Defining Running Moment of 2010

As I was mulling over what to write for the last piece of 2010 - ya, the decade is over - I thought back to all the running highlights of 2010 - and without a doubt it has to be Chris Solinsky going sub 27 at the Jordan Payton Invite earlier this year.

What was supposed to be Galen Rupp's "coming out party" (he and The Beast are teammates) turned into a special night for not only American running but distance running world wide - Solinsky nails a 26:59 for 10,000m - 1st American to do so, and, for what it is worth, 1st non-African to do so, ever.

And what made the race even more special were the guys announcing from 'Flotrack" (which imho is the best track/running site out there, along with "Letsrun"). The announcing brings chills - who doesn't move just a little closer to their computer screen, willing Solinsky on to go sub 27...

i did.

Because who doesn't love a 6"1", 165lb white guy (look familiar?) running that fast - hope springs eternal!

I went out for a run right after watching the race live - it seemed like the right thing to do. And to be honest, there have been many runs since where I have thought that race, of Solinsky's pacing, speed and sheer joy when he crossed the line so triumphantly - that run inspires me to be a better runner. Just like when i was a little kid, imagining I was my boyhood heroes on the ice - Keon, Sittler, Richard, Bossey, Esposito, Orr ("he takes the puck from around the goal, and swiftly dances up the ice, effortlessly skating by every defender like they were wisps of smoke...The Kid dekes by the last defenseman, leaving him rooted in cement...he drives in on the net...Dryden sets for the wrist shot he knows is coming..suddenly, The Kid dekes left then right and lifts the puck over a sprawling Dryden...GOALLLL!!! The Leaf's have defeated the Habs in the most exciting Game 7 overtime ever!!! The Kid's legend continues".) Ya, I know, lame - but EVERY kid i played hockey with - both ball hockey and on the ice - had these fantasies of being in the NHL, of scoring the game winning goal in Game 7 to win the Cup - hey, on that note, watch this for more chills: Crosby's O/T Goal Wins Olympic Gold for Canada. Doesn't get any better or iconic than this goal...
So, it is nice to know that the dreams we have as kids never really die or go away for good; sure, they fade as we grow up, but, I confess that I still have these kind of "images" when I train now - inspiring moments like Solinksky's race, the "Ironwar of 1989" where Mark Allen kicks Dave Scott at mile 21 in Hawaii, Steve Prefontaine in any race he ran - they all work to make me a better runner. And, they inspire me to enjoy running that much more.
And that, my friend, is why I run.

Happy New Year

Johnny Boy