5 Questions with Matt Scherer

Matt Scherer paces the 1500 field at Payton Jordan
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today we have 5 Questions with the self-proclaimed "best 800 meter pacer/rabbit in the world." With what he's done on the track lately, how can we argue? As Canadian Olympian Marathoner Reid Coolsaet recently tweeted "the guy is a billboard for 400-500 meters in every important 800."

Matt Scherer is that guy. The one you keep seeing leading high profile races for a lap or two. The guy barking back at the guy behind him to speed up or stay calm. He's fast, even keeled and wide bodied; perfect for blocking wind. He was asked to go through an 800 recently in 50.50. His FAT split? 50.50. Solid as a rock. He's also sponsorless. He'll be running in Diamond League London, and probably more. He'll be pacing the 800 at the  Victoria International tonight. Check it out live on Flotrack. Check out his website SchererSpeed.com and follow him on Twitter @mscherer

5 Questions with Matt Scherer

1. Writing About Running: You were a part of the fastest 800 meters on US soil Saturday. What does it feel like to be involved in something so historic?

Matt Scherer: To be honest, I'm not even sure I appreciate the magnitude of it yet. I've been busy as of late with a lot of races and travel, so I've had to stay very focused on just doing what I'm supposed to on the track. This was the first time I'd paced for Rudisha, and at the very least, I didn't want to screw anything up for him, that was the main objective. Past that, hitting the 400 meter split at a consistent pace was the only thing on my mind.

I was beyond excited to see the clock stop on 1:41 when he crossed the line. In the past, Rudisha has always had his friend/training partner Sammy Tangui pacing him, so I hope that he liked me enough to request me for more races later in the season and I can help him do something even more special.

2. Writing About Running: On Sunday, you were pacing the 800 on the other side of North America (Harry Jerome in Canada), which has become the norm for you of late. How difficult is it to bounce back and perform on target, when so many are expecting you to hit a time?

Matt Scherer: After having a decent amount of success pacing last year, I prepared myself this year, mentally and physically, for an increased work load. I've always been good at going with the flow and not getting stressed out over little things. That has come in particularly handy with all the things that never go right when traveling. The back-to-back New York and Vancouver races haven't even been my toughest turnaround this year. A couple weeks before that, I paced in Shanghai on Saturday, flew to Phoenix via Chicago and paced again on Monday. That was about a 26 hour travel day. But just like most athletes do, when it's show time, you put on a game face and go do your job and perform. You can't let travel ever be an excuse.

Pacing Kaki at Prefontaine in 2011
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

3. Writing About Running: The 600 you ran against Nick Symmonds at Hayward in 2008 was a great showcase of quite possibly the perfect distance for you. Did this race give you an idea that you might be pretty good at pacing longer races?

Matt Scherer: At the time of that 600 with Nick, pacing wasn't on my radar as a career. But what that race has done for me since I became a full-time pacer is give me a solid credential on my resume. (#6 All-Time) Now when meet directors see PB's like 45.1, 1:14.4, and 1:46.1 it doesn't hurt in getting jobs.

4. Writing About Running: Do you prefer Rabbit or Pacemaker? Does it matter?

Matt Scherer: It doesn't matter to me. It seems like in the US it's usually rabbit and most everywhere else it's pacer or pace maker. You usually can get better jokes with rabbit, which I always appreciate. Sometimes my friends introduce me as a professional quitter.

5. Writing About Running: You've been very busy in pre-Olympic action. What do you have on the schedule coming up?

Matt Scherer: It's still early, but I have the London Diamond League 800 meters on my schedule. I think fields will solidify a bit more once country's national meets and the European Championships are over. I would love to continue pacing at Diamond League and World Challenge meets as much as I can. And am hoping that Rudisha liked me enough to maybe use me for a world record attempt later in the year. For a pacer there isn't anything bigger than being part of a world record.

Watch Scherer pace David Rudisha to the fastest 800 on US soil (1:41.) below:

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Prefontaine Classic Press Conference: Interview with Bernard Lagat

Bernard Lagat kicks for the win at the
2011 USA 5000 Championships
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

The press conference for the 38th Prefontaine Classic was today at the Valley River Inn in Eugene. I was lucky enough to spend five plus minutes with one of the legends of our sport, Bernard "Kip" Lagat.

I asked him about three things:

1. His relationship with Augustine Choge (in reference to Choge's praise of him in his 5 Questions with feature)

"He is always there: when you're doing track workouts, when you need a guy to help you in a time trial or to run tempo. He's a nice guy. Down to earth and so disciplined."

2. How he and Coach Li select people for their training group

"It is the hardest process to get in. We have a unique way of training."

3. How he has helped mentor the younger Kenyans, in reference to the Kenyan 10,000 Trials tonight

"I remember Asbel Kiprop used to be so shy until I gave him a few tips. Silas Kiplagat and Asbel come for advice. I share with the American runners and the Kenyans."

Lagat also had a great line when meet director Tom Jordan asked him if he still enjoys running the 1500 and Mile (as he'll run the Bowerman Mile tomorrow):  "They’re always fun, because they’re not as slow as the 5000 meters"

Listen to my full interview by clicking here to download the mp3

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Diamond Dash: DL Final in Brussels sees Galen Rupp targeting American 10k Record

No pollen, no problems
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

At 1:15 pm eastern today, the final Diamond League meet of the season will get started in Brussels, Belgium. At 1:25pm, the Men's 10,000 will go off with Galen Rupp taking on Kenya and Ethiopia's finest (including Kenenisa Bekele). Rupp will have one number on his mind, 26:59. Rupp was planning on going after this record earlier this year at Distance Night in Eugene, but a high pollen count spoiled the attempt. That won't be an issue today, and with highs in the low 60's, the weather should be great for the attempt.

Next up will be the Women's 1500 at 2:21pm. All American eyes will be on Morgan Uceny, as she attempts to take one more victory and clinch the Diamond League 1500 title. Maryam Jamal will be her biggest competition for the $40,000 pay day. Also in the field will be golden child, Jenny Simpson, as she attempts to rebound from a poor showing in Rieti.

The Men's 800 goes off at 2:45pm with another epic showdown between David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki. A very fit Asbel Kiprop will join the mix to make things interesting as well, but no Americans will be in the field. At 3:13pm, the Women's Steeplechase will finish it's Diamond League season. Milcah Chemo leads this field with no Americans joining the party. Closing out the day will be the Men's 5000 at 3:38pm. Vincent Chepkok and a recently disqualified Imane Merga will lead another American-less field. 

Follow along at Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com

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David Rudisha returns to the scene of the time in Rieti

King of the Rodeo
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Last year in Rieti, Italy, David Rudisha brought the heat; the heat being a 1:41.01 World Record in the 800 meters, his second of the season. Mr. Rudisha returns to Rieti Saturday to take aim once again at his heralded record, with personal pacer Sammy Tangui in tow. The race will go off at 12:05pm eastern, as Rieti is six hours ahead of the east coast.

There are a few other exciting distance races going on in Rieti as well.

On the Men's side, the 1500, which goes off at 11:38am, has World Champion, Asbel Kiprop, leading the way, with Amine Laalou, Nick Willis and Ryan Gregson leading the international field, and Americans David Torrence and Will Leer taking aim at the 2012 Olympic A-Standard.

Bernard Lagat leads the 3000 and has said on Twitter that he is taking aim at his 7:29.00 personal best. If he were to better that, he would set an American Record in the process. Tariku Bekele, Vincent Chepkok and others will stand in his way. The race goes off at 11:48am.

On the Women's side, Gold Medalist, Jenny Simpson returns to the track in the 1500. She'll have Spain's Natalia Rodriguez and Morocco's Btissam Lakhouad trying to take her down at 12:25pm.

Full schedule is available here. Full Men's Startlist is here and full Women's Startlist is here. For more up to the minute information, check out our Italian friend, Alberto Stretti's blog. He's looking for a stream and I'll post it if available!

Relive David Rudisha's 1:41.01 World Record last year:


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Daily Daegu: Jenny B fights in the 1500, but should she come back to the Steeple?

Simpson threw down multiple moves to
make the final (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Day 4 was the last busy day before the Day 5 off day (save the Women's 20k Race Walk). The action got started early with the Women's 5000 semi-finals. Amy Hastings ran strong enough out of Heat 1 to get a time qualifier, while Lauren Fleshman left nothing to chance by throwing down a major move with 250 to go to secure a big enough cushion to coast into the finals with an auto qualfier. Hard to believe she was just 8th at USA's. American Record holder, Molly Huddle, wasn't so lucky as she put up a good fight, but her injury and subsequent loss of training ultimately kept her out of the final. She'll be back next year.

