• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Birmingham World Indoor 2018

Nike Talks World Indoors 2018: Week 2, Day 1, some thoughts on Aries Merritt, going where no one else has gone

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
January 8, 2018
0
0 0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This is the second week, first day of the Nike Talks World Indoors Series. Thanks to Nike Sports Marketing, @runblogrun will provide a Monday-Friday story on a key athlete from US, Great Britain, Europe, Africa and Asia. On the weekends, we will go back in World Indoor history and provide a favorite moment. This sponsorship goes from January1-March 5. We hope you enjoy. And please check out www.nikerunning.com. Remember to support our sponsors. They are supporting the heart of running.

Today, we are writing about 2012 Olympic champion and World Record Holder, 110m hurdles, Aries Merritt!

RelatedPosts

Dina Asher-Smith: Britain’s sprinting jewel gets back to reckoning with her 100m victory in the Birmingham Diamond League

Top 10 African male athletes in 2021 (5-1)

Favorite Post of March 2018: Birmingham Diary, Day Three: Stuart Weir writes on the amazing Women’s Pole Vault!, from The Archives

And always remember to check out www.wicbirmingham2018.com

Merritt_AriesPort-Monaco17.jpgAries Merritt, photo by PhotoRun.net

I remember speaking to Aries Merrit just after he set the World record for the 110 meter hurdles in 2012 at the Van Damme Memorial. His time, 12.80 was a WR. . It was in the very last race of his season. The race before that, Aries got a bit excited and false started. Aries told me, that after the false start, he knew that he would be ready to run the WR in the next race. When I asked him what he had to do, Aries Merritt looked at me and noted, “it is all about the rythym.” Aries Merritt had also won the 60 meter hurdles in Istanbul, at the 2012 World Indoor Championships. His time, 7.44, was just ahead of China’s Liu Xiang and Frances’ Pascal Martinot Lagarde.

In 2012, Aries Merritt won gold in London and set the WR, how could one find a better season?

Merritt_AriesPort1-Monaco17.jpgAries Merritt, photo by PhotoRun.net

That is the connundrum of athletics. One knows when they are in fantastic shape, and one knows when they are oh so close.

In April 2013, RunBlogRun and the Shoe Addicts visited Aries, courtesy of the IAAF. Here are the two pieces we did on Aries, (https://www.runblogrun.com/2017/12/shoe-addicts-present-aries-merritt-a-day-in-the-life-courtesy-of-iaaf.html), and his training (https://www.runblogrun.com/2017/12/a-day-in-the-life-part-deux-aries-merritt-courtesy-of-the-iaaf.html). What impressed me about Aries Merritt? His attention to detail, his focus and his desire to excel.

In 2013, Aries was in good shape, but he was not all there. His rythym was just not there, and in the final in Moscow, he finished sixth. Something was wrong, and after being examined, it was determined that he was suffering from collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

This disease, terribly rare, would haunt him for three years. In 2015, Aries Merritt fought back into shape, and took, somehow the bronze medal in Beijing 2015 World Championships. Never underestimate the work that Aries had to do, battling this painful kidney disease and trying to be a world class athletes. There had to be days that he wanted to just crawl up in a ball.

After the Beijing World Champs, Aries Merritt had a kidney transplant. His sister provided him the kidney. They had to go back into Aries Merritt to move his new kidney.

Merritt_AriesPort1a-Monaco17.jpgAries Merritt, photo by PhotoRun.net

In 2016, the doctors were not fond of Aries racing and training. He nearly made the Olympics in 2016.

In 2017, Aries Merritt and I met in Birmingham, England at the NAI Stadium. In an interview posted here (https://www.runblogrun.com/2017/02/muller-indoor-diaries-2017-presser-with-aries-merritt-elaine-thompson-and-mo-faran.html), Aries Merritt reminded me that his race is all about rythm. But, most importantly, Aries told the media that everything was new, as he has now post kidney surgery records.

Aries Merritt told this writer then, that he wanted to return to Birmingham to race at the World Indoor Champs. In August 2017, Aries Merritt fought for a medal until the very last hurdle, where he faltered, and finished fifth. The level of competition is so tough in the 110 meter hurdles, that one step, one hesistation over a hurdle means one is out of the medals. 2011 World Champion Jason Richardson told us, years ago, that hurdlers may be the toughest and most competitive event on the athletic circuit. He may be right after all of these years.

This coming weekend, January 13, 2018, at the Washington Indoor Preview meeting, Aries Merritt will be racing the 60 meter hurdles to begin his 2018 campaign.

Watching the 2012 Olympic champion and WR holder compete is a true treat. Merritt has been racing himself back into shape for the past two years. He will be closer to his pre surgery fitness in 2018 than ever before. Will he medal in Birmingham in March 2018? We will just have to wait and see, but this man knows the hurdles, and he knows when to lean.

