Coaching Athletics Quarterly

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October 2014, Vol. 9 No. 1

Featuring Steeplechase 101: Not Only for Steeplers 4 Fall Cross Country Shoe Review 6 The Dominating Force That Is Evan Jager 8 Emma Coburn Breaks American Record 10 Coburn and Jager Shine 12

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COACHING AT H L E T I C S Publisher’s Note

Vol. 9 No. 1 Alex Larsen

Dear Readers, Welcome back to Coaching Athletics! We’ll be publishing this monthly online and providing a small print version. e digital subscription is free (if you sign up at coachingathleticsq.com) or $20 for print (again, sign up at site). Please share this magazine with your fellow coaches. is is one of my favorite magazines. is issue’s focus is the steeplechase, as Emma Coburn and Evan Jager had wonderful seasons that we need to celebrate.

Watch for other topics upcoming and please feel free to contact me at larry.eder@gmail.com with suggestions.

Larry Eder Group Publisher Larry Eder fortiusmedia@gmail.com 608.239.3785 Editor Emeritus James Dunaway Advertising Larry Eder larry@runningnetwork.com 608.239.3785 Adam Johnson Eder adamlawrenceeder@gmail.com 608.556.9164 Writers/Contributors Alex Mills Cait Chock Cregg Weinmann Larry Eder Coaching Athletics Quarterly is produced, custom published, and owned

by Fortius Media Group, LLC, PO Box 6450, San Jose, CA 95124. Publisher assumes no liability for matter printed. Publisher assumes no liability or responsibility for content of paid advertising and reserves the right to reject paid advertising. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Publisher.

Copyright ©2014 by Fortius Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any form without written permission of the Publisher. Coaching Athletics Quarterly is not related to or endorsed by any other entity or corporation with a similar name and is solely owned by Fortius Media Group, LLC.

Photographers Photorun.NET Alex Larsen Layout/Design, Art Production Alex Larsen Proofreader Marg Sumner, Red Ink Editorial Services Editor Larry Eder 608.239.3785

Publisher recommends, as with all fitness and health issues, you consult with your physician before instituting any changes in your fitness program.

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Not Only for

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By Cait r e n s r un dr ill y e r l e d v r e hu W hy fr om

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All runners should make friends with hurdle drills, not only steeplechasers. Runners’ hip and groin region tends to be one of the tightest, most-neglected areas. Incidentally, it’s also a pivotal point for running efficiency.

Runners who don’t work on opening up their hips will, over time, grow tighter and tighter, making them prone to injuries as well as inhibiting their stride. From then on, they’re limiting their potential.

Hurdle drills increase a runner’s flexibility, range of motion, and core strength. The drills should be integrated into your dynamic flexibility routine and, as with all other rules of running, consistency is key. Aim to do these drills 2–3 times a week. A great time to do them is after you’ve cooled down postworkout.

Precision is of prime importance here. If you’re not doing the hurdle drills correctly, you’ll reinforce bad habits, which can do you more harm than good. It’s a smart idea to have a coach or someone who understands the drills observe to ensure you’re doing them correctly and holding proper form throughout. Stress quality over quantity and go as slowly as you need to at first to do them correctly. That’s far more important than speed.

Having a supple, loose hip and groin region with strong adductors and abductors, all targeted through sets of hurdle drills, parlays into a runner’s ability to fully open up his or her stride on the track, road, trail—you name it. The good news is that a little goes a long way and doing just a few sets consistently will have you seeing results in just a few weeks.

Hurdle Drill Routine for Runners Set up 7 hurdles

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for all but the last drill, set all hurdles at a height low enough to do the drill correctly, 30–39 inches, as a runner’s height and ability allow.

