byLarry EderOne of the many roles that James Dunaway plays in our sport, besides editor for American Track & Field and Athletes Only, is the writer of many memorable piece son our sport. This weekend, he is covering the ING New York City marathon for the IAAF.org website. I found several columns, as always, excellent. I have linked to them here with my comments….
One more note on James Dunaway. James has just begun his eighth decade, and is as colorful, acerbic and charming (when he wants to be) as one could wish for in a closed setting like a meda room. Beijing was his fourteenth Summer Olympic Games as a credentialed member of the media. I consider myself
very lucky to have worked with him for the past three years and feel lucky to have him as my mentor, editor of two publications and a good friend…
Abdi Abdirhaman, the Black Cactus
The men’s field at the 39th ING New York City marathon is stacked-Paul Tergat, Henrik Ramaala of South Africa, to name a few. The Black Cactus, Abdi Abdirhaman, the US 10,000 meter champion , told James Dunaway, that he is in the best shape of his life in an article linked to this article. Abdi is one of the more colorful characters on the US running scene, a man of true talent, and a guy who likes a good time, Abdi has matured in both his approach to the sport and to his training. His 2:08:56 personal best is,
training. His 10,000 meter victory in Eugene during the trials was superb, but the real view into his talent came in June 2008, when Abdi just missed the U.S. record for 10,000-his 27:17 10,000 meters there showed Abdi on a great day.
Just how good is Abdi? I think Mr. Abdirhaman can win the ING New York City marathon, it may not be this year, but this title could be his! Alot of hard work,
with all working for him, plus a supreme effort….
http://www.iaaf.org/LRR08/news/newsid=48163.html
Kara Goucher
Kara Goucher thinks she is ready. Alberto Salazar, three time winner here, and the coach of Kara thinks she is ready. In this piece by James Dunaway, James, examines why Kara may take a different, and successful approach to the marathon.
My take was noted the other night, when I wrote that Kara Goucher would not only win, but also noted her tactics. Salazar prepares his athletes so that they have no worries that they did not do enough. Goucher has set her 10,000 meter personal best this season, she has been in some races that truly required her to be a real fighter, which is her modus operandi. For Paula Radcliffe to beat Goucher, she will have to run her off her feet.
If it comes down to the last 5,000 meters, and Kara Goucher is there, it will be a real foot race for the ages..
http://www.iaaf.org/LRR08/news/newsid=48157.html
Paula Radcliffe Versus Geta Wami
The women’s race in ING New York, in my mind, is the most memorable field in a very long time on marathon course that invites one into complacny and then, eats its young. I have a picture of Rob de Castella in 1986. Rob had won Boston masterfully, then he defended his Commonwealth Games title, and then it was NY. Rob, a strong runner, looked exhausted in the final miles.
Paula has just recovered from Beijing, and Geta Wami has a few races under her belt. This could be a good showdown. If Paula goes from the gun, Kara Goucher will be there, and so will Wami. Wami has the the most money to loose, but I have this terrible feeling that if Paula wins big here, the British sports fan will blog her to death over her “failure” in Beijing. Somedays, you can not please anyone!
http://www.iaaf.org/LRR08/news/newsid=48170.html
Runblogrun.com encourages you to check out the sites of Shooting Star Media, Inc.: American Track & Field (www.american-trackandfield.com), Athletes Only (www.atf-athlete.com), California Track & Running News (www.caltrack.com), MIssouri Runner & Triathlete (www.morunandtri.com), Latinos Corriendo(www.latinoscorriendo.com), Coaching
Athletics Quarterly (www.coachingathleticsq.com), and USATF Fast Forward (www.usatf.org). All of the above magazine websites can be found at RunningNetwork.com (www.runningnetwork.com).
