Runners Are Taking Over The US!

Sunday, January 22, 2012 · Mike Davis

Did anyone have an opportunity to watch the Olympic Marathon trials last Sunday? I must admit, most were probably watching the NFL playoffs or something else. Kathy and I were glued to the TV as 4 men and 4 women hung together for much of the race, but eventually one of both the men and women fell back and it looked to be an easy finish for the 3 qualifiers on both sides. Dathan Ritzenhein did fall short of coming from behind to catch the third place qualifier Abdi Abdiraham. Had there been another half mile, I think Dathan goes to the Olympics, but the distance is 26.2, not 26. 7. On the women’s side, I was tremendously happy for Kara Goucher as she came on across as the final qualifier after a year of coming back from having a child. How cool is that.

Jump well over a thousand miles away from where the Olympic trials were held last weekend and in the dead of winter, a half marathon scheduled for February is completely filled, a Saturday morning run from a local running store draws a crowd big enough to be considered a race despite temps that are in the teens and snow falling down and a small group of people training for the Hampton Half set out for their long run. How cool is that! No Olympians, just what the local running store refers to as “Winter Warriors” and a bunch equally dedicated runners.

In our ever evolving society where professional athletes are making ridiculous amounts of money and yet often act like greedy, spoiled and classless jerks, it’s truly nice to watch people such as Ryan Hall, Kara Goucher, Meb Keflezighi, Shalana Flanagan and Desiree Davilla. Truly they value their gift of running and their relationships with the other runners. Running by one’s self is difficult, just ask my daughter, having people to run with and train with helps tremendously. All of the Olympians train with each other or others that are working toward the same goals. Much like each of you who hook up Saturdays together to hit the road in the middle of January; the relationships, friendships and accountability help to keep us running. How cool is that!

What’s it all mean? The running community is growing all over the country and each of you is part of it. Meb, Dathan, Ryan, Kara, Desiree and Shalana are becoming better known and I am excited for the Summer Olympics because of them. Running is no longer a spring, summer and fall sport; it’s now a four season sport even in a cold miserable state like New Hampshire! If you are on the sidelines, get off them and get back in the game! We may not be Olympians, but we are just as empowered by running as they are and our success is just as sweet! Whether by yourself (Jenn), or with another runner, get back on the road and rule! Nothing will make a difference as great as running will in your life. We are taking over the country even if they thing we’re crazy! Let’s go!!