Stepovers Drive your right leg’s knee straight up, leading the leg up and over the hurdle. Then plant your right foot on the ground and let your left trail leg follow. Work on getting a full range of motion in circling the left trail leg over the hurdle. Plant your foot and then drive your right knee up and over, leading into the next hurdle. Repeat. Move through the full series of hurdles. For the second set, start the first hurdle, this time leading with your left leg. Beginners: Start by walking through the hurdles. As you advance, pick up the pace by skipping through the hurdles. Make sure you keep your torso erect and face forward throughout. Note: In referencing a trail leg, the trail leg motion for a hurdler requires you to lift your leg and rotate at the pelvis so the shin is parallel to the ground. Then back down with a sort of circular motion.

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Two Forward, One Reverse Start as you would the stepover drills. Once you’ve covered the first two hurdles, after planting your trail leg, reverse the process.

Cycle the trail leg back behind you over the last hurdle, then follow by reversing the lead leg over the hurdle. After backing up over one hurdle, go forward over two hurdles, then backward over one. Repeat until you’ve gone through the full series of hurdles. For the second set, step in with the opposite lead leg, as you did in the stepovers.

Bent Knee Skip Standing on the side of and facing the set of hurdles, drive your right knee straight up until your heel goes over the top of the hurdle and plant your foot. Next, drive your left knee up over the hurdle in the same fashion. Go through the full series of hurdles. Reverse direction so that you begin lifting your left knee, having your left heel go over the hurdles first. Beginners: Start by walking through the dril. As you progress, move to skipping through the drill. Be sure to keep your torso erect and use reciprocating arm movements throughout.

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Walk through the drill, and as you progress, move to skipping through it. Keep your torso erect and use reciprocating arm movements.

Monster Leg Swings Moving through the hurdles, swing your right leg out to the side and around the hurdle, keeping the leg straight. Repeat the swing with your left leg. Repeat, and move through the entire set of hurdles. For the second set, do your first wide leg swing with your left leg. Throughout the exercise, your torso should remain erect.

Over-Unders For this exercise you’ll raise the height of the second, fourth, and sixth hurdles 2–3 notches. Begin by stepping over the first hurdle, leading with your right leg as you would for the stepover drills. After your trail leg lands, turn your body to the side, squat, and move sideways under the higher hurdle.

Once you’ve stepped through, bring your body back to face forward. Clear the next hurdle as you would in the stepover drill and repeat the duck-and-under portion for the fourth hurdle, and so on.

Do the first set, leading with your right leg, the second leading with your left, turning to the opposite facing side for the “unders.”

Straight Knee Skip Much like the bent knee skip, for this exercise you’ll keep your leg straight as you bring your heel up and over the hurdles. Do your first set, right leg first. For the second set, go in the other direction, starting with your left leg. Beginners:

A runner is only as strong as his or her weakest point. Don’t let the groin and hip region be yours. Allow yourself to maximize the full range of motion and, in opening up your stride, you’ll be more efficient and injury resistant.

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SHOE REVIEW

by Cregg Weinmann

Cross Country Shoes Fall 2014 As a formalized sport, cross country stretches back to 19th century England, with muddy landscapes and barriers—both natural and manmade—making the chase more interesting. Here we take our annual look at shoes best suited to just these conditions—oh, and made for speed, too.

We looked at 5 updates and one new model. Though we’ve said it for ten years, it remains true.

Differences in fit from one brand (or model) to the next allow most runners to find a racing shoe best suited for their particular foot type. Two factors should influence your selection of a cross country racing shoe: how well it fits you and how it feels when you run in it. And wear your racing shoes before you race in them as the low profile of the shoe, coupled with the intense effort of racing, can be tough on your soft tissue if you haven’t prepared well.

adidas XCS 5 $70 With its low profile, flexibility, and excellent traction, the XCS has epitomized adidas cross country. The upper is close-fitting, closed mesh with printed overlays providing support, so it’s smooth, snug, and flexible. The midsole is molded EVA, consistent in performance from year to year, with good flexibility and a close-to-the-ground profile. The outersole is a thin layer of rubber with spikes and Traxion lugs arranged to maximize the grip. The spikeless version uses conical nibs in place of the spikes. The flexibility, weight, and touch of protection make the XCS 5 a good choice for cross country racing.

Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–11,12 Weight: Men’s 6.6 oz./6.3 oz. (size 11, 6 spikes/spikeless); Women’s 5.3 oz./5.0 oz. (size 8, 6 spikes/spikeless) Fit: Snug throughout

ASICS Cross Freak $85 ASICS’ latest model for natural surfaces, the Cross Freak is aimed at elite athletes used to running in cross country spikes. The upper is closed mesh with thin, welded overlays keeping the shoe light and securely supported, with good flexibility. The midsole is single density, molded EVA with a second density of foam as a supportive shank for better conformity and grip on harder surfaces.

The outersole is full-length rubber with small lugs well dispersed and a 5-spike setup for excellent traction on natural surfaces. The result is a shoe that works well for competitive cross country, or even for the longer track events.

Sizes: Men 4–13,14; Women 5–10,11 Weight: Men’s 8.5 oz. (size 11, 5 spikes); Women’s 5.3 oz. (size 8, 5 spikes) Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot

Brooks Mach 16 Spike/Spikeless $75/$70 The Mach 16 is the latest version of Brooks’ longtime cross country racer. Round 16 carries over the effective chassis, grip, and sleek fit, a stable variable over cross country’s changing terrain.

The upper is tightly woven mesh with support sandwiched between the interior and exterior layers. The offset lacing continues, providing its snug and effective fit. The midsole is the thin and low-profile molded EVA proven over several seasons of racing. The outersole also carries over, its 5-spike configuration providing great grip for all-natural courses, and the spikeless handling paved and off-road with equal ease. Mach 16 successfully carries on the tradition of performance and quality Brooks has become known for.

Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women 6–12 Weight: Men’s 6.4 oz./6.0 oz. (size 11, 5 spikes/spikeless); Women’s 4.9 oz./4.8 oz. (size 8, 5 spikes/spikeless) Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot

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Nike Victory XC 3 $120 The Victory XC is the premier shoe in Nike’s cross country line and Round 3 unveils some significant changes from top to bottom. The upper features a new closed mesh with welded overlays that are textured with ‘regrind’ recycled rubber, and the lacing is reinforced by strands of Flywire to snug up the midfoot fit. The midsole is shaped with new geometry, informed by findings from Nike’s new trail shoes, and is both protective and flexible. The effective outersole features reshaped lugs and a rounded heel that optimizes the angle of the lugs for best effect. Add a horseshoe-shaped spike plate and you’ve got an outersole that provides serious traction in sloppy conditions. The result is a light and efficient racer that’s worthy of the Victory name.

Sizes: Men 4–13,14,15 Weight: Men’s 5.5 oz. (size 11, 4 spikes) Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot

Puma Haraka XCS $65 Puma’s nod to cross country success, the Haraka takes its name from the Swahili word for “Hurry,” the language of many cross country champions. The shoe’s strength is its straightforward solution to grip and flexibility. This update retains the chassis, while the changes focus on the upper: A new closed mesh offers good support on its own, but adds structure with both printed and traditional overlays. The midsole is a healthy layer of foam proven by numerous cross country seasons. The outersole also is unchanged, with large lugs surrounding each spike of the 6-spike layout. The performance, features, and affordable price make the Haraka a pretty attractive cross country option.

Sizes: Men 7–12,13,14; Women 5–10,11,12 Weight: Men’s 7.9 oz. (size 11, 6 spikes); Women’s 6.3 oz (size 8, 6 spikes) Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot

Saucony Shay XC 4 Spike/Spikeless $80/$75 The Shay is the workhorse of Saucony’s cross country line, positioned between the Kilkenny and the Carrera. Round 4 nudges the Shay forward with a number of small changes to improve performance. The upper is a closed mesh of rip stop fabric and a matrix of Flex Film for support without adding significant weight, little changed though the support has been beefed up. The midsole is the effective low-profile molded EVA the shoe is known for because it’s both protective and flexible.

