Missouri Runner and Triathlete

Spring 2013 Volume 12, Number 1 $2.95

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Welcome Back to Missouri Runner & Triathlete Happy New Year to our readers. We took a print hiatus in 2014 as I worked out the purchase of the Running Network and Shooting Star Media from my partners.

I began running in St. Louis in 1972. If you’ve read Mo Runner before, you may have noted references to my fond memories of running in the Show-Me State.

DeSmet High School was where I first ran. My first race, I believe, was on Sept. 11, my birthday.

I ran about 18 minutes for the 2-mile course. That day, Paul Heck, a senior and our top runner, ran 10:01 on the course. Paul would go on to win the Missouri track title that year. We had no track at the time, and I recall doing quarter-mile reps up the entrance driveway. I also had my first high jump and pole vault practice on the back parking lot with Coach Burns, who was football coach and art teacher as well.

But my fondest memories are of Father Ralph Passarelli, my first coach; Rich Grawer, my second coach and history teacher; and Jim Marheinecke, the man who helped me realize what running could do for me. Jim was the sophomore coach and varsity cross country coach. He told me to stick with running and that hard work always paid off. For the next 40 years, until his death less than two years ago, we stayed in touch. After Jim left the Jesuits, he was married for nearly 30 years. His wife, Kathy, called me one time to update me on Jim's health. I was so overcome with the enormity of the man in my life that I could barely speak. Jim had been such a role model for me: He lived his life with integrity, love, and focus.

As we build on this second life for Mo Runner, we thank you, our readers, for your support. Please encourage your friends to read Mo Runner. We’ll have five issues in 2015, print and digital. And remember to check out morunandtri.com

4 6 7

Book Review: Peter Snell and the Kiwis Who Flew

By Roy Stevenson

Grant Fisher Wins 2014 Foot Locker Nationals

By Erik Boal

Anna Rohrer Wins 2014 Girls FL National Championships

By Erik Boal

8 10 12 15

Editorial Director Larry Eder Contributing writers Larry Eder, Roy Stevenson, Erik Boal, Cregg Weinmann, Cait Chock, David Monti Photograhers Victor Sailer www.Photorun.net Proofreader Red Ink Editorial Services Maison, WI Design Richele Collins Production Alex Larsen Delavan, WI Website Chuck Bartlett

Adam Johnson-Eder adamlawrenceeder@gmail.com 608.556.9164

TABLE OF CONTENTS Publisher’s Note

By Larry Eder

FORTIUS Media Group LLC Publishing Director Larry Eder

ADVERTISING Larry Eder FORTIUS Media Group LLC 608.239.3785 fortiusmedia@gmail.com

Larry Eder Publisher, Missouri Runner and Triathlete Publishing Director, Fortius Media Group , LLC.

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Volume 12 Number 1 January–March 2015

Top 10 Shoe Review

By Cregg Weinmann

Kara Goucher Takes the Gamble

By Larry Eder Everyone’s Chasing Molly Huddle

By Cait Chock

Keflezighi, Flanagan to Lead USA Elites at Boston Marathon

By David Monti

Advertising Production Alex Larsen Alex Graphics acl3graphics@gmail.com

www.morunandtri.com Facebook: Missouri Runner & Triathlete Twitter:@morunandtri Missouri Runner & Triathlete (need ISDN number) is produced, published, and solely owned by FORTIUS Media Group LLC, P.O. Box 6450, San Jose, CA 95150, Larry Eder Publishing Director. All ad materials and insertion orders should be sent to Larry Eder at the address above. Phone 608.239.3785, Fortiusmedia@gmail.com Also please send PDFs of ad materials to Alex Larsen at acl3graphics@gmail.com Publisher assumes no liability for matter printed. Publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for content of paid advertising and reserves the right to reject paid advertising. Publisher expects that all claims by advertisers can be substantiated and that all guarantees will be honored. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Publisher.

Copyright © 2015 by FORTIUS Media Group LLC. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this pub- lication may be reproduced in any form with- out prior written permission of the Publisher. Missouri Runner & Triathlete is represented by FORTIUS Media Group LLC, which also represents members of the Running Network and runningnetwork.com.

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

LL C

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JAN–MARCH 2015

MISSOURI RUNNER AND TRIATHLETE

3

BOOK REVIEW FIND YOUR FIT. Need help stepping into the perfect size?

Visit newbalance.com/GetFit and find the Local Run Store nearest you.

com/GetFit ©201 ©2 014 Ne New Ba B lanc ance A ance Atth hllet hlet ettic ic c Sho hoe, h oe e, Inc c.

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P ET E R S N EL L an d th e K i w i s W h o F l e w

By Roy Stevenson There’s a superb new book on middle- and longdistance running by New Zealand author Vern Walker.

This is a book that really has legs: dynamic descriptions of Olympic finals and with a style of writing that often surprises. It covers the golden era between 1956 and 1965 when, amazingly, New Zealand middle- and long-distance runners bettered or equaled 23 world records or world best times. Author Walker has superbly captured the heady atmosphere of this period in his highly entertaining new book, Peter Snell and the Kiwis Who Flew.

Peter Snell and his wingmen, Murray Halberg, Barry Magee, and John Davies, burst onto the world running scene like a tsunami. Along with 800 meter runner Marise Cham-berlain they won seven Olympic Games medals.

Under the guidance of their innovative and pragmatic coach, Arthur Lydiard (his name is now an established part of the international distance running lexicon), these runners blitzed top-class fields all around the globe.

Their domination was such that they would sit around Lydiard's kitchen table before the New Zealand championships every year and predetermine which titles they would win in every track event from the 800 meters to the 10,000 meters and also the marathon.

Of the section on statistics and world ranking lists, the author writes, "Statistics are the bareboned unalterable figures that remain long after the memory distorts and fades away. A statistic is always sober, never embellishes and never brags.

So I've included some of the memorable ones along the way."

The author's chapter on the infamous 22-mile Sunday run on the roads up into the Waitakere Ranges, run by thousands of Auckland's keener distance runners, brought back good (and bad!) memories. There's not a distance runner who has trained over this hilly terrain who doesn't have their own stories about how this scenic loop reduced them to tears or a slow walk at some point in their running career. Or the point at

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which, athletically mature, they flew around the route as if they’d sprouted wings.

This book is more than a story about a group of New Zealand runners. It's also a global look at the subject, with cameos that feature Americans Bob Schul, Dyrol Burleson, and Jim Beatty. Also mentioned are distance running legends Roger Bannister, Abebe Bikila, Ron Clarke, Bill Crothers, Ron Delany, Herb Elliott, “Kip” Keino, George Kerr, John Landy, Roger Moens, Albie Thomas, and the incomparable Emil Zatopek.

Here are some comments on the book by featured New Zealand athletes: Peter Snell (triple Olympic gold medalist and twice 1-mile world record holder) writes, "This is a book written with passion, with tidbits of humour and off-thewall phraseology. Refreshingly different. A real page turner."

Murray Halberg, 1960 Olympic gold medalist in the 5000 meters, writes, "A brilliant and highly descriptive account, which colorfully describes the fear of defeat and the joy of victory."

Barry Magee, 1960 Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon, says, "A masterful story. Having personally known Vern since our days of competition, and since, I know this history is backed by meticulous research. Grade out of ten. Eleven!"

The author's style is graphic and uniquely descriptive. When describing Snell's surge past Roger Moens of Belgium to win the 800 meters at the Olympic Games in Rome, he writes, "Suddenly, Snell drew level with Moens. So shocked was Moens, that his face looked like he had seen a ghost in his bedroom."

On Snell's sprint to win the 1500 meters at the 1964 Olympic Games, Walker writes, "Like a lean Yellowstone grizzly that suddenly spots a fat camper, Snell simply took off. He completely scatter-gunned the opposition."

On Halberg's agonizing break on the field en route to his Olympic 5000 meter victory: "The lifting muscles of his thighs must have seemed to be as heavy as grand pianos. Each stride became like an expedition."

