And now - TRIATHLETES throw down some smack!

I read about this the other day - but honestly, couldn't reconcile what I was reading with the thought that a triathlete (a "triathlete"!!!???) could throw down some smack on a fellow pro, esp in the water while swimming [can you say friggin' dangerous!]...but, watch the video below and judge for yourself. Geez Louise.

and then, I watched a couple of French teammates go it in a track meet in Monaco on the weekend [***see yesterday's Blog post].

WTF??!!  Will we soon be watching TMZ's "Athlete's Gone Bad"?

Great Britain’s Wiltshire suspended for six months

The International Triathlon Union (ITU), the worldwide governing body for triathlon, announced it has imposed a six-month suspension on British triathlete Harry Wiltshire due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the 2011 Pontevedra ETU Triathlon European Championships on June 25, 2011.

The suspension begins June 26, 2011 and prohibits Wiltshire from taking part in ITU competitions or competitions sanctioned by National Federations affiliated to ITU.

Following the elite men’s race at the European Championships, Wiltshire’s alleged unsafe and unsportsmanlike conduct during the race was investigated.  The ITU Executive Board voted to impose a six-month suspension against Wiltshire based on the evidence from the race and testimonies from the on-course technical officials. Wiltshire had already been disqualified by the Chief Swim Official based on violations to the ITU Competition Rules (2.1 a.) (i), 3.3 a.) (i), Appendix L 6, and Appendix L 7). This decision was upheld by the Referee and there was no appeal by the athlete’s federation upon notification.

The ITU is strongly committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport by ensuring athletes are competing within the competition rules and with a high degree of sportsmanship.

* The actions of Wiltshire involve his illegal and dangerous blocking and interference tactics on Spain’s Javier Gomez during the swim at the European Championships.

THIS would track WAY more fun to watch!!!!

Two French teammates go wild at the end of the 1500m race today in the Diamond League Monaco Meet - too funny, especially since: [i] they have arms like 7 yr old girsl; [ii] they miss nearly every punch - wild wind mill air swings - except for the petty little bitch slap that starts it after the pathetic excuse of a head butt; and, [iii] they bicker and yell leaning over the officials like, well, soccer players [see, above: 7 year old girls]. And might I add, I kept expecting the announcer in the coverage above [Spanish? Italian? No idea, as I was too focused on the "crushing blows" to pay attention...] to start yelling: "GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL" in that inimitable way European football (that's "soccer" or "footie" for you neophytes) have in announcing.

So, given that there around 16 people in the stands for the CAN T & F Championships this year (ya, scalpers were actually paying people to take the tickets), maybe if we if we make track & field a full contact sport, with all out brawls at the end of each event, more people will come out to watch.

Esp given that the average miler [Wheating and Solinsky, and ok, Mottram aside] are all PEEWEE MIDGETS! And since I stand a head taller and usually 20-25 lbs more than these wee greyhounds, think of how well I could do if we settled each race with a solid round of "beat the crap out of the next guy in the race" - heck, I may even make it to Worlds!

All we need is Don Cherry as announcer - hahaha.

swing hard and make contact

Johhny Boy

ps - here is a recent article on the "dust up" I just found on line ***NEW VIDEO at end at article***

Athletics | International

Mehdi Baala (L) and Mahiedine Mekhissi Benabbad

Fighting teammates suspended

---

23 July 2011, 17:33

Top French runners Mehdi Baala and Mahiedine Mekhissi Benabbad have been suspended pending an inquiry into their embarrassing punch-up on the track on Friday.


The two men squared up and traded blows at the end of the 1 500m, prompting Bernard Amsalem, the president of the French athletics federation, to set up a meeting of the disciplinary committee.
The committee will meet within the next eight days during which time the two runners will be provisionally suspended,
Baala, world silver medallist in 2003 and bronze medallist in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, clashed with Benabbad, the 3000m steeplechase Olympic silver medallist, after the end of Friday's Diamond League race.
The duo had finished 9th and 11th in a high-quality race won by Kenyan Silas Kiplagat, in one of the last outings before the August 27-September 4 world championships in Daegu, South Korea.
But at the end of the race Benabbad lashed out at his senior teammate when he came over to console him, headbutts and slaps shared between the two, to the jeers and whistles of a large crowd at the Louis II stadium.
Fourth-placed Nick Willis of New Zealand had to step in to separate the pair who rounded on each other like boxers, footage of which is already an internet hit through video-sharing website youtube.
The violent exchange did not stop there, however, the runners continuing to exchange strong words as they moved off the track into the bowels of the stadium.
"There was a misunderstanding," said Ghani Yalouz, technical director of the French athletics federation, quoted by L'Equipe daily.
"I told them to apologise to each other and that's what they did."
Baala said immediately after the fracas: "I didn't understand. I went over to see him, moved to put my hand behind his head and he said 'I have a reason for not talking to you', and after that I felt his head against mine.
"When you feel threatened, you do what there is to do. It's pathetic to see things like that. People like that don't have their place in sport. But saying that, it's very rare to see assholes like him."
Benabbad was more measured in his reaction, saying that he had not seen Baala raise his arm to console him when he was on his knees after the race.
"I thought it was all a bit of a laugh, I approached him and he gave me a little headbutt, after which I responded. It's normal."