The outersole has dozens of newly configured lugs and 6 spikes for traction. The quirky footprint on the sole captures the love of the activity: Hard work, yes, but fun. The result is an update that’s protective, lightweight, and geared for performance.

Sizes: Men 7–13,14,15; Women 5–12 Weight: Men’s 6.8 oz./6.5 oz. (size 11, 6 spikes/spikeless); Women’s 5.3 oz./5.0 oz. (size 8, 6 spikes/spikeless) Fit: Snug throughout

Tips for Selecting Cross Country Shoes cross country racing shoes are more alike than they are between spiked or spikeless models should be based on • While • Choosing different, we can’t emphasize enough that the differences in fit and the racing surfaces you’ll encounter during your season. cushioning are crucial to individual comfort and performance.

•

Try on shoes from a variety of shoe companies. Differences in fit from one brand (or model) to the next allow most runners to find a racing shoe best suited for their particular foot type.

factors should influence your selection of a cross country • Two racing shoe: how well it fits you and how it feels when you run in it. your racing shoes before the actual race, since the low profile • Wear of the shoe coupled with the intense effort of racing can be tough

country spikes are slightly better than spikeless shoes at • Cross gripping muddy or soggy ground, but they are limited to use on all-natural courses. In California, they are not allowed for cross country at the high school level; however, they are permitted during track season. models work almost as well as traditional spiked shoes in • Spikeless the mud. In addition, they can manage pavement, sidewalks, and rocky surfaces, as well as indoor and outdoor tracks.

on your soft tissue if you haven’t prepared well.

Cregg Weinmann is footwear and running products reviewer for FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. He can be reached via email at shuz2run@lightspeed.net Copyright © 2014 by FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be stored, copied, or reprinted without prior written permission of FORTIUS Media Group, LLC. Reprinted here with permission.

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Dr. Norbert Sander

That Is Evan Jager

Evan Jager is an animal. Wild blonde locks streaming behind him as he charges down the home stretch, to watch Evan Jager run is to watch a lion dominate the track. This animal is at home ruling the terrain he was born for.

“We really got spoiled with Evan, and [Jerry and I] both acknowledge that and realize it’s unlikely to ever happen again with another athlete learning the event so fast,” shares Bowerman Track Club steeplechase coach Pascal Dobert. “He’s very coachable and extremely talented, and that’s a lethal combination.” But don’t be fooled. A genetic predisposition for greatness is useless without the work ethic to match. To truly rule, one must also possess a ferocious drive.

Jager showed right away that he was fast, no question there. He’d thrown himself in among the best straight out of high school.

With teammates like Chris Solinsky, Matt Tegenkamp, and Simon Bairu pushing the pace, it was a matter of survival. Undaunted, Jager eagerly chose to one-up survival and to thrive, immediately making two IAAF World Championships teams and turning professional in the process.

In 2012, when Jager debuted in the steeplechase, his 8:26 was shockingly superb.

Still, some questioned the reason behind his decision to turn professional. The steeplechase has progressed exponentially over the past decades, but at the same time one could argue that Jager possessed just as much ability to win the more media-hyped flat distances. What those left wondering didn’t know was what Jager’s coaches, Jerry Schu-

macher and Dobert, knew. Or, more correctly, what they’d already seen in practice. Where Jager could win in a flat race, he could dominate in a steeple race. Jager gave the media a reason to focus on the steeple.

“The first thing that goes [in a steeplechase] when you’re really fatigued is the ability to concentrate, and it requires a lot of practice to hurdle efficiently when you’re really tired,” explains Dobert. “In a flat race, if you’re on the ropes and just hanging on by a thread, you put your head down and grind out the last few laps. You can’t do that in a steeple. There’s a lot more going on. That’s partly why some athletes just can’t run the steeple, even though they may be really fast on the flat.”