Rounding out the book are extensive chapters on the marathon and cross country. L www.morunandtri.com

© ©201 4N Ne ew Ba B lanc ance At a an Ah hlet let e ettic c Sh hoe, oe e Inc nc. n

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JAN–MARCH 2015

MISSOURI RUNNER AND TRIATHLETE

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Grant Fisher Wins 2014 Foot Locker Nationals, Defending His 2013 Title

PhotoRun.net

By Erik Boal Grant Fisher was prepared for the defense of his Foot Locker National Championship to come down to a finishing kick.

Then the senior from Grand Blanc, MI, made sure it wasn't necessary.

After battling John Dressel from Mt. Spokane, WA, stride for stride during an intense final 400 meters to win last year's cross country title in San Diego, Fisher's experience on the 5-kilometer course at Balboa Park's Morley Field paid dividends late in the race.

With eight athletes separated by less than a second and 1 mile remaining, Fisher decided it was time to break away from the pack at the top of the final hill and only junior Drew Hunter of Loudoun Valley High in Virginia even attempted to keep pace.

With each step, Fisher appeared to gain strength and expand the gap on Hunter and the rest of the field on his way to repeating in 15 minutes, 2.1 seconds, becoming the fifth back-to-back boys champion in the meet's 36-year history and the third in a row, after Lukas Verzbicas (2009–10) and Edward Cheserek (2011–12).

"There is a tree at the top of the hill and that's right where you crest it. You turn left around the tree and that's where I wanted to make my move. The pack broke up by the top of the hill, and when I made my move, I was prepared if someone followed me," said Fisher, who improved on last year's winning time by 4 seconds. "After I made

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my move I took a glance or two back. I didn't want [someone] to sneak up on me and have anything crazy happen the last, maybe minute of the race. I wanted to monitor the guys that went for it and I was prepared when we crossed the street with about 200 to go coming into the finish line. I was ready to throw down if someone was near me.

"I crossed the street and just gave it all I had because this is my last cross country race as a high school guy, so it means so much to end things like this."

Olin Hacker from Madison West in Wisconsin, who was runner-up Dec. 6 at Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, rallied from eighth in the final mile to place second in 15:12, giving the Midwest region a sweep of the top two spots. Tim Hacker, Olin's father, placed ninth in 1979 and fourth in 1980 at the Kinney National Championships.

"I just have to thank my dad and my coach because they got me ready to peak at the right time, so it's just awesome," Olin Hacker said. "I was hurting a lot, but so was everybody else. I knew this [was] it, this is the last cross country race of my high school career, and I had to go after it."

Elijah Armstrong of Pocatello, ID, who was sixth last year, improved to third in 15:13, leading another dominant performance by the West, which saw seven runners earn All-America honors by placing in the top 15 to repeat as team champion with a 31–37 victory over the Midwest.

"We bring out the best in each other," Armstrong said. "Being able to share it with someone, all we can do is make each other better. It's just a huge honor to be with those guys on the West team and represent with them."

Hunter finished fourth in 15:13.2, followed by fellow junior Austin Tamagno from Brea-Olinda in California, who took fifth in 15:14.5.

They were the only underclassmen to place in the top 12.

"Grant is amazing. He broke everybody at the top of the hill and kept surging and can run downhill better than anybody, so that really helped," Hunter said. "I tried to go with him, but he just flew down the hill, and I didn't have much left at that point."

Dressel finished sixth in 15:17.2, followed by Trevor Reinhart of Marin Academy in California in seventh (15:18.7) and Conner Mantz from Sky View, UT, in 10th (15:26.2) for the victorious West team.

Jesse Reiser of McHenry West in Illinois supported Fisher and Hacker by taking eighth in 15:19.2, but it wasn't enough for the Midwest to offset the West's depth.

Northeast regional champion Alex Ostberg of Darien, CT, the leader at the 2-mile mark, finished ninth in 15:21.1.L Boys results: http://finishedresults.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Boys-5k-FLCCC.pdf

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PhotoRun.net

Anna Rohrer Wins 2014 Foot Locker National Championships

By Erik Boal Anna Rohrer made it back to the Foot Locker National Championships and made a statement to the entire country about her resolve and mental toughness.

Rohrer, a senior from Mishawaka, IN, captured the 2012 Foot Locker national title, but was unable to defend her championship last season when surgery to repair navicular fractures in both feet relegated her to a wheelchair.

