5 Questions with Kyle Alcorn

Kyle Alcorn hurdles a barrier en route to
his first Olympic Team
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today, we have another Steepler on board for 5 Questions with a member of the 2012 London Olympic Team. He's been competing at the top level of the US ranks since 2008, but this is his biggest accomplishment to date. Read on to hear about his "necessity" year.

Kyle Alcorn made his first mark in 2004 with a win in the steeple at US Juniors. He would later go on to win the NCAA Championship in 2008 and would make the Berlin World Championship team in 2009. Last year, he would finish third at the USATF Championships, but didn't have the standard to run in Daegu. This year would be different. Alcorn hit the Olympic A Standard with time to spare in a strong personal best time of 8:20.86 at Oxy in May. This would set him up for his performance at the trials, where he would end up flat out on the track with a ticket to London in his pocket.

5 Questions with Kyle Alcorn

1. Writing About Running: Congrats on making the 2012 London Olympic Team. You looked like you were in severe pain after the finish of the Steeple Final. How bad did you want to make the team?

Kyle Alcorn: Going into this Olympic trials failure was not an option. I knew that this was going to be a tough race and was willing to push myself as hard as I needed to make sure I would be top 3. This year was all or nothing for me, and fortunately it paid off for me.

2. Writing About Running: With six guys going into the steeple final with the Olympic A Standard, what was your strategy?

Kyle Alcorn: Going into this Olympic trials failure was not an option. I knew that this was going to be a tough race and was willing to push myself as hard as I needed to make sure I would be top 3. This year was all or nothing for me, and fortunately it paid off for me.

3. Writing About Running: You made the Berlin World team in 2009. How much will that experience prepare you for London?

Kyle Alcorn: I think the only thing that will be helpful from that experience is learning to warm up a little earlier to allow for extra time to go through the call rooms to get on the track. I think that everything else will be amplified on this Olympic stage compared to the World Championship stage.

4. Writing About Running: What are your racing plans before and after the Olympics?

Kyle Alcorn: Right now I am planing on running two races prior to the Olympics. I am planning on racing a steeple in Lucern on the 17th and a mile in Dublin on the 25th. As for after the Olympics nothing is planned yet.

Evan Jager helps a worn, but relieved Alcorn off the track
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

5. Writing About Running: Coming off an NCAA Championship in '08, it had to be a little bit of a let down not making the team. Can you summarize your last four years leading back to where you are today?

Kyle Alcorn: There has been some changes over the last four years. I first moved back to my home town for about 1.5 years right out of college so that my wife could finish up grad school. This was tough on training since my coach Louie Quintana lived in Tempe. So in February of 2010 I moved back to Tempe to be trained by Louie face to face. I have had my ups and downs over the last four years but have managed to finish 3rd in 3 of the last 4 US Championships. I think looking at where I am now compared to where I was at the trials in 2008, I have gained a lot of experience and also confidence at racing on this level. In 2008 making the Olympic team would have just been a huge cherry on top, this year it was a necessity and I treated it as so.

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5 Questions with Ciaran O'Lionaird

Ciaran "Mad Len" O'Lionaird rode his
mullet all the way to the 2011 World
Championship final in Daegu
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today we have another Olympian for our 2012 London Olympics 5 Questions with series. Although, this time it's not an American that I traded emails with. It's one of Ireland's brightest young stars that attended college, and currently trains, in the United States.

Ciaran O'Lionaird had a big 2011. After leading the Florida State Seminoles to a surprise runner-up finish at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship, he had a strong, but disappointing finish to his collegiate track season. That's when things got exciting. He had an excellent string of races that netted him a 3:34.46 PR in the 1500 and landed him in the 2012 World Championship Final. He's fought through injury this year, but is coming around in time to compete in his first Olympic Games for his native Ireland. Check out his webpage GoCiaran.com and follow him on Twitter @GoCiaran

5 Questions with Ciaran O'Lionaird

1. Writing About Running: First off, congratulations on being selected for the Irish Olympic team. Ireland has a long tradition of great milers. What does it mean to you to be able to carry on that legacy at the Olympic level?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: Thank you very much. I'm really excited to represent my country naturally, but the fact I'm competing in an event that presents such a rich heritage for Ireland makes it that much better. Though I managed a breakthrough last year in the 1500, I still feel like I'm really new to the event, given my injury history. To be able to draw on the experience of Eamonn Coghlan and Mark Carroll has been a big positive factor, especially dealing with negative scenarios, such as this achilles injury. I'm hoping I can do Irish middle distance running justice there and I know we have a lot of talented young runners coming through to help continue that process.