Jager has the focus, the ability, to will his body past the realms of what it may be predisposed to do: the focus to abuse it and eke out every last bit. Genetics will only get you so far; one’s will dictates the rest. Mere months after his first steeple race, Jager blew the field away in winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. After that, in July of 2012 he set the American record in 8:06.81.

Dobert speaks from personal experience; he was the dominating force in the steeplechase event through the late 90s and into the new millennium. Who better to coach Jager to lower his own AR than the man who was once on top of the nation’s steeplechase himself?

“It’s been great watching the event progress the last few years. Hopefully, we can get to a point in the U.S. where we have more

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than a few guys consistently run well below 8:20. I think sub-8:20 is the benchmark for whether you’re serious in the event, and the more U.S. guys we have under that, the better.” Dobert has played a dual role in progressing the event, first as an athlete and now as a coach. He won the 1998–99 USA Track & Field Championships and in 2000 won the U.S. Olympic Trials, setting a PR of 8:15.77 in the process.

Willpower and focus aside, there are physicalities that make the steeple a difficult event to truly take to, and one would be remiss to assume the transition is always seamless. “Well, you need to work on hurdling and water jumping obviously, and put yourself in a position in practice where you’re having to do those things fatigued,” says Dobert.

What enables a runner to execute successful hurdling on the track begins in the strength training room. One must be strong and supple enough to be efficient, yet avoid injury. As Dobert states, “Core and strength work is very important for any event, but especially in the steeple. There’s a lot of abuse your body has to absorb during a race.”

We may never see someone with a learning curve quite as dramatic as Jager’s, but Dobert professes that a runner who’s truly dedicated to steeple-specific training will improve. Read this as incentive for other runners to embark on creating the depth Dobert speaks of. “If you train for the event properly, the difference in how you feel at the end of a flat race and a steeple is negligible.” The end of every race hurts like a beast.

When Dan Huling joined the Bowerman TC in 2013, Jager was no longer alone in his steeplechase-focused work. “Dan came in with a lot of experience, so there were just

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small refinements we worked on with him,” explains Dobert. Huling experienced immediate and rapid improvement. “The main thing with Dan initially was making him a better athlete, stronger and more fit. He’s a lot more consistent now.”

Without a World Championships or Olympics to focus on in 2014, many athletes have taken to improving their times and/or race tactics. For the Bowerman TC athletes, “We [are focusing] on being competitive in races in Europe.” Their summer was split up into two European racing seasons, with a training block in St. Moritz in between. The latter half kicked off on Aug. 23 with a 1500m in Merksem, Belgium. In far-from-ideal conditions, Jager took third (3:39.68) behind teammate Ryan Hill (3:39.53) and Lawli Lalang (3:38.93). A successful tune-up after weeks spent training at altitude, Jager and his teammates’ sights are set next on Brussels. With the first part of Jager’s track season seeing him a scant 0.16 shy of his AR, even in this non-Championships year, fans await with anticipation for what he has yet to show us. And on September 5, 2014, Evan Jager did it once again. With nearly flawless hurdling and fearless racing, Evan broke his American record in Brussels, running 8:04.61, the new AR! “Between now and Rio, we just focus on improving as athletes, it’s as simple as that,” says Dobert. “There are so many different facets of life as a professional athlete. There are always ways to improve and things you can do to make yourself better.”

A lion never settles. Evan Jager is an animal, born to run. Let no one stand in his way.

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Emma is Now Fastest American Ever!

And she’ll run even faster!

Emma Coburn had a fantastic 2014! She opened with a 5-second PB in Shanghai on May 15, running 9:19.81. She ran another PB, 9:17.84, in Eugene, OR at the Nike Pre Classic on May 31.

In the 100º+ of Sacramento, Coburn won her third title and came within a second of her PB! Meeting AREVA, in her best condition of the year, was all about racing fast, and that she did, running 9:14.12, putting her at Numero 2 on the U.S. list, behind only the 9:12.51 of one Jenny Simpson. On July 12, in Glasgow, Emma was ready. Racing Hiwott Ayalew once again, Emma Coburn held on and battled Ayalew down the final stretch, to break Jenny Simpson’s AR, with her fine 9:11.42! Emma Coburn now held the AR for the steeplechase!