But Rohrer stood tall again in her return to Balboa Park's Morley Field in San Diego by facing up to the challenges of fellow seniors Ryen Frazier from Ravenscroft, NC, and four-time finalist Makena Morley of Bigfork, MT. Rohrer pulled away in the final mile and covered the 5-kilometer layout in 17 minutes, 12.9 seconds to become only the fifth girl in the meet's 36-year history to win multiple championships and only the second to do so in nonconsecutive years, joining Jordan Hasay in 2005 and '08.

"It's just hard to think of the words to describe it because a year ago this was so far away, and I was in no position to be able to get back and run it that year," Rohrer said. "I've been working so hard and so long and I never stopped thinking about this and believing in myself and thinking about getting back and taking one last cross country championship."

Rohrer led Frazier by 1 second entering the final mile, but made a well-timed surge ascending the final hill to pull away from her competition and never looking back, powering through the course despite softer footing after rain pelted the grass and dirt layout Thursday and Friday.

"Going up the hill, I was telling myself 'I'm tougher and I'm stronger and I've been through this before,' so I know what to expect," Rohrer said. "The hill I used as the opportunity to move ahead, and it really worked out at the top. Just crossing the line and remembering how it was, I'm just so grateful to be back here and I'm just so thankful to be injury-free right now."

www.morunandtri.com

Frazier, whose older sister, Wesley, was a two-time Foot Locker national finalist in 2009–10, held on for second in 17:22.5, leading the South team to its first victory in meet history by edging the Midwest 41–44.

The South lineup had four runners in the top 10 to hold off the Midwest, which had six runners finish in the top 15.

"I didn't have that much pressure on me because everyone was saying that Anna has got it in the bag," Frazier said. "I didn't run the smartest race I've ever run. I went out too fast and I paid for it. But it was the last race of my high school career and I wanted to make the best of it. I'm happy because I gave it everything I had."

Morley, the only four-time finalist in the girls field and the 23rd female to make four national appearances in the meet, placed third in 17:28.7. She was bidding to become Montana's first national champion since Zoe Nelson of Kalispell in 2002 and wound up earning All-America honors for the third time, after finishing eighth last year and ninth as a freshman.

"I was trying for that win. I went for it and I ended up third," said Morley, whose freshman sister, Bryn, was 26th in 18:32.5.

"I feel more comfortable going out hard and being up there near the front, but Anna and Ryen were both really strong and they're amazing competitors."

Paige Hofstad of New Braunfels, TX, who was second Dec. 6 at the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon, was the top junior at Foot Locker after placing fourth in 17:32.6, followed by Hannah DeBalsi of Staples, CT, who rounded out the All-American first-team honorees by placing fifth in 17:46.9.

Libby Davidson of E.C. Glass in Virginia was the fastest sophomore, by taking sixth in 17:47.9, and Annie Hill of Kalispell, MT, was the top freshman with an eighth-place finish in 17:51.3.

Montana had three national finalists for the first time, with Hill and the Morley sisters.L Girls results: http://finishedresults.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Girls-5k-FLCCC.pdf

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TO P TEN O F 20 14

Giving runners a great starting point to find the perfect shoe, FORTIUS Media Group, in partnership with Cregg Weinmann, the footwear and apparel editor for the Running Network since 1998, reveal the top 10 shoes of 2014.

"We asked Cregg Weinmann to pick the 10 top running shoes of 2014 for our readers. Cregg has done north of 200 shoe reviews in 2014, which are provided to our readers daily on runningnetwork.com and runningproductreviews.com," noted FORTIUS Media Publishing Director Larry Eder.

C LL

The top 10 shoes of 2014 including a variety of shoe types, brands, and prices

1

adidas Response Boost – $100 The Response Boost is the best buy of all the Boost shoes, in part because the amount of EVA surrounding the Boost foam provides a durable, responsive feel. This price range has not had a better shoe to my memory.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014autumn-trainers/610-adidas-response-boost-100

2

Newton Kismet – $129 The Kismet is one of those shoes that’s an assemblage of the best work that a brand has produced. It may be the start of something better to come — one can only hope.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014fall-award-winners/560-newton-kismet-129

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3

Brooks Glycerin 12 – $150 The Glycerin incorporated a variety of upgrades that may have been missed by many who could benefit from them. The premium price may have deterred some, but it might be just what they were looking for.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014-fallaward-winners/558-brooks-glycerin-12-150

4

Saucony Kinvara 5 – $100 The Kinvara did not win an award in the shoe review this year, finishing a close second.