2. Writing About Running: Your excellent 2011 that landed you in the World Championship Final had to open your eyes to what is possible. How much did that run of excellent racing change your long term goals in the sport?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: It definitely caused me to re-adjust my goals long-term and start looking at consistent high-placing in finals, which is a good thing, but it also perhaps filled me with a little too much excitement, as I felt I pushed too hard coming back off Daegu in the autumn as I wanted to make another jump for London. My body still isn't able to handle the training that most 3:34 runners do, and because of that, I need to take a step back and allow myself to develop as a runner and almost grow into the role I've cast for myself through my run at World's last year, as opposed to pushing the envelope constantly.

Leading Florida State to a surprise second place finish
at the 2010 NCAA Cross Country Championship
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

3. Writing About Running: You recently switched training camps and have been training with Mark Rowland and Oregon Track Club Elite. How has the change gone and who are you working out with in Eugene?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: The change has gone very smoothly. I'm extremely thankful of course to Coach Rowland, all of the OTC and Tracktown USA family, but also to Nike Running, the Oregon Project and Alberto (Salazar) for being understanding and facilitating the change. It was a really difficult decision for me to make and the timing was tough too, but I felt for my long-term development it was the right move. No doubt, Alberto's guys are putting out phenomenal performances and I'm really happy for them. For me though, my running goes well when my life outside running is balanced and not vice-versa. I felt like OTC gave me a better opportunity to achieve that, and so far it's been great. Coach Rowland is an incredible motivator and has really brought me back from what looked like a season-ending injury. I can't express my gratitude enough for that.

4. Writing About Running: You were all over Eugene for the US Olympic Trials and have ties to the American collegiate system as a standout at Florida State. What were a few of your favorite moments at the trials, on and off the track?

Legendary Coach Bob Braman with O'Lionaird
(photo: Athletics Ireland)

Ciaran O'Lionaird: There were definitely some moments that will stick with me, however I also tried to keep my distance from the trials, as I don't like to be immersed too much in the running scene. I actually drove out of town for all of my runs so I could be with myself in the woods and just chilled out. But I definitely cheered on all of my Total Sports US family, as well as my OTC teammates. Seeing Nick (Symmonds) retain his 800m title was special. Off the track I got to hang out with Coach Braman, my coach at FSU, who is one of my closest friends and mentors. I also got to kick it with my agent, Chris Layne, and Stephen HAAS, who works under him. Total Sports took a chance on me when nobody else would last year, so I'm really close with Chris. I call him "Mad Layne" and plan to wear cargo shorts consistently through the Olympics in his honor.

5. Writing About Running: Injuries have plagued you this year, but it sounds like you are starting to round into shape. What kind of racing do you have planned before and after the Olympics in August?

Ciaran O'Lionaird: I'm going to do some tune-up races mid-July before the Games. I'll be racing the mile in Cork, Ireland on July 17th, and from there we'll see. I'm still training hard, so I won't let up until right before the Games. I'm not looking beyond the Olympics right now. Should my body cooperate and opportunities present themselves, I always love to compete. But I'm taking it one race at a time. I've only been on the track less than a month training, but in the past ten days have had some of my best workouts ever. I don't quite know how it's come together, but it has. Credit to Coach Rowland and my support team at OTC as well as AAI HP and the Institute of Sport. Their work in handling my injury is starting to pay dividends!

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5 Questions with Donn Cabral

Donn Cabral hits the steeple pit in the
2012 Olympic Trials Final
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Today, we have 5 Questions with a new professional runner. It's the first of our interviews with a male member of the 2012 London Olympic Team. It's been a long year, but a very, very fruitful year for the recent Princeton graduate. Read on about how his life will change after impressive performances all season, and most importantly, about two weeks ago at the at the trials.

Donn Cabral has had a big year. Most recently, he signed a professional contract with Nike and then went on to make the US Olympic Team in his first race in his new kit. Just before that, he won the NCAA Championship. Earlier this season he anchored Princeton's 4xMile and Distance Medley Relay teams to wins at the Penn Relays. He'll now prepare for the biggest event of his young life. The Men's Steeplechase semifinals are on the first day of Track & Field at the Olympics, Friday, August 3rd. He'll hope to make the final.

5 Questions with Donn Cabral

1. Writing About Running: First off, congrats on making your first Olympic team. It's been an incredible season for you. How satisfying was it to cap it off with an Olympic bid?

Donn Cabral: It's been the most successful, most life-changing season I've ever had, but making the Olympic Team wasn't the cherry on top. It was the meat and potatoes. That's what I had dreamed of all year, so the cherries on top were the All Americans, the Penn Relays titles, the Conference wins, and the NCAA title.

2. Writing About Running: You wore your Princeton uniform in the prelim and then wore a Nike kit in the final. How fast did that come together and did you feel extra pressure to perform as a new professional for Nike?

Donn Cabral: The change was painless for me because I had an agent to handle it. I thought the pressure would change my mindset during or surrounding the race, but at the end of the day I did what I've been doing for years and handled it just the same.

3. Writing About Running: You had mentioned you were planning on using your fifth year of eligibility at the University of Colorado. Now that you have gone pro, does that change your plans for the fall in terms of schooling and future training?

Donn Cabral: Yes, I'm no longer going to the University of Colorado for business school, as previously planned. I've got to figure out where I'll be, whom I'll be coached by and what my life will look like in a more general sense for the coming years.

The 2012 Steeple Team shows much promise
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

4. Writing About Running: You've had a very long season. How much do you plan to compete before and after the Olympics in Europe?

Donn Cabral: As of right now I've got three races lined up. Two in Italy and one in Sweden. Hopefully I'll be able to sneak in one or two more after the Olympics, too, since when I'm running well I want to ride it out for as long as I can.

5. Writing About Running: You had a big group of friends with you in Eugene to watch you make your first team. How special was it to you to have such a big support group around you on the biggest week of your racing career and can you describe your experience off the track?

Donn Cabral: It was amazing to have so many friends and family from Princeton and home at the Trials. Before, between and after races it was so cool to be surrounded by the people who know me best. It was relaxing, calming but also a lot of fun to spend time with some of those people before we headed our separate ways.

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5 Questions with Alice Schmidt

The finish of the Women's 800 Final this year was a close one!
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

We start the week off with the second installment of 5 Questions with a member of the 2012 London Olympic Team. I take personal delight here, because she's a Tar Heel!

Alice Schmidt has been on the scene for over ten years now. Her first runs at the big time were her two runner-up finishes at the 2001 NCAA indoor and outdoor 800's, while at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since then, she's made multiple World teams and now is a 2-time Olympian. She's always been stronger at the 800 meters, but ran a PR and the Olympic A Standard in winning this year' Prefontaine Classic 1500 meters. She'll run a few races before lining up for the Olympic 800 prelims on August 8th.

5 Questions with Alice Schmidt

1. Writing About Running: The 800 Final at the trials saw five women within 0.64 seconds. What was it like weaving through the traffic in the final meters to make the all import top three, guaranteeing yourself a spot on the team?

Alice Schmidt: The women's 800 was a nail-biter. We all knew that it was going to be a serious fight to make the team this year because the caliber of the field was so high. I've always said that in the 800, nobody in the final can be counted out because it's such a strategic sprint and anything can happen. So, in the final, I wanted to go out behind Alysia and relax in that position. I was hoping to make a big surge at the end for the win, but I found myself stuck on the rail for much of the final kick. At the end of a race, people usually run wide, so I was able to squeeze out to have a clear line to the finish, and I was able to surge into 3rd place. Whew!

2. Writing About Running: With that, congrats making your second Olympic team. What was the feeling this year in relation to how it was in 2008?

