Charles Krupa/AP

The 2011 Boston Marathon was one of the more historic races in recent history. The men’s wheelchair division was decided by a mere 1 second, the woman’s marathon by 2 seconds and the men’s marathon by 4 seconds. Are you serious?

The men’s marathon champion, Geoffrey Mutai, shattered the course record and shaved :58 seconds off the marathon world record (Haile Gebrselassie in Berlin 2008) there is now a storm brewing.

The Boston Marathon is not considered a a world record qualifying course because the marathon route is “downhill” and too “straight.” Throw it a predomently tailwind and all hell has broken loose. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) is asking the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to certify Mutai’s performance as the world record.

As fellow Lobe, Troy Schrenk can attest, Boston is no walk/run in the park. Besides the net loss of elevation, there are many rolling hills that make the race one of the more difficult marathons on the major marathon circuit.

There’s a reason that elite marathoners opt for races like the Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon and London Marathon to attack world records. They’re easier. Also, Boston (along with the New York City Marathon) don’t allow pace setters. This means that the athlete has to actually get the record based on their own talent and determination.

TANGENT ALERT!!! I don’t have any problem with pace setters. They make for a less tactical race and make the elites throw it down from the start. What I do have a problem with is the fact that the pace setters are contractual obligated to bow out at a specific point of the race. If a pace setter can lead a pack out on record pace and then hold that pace for the entire race…I say let them go for it!!! During the Rotterdam Marathon, Sammy Kitwara set the pace for the marathon field. He was constantly egging the field to keep up with him during his reign at the front of the pack. He should have been allowed to throw down the hammer and finish the race. From the look of it, he could have wiped the rest of the elites out that day.

The majority of the running community is standing by Mutai’s record and I for one hope that the IAAF certify’s it as one of runnings great accomplishments.

RMFR

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to fellow lobe, Troy Schrenk, who will be running in the Boston Marathon this Monday. I know it’s been a goal of his for quite awhile and have lived his highs and lows along the way. It’s a long time coming “Forrest” and we’ll be there with you every stride of the way.

Also, if you can’t wait to get your fix of Boston, check out Universal Sports this weekend as the replay the 2009 and 2010 races. I already have mine set to record and am planning a couple late nights this weekend staying up to watch them.

RMFR

Like most of you, I tear thru my Runner’s World magazine the second I pull it from the mailbox. In the January 2010 issue was a article on runner safety that you just have to read. Runner safety is one of the things we try to stress here at One Runner’s Brain and if we can influence just one runner to be safer on nations roadways, we’ll consider it a success.

In fact, our own Troy Schrenk was quoted in the article (p. 87) and you can read the post that got him quoted by clicking here.

Collision Course by Liz Robbins paints a picture of what we face as runners and many ways to Be A.W.A.R.E. of our surroundings and stay safe while running. You can read the whole article online but I wanted to stress some of the “Rules of the Road” mentioned in the article.

Rules of the Road

• Don’t assume a driver sees you. In fact, imagine that a driver can’t see you.
• Run against traffic so as to view (and react to) any mistake an advancing motorist may make.
• At a stop sign or light, wait for the driver to wave you through – then acknowledge with your own wave.
• Allow at least three feet between you and a passing vehicle.
• Be prepared to jump onto the sidewalk or shoulder of the road.
• During group runs, go single file when cars need to pass.
• Use hand signals to show which way you plan to run.
• Respect drivers’ right to the road.
• Run with proper I.D., and carry a cell phone with emergency contacts taped to the back.
• Check with the police for local traffic rules.

RMFR

Just over three years ago in the sweltering heat (115+ degrees) of Las Vegas, Nevada, one man set out on a journey from a downtown office location to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa located in the outskirts of town. While this man ventured out on his own two feet to pound the pavement for the next 5+ miles, members and guests of the American Media Corporation traveled to the same resort in air conditioned luxury cars and plush leather bucket seats. Among many of the guests traveling the lazy man’s way was this writer…Troy Schrenk. Yep, that was me. That is, until I saw the Man, the Running Man that is, appear before me and all of the other guests just moments after arriving by car.

