Runnerville

Professional athletes: what would it take for you to change the way you approach your job? Everyone else: what would you like to see from the athletes? Let us know by calling the comment line at 206-888-0346 or emailing us at comments (at) runnerville (dot) com.

Enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend edition of Runnerville Weekly.

Matt Taylor asks the pros to join the conversation. To move the sport forward, would you be willing to make some sacrifices?



Jeremy Mosher wonders if you have an extra ticket to Eugene for the Pre Classic? On display are some of the best distance running fields ever assembled on US soil. That, and one helluva squad in the water balloon toss.

Toni Reavis wants a truly global star for our sport, like Tiger Woods. The middle distances are where it could happen - and where Alan Webb’s promise lies. But perhaps Shannon Rowbury is the answer?

Weldon Johnson discusses the incredible weekend of high school action; the results indicate that the next generation of distance stars could top the current crop of Hall, Ritz, Teg, and Webb. But more notable was the unselfish act of sportsmanship by Andrea Nelson.

What do you think? Leave your comments above or call the comment line at 206-888-0346. Thanks for listening.

[Music is “Summertime” by Lil’ D.]

Heavy analysis of the Adidas Track Classic and reports from Japan and Iraq. Enjoy the show.

Matt Taylor plays Taps after watching the ATC. It quite possibly could signal the end of our sport . . . unless, of course, someone institutes his three ideas for improving television coverage.

Toni Reavis goes Inside Baseball with running, looking at the current business plan of how the sport stages events. What do you think of his alternative business model?

Dan Lilot misses Ana Guevara for her ability to fill a stadium, even in the United States. A look back to 2003 makes the atmosphere at the 2008 edition of the ATC feel like a 5th grade play. What do we have to do to get people to come to a track meet?

Brett Larner reports on the Kanto University Track & Field Championships, the first major meet of the season for University men. He also points out two Japanese versions of Ritz.

Major Russ Stewart reports from Tikrit, Iraq with a perspective on running that can only be defined as refreshing. Tikrit has a 400m track and regular road races. What more can a runner in Iraq ask for? Major Russ also started the “Tikrit Running Club” and hopes to start some races across Iraq. Are you interested in helping with t-shirts or race numbers?

What do you think? Leave your comments below or call the comment line at 206-888-0346. Thanks for listening.

A great show lined up today:

Toni Reavis jumps on the Andrew Wheating bandwagon, but not because of his great performances. Rather, Toni loves the fact that we stole him from the soccer pitch.

Robert Johnson is driving the Wheating bandwagon thanks to finishes like this one.

Jay Johnson browses usatf.org and wonders out loud why in the world there’s not one single video on the site. Great question.

Dan Lilot, watching the Doha meet from work, insists that it’s the best time ever to be a track nut. Sure there are problems, but we’ve never had it this good.

Jeremy Mosher takes Nate Jenkins one step further - Mosh wants eight Vin Lannana/Mary Wittenberg super spawn to run the sport.

Brett Larner sends an update on Mizuki Noguchi and Atsushi Sato, Japan’s top Olympic marathon hopefuls. Noguchi will try to defend her title in Beijing, while Sato will look to make a name for himself in the marathon.

Matt Taylor is rubbing mustard oil all over his skin. Why? To naturally produce his EPO levels. Just read this article. Scary, scary stuff.

Check out RunnersCookbook.com to support the Jenny Crain “Make It Happen” Fund and the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund. You’ll also get recipes from some of the best runners in the world. Great cause, great food.

[Music is “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by Saul Williams.]

Like thousands of people every year, we caught a bad case of Post Marathon Depression. The best weekend in Boston (Red Sox at home + Celtics in the playoffs at home + Boston Marathon + US Women’s Marathon Trials + LetsRun/Puma Party = Greatest Weekend Ever) led to a depression so deep we couldn’t even get out last week’s show. But we’re back!

And we’ve got a great episode:

Chris Lear wonders what John McDonnell’s legacy will be: greatest coach ever or foreign importer?

Toni Reavis says it with clarity: we suck! Too much of a good thing?

Scott Bush wants every college team to put a dual meet on their schedule. And maybe add a “fall game.”

Jeremy Mosher loves the format: Olympic Trials marathon piggy-backed onto a major marathon. After all, Pittsburgh couldn’t handle this.

Scott Bush comes again with his thoughts from the Penn Relays. Jamaicans rock the party.

Matt Taylor praises the Drake Relays and their decision to host an indoor pool vault . . . at the mall! Brilliant

[Music is “The Euphonius Whale” by Dan Hicks and his hot licks!.]

A special reserve Runnerville Weekly, oaky, with hints of heartbreak hill and olive wreath. Toni Reavis in 1978, ten years after Amby Burfoot is victorious. And a special guest from Iraq. It’s Boston Marathon week, perhaps the greatest week of the year for Bostonians.

In this episode:

Toni Reavis in 1978 with Vin Fleming and Bob Hodge. This recording was not digital.

Amby Burfoot recalls his magic day one April in 1968.

Jeremy Mosher puts Ryan Hall’s historic run in perspective, in only the way he can.

Toni Reavis, now back in 2008, talks about how the WMM actually hurts the sport, ensuring that we never get the best athletes to toe the line together on the same weekend.

Russ Stewart reports from Baghdad, Iraq before heading off to Tikrit. Can you believe they’re racing over there? And that Russ is able to share it with us? Unbelievable. Now we’re trying to figure out how to get over there ourselves.

[Music is “Big Ball in Boston” by Del McCoury.]