It makes this list because of its fit, ride, and performance — all the reasons it has been a success for Saucony.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014-falltraining/582-saucony-kinvara-5-100

www.morunandtri.com

5

Hoka One One Huaka – $150 The Huaka seemingly came out of nowhere, its hybrid-like features striking a better balance than many of the other Hoka shoes. Whether it hits a home run or not, it points to what’s possible with the brand.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014-fallaward-winners/559-hoka-one-one-huaka-150

6

adidas Boston Boost – $120 The Boston Boost was anticipated, then proved to be as good as expected. Durable, great ride, snug, and sleek fit, this shoe is worthy of the Boston name.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014-fallaward-winners/557-adidas-adizero-boston-boost-5-120

7

ASICS GEL-Super J33 – $100 The GEL-Super J33 was a surprisingly good minimal shoe. Not surprising that ASICS couldn’t do something innovative, but that it took longer than necessary. Nevertheless, it was worth the wait.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014spring-minimalist/485-asics-super-j-33-100

www.morunandtri.com

8

Nike Zoom Fly – $90 The Zoom Fly was a surprise from Nike. Not that it couldn’t be done (it should be every season), but that it was such a good shoe and at such a great price.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/training/2014spring/464-nike-zoom-fly-90

9

ASICS Gel-DS Racer – $110 The Gel-DS Racer is versatile enough for speed work as well as a variety of racing distances from short to quick and able to go about as far as you’d like to race.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/racing/2014-summer-racing/524-asics-gel-ds-racer-10-110

10

Montrail Fluid Flex 2 – $90 The Fluid Flex 2 was updated with a more supportive upper to go with its light and flexible chassis. Who doesn’t need a trail racing shoe? On a side note, we looked at about 20 other trail choices during the year, so you should be able to find something to your taste.

Full Review: http://runningproductreviews.com/index.php/shoes/trail/2014-summer-trail/534-montrail-fluid-flex-ii-90

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MISSOURI RUNNER AND TRIATHLETE

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KARA GOUCHER Takes the Gamble

By Larry Eder Even with her special blanket from her son, Colt, Kara Goucher wasn’t really warm. The winds at the start of the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon were strong with gusts of up to 36 mph. The temperature felt as if it were in the 20s, and the elite women's field of nearly fifty runners got off to a timely start.

Kara Goucher had planned to run about a 2:28 pace, and with good weather, it would have been pretty close. But in this weather and in this race, she took some chances, as runners do. Sometimes it works, but today it just wasn’t her day.

Kara Goucher is a seasoned athlete. As a college athlete she battled injuries. Once she graduated, she and husband Adam loaded up their stuff and moved to Portland, OR. Why? Because Kara knew that she and Adam could run better. From 2004–11, they both were coached

by Alberto Salazar. From 2011–13, Kara was coached by Jerry Schumacher. Adam retired from competition in 2010.

The Gouchers spent several years racing as elite runners, and as Adam's career came to a close, Kara's started to blossom. In 2007, she took the bronze for the 10,000 meters in the World Championships.

In 2012, she made the Olympic marathon team, having made the 2008 team in the 10,000 meters as well.

Now back in Boulder, CO, training with Jenny Simpson and

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Emma Coburn under their college coaches, led by Mark Wetmore and Heather Burroughs, Simpson had the best season of her career in 2014, Coburn set an AR in the steeplechase, and Goucher battled back from injuries and started to round into shape.

Her race at the RNR Philly Half Marathon was pretty good. She wanted a 1:12 and ran 1:11:39. She’s been smart about her comeback from a back injury. Adept with the social media world, Goucher kept expectations down for her marathon return.

Last summer, Wetmore, her coach, told this writer when we were in Glasgow, Scotland, that Goucher was coming along fine. Her half marathon in September showed that while she wasn’t in 2:24.52 shape (her personal best from 2011 when she was fifth at Boston), she was returning to shape.

The New York race was tough. Goucher stayed on 2:28 marathon pace for the first half of the race, hitting halfway in 1:14, and stayed on the pace until about 30 kilometers, when the wind, the cold, and running in no-women's-land took its toll. For elite runners, this is where many drop out. Goucher had sponsors and a public who loves her, and between those folks and her determination to race well, Goucher gutted out a 14th-place finish in the women's race and a 2:37.03.

No-women's-land is tricky. Running by oneself in cold and windy conditions is even more of a pain. It’s downright horrible. Gutting it out in conditions like that is harder than a fast race. Ask anyone who’s done both. Some days you have a Personal Best, and then, as famed RW writer Hal Higdon quipped in the 1970s, one has a Personal Worst. Higdon's advice: Embrace the personal worst like personal best.

Of course, that’s easier to read than to do.

That day Goucher ran a PW of 2:37.03. All runners should be so lucky.

It wasn’t the race she wanted, but she’s not injured, just hurt that her race didn’t go according to plan.

The New York race through the five boroughs was cold and windy.

"I took a gamble and stayed with the lead pack to stay warm, but it was just not my day" was how she — trying to hold back tears — put it to the media.

Several media members asked her questions about her retirement, which this writer found amazing, but in city marathons the abundance of writers thrown into marathon coverage with only Wikipedia as their guide seems to be growing. Goucher had had a bad day. Athletes at her level have them as they battle both conditions and competitors, as well as themselves. I thought she handled the uninformed media well.

Goucher, with her son, Colt, and her husband, Adam, are a media magnet. That’s one reason Oiselle apparel and SKECHERS footwear sponsor her. Other brand reps have told me that once Kara does retire, her future as a spokesperson for fitness and women's sports will know no limits. But at this time, that seems several years away.

That evening, Goucher showed up at the SKECHERS party with Meb Keflezighi and was as charming as ever. The throng that surrounds her at all of her events should give her comfort: that she’s on the comeback trail and that there will be ups and downs.

Kara Goucher is an athlete of immense talent and drive. There are many places that she’ll go in her journey as an athlete, a mother, a wife, and a role model to many. That journey is fun to watch from the outside, but like all of life, it’s one that’s fraught with difficult moments.

But wonderful moments as well.

Kara Goucher is back running, and that’s good news.

One race and one day at a time. L

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PhotoRun.net

E v e r y o n e ' s C h a s i n g Mo l l y H u d d l e

By Cait Chock Molly Huddle has had an amazing year, and finished her 2014 season with the USA 12K nationals.

I’ve been lucky enough to watch her race all year long: from the roads to the track. It’s appropriate that she finished her 2014 season on the roads.

If we need to assign a word to Molly Huddle this year, untouchable may be most fitting. As 2014 presented itself to be an off year on the track circuit, many athletes took the opportunity to chase fast times and hit the roads. Huddle accomplished both in nearly unrivaled fashion.

Looking at her spread of titles, course records, event records, and

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personal records, the most obvious place to start is Monaco, where she earned her 14:42.64 American record for the 5K. In 2010 Huddle shaved fractions off the AR; in 2014 she cut off more than 2 seconds. A time that surprised even the runner herself.

Huddle wrote an exceptional blog post recounting that night. That glimpse into the psyche of our best American 5Ker is refreshingly open and raw: Racing hurts. Everyone gets nervous. Everyone must constantly push the doubts from their mind. "So, being a known 'worrier,' I do have strategies for staying calm and focused before and during a race, but I have actually learned not to fight the anxiety too much as it seems to weirdly put me in my IZOF [Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning — thanks to training partner Roisin McGettigan for the www.morunandtri.com

sports psych education]. Before a race I like to think of ways to deal with a few different race scenarios to feel prepared, write out splits to keep me focused, and usually I pick a simple motivator to tell myself during the race."

