by Larry Eder
2025 Summer Mileage, August 3, 2025, Week 4, Day 7, a long run, and the brutality and honesty of the U.S. Trials system
Sunday, warm-up, 60-75 minute run, moderate to easy, throw in a good ten minute hill section, cooldown well.
Some thoughts on the brutality and honesty of the U.S. Trials system
In a country with 315 million people and 1.5 million of them competing in track and field in high school, we have the best farm team system in the global sport of track and field.
The 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials were the first Trials that I watched. Watching some of our very best (Steve Williams comes to mind), showed me early on, that some made it, some did not and the process was cruel, but honest. To be ready on one day and if not, you were left off the bus.
I met Mike Manke in 1979, at our Santa Clara Cross Country banquet. Mike worked for my coach, Dan Durante at Lockheed. Mike was 4th in the 1976 Olympic Trials in the 1,500 meters, and he ran for Athletics West. He was very patient with my overly enthusiastic questions, and I appreciated his candor. I had a brochure near my bed for the team at Athletics West, still have it somewhere.
Mike finished 4th in the Olympic Trials, one of the toughest positions in our sport. I was reminded of this seeing Hobbs Kessler in the 1,500m, and Drew Hunter in the 5,000m.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025, photo by Kevin Morris
I also interviewed Christian Coleman, the 2019 World Champion, who as 5th in the 100m in 9.86 and 6th in the 200m in 20.02. Christian was trying to get his head around just how fast the younger runners (he’s 31) are and how any 9.8 time would get a sprinter on the team. He was honest and it seemed painful. He did not complain about the system, just that he had to work harder and take the time to get into his new coaching system with Dennis Mitchell.
I was reminded this weekend, and all weekend, there was a 4th in each and every event, a fifth and a sixth place as well. How would that placing motivate them for the next time?
Will. you be ready? Follow our daily training suggestions, and daily athlete stories and you will be ready to race in the fall!
The Nike Pegasus PLUS is a great entry shoe for high school cross country. You should consider it, and learn more about it at nike.com. It is light, cushioned, a good summer mileage shoe. If you need a little more cushioning, try the Vomero 18. The Vomero 18 has more cushioning that the Pegasus PLUS. If you like NIKE, I would suggest high schoolers use the NIKE Pegasus PLUS for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I would suggest the Vomero 18 for Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I always suggest two pairs of training shoes. Why on Vomero 18? It is a cushioned shoe that feels great and is good on the roads and trails.
If you need a more cushioned shoe, try the Vomero 18 and the Vomero 18 PLUS, for great cushioning, a more sophisticated ride. Check them out at your local NIKE retailer or NIKE running store.
Do you want to be a better cross country runner than you were in the past? Focus and follow our training. It is all about the consistency.
For Great Summer reading! Self Made Olympian by Ron Daws, A Clean Pair of Heels by Murray Halberg, Pre! by Tom Jordan, Quicksilver, The Mercurial Emil Zatopek, by Pat Butcher, The Destiny of Alain Mimoun, by Pat Butcher (a monograph)
Remember, one day at a time!!!! #SummerMileage, #CrossCountry,