One of the biggest weekends in running action just past - Stanford, Paris, Ireland, Ethiopia, Texas, etc. Great for the running dorks out there; terrible for everyone else. How is a fan supposed to know what to follow? On the tail end of that “super” weekend came the NCAA Basketball Championship game - Memphis vs Kansas. Why did millions of people watch the game? Not because there are millions of Memphis fans (I think there are about 49). No, millions will watch the game because they know it’s the culmination of a season. They understand how the bracket works. They wanted Davidson, but they’ll settle for anyone but Duke. It’s simple to be a college basketball fan. It’s impossible to be a running fan. What does that have to do with today’s podcast? Absolutely nothing. But it’s still a good show. Call the comment line at 206-888-0346 or email an mp3 file to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com to let us know what you think.

In this episode:

Toni Reavis digs into the world of Alan Webb and Carlsbad. Will Webb make a masterpiece in Beijing?

Scott Bush praises Pete Julian for taking on World Cross 2010. The timing is perfect and Pete proved himself with USXC. Can you feel the excitement?

Brett Larner explains the corporate and university systems in Japan, and the recent trend of young woman to buck the system, focusing instead on individual pursuits.

Jeremy Mosher wants the “powers to be” to pay attention. WE DEMAND CHANGE IN OUR SPORT. What’s needed? Well, you of course…

Matt Taylor wonders where we have failed. Why has our sport failed to create new fans despite millions of participants?

Jay Johnson digs flash video and its ability to capture moments we normally wouldn’t have seen. Specifically, Lisa Koll’s CR in the 10,000m and Darren Brown’s sub-4:00 to make him and his father the first Father/Son Sub-4:00 Combo.

Contribute to the show. Send your segment via email or call the comment line at 206-888-0346.

[Music is “Paid In Full” by Erick B. & Rakim.]

Happy April Fool’s Day. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we didn’t put together a joke podcast. Is it an indicator of the serious times of our sport? Or just a complete lack of creativity? Tough call. Regardless, we made it to Episode #11. No podfading at Runnerville Weekly!

Are you creative? Have something to say? Call the comment line at 206-888-0346 and record your beef. Or you can email an mp3 file to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com.

In this episode:

Toni Reavis, in response to an African-dominated World XC event, proposes a city-based team system with a full-fledged draft.

Amby Burfoot, also in response to the “crisis” of World XC (or as he calls it, a dual meet between Kenya and Ethiopia), points out the artificial level playing field at the Olympics and World Championships, where only 3 athletes from each country can compete. World XC allows 9. Oops!

Wejo finally hearts Bekele, but isn’t willing to call him the GOAT. He is, however, willing to call him the GOATAXC (Greatest Of All Time At Cross Country).

Chris Lear wonders if world class runners are capable of endorsing anything or representing anybody besides the shoe companies. What do you think? What athletes would be good pitchmen? And what products would you want them to promote? Chris wants to know.

Matt Taylor tries to answer Chris’s question with beer and coffee. Imagine it: Carney and Yuengling. Lukezic and Gaggia Classic. Marketing has changed and running is being left behind…

Contribute to the show. Send your segment via email or call the comment line at 206-888-0346.

[Music is “Mr. Lovely” by Beth Thornley.]

To celebrate our 10th episode we ask you to join us on the podcast. Submit your segment - anywhere from 1-2 minutes - by calling 206-888-0346 and recording after the beep, or by recording an mp3 and emailing it to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com.

In this episode:

Chris Lear hands out plaudits for the unsung heroes of the Indoor NCAA Championship.

Amby Burfoot jumps on the political bandwagon…and confesses deep, dark secrets.

Jeremy Mosher loves World XC because of the team vibe, but goes a step too far suggesting a office World XC poll during March Madness.

Toni Reavis delivers the first Runnerville Scoop - Alan Webb to run the Carlsbad 5K on April 6th. Webb will chase Marc Davis’s American Road 5K Record of 13:24.

Brett Larner watches Tokyo-based Kenyan Gideon Ngatunyi prepare for World XC, and dissects the Japanese chances in Scotland.

Matt Taylor wants you to join the podcast. Submit your segment to the comment line (206-888-0346) or as an mp3 to comments (at) runnerville (dot) com. The best segment will be played in Episode 11.

[Music is “Cigarette” by Graham Colton Band.]

Assembled in Jamrock, aka Kingston, Jamaica.

In this episode:

Matt Taylor attends the greatest track & field meet in the world (and sips Red Bull and Guinness with Usain Bolt).

Amby Burfoot likes Alan Webb.

Robert Johnson explains why it’s hard to be a fan. And he’s right.

Toni Reavis on an Olympic Boycott: It might be good for the sport; think about it.

Jeremy Mosher dispenses kudos (with mini M&Ms) to the media department at NYRR (aka, “nerr”).

Let us know what you think. Call in your comments to 206-888-0346.

[Music is “Jammin” by reggae legend and Jamaican icon Bob Marley.]

Assembled in Germany. A flashback. A flash forward. Victory laps.

In this episode:

Toni Reavis and Bill Rodgers in 1982. No joke, 1982.

Amby Burfoot unleashes a screed aimed directly at the young, naive rabble-rousers.

Weldon Johnson gives Geb rock star status. He even touched his hand.

Jeremy Mosher wonders if the Olympics needs stars when it has him and her.

Brett Larner critiques the selection process of the Japanese marathon team.

Matt Taylor explains the origins of the victory lap. In lederhosen.

Let us know what you think. Call in your comments to 206-888-0346.

[Music is “Nancy” by one of the best live acts out there, G Love & Special Sauce.]