This past winter, I watched Emma Coburn, in her first race

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since recovering from a back injury, run 2000 meters indoors. She ran pretty darn well for an opening race at the New Balance GP, but wasn’t sure what her level of fitness would be in 2014. Coburn had taken off 12 weeks from running to heal her back.

Well, when Coburn ran the Shanghai DL on May 15, her time of 9:19.81 surprised many. An American leading the steeple? And the steeple champion wasn’t Jenny Simpson? No one knew who Coburn was, but they soon would. At the time she ran Shanghai, her PB was from London 2012—9:23.4, where she finished ninth.

At the Nike Pre Classic on May 31, Coburn led for much of the race and held on in windy conditions to take third, once again running a PB: 9:17.84! She continued the aggressive racing style that she showed in Shanghai. If it works, as the adage goes ...

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The race that truly surprised me was her run in the USA Outdoors. On a day when one could have fried an egg on the track (somewhere around 105º), Coburn not only blew the race open, she ran her near-PB once again. A predictor of things to come. That 9:18.8 was worth something much faster. And not long after that, she would prove that to the world!

In the Meeting AREVA (July 5) steeplechase, Coburn took the lead early, hitting the 1000-meter mark in 3:03, on pace for a very fast time. She cleared the barriers well and continued to run from the front, building a small lead of 5–7 meters from the everchanging field behind her.

The biggest change for Coburn this year is that her form is even better. Much of that looks to be core strength, as she no longer lists backward, depending on the length of the race. Coburn clears barriers with ease and attacks the water jumps. She races like the Europeans and Africans.

Her coach, Mark Wetmore, whom I met with recently, noted, “With Emma, she has such fine steeple form, I don’t have to worry about her technique.” So true.

As Coburn hit the 2000-meter mark in 6:10, we knew we were in for something special. She continued to push the pace and was breaking the field, with the exception of one athlete, Hiwot Ayalew. Coburn’s nemesis in Eugene as well.

At the bell, Emma Coburn led, in 8:05, and Ayalew was right behind her. Ayalew took the lead with 300 meters to go and got 2 seconds on Coburn before the last barrier. Perhaps two steps separated Coburn and Ayalew at the final water jump. Ayalew used her leg speed to eke out a 2-second lead over the final barrier and sprinted to the finish in a world-leading 9:11.65. Less than 3 seconds back, Coburn was rewarded once again for her fine running and gutty racing with her 9:14.12 PB.

Emma Coburn chuckled a bit when asked about that race, “That last hundred meters was tough.” Her coach, Mark Wetmore, had just noted that a coach can’t ask more from an athlete like Coburn: “She was on the track after the race.” She had given that race in Paris her all.

Her 9:14.12 gives her the #2 performance in American history. Coburn has shown that a bit of a break at the end of 2013, followed by a long season of training with her training partner, Jenny Simpson, has done Coburn much good. Her 12 weeks of no running, to relieve a back injury, were just what she needed to come back even stronger!

Well, when Coburn ran the Shanghai DL on May 15, her time of 9:19.81 surprised many. An American leading the steeple? And the steeple champion wasn’t Jenny Simpson?

No one knew who Coburn was, but they soon would. At the time she ran Shanghai, her PB was from London 2012---9:23.4, where she finished ninth.

The July 12 race was Emma Coburn’s fastest race of the season. Her last kilometer was sub three minutes and that was just what she needed to run her 9:11.42. Glasgow’s conditions were perfect: little wind, cool and great competition.

But, the race of the season, for Emma and for her fans had to be the Continental Cup on September 13. Battling Hiwott Ayalew down the final stretch, over the final barrier, Emma edged Ayalew, who all but collapsed after that final barrier.

