 Hood to Coast Relay, who had a sign on one of their vehicles reading "We Don't Run on Prozac." Salazar was happy to help his Nike team to victory and has always stood by his taking of Prozac ("only for a few months") to help battle depression, which ultimately helped him run better, due to his elevated mood.

4. Salazar was the liaison for Michael Johnson and the Dream Team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
Being "Charles Barkley's bodyguard" is one of Salazar's favorite jobs, as one of his first duties with Nike after his professional career was tending to Michael Johnson and the Dream Team in Barcelona, the Olympiad in which Johnson faltered (only to return in 1996 to dominate) and Barkley and the boys ripped through the international competition, in the first year where pros would compete for the US team.

Salazar graced the cover of Sports
Illustrated during his 3-peat of NYC

5. Salazar won his first of three New York City Marathon titles while still attending the University of Oregon
While many people likely knew this already, this was news to me. It was exciting when Luke Puskedra ran an excellent half at Houston this year, but the idea of an American collegian running a competitive World Class Marathon now seems almost unimaginable.

Much of the information that is discussed in this excellent book is confirmation of Salazar's incredible drive and work ethic, and no question is left unanswered. He discusses his upbringing from elementary school on and talks of the Nike Altitude house, his missteps with Dathan Ritzenhein's form, his coaching of Rupp and the Gouchers and his relationship with Coach Bill Squires and Bill Rodgers. "14 Minutes" is a must for any distance fan. A very quick and informative read form one of the best coaches (and runners) of our time.

Learn more about the book at http: 14minutesbook.com and pick up a copy of the book at Amazon.com

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2008 US Olympic Trials - Distance Events Revisited

The 2008 US Olympic Trials were extremely entertaining. The Men's 800 kicked off the excitement (and was the race of the trials for me), with the rocket launcher like finish from Nick Symmonds, followed by the Oregon Duck, Andrew Wheating, barreling up the homestretch for second, upstaged only by the Oregon Track Club's Christian Smith, diving at the line for the final spot and getting the Olympic A-Standard in the process.

The trials closed with the Men's 1500, which was set up for drama with the mystery man, Gabe Jennings, looking incredible in the heats, but needing the A-Standard. Jennings took the lead early, but a windy day killed his hopes at a second Olympic team. Also surprising was American Mile Record Holder, Alan Webb, not having a kick over the final 100 and then getting nipped by Will Leer at the line to finish fifth.

The Women's 10,000 was exciting in the fact that Amy Yoder-Begley raced the clock, after she had locked up third place, to attain the A-Standard (which she did by a few seconds). Then Abdi crushed the last lap in the Men's 10,000, to win, and then dove into the steeple pit. What a character! Glad he'll be making a return trip this year in the marathon.

Below are the Olympic Qualifiers in every distance event from 800 - 10,000. Click on the link in each event for full results.

Race of the trials (all photos: TrackandFieldphoto)

800 meters
Men
1. Nick Symmonds
2. Andrew Wheating
3. Christian Smith

Women
1. Hazel Clark
2. Alice Schmidt
3. Kameisha Bennett (no standard)
4. Nicole Teter

Erin Donhue

1500 meters
Men
1. Bernard Lagat
2. Leo Manzano
3. Lopez Lomong

Women
1. Shannon Rowbury
2. Erin Donohue
3. Christin Wurth-Thomas

Anna Pierce

3000 meter Steeplechase
Men
1. Anthony Famliglietti
2. Billy Nelson
3. Josh McAdams

Women
1. Anna Pierce
2. Lindsey Anderson
3. Jenny Simpson

Bernard Lagat

5000 meters
Men
1. Bernard Lagat
2. Matt Tegenkamp
3. Ian Dobson

Women
1. Kara Goucher
2. Jen Rhines
3. Shalane Flanagan

Shalane Flanagan

10,000 meters
Men
1. Abdi Abdirahman
2. Galen Rupp
3. Jorge Torres

Women
1. Shalane Flanagan
2. Kara Goucher
3. Amy Yoder-Begley

Just think, we're only 3 months away from the 2012 Olympic Trials!

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Web Runner: Some Thanksgiving week articles worth a read

Turkey Trot Clip Art is always good

It's been an exciting week in the running world, and judging by the increased traffic to the site, there are some bored people out there. Sitting around at work, waiting to go home for the Thanksgiving holiday or waiting for NFL games to get cranked up?