Bio on Aries Merritt (from IAAF): https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/aries-merritt-200563

2017 has taught me many things. Happy to be ranked one of the best in the world still after all the doubt, sickness, and injuries. 2018 here I come 💪🏽☺️. #IAmAries #amhurdlestar #nikerunning #inspireageneration #Altis

A post shared by Aries Merritt (@amhurdlestar) on Sep 1, 2017 at 12:37pm PDT

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

USA track and field 2017-18 results issue n.3, compiled and edited by Carles Baronet, TrackInSun blogspot, for RunBlogRun

Next Post

2017-18 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Recovery Training Program, Week 4, Day 2, your Tuesday workout!

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!
News

Coffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World XC, NB Indoor GP on Feb. 4, Millrose Games on Feb. 11, Dubai Marathon on Feb. 12, Two ARs at Boston Terrier Classic!

January 31, 2023
Malaika Mihambo and Ewa Swoboda produce the highlights in ISTAF Indoor Düsseldorf
2023 World Athletics Indoor Tour

Malaika Mihambo and Ewa Swoboda produce the highlights in ISTAF Indoor Düsseldorf

January 31, 2023
31st edition of the Nike Discovery Cross Country happened this weekend in Eldoret
African Athletics

31st edition of the Nike Discovery Cross Country happened this weekend in Eldoret

January 30, 2023
Dina Asher-Smith is back!
Interviews

Dina Asher-Smith is back!

January 30, 2023
Laura Muir: Nine Questions
Interviews

Laura Muir: Nine Questions

January 30, 2023
Femke Bol is the 2022 European Athletics Female Athlete of the Year!
2023 World Athletics Indoor Tour

Femke Bol to debut over 500 meters, Woody Kincaid added to men’s 3000m at 2023 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (February 4, 2023)

January 30, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

October 14, 2022
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
Woody Kincaid sets AR for 5,000m, 12:51.61,  in titanic struggle with Joe Klecker, 12:54.99, both under 13 minutes!

Coffee With Larry, Sirikwa Classic World XC, NB Indoor GP on Feb. 4, Millrose Games on Feb. 11, Dubai Marathon on Feb. 12, Two ARs at Boston Terrier Classic!

January 31, 2023
Malaika Mihambo and Ewa Swoboda produce the highlights in ISTAF Indoor Düsseldorf

Malaika Mihambo and Ewa Swoboda produce the highlights in ISTAF Indoor Düsseldorf

January 31, 2023
31st edition of the Nike Discovery Cross Country happened this weekend in Eldoret

31st edition of the Nike Discovery Cross Country happened this weekend in Eldoret

January 30, 2023
Dina Asher-Smith is back!

Dina Asher-Smith is back!

January 30, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Wanda Diamond League Final plans, 2023-2027, from World Athletics Website

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Howard Slusher, RIP, 1937-2022, the man behind the new Hayward Field

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
8h

Watch for the special release and announcement by COROS with Kilian Jornet tomorrow at 10 AM PST! Do not miss it! #coros,

Reply on Twitter 1620248174651736064 Retweet on Twitter 1620248174651736064 Like on Twitter 1620248174651736064 3 Twitter 1620248174651736064
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
14h

2023 RunBlogRun Winter Training Block, Week Five, Day one, a nice run on Monday, https://bit.ly/3XKUF1c , #dailyrunning, #yarednuguse, #wintertrainingblock, #moderaterunning, #kevmofoto,

Reply on Twitter 1620152423200301065 Retweet on Twitter 1620152423200301065 Like on Twitter 1620152423200301065 Twitter 1620152423200301065
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
15h

Love me a Quokka, and then, add some beetroot? Oh my gosh, you had me at Quokka!

Buitengebieden @buitengebieden

Quokka eating beetroot.. 😊

Reply on Twitter 1620148524896915456 Retweet on Twitter 1620148524896915456 Like on Twitter 1620148524896915456 1 Twitter 1620148524896915456
Retweet on Twitter RunBlogRun Retweeted
historyinmemes Historic Vids @historyinmemes ·
30 Jan

Two cyclists leading the Tour of Slovenia decided to choose the winner with rock, paper, scissors

Reply on Twitter 1619856430315757569 Retweet on Twitter 1619856430315757569 22903 Like on Twitter 1619856430315757569 224032 Twitter 1619856430315757569
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
15h

A lot of Badger fans like Olin Hacker and the photos from @kevmofoto! @NAZ_Elite

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Olin Hacker, NAZ Elite, ran a fast 3000m, 2023 Boston Terrier Classic, January 27, 2023, photo by #KevinMorris, #BostonTerrierClassic, #tracklife, #trackandlife, #usatf, #WAIndoorTour, #HOKA, ...#NorthernArizonaElite,
@NAZ_Elite, @hoka, @kevmofoto,

Reply on Twitter 1620147347459305472 Retweet on Twitter 1620147347459305472 Like on Twitter 1620147347459305472 Twitter 1620147347459305472
Load More...
Next Post

2017-18 HOKA ONE ONE Postal Nationals Recovery Training Program, Week 4, Day 2, your Tuesday workout!

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist