Film Major: "Running America"

In one year from today, Greensboro, NC's Charlie Engle will be released from prison. Right before he was indicted, his film, "Running America," had just been released. Much of the promotion tour for "Running America" was cancelled, due to Engle's arrest, but Charlie isn't really the star of "Running America." That title goes to grand master (over 50) Marshall Ulrich.

Ulrich is a long time endurance runner from Colorado that faces obvious internal conflict as he attempts the 50+ cross country speed record. His story truly picks up in "Running America" when Charlie's ends. Charlie gets injured early into the film and can't continue the 3000+ mile jaunt across the country. Where Charlie's charisma is demanding of the audience's attention, Ulrich's struggle is equally, if not more, enthralling. Ulrich's wife succumbed to cancer at 28, and as his daughter Elaine states, he's been running from that ever since. Seeing Ulrich carry on day after day, averaging ~58 miles per day for 52 days is enough to make most of us feel pretty soft! Ulrich has also written a book about his nationwide trek, entitled "Running on Empty."

Engle and Ulrich take off on their journey

The scenery in "Running America" isn't quite that in "Running the Sahara." The film's B-story is the restlessness with the government and the economy surrounding the 2008 election. While many "locals" along the nationwide journey are interviewed about their disillusionment with the state of the nation, the running story still leads the way. Those interviewed seem most bothered towards the beginning of the journey/film and seem more hopeful by the time Ulrich is finishing up and Barack Obama is winning the 2008 election. It's filmmaking. It just seems a little odd as there are really two stories going on that don't really weave together.

That being said, "Running in America" is indeed entertaining, especially for those that have not seen "Running the Sahara," as there are many familiar scenes of blister popping and just watching grown men deal with the agonizing pain that comes with running an average of 2+ marathons per day! When Engle is on screen, he commands it. His passionate attitude and dealing with those with special needs is excellent. Hopefully he'll continue more of that when he's released a year from today. If you aren't already, follow Charlie's always entertaining twitter feed about life inside Beckley Prison and his introspective and also comedic blog, the aptly titled "Running in Place." Finally, check out Adam Higginbotham’s article, "Nowhere to Run," in the September 2011 issue of Men's Journal (click here for the article).

Pick up "Running America" on Amazon.com here.

Check out the "Running America" trailer here:



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Things I Like: Universal Sports (and UniversalSports.com)

If you're a Track & Field fan, you probably already know Universal Sports. If you don't, it may be because Universal Sports is not offered in your area. Living in Raleigh for the past 10 years, I've been lucky enough to tune into Universal Sports on television for every Diamond League meet, Tour de France race and if it's your thing, beach volleyball match (Complete listings here).

One thing that everyone (in the United States at least) has access to is UniversalSports.com (in particular, their Track & Field page). What started as a way to follow my friend, Gary Kikaya, run abroad during the Golden League days, quickly turned into THE way to watch professional Track & Field. What they offer on UniversalSports.com that they don't offer on television is live coverage of Diamond League meets. They also have the British television crew working the live coverage with the popular Tim Hutchings making many of the calls.  There is also another excellent feature this year on the website that has Ato Boldon, who headlines the American television coverage, doing a "Cooldown," which is a post meet recap and Q&A. Check it out here. Ato is excellent at what he does and is a must follow if you are on Twitter.

When you need more coverage, Ato's got you

What annoys me most about the Olympics is the lack of live coverage. With all this in mind, those wanting live coverage of the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Daegu, Korea, Universal Sports is offering complete coverage of the meet for only $14.99. With NBC getting the rights to the next few Olympics, I am hoping they use this outlet to show the events as they were supposed to be!

Also, check out Universal Sports on Twitter and Facebook.

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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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Return of the ever enigmatic Lauren Fleshman

Sweet Relief! (TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Lauren Fleshman could possibly be the easily track athlete to root for in America. Why? Well, there are multiple reasons, but no matter how cool Lauren Fleshman comes off or how entertaining her blog is, the bottom line is, she can run. After her win last year at USATF nationals in the 5000, it seemed as though she was finally healthy and would be a force on the American Distance Running scene once again. Then she got hurt, again.

After what seemed as another full year of rehab, Fleshman was entered in the 2011 USATF 5000 Championships. It didn't go so well, she finished 8th. My, how things have changed in the past six weeks, as at noon today, all signs appear that Fleshman will be tagged to represent Team USA in the 5000 at Daegu. This comes mostly on the strength of her excellent showing at the Aviva Grand Prix in London last Friday, where she ran a dominating last 500m to take the win in a strong 15:00.57, only a second off of her PR.