Alice Schmidt: This year's 800 meter final had depth that I haven't seen in my career. Almost everyone in the final had the Olympic A standard; I think 4 of us had the standard in 2008. Obviously nothing was guaranteed. This year, I have been running a few more 1500s and doing more strength work. I was able to do speed work only in the last month or so. I kept having to tell myself that the "pieces of the puzzle" would come together at the trials, and thankfully, they did. Making the Olympic team for a second time was double-thrilling, seriously.

Schmidt on her way to winning the 2012 Pre Classic
 1500 over Jenny Simpson & Shannon Rowbury
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

3. Writing About Running: At the Prefontaine Classic this year, you upset 2/3 of the 2012 Olympic 1500 meter team, running a PR and Olympic A Standard time of 4:05.64. You have had a lot of success in the 800. Do you see a future in the longer event?

Alice Schmidt: My 1500 at Pre was a result of more strength work last year and this year. I've always raced the 1500 a few times a year, but last summer I raced the distance and won a couple of times in Europe. Still, I didn't have the A Standard. So, at Pre, I knew I wanted to get out of traffic, again, and I just went for it. I'm definitely looking forward to racing the "metric mile" more frequently!

4. Writing About Running: While at the University of North Carolina, you ran with two other future Olympians in Shalane Flanagan and Erin Donohue. How did your time at UNC and your relationship with these women shape you as a runner?

UNC's team of Schmidt, Donohue, Carol
Henry and Flanagan ran 17:20.18 to win
the 4x1500 at the 2003 Penn Relays.

Alice Schmidt: Shalane, Erin and my other teammates at UNC were critical in setting me up for success in college and as a professional. Having teammates who made it to NCAAs and got on the podium regularly set the bar pretty high. Successful athletics was the status quo. After college, I knew I wanted to find a similar atmosphere. As a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center, I've got the same thing. My teammates there are not my training partners, but their hard work and success have inspired me to make teams and set my sights high.

5. Writing About Running: You have about a month until Round 1 of the 800 in London. What will you do to prepare over these last few weeks and how do you see your Olympic experience being different this time as a veteran of Team USA? Is there any European racing on your schedule in advance of the games?

Alice Schmidt: I'm already in Europe! I left the USA a few days after the trials. I knew I would need to take a bit of downtime after my 6 races at the trials, so I figured I would "kill 2 birds with 1 stone" and get over jet-lag while resting my legs. I've got about a week of working out before I start racing here. I hope to get into 3 races or so, and I plan to stay in Europe until the Olympics. I've learned from previous years that I'm at my best after a few races in Europe, so I'm trying to put myself in the best position for the Olympics.

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5 Questions with Janet Cherobon-Bawcom

Lisa Uhl, Janet Cherobon-Bawcom and Amy Hastings
comprise our 2012 Women's 10,000 Olympic Team
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

After an exciting Olympic Trials, 5 Questions with is back! Today we have the first of our interviews with a member of the 2012 London Olympic Team.  She overcame sickness in Eugene and made her way from roads star to Olympian in just over a year.

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom is happy to be here. She came to the United States to get her nursing degree, and slowly, but surely, has found out she's a pretty darn good runner too. She won the 2011 USA Running Circuit Title and then had her proper Marathon debut at the Olympic Trials in January, finishing fifth in 2:29:45. After last week, she is now a US Olympian at 10,000 meters. She has done all of this while continuing her studies. Follow her very funny commentary on Twitter @JanetRuns

5 Questions with Janet Cherobon-Bawcom

1. Writing About Running: First off, congrats on becoming an Olympian. What has your last week been like as a member of the 2012 US Olympic team that will be traveling to London next month?

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom: It's been super hectic.  I am taking a full load of classes this summer, and after a couple of days of excitement in Oregon, it was back to reality - and to being way behind on my work.  To make things worse, we got back to Georgia just in time for the heat wave to hit and decided to head back out to Flagstaff where there was less heat and less oxygen.  I've been here since the 1st, and I'm finally getting caught up on sleep, homework, and getting back into some good training.

2. Writing About Running: With the nature of the Women's 10,000, you were one of three women (excluding Shalane Flanagan, who will run the Olympic Marathon) who had the Olympic A-Standard. What was your strategy with that in mind?

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom: To be honest, I was so sick in Eugene that I can't even pretend that I had a strategy.  I'd been fighting a respiratory illness ever since Bolder Boulder, and it took a real turn for the worse when I got out to Oregon.  I wasn't going to publicize it before the race, but I knew that, if anyone made a successful run at the "A" standard there, I would be left off the team for sure.  There was no way I was going to keep up with them - I could barely breath during the race.  Of course, two miles in, I knew that the pace was too slow for anyone to hit the standard, and it was like a huge weight was off my shoulders.  It's not how anyone would want to make the team, but with the way I was feeling that night, I had to say a big prayer of thanks that I even made it through the race.

Running below the Olympic A-Standard
at Payton Jordan with a 31:33.50
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

Of course, the really ironic part for me was that I went into the Payton Jordan meet just shooting for the trials "A" standard.  I hadn't run on the track since 2006, my 10k PR on the road was 32:26, and I really didn't consider myself a contender for a spot on the team.  The Friday before that meet, I did a workout in Flagstaff that made me think, "you know, I might be able to break 32:00 if I get lucky."  Well, I got in the race, felt decent, and now here we are.

3. Writing About Running: You have had a whirlwind past few years with gaining your citizenship, winning the USA Running Circuit Championship and becoming an Olympian. Is this what you imagined when you heard the term "the American dream?"

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom: Again, I can't pretend that I had any idea or dream about being where I am.  I came to the US never having broken 20:00 for 5k.  My dream at that time was just to run well enough to keep my scholarship so that I could pursue my "American Dream" of getting my nursing degree.  I had zero aspirations of doing anything significant as an athlete.  I loved watching the Olympics as a kid - my favorite athlete was Maria Mutola back then - but I wasn't involved in the sport at the time, so I certainly didn't dream that I'd be where I am.

After college, I kept running just to give me something to do - even with 3 DII championships to my name, my PR's were not blazing fast (16:19 and 34:21), and I wasn't a US citizen - so I couldn't dream of running for the US.  When I started the citizenship process, I would've been crazy to think that one day I'd be representing the US - at that time my marathon PR was just under 3 hours.  I was hoping that I could become a citizen and one day work for the Center for Disease Control.  Needless to say, I think God had other things in mind because there's no other explanation for the way things in my life have worked out.

4. Writing About Running: What's it like training with the legendary coach, Jack Daniels?

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom: It's been great.  Jack is the perfect fit for me.  He's a true genius, but he is also someone who really respects the experience I have as an athlete and the knowledge I have about how my body responds to certain things.  I do some pretty crazy things from time to time - racing too much, etc. - but instead of trying to talk me out of things, Jack works hard to make the best plan for me, even if it seems crazy.  I really appreciate that he's committed to helping me reach my goals - not like some coaches who try so hard to force their ideas on the athletes.  He understands that my running is just that, my running, and he does a brilliant job of helping me get the most out of it.

Winning the USATF 20k Championship en route to
her 2011 USA Running Circuit title

5. Writing About Running: Your twitter profile says "Started running so I wouldn't have to keep milking cows. Still running and still not milking cows!!!!" When exactly is the last time you milked a cow? and what are your plans after the Olympics?

Janet Cherobon-Bawcom: Actually, I milked a cow in February when I was back in Kenya.  The weather in Flagstaff was killing my training, and I wanted to be at altitude to get ready for my spring season, so I decided that it would be an ideal time to go visit my family.  My little sisters started talking some trash about how I'd gone soft in America, and I had to defend myself, so I grabbed the old milking bucket and got to work.  It's pretty much like riding a bicycle - once you learn how....  Of course, I'm not so great on the bicycle, so who knows.

After the Olympics, I'm actually going for a long vacation with my husband's family, then back to training with my eye on doing a few USA Running Circuit events and a fall marathon.  I've been running pretty much non-stop since last August, so after the marathon, I plan to take a long break from running - and then we'll see what happens!

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Talking Trials Final Report: Tarmoh-geddon, A Tale of Two Fourths and that Men's 1500

Jeneba Tarmoh hugs Allyson Felix after the 200
(all photos: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

What a week (and a half)! The 2012 Olympic Track and Field Trials have now come and gone and were filled with highs for some and lows for others, but an overabundance of excitement for all; on and off the track. Here are my final thoughts in eleventh and final edition of "Talking Trials." Full results for the trials are here.

Tarmoh-geddon
When I woke up this morning, I heard ESPN's Mike and Mike (and again at lunch on the Jim Rome Show) discussing the Jeneba Tarmoh forfeit to Allyson Felix, and how could someone give up the once-in-every-four-years opportunity to be an Olympian. I'm not quite sure, but I respect Ato Boldon and his explanation that Tarmoh was just too exhausted physically and mentally to go through with it. Seems plausible, but I'll always think there is something else there. As I mentioned on Twitter last night, I believe Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated's final article on the topic is where we should leave it. And then I watched Tarmoh's interview on SportsCenter. Mind boggling. Watch that race again.

A Tale of Two Fourths
Aside from my coverage here at writing about running, I covered local athletes for the Charlotte Observer, the Greensboro News & Record and the Raleigh News & Observer at the trials. Two of those athletes finished in the first spot that you don't want to finish at the trials, fourth.

Calesio Newman starts his run
towards the 200 final

For Greensboro's Calesio Newman, fourth was a huge jump in his career. He had failed to make the 100 meter final earlier in the week and would bounce back and look excellent through the rounds. When the 200 meter final came, he looked great. He would have a tough road ahead, starting out of lane eight, with eventual champion, Wallace Spearmon and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Crawford, starting in lanes six and seven, respectively, using him as a personal rabbit. He would run the race of his life. That race would prove to be a mere .01 seconds off of his first Olympic team. He was the slowest out of the blocks and looked over about 10 meters too early at the finish. A tough day, but no one expected him to compete for the spot, so he had something to smile about. Read my final piece in the Greensboro News & Record on him here and watch part of my interview with him here. Watch the Men's 200 meter final here. 

For former Charlottean and NC State standout Julia Lucas, fourth was a bit tougher. In the Women's 5000 meter final Monday night, Lucase mad a strong move with three laps to go and looked to have the win in the bag. That changed with a lap to go. She slowed and would be passed by Julie Culley and American Record Holder, Molly Huddle, with 200 meters to go. It looked like she would hang onto the third and final Olympic spot. Unfortunately, that wouldn't be the case, as a hard charging Kim Conley would nip her at the line by .04 seconds. Despite the tough loss, Lucas answered questions for over ten minutes and faced her disappointment head on. It was incredible to watch and I take my hat off to anyone with that kind of toughness that makes a move like she did, have it backfire, and then standby it. Watch the agonizing race here.

Leo Manzano outkicks Centro down the stretch

That Men's 1500
The toughest team to make had to be the Men's 1500 meters. From the gun, it was exciting. The Jordan McNamara-Will Leer-John Mickowski plan of attack to try and get the Olympic A Standard almost worked, but they would have had to beat an excellent crowd to make the team; standard or no standard. In the end, the cream rose to the top with the year in, year out, world team lock, Leo Manzano, pushing by Matt Centrowitz in the last 50 meters to take the title and Andrew Wheating doing the same to Robby Andrews for that third final spot. It was a sea of carnage at the finish and Andrews was the face to pure exhaustion as he had to be helped off the track and then back to the warm up area. David Torrence was in second with 100 meters to go and would fade to sixth. That was just a very hard team to make. I wonder how many will drop down to the 800 or move up to the Steeplechase or the 5000 for next year's World Championships in Moscow. Watch the 1500 Final here.

Amy "Hasty" Hastings

The Eugene Scene
The town was electric for the trials. I met so many great people that it would be impossible to list them all. The people inside, outside and around the sport are some of the most interesting and introspective people I've ever met. I had the fun of meeting lots of great writers, athletes, shoe company employees and of course, the two groups that have helped every track and field fan see more of sport in real time, Flotrack and RunnerSpace. Both of these groups work relentlessly and quite frankly, I don't know how they have the energy to do it. I'm happy they do. Some highlights from talks with athletes were speaking to Lauren Fleshman and Matt Scherer late Saturday night about the sponsor game, speaking with Amy Hastings about her breakthrough and of course, hanging with my old friend Steve Edwards and the 3 Non Joggers, while his wife, Shalane Flanagan, ran the 10,000. 