2 new world records in Ironman: 7:41:33 and Chrissie Wellington goes 8:18:13 - HOLY CR*P!!

Dual new World Records at 10th Challenge Roth

It was unlike anything the international triathlon scene had ever seen: With new world records for men and women alike Challenge Roth made triathlon history for eternity. The myth of Roth was filled with a new meaning.
After an interruption of just one week the men‘s world record is back where it belongs: in Roth. In a fantastic fight Andreas Raelert won in his Roth premiere in an incredible 7:41:33 hours, more than five minutes faster than Marino Vanhonacker from Belgium, who was only able to enjoy his world record in Klagenfurt for just seven days. Before that Roth had kept the world record for 14 Jahre years (Luc van Lierde 1997 with 7:50:27). Now it has been regained in an impressive way.

World's best triathlete Andreas Raelert

The fifth man is a woman
The world sensation was completed by three-times Hawaii-winner Chrissie Wellington, who won for the third time straight at Challenge Roth - and again with a new world record. The best female triathlete in the world was able to once again improve her own record from last year of 8:19:13 hours by one minute and crossed the finish line after exactly 8:18:13 hours. Almost as incredible: Wellington finished fifth overall and can now rightfully claim to belong among the top 5 men. The 34 year-old athlete, who presented herself in excellent shape led the race from start to finish and can currently only beat herself.

Chrissie Wellington: Dreams come true

In the men’s race European champion and vice world champion Andreas Raelert had gained the lead on the first meters of the bike course. From this point on his win was never really in any danger. Sebastian Kienle was able to come close for some time, but could not fully close the gap and therefore had to finish – as last year – a great second. Some consolation for the 27 year-old German was the worldclass-time of 7:57:06 hours, clearly below the magical eight-hour threshold. Keegan Williams from New Zealand finished third in 8:16:01 hours.

After Chrissie Wellingtons finish the 180,000 spectators had to wait for a while for the ladies in the second and third places. With a time of 8:56:23 hours the young German rookie Julia Wagner was able to make her dream come true and cross the finish line in the second spot, followed by Rebekah Keat from Australia with 8:59:22 hours.

With temperatures of 25 degrees, a mix of sun and clouds and just a little bit of wind, the tenth birthday of Challenge Roth offered perfect race conditions for the athletes, who presented the organizers with a wonderful present in the form of their sensational and unique performances.

All Hail the Elite Runner

Even though I am an average runner (I mean, I have run well over the many races I have done, but it is not like I ever had a shot at the Olympics...), I have enjoyed friendships with several elite runners over the years.  I liken these friendships to the fact that–distinct from professional football or basketball players–professional runners live their lives very much like the rest of us.  Many work for running stores, coach local high school and college teams, and live in modest neighborhoods.  Elite runners may be normal in life but they are extraordinary in the advancement of our sport.

And yes, running is a sport.  It might also be an activity that many people utilize to keep fit or to keep sane but let us not forget one key truth: running is a sport with professional athletes.  It’s our hobby and passion, but it’s their career, and their dream.

Most professional runners are humble and self-effacing.  A good friend recently finished 2nd overall at the Canadian Half Marathon Championships, and after using my skilled cross examination technique and "evil eye", then a Jedi mind trick, he finally owned up to his amazing finish - otherwise, he would have never mentioned it.  When I read about his performance and congratulated him, he brushed this plaudit aside.  It’s only because he’s a friend (Matt Loiselle, Canadian Olympic marathoner hopeful and coach extraordinaire) that I know about his 2 to 3 workouts a day, his 100 plus miles per week, his 7am mornings, his long suffering girlfriend (also a runner, so I guess she gets it) - all adding up to a 40-hour a week "job". If you think squeezing in one run before work is tricky, try fitting in multiple workouts without much financial backing from our gov't.