Almost as exciting as being named to Team USA for the 2011 Track & Field World Championships in Daegu, is the report today, from Ron Bellamy at the Eugene Register Guard, that Fleshman will run the 2011 New York City Marathon in November as well. She mentions she'll be turning 30 in September (30's a good age for a first time marathon) and has seen the way that marathon training has helped people like Desi Davila, when they come back to the track (Speaking of Davila, check out Fleshman's Twitter Icon tribute to Desi today for giving up her spot on the 5000 team).

All this in mind, the future looks very bright for Lauren Fleshman. The "official" announcement of Team USA will be at noon today via USATF and while you're waiting, go pick up some of Fleshman's Picky Bars.

And by the way, this video never gets old:


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Diamond Dash: Will Angela Bizzarri's ticket get punched to Daegu on Day 2?

Can Hastings carry Bizzarri's flag?

Angela Bizzarri has been in this position before. This is the second time she's qualified for a worlds team without having hit the A Standard. In 2009, she tried to get the standard, but was out of steam after a strong NCAA season (and a 5000 meter title). This year, her teammate Amy Hastings, has been trying to duck under the 15:14.00 A Standard so that Bizzarri can get in with the B. Hastings has come very close running 15:15 twice and will take one more crack at it in London tomorrow. She'll have the help of another teammate, ageless Jen Rhines, who could be helping as a personal rabbit, as she's already qualified for Daegu in the 10,000. Best of luck to Hastings and Rhines, that's true teamwork! Here's the finishing order from the USA Championships in June.  Also in the field is a re-surging Lauren Fleshman, as well as Boston Marathon runner-up, Desi Davila. Full startlist for the 5000 is here.

Also on Saturday is an American filled Women's 3000 meter Steeplechase. National Champion Emma Coburn leads the Americans with 2010 NCAA champ Bridget Franek and new Nike signee, Lindsay Allen, competing as well. Coburn and Franek will be preparing for Daegu against a strong field.

Former Tar Heel, Erin Donohue, will be leading many Americans in the Women's 1500. Donohue will likely be targeting the 2012 Olympic Standard of 4:06.00 (full 2012 London A & B Standards listed below), as her seasonal best is 4:07.04. The statesiders that will be joining her (and seeking the 2012 A) are Daegu-bound Shannon Rowbury, Treniere Moser and Gabrielle Anderson. Also in the field is the local favorites, Lisa Dobriskey and former FSU star Hannah England (as well as a host of others).

Finally, the Emsley Carr Mile will feature a slew of Americans, with Bernard Lagat, Leo Manzano, Lopez Lomong and Russell Brown competing, as well as former Wisconsin Badgers (and now New Balance runners) Craig Miller and Jack Bolas (from Chapel Hill, NC) setting the pace. They'll have their hands full with local favorite Andy Baddeley, new British star James Shane, Australia's Ryan Gregson, Kenya's Augustine Choge and a host of others giving chase. Here's the link to the full Emsley Carr Mile field.

The event will once again be broadcast on Universal Sports and full meet info can be found here.

Here are the 2012 London Olympic A & B standards:

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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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Run like the cops are chasing you!

Ahh, good times on the morning commute. Weekly, I make the trip from Raleigh to Winston-Salem for work. It's a pretty easy trek down I-40 West. Today was different.

Right after getting off of Wade Avenue and onto 40, traffic slowed. Then the choppers started coming over me. As I sat and moved slowly for the next 30 minutes, I wondered what was going on. Eventually the traffic subsided and I passed 10+ cop cars parked on the right side of the road. 10 minutes after that, I got a tweet from WRAL about the chase. He did eventually get caught. Side note: news in the technology age is great.

By the time I got to work, a video of the chase was already posted online (embedded below). My favorite part is at :35 when the perpetrator takes off on foot! What I would have given to have seen this live! The guy is moving. And he hits the hill like Sammy Wanjiru did at the 2010 Chicago Marathon, leaving Kebede in his wake. Then he hops the fence with ease and keeps moving. My guess is he isn't a local road runner, but that adrenaline was on his side. That in mind, how fast can one truly run if you fear your life is truly threatened or the cops are chasing you? I know there was a thread on LetsRun.com about "running the 800 on pure hate," but can running in fear be quantified? That's a study I'd like to see...



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