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VIPAM · Junior Varsity Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

Well I ran briefly for Blinn College and when you have a 400 Hurdler who has run 47.5, two sub 45 400m men, a high schooler who ran 10.13 legal in 100m, 1:46, and two 1:47 800m men, 8:13 steepler. I didn't get paid too much attention as I was expected to beat the 800m men from pratice. I did some more TRAINING/ racing under the tutelage of Jim Spivey coaching me on the phone and correspondence (he is great if anyone looking for a coach).

Now that I myself am a coach I know that sometimes some athletes need more than just the physical training they also need mental motiviation/training. I had the talent but because everyone told me I shouldn't be able to run like that in practice (which I enjoyed) I didn't think I should in competition. It sounds stupid now but at the time I was inexperienced and new to competing, if I knew THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW!

I am eager to get back on the track now and actually compete.

Dan · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject:

Blinn's no joke. That's quite an accomplishment to be a part of the teams they've put together over the years. Thumbs Up

Dan
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VIPAM · Junior Varsity Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

What is Kenya's problem first they didn't solicit Samuel Wanjiru to run the Kenyan trials and then Veronica Wanjiru (15 yrs old) make the team and runs 15:13 for 2nd place at altitude and they deny her a spot. Kenya is denying its talented young athletes experience that could prove vital for them in upcoming Championships. Those two athletes fitness shows that they could perform just as well as older Kenyans at the Championships, so WHAT IS KENYA'S PROBLEM?

Dan · Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:26 pm Post subject:

Kenya has quite the history of being over-controlling with its selection process, and usually for no logical reason, like leaving a sure-fire top-2 or 3 in Komen at home in '96. The cynic in me suspects there's a lot of bribery going on.

Dan
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VIPAM · Junior Varsity Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

I agree and its been publicized that payoffs have been in Kenya's federation and officals recent past. The country will never dominate again until they get a better/logical/honest federation. Kenya could take a page out of how Ethiopia handles it talent and its athletes in general.

Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:31 am Post subject:

I actually hadn't seen those reports. I guess my cynicism was justified for once. Smile

Dan
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VIPAM · Junior Varsity Joined: 08 Sep 2004 Posts: 118

Does anyone here think that Kenya with the likes of Augustine Choge (1 Cool

7:28, 12:53, Samuel Wanjiru (1 Cool

27:08, 59:43 1/2 mar, and Veronica Wanjiru (15) 8:42, 15:13 (A) have the talent to overtake Ethiopia in the 5000m and 10000m. Could Kenya once again dominate the two longest track races if they got a better support/development system for juniors and organized federation and with slightly more controll and rewards for its top athletes?

Dan · Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:05 pm Post subject:

Up until the last 2-3 years, Kenya had easily the best depth of talent but Ethiopia always had the top couple individuals. That tells me that Kenya is doing a relatively poor job at developing their top talent, so yes, I think they could.

What I'm curious about is if anything has changed within the Ethiopian development system of late, because they sure are producing more top flight numbers. Of course, it could just be the trickle down effect, with such a strong example being set by Geb, Bekele, and co.

Dan
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AM_Runner · All-Star Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 776 Location: NYC

First of all - great times Vipam... and very happy to see you getting back into competition!

Secondly to you rpoint about domination... I don't think so as more and more athletes begin to get chances and training from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Eritrea,... we see better and better competition. I think there is a very good chance if they could get a concerted effort as Ethiopia does then they would become level again for sure and I for one would love to see it!
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Dan · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 9:20 am Post subject:

But will they? The Kenyan Federation does more to drive its athletes away than to promote a harmonious training effort.

Dan
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Micah Ward · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 5:47 am Post subject:

Morning Edition on National Public Radio had a segment this morning on the exodus of Kenyan runners to run for other countries. They reported it from strictly an economic angle, saying that the Kenyans leave for the money. The head of the Kenyan federation called the runners greedy and unpatriotic and said that they may be barred from coming back to Kenya to train. If you want to hear it go to www.npr.org and follow the links for Morning Edition.
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AM_Runner · All-Star Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 776 Location: NYC

Agreed although they seem to be starting to make changes... and also my statement was more a wish rather than a fact... a big IF they could do it it would be great to see.
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Conway · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 3:42 am Post subject:

Dan · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:02 am Post subject:

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Few of their top athletes spend significant amounts of time training (or living) at home, so that policy comes across as pitiful posturing.

Dan
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