Despite being on top, Huddle has a special gift of humanizing herself in a unique way that makes her relatable — funny even. Her Instagram feed shows her pre-race ritual of picking out a special nail polish color; you could imagine having a “normal” conversation with this exponentially above-normal runner.

I say she has a “unique way” because despite putting you at ease, one never forgets that she’s freaking fierce when the gun goes off.

Outside of that shiny new 5K PR, Huddle also lowered her 10K mark to 30:47. Rather than return to Europe for a second track season, she took to the roads. Blitzing a 31:37 at the New York Mini 10K in June, she surpassed Mary Decker's record for an all-women's U.S. road race, beating a tough field. Before fourpeating a win at the U.S. 5K Road Championships, she won the U.S. 20K Road Championships, demonstrating a transition to the longer events.

Interestingly, not much has changed this year for the harrier training-wise. "I’m doing slightly more mileage and slightly more volume on workout days in the winter and early season, but the paces aren't too much faster or different than what I have done in years prior," said an honest and humble Huddle. However, she does give herself some credit, "I’m a bit better at working out at altitude since 2010, but not by much!"

As part of the powerhouse postcollegiate Providence-based training group coached by Ray Treacy (other members include Amy Hastings, Kim Smith, and Roisin McGettigan), Treacy's style for his professionals is no-frills and old-school. They don't do drills or structured core routines; he's not there to oversee many of their workouts; and training hinges on personal accountability. A situation that works perfectly, as each woman is driven enough herself. "We meet for almost all long and easy run days and ideally we meet for workouts, but our schedules are very individualized based on races and events... I’ve done a lot of workouts alone or with my husband, which helps."

The group’s training may be about the basics, but they're taken plenty seriously. "There is a long run, tempo, and track workout in there and the mileage is towards the higher side," shares Huddle.

Opting for a 12-day cycle versus a 7-day cycle, "there are a few more easy run days than others may have but our workouts can be pretty hard, so we need it."

Huddle won the U.S. 5K Championships with a definitive gear change, charging up the last hill. "I knew I had an advantage, having done it six times before, as it's a tricky finishing stretch and actually shorter than it looks," she said, demonstrating that this strength runner possesses the speed and power to win with a closing move. Over

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the years her times, race tactics, and execution have all been sharpened, hopefully dulling the worrier in her a bit.

But strength is clearly her strength. In moving past the 10K distance, Huddle feels comfortable up through the 7-mile range, in approaching the half marathon. She says, "I feel I have a better handle on the 10K distance this year, but with the half marathon I seem to be coming up 2–3 miles short on strength at both NYC half and New Haven, so I can work on that for sure!"

All of that comes with time and more racing experience. Which brings us to the question everyone seems to be asking: When will she run a marathon? In good time, people. In good time. When that time comes, her training partners will facilitate perfect introductions.

Huddle says, "Amy and I worked out together through June but haven't worked out together since her build-up for Chicago started, which I miss."

But there's still a track to be setting fire to: "All my focus is on running better than I have at the World Championships on the track next year."

Huddle battled Mamitu Daska and Betsy Saina at the BAA Half, finishing third. She finished her season with a repeat win at the U.S. 12K PhotoRun.net Championships.

Huddle’s 2015 season will open with her run at the New York City Half Marathon in March.

It may have been an “off” year with regard to the track circuit, but in every way possible, Huddle has been “on.” Give her two more years to get even better. "I'd love to represent USA on a second Olympic team in 2016 in either 5000 or 10,000 (meters), and I'd like to try a marathon before or after Rio, but [I] need to see how the track treats me first."

Dare I say it? I do believe that track will treat her just fine. L For more on Molly Huddle from RunBlogRun: Molly Huddle Wins Oakley Mini 10K, her biggest road victory yet, by Larry Eder (June 2014) http://www.runblogrun.com/2014/06/molly-huddle-wins-oakley-mini-10k-herbiggest-road-victory-yet-by-larry-eder.html Two Seconds, No Finish Clock Picture, but Satisfaction: Molly Huddle breaks her own AR at 5,000 meters, by Larry Eder (July 2014) http://www.runblogrun.com/2014/07/two-seconds-no-finish-clock-picture-butsatisfaction-molly-huddle-breaks-her-own-ar-at-5000-meters-1.html Molly Huddle, RunBlogRun June Athlete of the Month (July 2014) http://www.runblogrun.com/2014/07/molly-huddle-rbr-american-athlete-for-june2014-video-by-the-shoe-addicts.html Molly Huddle Four Peats CVS Health Downtown 5K, from EME News, note by Larry Eder (Sept 2014) http://www.runblogrun.com/2014/09/molly-huddle-four-peats-cvs-health-downtown-5k-story-from-eme-news-note-by-larry-eder.html

JAN–MARCH 2015

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K e f le z i g h i , F l a n a g a n t o L e a d U S A E l i t e s a t B o s t o n M a ra t h o n

By David Monti Reigning Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi and Olympic bronze medalist Shalane Flanagan will lead the home-country charge at the 119th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, race organizers announced.

In 2014, Keflezighi, 39, from San Diego, became the first American man to win Boston in 31 years when he broke away in the first half, ran most of the race alone, and was never caught. He held off Kenya's Wilson Chebet on the home stretch on Boylston Street to win in a career best 2:08:47. He'll try to become the first American since Bill Rodgers in 1980 to successfully defend a Boston Marathon title.

"I am so excited to run the 2015 Boston Marathon," Keflezighi said through a statement provided by John Hancock Financial, the Canadabased financial services company which funds the elite athlete program at the Boston Marathon.

PhotoRun.net "My win at the 2014 Boston Marathon will always be the most significant victory of my career.

But I still aspire to get the best out of myself, run personal bests, win races, and inspire all people to get the best out of themselves in running and in life. There is no better platform for these goals than the Boston Marathon."

Flanagan, 33, who grew up just outside Boston in Marblehead, MA, finished seventh at Boston last year after leading much of the race. Her finish time of 2:22:02 makes her the fastest American woman ever at the Boston Marathon. She backed up that performance with a 2:21:14 personal best at the BMW Berlin Marathon last September and was recently ranked America's #1 female marathoner by Track & Field News. Flanagan has run Boston twice; finishing fourth in 2013 in 2:27:08, an achievement overshadowed by the terrorist bombing which killed three people and wounded over 250 others.

"Boston brings out the best in you, because it demands the best of you," Flanagan said through a statement. "I grew up on the sidelines of this race and from the intimidating course to the fierce competition, this marathon represents at its very core what it means to run with everything you have. Last year that's what I did and this year will www.morunandtri.com

PhotoRun.net be no different, because this is Boston and that's just what you do."

Hancock officials also announced that USA Olympians Desiree Linden (2:22:28 PB), Amy Hastings (2:27:03), and Dathan Ritzenhein (2:07:47) will also run Boston. Linden, 31, from Washington, MI, finished second at Boston in 2011. Hastings, 30, from Providence, RI, will make her Boston debut after equaling her personal best at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon last October, where she finished fifth. Ritzenhein, 32, from Belmond, MI, will also be running his first Boston Marathon. Sidelined with injuries most of 2014, he last completed a marathon in 2013 when he finished fifth in Chicago with 2:09:45.

Jeffrey Eggleston, 30, from Boulder, CO (2:10:52 PB), Fernando Cabada, 32, also from Boulder, (2:11:36), and Nick Arciniaga, 31, from Flagstaff, AZ (2:11:30) are also entered, Hancock officials said.

"We are thrilled to have Meb back as our defending champion and equally thrilled to have him surrounded by another exceptionally strong American field, led on the women's side by Shalane Flanagan," said Rob Friedman, head of sponsorship and event marketing at John Hancock. "In John Hancock's 30 years of sponsorship of the Boston Marathon, we've always had the strongest international fields of runners who have thrilled spectators along the route and viewers from around the globe. To have an increasingly strong American contingent year after year only adds to the excitement of this remarkable race, not just for the hometown fans, but the entire international running community."

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest marathon; the inaugural year was 1897. It is also America's third-largest marathon, behind New York and Chicago, with 31,805 finishers in 2014.

The race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the world's top league of marathon races.

Boston has the largest first prize of any marathon in the United States, awarding $150,000 to the race winners.L

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