At first I thought it was a mirage of a man. I asked myself, “How could anyone possibly run in heat like this?” Sure enough, the Running Man was REAL…not a mirage. Who was this guy? His name and reputation was best known in hockey circles.  To me he was known as “E”, the bruising, bashing hockey star that could body check you into to tomorrow if you weren’t careful.  Little did I know that “E”, the former hockey star from North Dakota had become a “runner”. “E” a runner? How could that be? Well, it only took one look to know that this bruising body checker had truly become a refined athlete who could withstand the unbearable L.V. summer heat and had carved his body into a lean, mean running machine!

What an inspiration…I was in awe of the transformation that had taken place over the course of one year as “E” (Eric Selvig) had taken up running to transform his life (literally): physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was in that moment, seeing him appear like a mirage in the Las Vegas desert that I too wanted and needed to transform my life.

So, it was then that my running journey began. I was inspired! That was the first step and nearly three years later my personal transformation through running is ongoing, ever changing and constantly evolving. Just as I was inspired, it is my hope that others will be inspired, motivated, and encouraged as a result of our writings, experiences and thoughts. I am thrilled to be a part of the ORB team and look forward to running with each of you.

RITN, Schritter

When ORB started, I was running it alone – I am alone no longer. Troy Schrenk, one of my running comrades and an inspiration for ORB has joined me on this narrative journey. Troy brings another competitive level to this running blog. A couple of years ago, I gave him a push in the right direction and he’s taken it to the Nth level. For those of you “Boston Qualifier” types, Troy’s your guy. He’ll share his serious mileage and insight as well as off-the-wall brain type stuff ORB is noted for.

This afternoon, I went out to do my favorite run in Las Vegas – Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock is a relatively small and narrow valley that 15 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. Red Rock gets its name from the red colored sandstone formation embedded in the mountains that form the western and northern margins of the Las Vegas valley. Simply stated, it’s nature at it’s best.

I’m actually training for the Red Rock Marathon and 1/2 Marathon March 7th. The best part of running here is that the first 4 1/2 miles rise 1,000 feet (doubling back for a 9 mile route). It’s a great hill workout!!! I ran it once with my good friend Troy but I usually do it myself.

Today started out the same way. After spending the morning with my wife and boyz for Valentine’s Day, it was time for my workout. As I pulled into the parking lot and gathered my things, I car slid into the space next to me. As I headed towards the scenic drive, 4 girls (dressed for running) followed. Now I don’t usually see a ton of runners on this run so I had to strike up a conversation.

Turns out Erin, Melina, Tanya and Mei Lan were in Vegas for a girls weekend but Tanya “needed to get her miles in”. I love hearing that!!! After some short introductions, we headed off for the hills. Mei Lan head off to the Visitor’s Center while the rest of us started the climb. After passing the second “scenic overlook,” Erin and Melina tailed off leaving Tanya and I to carry on.

Now, I’ve never claimed to be a fast runner nor great on the hills but I was definitely no match for Tanya. She comes from the peaks of Winter Park, Colorado and I could tell that she was a “Hare” from the start. Eventually, I had to walk up the next major incline. I don’t mind walking. If I torture myself running, I wouldn’t enjoy it. I told Tanya not to wait and go conquer the hill.

My goal is to hit the scenic overlook 4 1/2 miles in (I was close but not quite). Wasn’t in the cards today so I rejoined Tanya as she was on her way back down. We ran back a couple of miles together before I had to let her go again. I can carry a 8-8:30 pace but not today. I ran the rest solo as Tanya sped off.

The five of us rejoined in the parking lot and said our good byes. The best part of running in groups is the camaraderie you feel. You share the same interests, you’ve experienced the same things and you’re all there to help and encourage each other. Running is a solitary sport, but you wouldn’t know it. Thanks ladies for a running experience worthy of talking about and I hope you found some hot bartenders at Kahunaville!!!

RMFR

Tanya Garrett, Mei Lan Wong, Melina Powell and Erin Johnson