The smile on Emma Coburns' face was priceless.

The American record holder won her last race of the season against her biggest competitor.

It just does not get better than that!

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Coburn & Jager

shine in the steeplechase at the Continental Cup

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By Alex Mills

12CA

So exciting to see Evan Jager and Emma Coburn have their best races of year in Marrakech, Morocco. Coburn told me in Glasgow that she wanted to win a race this season, with all the field knowing she wasn’t a pacer. She did that in fine style. Jager battled Birech for the entire race, running 61 seconds in hot conditions. Here’s Alex Mills’ salute to Coburn and Jager.

With the shimmering talents of Galen Rupp and Jenny Simpson lighting up American longand middle-distance running on the world stage so brightly, it sometimes happens that the brilliance of the nation’s other runners are overlooked.

But for its unfashionable nature, the steeplechase would certainly have a case for being one of America’s most popular events right now. After years of being off the public radar, the U.S. now possesses two genuine world stars in Evan Jager and Emma Coburn. Those stars shined at the Continental Cup. Running against strong fields that included the top international athletes, Coburn and Jager came, they saw, and they almost completely conquered.

For Coburn, it was the perfect end to a season of huge improvement, taking victory from the Ethiopian Hiwot Ayalew after digging as deep as she could to catch her rival in the closing stages and becoming an intercontinental champion.

As for Jager, it was to be the runner-up spot behind Jarius Birech, the undeniable champion of 2014, but not by much. On numerous occasions the Kenyan tried to break Jager, but he stood tall.

Every time a gap opened, it was closed again.

When Jager broke for home at 500m, it seemed he might get gold, but on the last water jump one small slip cost the American, and Birech was gone.

Jager stretched his long legs as much as he could, his blond hair swishing around his trademark white Nike headband, but it was not to be.

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competition, the verdict would have been the same—this is the best they’ve ever had it. Both athletes have pushed the boundaries for an American in the event further than it has ever been.

Who can forget the way Coburn shocked the Africans with her electric starting pace to break their resolve and win the Shanghai Diamond League or how Jager ran so well in Brussels to eclipse his own American record, even with the tiredness of a long, hard season in his legs.

By even coming in among the top 3 that night, Coburn achieved what no other athlete from the Americas has ever done in World Cup/Continental Cup history, and it’s probably not too different for Jager.

While Jager has been going on a constant upward trajectory since he finished sixth at the 2012 Olympics, Coburn’s prominence is more surprising, especially given that she spent much of last year out injured.

Although she had been expecting to go below 9.20 this year, she had no idea it would go as well as it has: “I thought I’d definitely be running under 9.20 this year, but to be [at] 9.11 is a bit of a surprise, and I think that’s attributed to my hard work.

“A year ago I was on a beach in Hawaii, on crutches, having fun but not being healthy, so at that point I didn’t think I’d grab the American record.”

With such good progress having been made by both athletes, it seems only natural that the next step is to gain World Championships medals, and they know it: “I’m going to be shooting for the top 3 [in the world]. Since I began running, one of my biggest dreams as an athlete was to medal at a major championships. I’m going to do everything I can to stay healthy and get a little bit stronger and learn the event a bit better,” Jager told me.

“I hope to continue to run aggressively and run hard from the gun. I like running that way, so I hope I can continue to do that and to focus on beating some of the Kenyans and Ethiopians that have been so dominant. So I hope I can continue to be in the top few in the world and be in Beijing healthy and ready to run well,” Coburn added.

While only time will tell if their form in 2014 can be converted into silverware, one thing’s for sure: These are two athletes going in the right direction, and America needs to get behind them.

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FEEL THE RUN THE NEW NOT THE ROAD GEL-NIMBUS 16 速

Want to run on clouds? Equipped with GEL速 Cushioning technology, runners will float through each mile in the new luxuriously plush GEL- Nimbus 16.

#BETTERYOURBEST Available exclusively in run specialty stores through June 30, 2014 and at ASICS.co

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