Personally, there will be no turkey trotting for me this year, but I will get to run by the North Fork Reservoir in Black Mountain, NC, where the Hunger Games was recently filmed.

Whethere you're running or not tomorrow, here are a few articles I've tweeted out over the past few days, with a few more new ones, for good measure. If there's a good running story, please email it to me or tweet it at me! I'll be adding stuff all week long...

• Coach Jason Vigilante has left the University of Virginia. Former Cavalier, Ryan Collins, who transferred to Wisconsin (and won the NCAA team title Monday), has a very poignant quote, possibly about the situation. "I was planning on staying but then a bunch of different stuff happened, and I was able to graduate," Collins told a Madison reporter. "I just kind of needed a new place, new environment (and) some new experiences." While nothing has been set straight yet, the situation is extremely intriguing, as Vig currenly coaches Alan Webb, as well as Robby Andrews, and UVA is in the process of getting a brand new track facility. (Richmond Time-Dispatch link / Let's Run thread)

• UPDATE: Per Track and Field News, via Webb's agent, Ray Flynn, "Vigilante will likely continue to coach Webb." (link)

• Alan Webb talking about his training and future. Says he's ready to compete and is fascinated with longer distances, but has no immediate plans to move up, as he's not 30 yet. Says Bernard Lagat is his template (of sorts) and that he was inspired this summer by Jenny Simpson's and Matt Centrowitz's performances at Worlds. Nothing on the Vig situation though (Running Maryland link). Webb will also be the Nike Running athlete at NXN Southeast this Saturday in Cary, NC.

• Kenya won the 2011 International Chiba Ekiden. The Athlete's Foot Cameron Village's Bobby Mack led Team USA to a 5th place finish with a 28:55 10k split. (Full results and splits)

• Oh yeah, the NCAA Cross Country Championships were Monday. The Wisconsin Men and the Georgetown Women took the team titles, while Arizona's Lawi Lalang and Villanova's Sheila Reid took the individual crowns (Men's Race Video / Women's Race Video / Mens' Individual Results / Men's Team Results / Women's Individual Results / Women's Team Results). Meanwhile, I took third in the men, fifth in the women, and fourth overall in our fantasy challenge.

• House of Run recapped said NCAA Championships as well as the rest of the week in running. (link)

• Dathan Ritzenhein continues his Olympic build up tomorrow at the very popular Silicon Valley Turkey Trot. (Silicon Valley Mercury News link)

• Sadly, doctors had to amputate the frostbitten feet of Marko Cheseto, the All-American runner from the University of Alaska Anchorage, who suffered severe frostbite during a two-day disappearance earlier this month. (Anchorage Daily News link)

• Toni Reavis thinks distance racing has hit the wall. Outside Magazine's Peter Vigneron thinks otherwise. Both make some salient points and Reavis in particular takes The Competitor Group to task for running a race series that's anything but competitive. I couldn't agree more. (Reavis link / Vigneron link)

• Have you seen "Marathon Boy" yet on HBO? My review is all spoilers (link)

• Tim Jeffreys is following the McMillan Elite team as they train for the Olympic Trials Marathon. He is posting a documentary series of videos on Vimeo. The second episode just dropped. (Jeffreys' Vimeo page)

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving! Happy Turkey Trotting!

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Bookworm: "Running the Edge" by Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher

This book came along at a great time. Coming off injury and anxious to get back to it after a month off, due to two nearly stress fractured shins, "Running the Edge" was exactly what the doctor ordered.

"Being a runner is truly a gift. Runners have access to a world and a set of life lessons that can transform every aspect of their lives."

The above statement couldn't be more true. College teammates at the University of Colorado, Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher recount excellent tales from their past to teach lessons in running and life, with the goal of helping the reader become a true "distance maven;" a term you'll become very familiar with while reading "Running the Edge."

Goucher qualifiers for his 4th
Olympic Trials (and his first
in the Marathon)

Goucher touches on everything from his big wins in high school, to his duels with Bob Kennedy as a young pro, to his early exit in the rounds of the 5000 in the 2004 Olympic Trials. Catalano soars in telling tales about the high school team he's coached that had doughnut eating contests, water chugging exhibitions and a near fatal climb to the top of Bear Peak in Boulder, CO. Both writers complement each other excellently and provide great information on how to become an excellent runner and an even better person.

Both touch on something that's been talked about in other running books, their relationship with ledgendary Colorado coach, Mark Wetmore. Chris Lear's "Running with the Buffaloes" gave us a little insight into Coach Wetmore's wizardry, Matt McCue's "An Honorable Run" gave a little more, and "Running the Edge" digs a little deeper. Catalano discusses his chat with Wetmore in 1996 where he was battered and fighting to make the Olympic A-Standard (in the Steeplechase) and Wetmore told him to "go be great at something else." Sage words from a man that has coached many world class runners. That kind of candor has made Wetmore the renowned coach that he is. Goucher talks about when he and Kara cut ties with Wetmore, after some terse words about his slowing career, only to resurrect it with a trip northwest to Portland, to join Alberto Salazar's Oregon Project (they have recently left).

Distance Mavens: Tim Catalano (left)
and Adam Goucher (right)

The book has plenty of great reference information that goes far beyond the first read. Catalano and Goucher have spent a lot of time here making an outline on how to run well, live well and be accountable for your actions. Both admit to making many mistakes along the way and this book is their way to help others avoid those! Goucher also talks about "an amazing dry-rub seasoning for grilling steaks" that I'd like to have the recipe for!

The book is sprinkled with nice one liners from Chris Solinsky, Kara Goucher, Galen Rupp, Dathan Ritzenhein, Paula Radcliffe, Amy Yoder-Begley and Alan Webb. The book also goes beyond the page with a thorough companion website and oft-updated blog that's worth checking out.

Pick up a copy of "Running the Edge" at RunTheEdge.com or at Amazon.com

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Appreciating Alan Webb

Webb in his winning days (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

We haven't heard a lot about Alan Webb lately, but it's hard to get too deep into a conversation without his name coming up. While Webb recently confirming that he's moved back to Virginia and will be coached by UVA's Jason Vigilante, he has yet to run a race this summer. There have been grumblings about some injuries ever since leaving Alberto Salazar and the Oregon Project, but hopefully we'll see him later in the summer, after Daegu, and at minimum, at the 5th Avenue Mile (where he ran 3:53.72 at the end of 2010).

With the London Olympics just a year away, any true US Distance fan is likely hopeful that Webb can get sharp and compete for a spot on the team, as like Tiger Woods in Golf, Track is better when Alan Webb is competing at a high level. His tenacity and passion make him exciting to watch every time he's in the field, and when he's on, he is extremely tough to beat. His 2007 1500 time would right with Silas Kiplagat as the world leader this year and his 800 that same year would be just .01 behind Nick Symmonds.

That in mind, I've compiled six classic Webb races below that show the talent he has and the promise that could still be there if he can get healthy and fit again. The races are in chronological order and, of course, start with his High School American Record of 3:53.43 at the 2001 Prefontaine Classic. Next up is his epic battle with Dathan Ritzenhein at the Cardinal Invitational 10k in 2006, where they traded the lead most of the race, before Webb won in a kick. Next up is the first of four races from his magical summer of 2007. The first is his win over Bernard Lagat at USA's, where he pulls another gear out with 50 to go. His joy after the race is exhilarating. Next is his first Golden League win in Paris. He outkicks Mehdi Baala in the last 100 and quiets the French crowd in the process. Next is his strange, but amazing American Mile Record of 3:46.91 in Brasschaat, Belgium. And finally is his outkicking of Gary Reed in Heusden to PR in the 800 with an electric 1:43.84 (in similar fashion to his win over Lagat at USA's).

Without further adieu, here are six classic Alan Webb races:

Where it all began: Webb's 3:53.43 at the 2001 Pre Classic (5/25/01)


Battle with Ritz to run 27:34 for 10k at the 2006 Cardinal Invite (4/30/06)


Pulling away from Lagat  to win the 2007 USATF 1500 (6/24/07)

3:30.54 1500 PR and first Golden League win in Paris (7/6/07)


American record of 3:46.91 in Brasschaat, Belgium (7/21/07)


1:43.84 800 PR at Heusden (7/28/07)


Also, check out  "Sub 4:00: Alan Webb and the Quest for the Fastest Mile" by "Running with the Buffaloes" author (and UNC MBA grad), Chris Lear on Amazon.com

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