The Men's 1500 heats were almost as exciting with Daniel Komen taking a huge lead in heat 1 to secure his entry to the semis, while U of O's Matt Centrowitz securing the final automatic qualifier in that heat. The second heat brought some drama as Frenchman, Mehdi Baala, tripped and went down with 100 to go. The French are protesting, but as of now, he hasn't been passed to the semis. Andrew Wheating's year full of injury ended in this heat, as he just didn't have a kick left. Like Huddle, he'll be ready to dance next year. Amine Laalou won heat 3 with Leo Manzano getting in off time and former Florida State Seminole, Irishman Ciaran O'Lionaird, channelling the power of the mullet and bursting into the final automatic qualifying slot of the heat. What a few months O'Lionaird has had. Going from a poor showing at NCAA's, to an excellent 6 second PR of 3:34 in the 1500, signing a professional contract with Nike and making the World semis in an event that may not even be his best.

Lauren Fleshman, riding dirty (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

The Women's 1500 semis were competitive as multiple time American Champ, Shannon Rowbury, came in next to last, while Morgan Uceny cruised in second, securing an auto-qualifier. Jenny B. Simpson had to fight like crazy, but had that one last move when it counted, to bolt into the lead and finish a comfortable second, making the final.

The Men's 800 went pretty much to plan with David Rudisha toying with the field and Yuriy Borzakovskiy nearly stealing the Silver from Abubaker Kaki with his well honed tactics. Nick Symmonds gave it quite a ride, but didn't have enough left down the home stretch to sneak onto the podium. His 5th place finish isn't what he wanted, but certainly a solid showing and more fuel for the London fire that he'll begin building this fall.

The Women's Steeplechase was fast with Russia's Yuliya Zaripova taking the win in 9:07.03 and Tunisa's Habiba Ghribi taking the silver in 9:11.97. What you probably didn't realize is Jenny B. Simpson's 9:12.50 in the 2009 World Championships would have netted her the bronze today. Unless she comes in top 5 in the 1500, she should give serious thought into returning to the Steeple for London. Her protege, Colorado's Emma Coburn, had a tough race, but finished a strong season as the NCAA Champion, USA Champion and a finals qualifier at Worlds. Not too shabby! (Also, Anna Peirce's 9:22 PR would have been good enough for 5th and she's not at Worlds).

Finally, the Men's 400 went from being possibly LaShawn Merritt's return to glory, to the youth gone wild show, with Grenada's Kirani James sneaking past Merritt in the final meters (a la Mo Farah in the 10,000) to take the Gold. The only tougher loss for Merritt would be one where the IOC outlaws him form competing in London next year. We'll know the answer to that by the end of September.

With Day 5 being a quiet day, I'll preview Day 6 tomorrow!

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Daily Daegu: Is Day 4 Nick Symmonds time to shine?

Symmonds has been hot in Daegu so far
(TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Day 3 at Daegu ended in a flourish, with Americans Carmelita Jeter and Jason Richardson both claiming gold medals. Jeter continued to dominate in the 100, while Richardson has seemingly come out of nowhere in the past month in the 110 hurdles. While he was helped by Dayron Robles' DQ and pushing on Silver Medalist Liu Xiang, Richardson ran his best at the right time and was rewarded for it. Allyson Felix's doubled was thwarted by Amantle Montsho, but a Silver at the World Championships is nothing to sneeze at. Jillian Camarena-Williams also took home Bronze in the Shot Put. A great day for American sprinters, hurdlers and throwers!

But that's not what I generally cover here. The only distance event of Day 3 was the Men's Steeplechase and our boys didn't look so good. As I said on twitter yesterday, "the American Steeple contingent could use a Fam injection on the men's side and some Simpson/Pierce on the women's." Emma Coburn is the only American in either final and she looked great. But hopefully we can get stronger before London next year.

Day 4 brings on lots of distance fun as the Women's 5000 heats start up at 9:20 eastern tonight with Amy Hastings, the injured Molly Huddle and the white hot Lauren Fleshman gunning for the finals. After that, we'll get to see the Men line up in the 1500 prelims. Coming off a big win in London, Leo Manzano will be ready to go, with collegian Matt Centrowitz and Andrew Wheating bringing their Oregon flair to the line.