Running was a never a sport that paid well—for most, a second job has always been a requirement. Recently, however, some marathons have opted to forgo prize money for elite racers altogether.  The reason: the professional runner may deliver talent but the average runner delivers money.  Since more average runners means more revenue, the money that would be used on prize money is now being spent on advertising for the 4-hour marathoner, not the 2-hour marathoner.

And why should we care?  Why should the average runner have any interest in advocating for the elite?

The answer lies within the history of our sport.  If not for the elites of the past, you wouldn’t 
be a runner today.  Not long ago, marathons were considered dangerous and odd, road races 
didn’t exist, women didn’t compete, and no one believed a 4-minute mile fell within the realm of human possibility.  Then Roger Bannister smashed our doubts, Frank Shorter claimed marathon gold, and Katherine Switzer jumped into a little race called the Boston Marathon—a race thought best reserved for men.  The list of game changing elites is endless.  Elite runners opened doors, smashed glass ceilings, and made us believe, through hard work, the impossible was achievable.  If we love this sport, we will support them in their quest to continue to push the limits and to put food on their tables.  The seemingly unbreakable barriers of today will one day be shattered by the elites of tomorrow.  History, as they say, has been known to repeat itself.

Matt - this one is for you.

Johnny Boy

The Privilege of Running

"workin' it on the track - Can Championships - with my old friend James Earl"


I read this last night - and re-read it today; it is worth spending 5 minutes of your day, because it makes you realize just how damn lucky we are as runners.


One of my favorite lines in the 2002 movie "The Rookie" comes when the aging hero Jimmy Morris, discouraged from the stress of the minor league circuit, wanders over to watch a Little League game from the outfield. Returning to the clubhouse, he tells a teammate, "You know what we get to do today, Brooks? We get to play baseball."

I was reminded of this perspective-changing ability of youth when I interviewed Alana Hadley on the eve of the USATF Cross Country Championships in February. Alana, barely 14, was the youngest competitor on the start list, running her first USATF race. With no pressure to run a certain time or place, nor a team counting on her performance, she was brimming with excitement at being able to toe the line at a championship against runners she'd only heard about before. "When I get into big races like this," Alana said, "they actually are better for me. I tend to do better when I get excited, when I'm all super-happy about a race."

In contrast, I realized I had been nervous about my race in the masters field for several weeks, since my training hadn't progressed exactly as planned and the likelihood of running my goal time became increasingly in question. While I, like Alana, had no team to hold up or anyone counting on me to run a certain time or place, my self-imposed goals loomed large enough to dampen nearly all of my excitement about running in this race.

"You have to think about it, why do people run?" Alana told me. "If you're doing it and not enjoying it, there's really no purpose in doing it." Out of the mouth of babes, they say.

Why was I racing? While a lucky(?) few get to run for their living, the rest of us, no matter how serious we take it, are doing this for recreation. This isn't news, but somehow I need to be reminded of it often. I was running the race because it had given me a focus for training over the winter, because I enjoy the challenge of cross country, and mostly, because I could: to celebrate being 46 and still running strong (for me, although I regularly need to revise my idea of what strong is these days).

None of these reasons would change whether I ran 29 minutes or 35 minutes for the 8K the next day, and no one but me cared. All of the pressure came from comparing my self-image with my reality and falling short, or fearing that I would. Granted, the pressure I put on myself is part of why I race: Setting an audacious goal, being afraid of it, and then conquering it is one of life's great joys. But when that pressure causes me to approach a starting line with more fear than excitement, something has gone wrong.

I thought about this more as I researched the story in this issue on kids' mileage. Time after time, experts said the key issue is that it has to be fun for the kids. "Fun," however, can be tricky. Few would find running 3 hours to exhaustion fun or how they would want to spend most Saturday mornings. I think we want to teach our children how to enjoy this type of fun. But I came to the conclusion that where the fun stops is when the runner isn't choosing to do it, and/or expectations exceed the runner's ability.

It occurred to me that this isn't limited to kids: The same can be said for adult runners. Regardless of where the pressure comes from, if we've stopped enjoying running or racing because it's something we have to do or because we're unable to live up to our expectations, we need to revise something.

David Ramsey, coach of the successful youth team Brocaw Blazers of Kansas City says, "Our kids go to the starting line laughing." Of course, there's a place for focus, and the lack of a smile doesn't always mean something isn't enjoyable. But maybe going to the line laughing--confident in our training, celebrating our health and fitness, ready to do something really hard that we love--is a good goal for all of us.

I was still nervous on the morning of the race, and, as it turned out, I didn't run my goal, but I was still glad I raced. In my next race, my goal was challenging, but more realistic. And, thanks in part to Alana, I went to the starting line thinking, "You know what we get to do today? We get to race!"


**credit to Running Times