byLarry Eder
Ben True,
photo by PhotoRun.net
Ben True had an epiphany in the 5,000 meters in the adidas Grand Prix on May 25. Ben had run personal bests for 10,000m, 1,500m, 5,000m, and 3,000m in 2012-13. In his World Cross Country race, Ben True placed sixth, in the cold, tortuous course in Poland in March 2013. “The footing was very difficult”, noted Ben, and “the key was staying on your feet”. Ben True lead the US team to a third place, the best placing by American men since 1984!
On May 25, Ben found himself in a race with Hagos Gebrhewit, the World Junior record holder at 5,000m and 3,000m, and Ibrahim Jelian, the World Champion at 10,000 meters from 2011. In the cold, blustery conditions, Ben True ran within four seconds of his best, finishing just feet behind the World Champion Jelian.
On July 13, Ben True ran his 5,000 meters personal best of 13:12.01! Not a bad day for a pretty good cross country runner!
Wednesday: warm up, 40-45 minute run, on varied terrain, finish up with three times 150 meter stride outs. Try to run the stride outs at current 800m-1,500m speed, and then slowly jog and repeat. Cooldown should be easy running, plus large muscle stretching, and then, hydrate, get out of wet clothes.