The American morning session of Day 4 kicks off at 7:35am eastern with the Women's 1500 semis, where all 3 ladies are still alive. At 8:00am, Nick Symmonds will take aim at the medal stand in a stacked 800. David Rudisha is a heavy favorite for Gold and Abubaker Kaki the same for Silver, but the bronze is wide open and Symmonds appears ready to bring it home. Watch out for a dual between Symmonds and 2004 Olympic Champion, Yuriy Borzakovskiy, for that last spot on the podium. Next, at 8:20am, Emma Coburn will finish her excellent season in the Women's Steeplechase final. Closing the night will be the next leg of the LaShawn Merritt redemption tour. After two excellent performances in the rounds, he looks to be the favorite to bring home the Gold in the Men's 400.

A very exciting night and day ahead after an exciting morning for us Americans!

You can watch on television and online via Universal Sports. Results are on the IAAF's Daegu site.

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Diamond Dash: Rudisha vs. Kaki showdown leads Day 1 at Crystal Palace

Rudisha says hi to Kaki after a World Record

David Rudisha and Abubaker Kaki will be bringing a World Championship feel to the Aviva London Grand Prix tomorrow with an epic showdown in the 800 meters. I personally can't remember the last time Rudisha was beaten. Maybe it was the last World Championships when he didn't make it out of the rounds, but I'm not 100% sure. The way I see the race unfolding is Rudisha's personal rabbit, Sammy Tangui will go out in 49.5 (per usual) and Rudisha will sit and turn it on at 500m. If Kaki can keep it within a second, I'll be impressed. Also in the field is Nick Symmonds. Once again, Symmonds is having a great year and is a true medal threat in Daegu. Tomorrow will be a great chance for him to test his mettle (pun intended). Full 800m startlist is available here.

Other distance events on the docket Friday are the Men's 5000, which includes Americans Ben True and Brandon Bethke (whose Quiksilver deal seems inside the box after Meb Keflezighi's Skecher's signing last week), as well as Brits Andy Vernon and OTC's Chris Thompson. Steve Cram did briefly mention last week that there could be a surprise last minute entrance by Kenenisa Bekele as well, but I wouldn't count on it. Full startlist for the 5000 is here.

In the Women's 800, Molly Beckwith will continue her excellent season against a strong field that includes Daegu favorite, Kenia Sinclair, as well as Brits Jenny Meadows, Marilyn Okoro and OTC's Jemma Simpson. A few strong Russians round out the field, and you never know what's coming from them. Could be 1:56, could be 2:02. Full 800 startlist is here.

Closing out the night is the Mo Farah show, aka the Men's 3000. Farah has been unstoppable this year and this should be an excellent showcase for him, being the final event of the night. Farah will have "Steady Eddie" David  Krummenacker pacing the field of Irleand's Allistair Cragg, Australia's Collis Birmingham, Ben St. Lawrence and Craig "Buster" Mottram, as well as Kenyans Mark Kiptoo and Sammy Mutahi. I don't know what the English record for the 3k is, but I would think that Farah could make a run at it, considering his fitness. Full startlist for the 3000 is here.

I'll preview Day 2 tomorrow. Full meet information is here and the event will be broadcast on Universal Sports.

Update: Here's video of Mo Farah's big win in the 3000 that wasn't aired during the television window:



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Diamond Dash: David Rudisha returns to Diamond League action in Lausanne

800 meter World Record holder David Rudisha will return to action tomorrow in Lausanne, Switzerland; not quite a week after running a world leading opener of 1:43.46 in France (last Friday). Expect Rudisha to have some competition from an excellent field, comprised of Amine Laalou, Marcin Lewandowski, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and Kenyans Asbel Kiprop and Alfred Kirwa Yego.

On the American front, most will be skipping to cross pond flight, coming off the USATF Championships this past weekend, but one entry of note is women's 1500m winner Morgan Uceny. Uceny already has the A-standard, but will get more practice at running in a championship field and will likely be looking to crack the 4:00 barrier for the first time. Here's the field she'll be up against.

The event will be broadcast on Universal Sports and here are the official start lists.

And just for fun, here's a video of Rudisha's amazing 1:41.08 World Record set last year:



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