I truly hope that the trials come back to Eugene, as it was easy to navigate everywhere and was very reasonable financially. Not to mention, a packed house of knowledgeable track and field fans every day. I was unsure if I'd understand all of the field events, but Kevin Sully of the House of Run podcast, educated me on them and I thoroughly enjoyed the nuances the exciting atomosphere that the fans loved. I fully expect this team to well in London and can't wait to watch them try.

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Talking Trials: Stacked 1500's lead the final day at Hayward

There could be more carnage in the stacked 1500 finals today
(photo: TrackAndFieldPhoto)

This is the tenth installment of "Talking Trials." There will be more to come every day during the 2012 USA Olympic Track and Field Trials from Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, OR.Full results for the trials are here.

Talking through the Men's and Women's 1500 finals can be difficult. The second you think you know who's in and who's out, you find a reason to slot someone else in for the spot. As I've overheard many times this week "that's why they run the races." That statement couldn't be truer.

The Women will go first and five have the Olympic A Standard (4:06.00), with a three within a second of it. That first group includes 2012 World Champion, Jenny Simpson, 2009 World Championship Bronze Medalist , Shannon Rowbury, defending US Champ Morgan Uceny, 2010 US Champ, Anna Willard and two time Olympian at 800 meters, Alice Schmidt. A strong and well-accomplished group that will be tough to crack. Those that have run under 4:07 include Katie Mackey, Brenda Martinez and a reinstated Gabriele Anderson. All three have the wherewithal to mix it up for a spot on the team, yet one will have to push the pace for the standard. That's where it gets tough.

Gabe Jennings looked better than anyone in the prelims and semis in 2008, yet needed the standard. He had no choice but to skew from his traditional racing style and go for the mark. It was a windy day and frankly, no one was going to run what was necessary for Jennings to advance. The final would be won by Bernard Lagat in 3:40.07, far off the then Olympic A Standard of 3:36.60 (it is now and even more difficult 3:35.50). After pushing the pace early, Jennings would finish last in 3:47.92.

So Mackey, Martinez and Anderson will have to work to make the pace honest, as I don't see anyone from the A group doing that. Notorious front runner, Christin Wurth-Thomas, would have been up to the task, but unfortunately she's out with injury. I feel like Uceny, Rowbury are Simpson are the three that will go to London, but I think Gabe Anderson may podium. Whether she'll get the standard or not? That's where it will get exciting.

It's a similar situation on the guys side; half the field has the standard and half doesn't. Jordan McNamara and Will Leer have looked as good as anyone, yet neither have the standard. Will a Craig Miller or a John Mickowski push the pace to go for the A? That could be the strategy even for some with the A, as Leo Manzano, David Torrence, Andrew Wheating and Robby Andrews and 2011 World Championship Bronze Medalist have proved they can close around 52 seconds; sometimes faster. Who can take the sting out of that kind of speed?

I like Torrence, Manzano and Centro out of the group, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if it went Andrews, McNamara, Wheating or any variety of the top eight guys in the final. Tune in this afternoon on NBC to find out.

Brooks took to the skies over Hayward
(photo: instagram)

At the track yesterday, only the Men's 110 Hurdles and the Women's 200 were finals. Both will send excellent teams to London and the 200 press conference had to be emceed by USATF's Jill Geer to prevent "clown questions" from journalists trying to get the scoop on the 100 controversy, which will be solved today (meeting at noon pacific).

Off the track, someone at Brooks Running had the savvy to fly a plane over Hayward Field with a banner that said "Run Happy." Apparently Nike was none too pleased and according to David Monti, Brooks employees "got their credentials pulled" over the stunt.

On the Carolina's front, Greensboro's Calesio Newman ran strong and advanced to the Men's 200 Final, which will be the last event on the track today. Read the article I wrote about him in the Greensboro News & Record here.

And unfortunately, this was last night out, as I'll be taking a redeye back to North Carolina after the trials close this evening. I'll recap more in another post, but the experience has been truly amazing. This sport has the best people involved and Eugene has put on an excellent event. I truly hope they host again in 2016.

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