🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1jp38rINN9fb@savoy.cc.williams.edu>, Thomas.C.Pinckney@williams.edu writes:
> 	I am (or at least was!) a US distance runner.  I've also lived
> in Kenya about 5 out of the last 15 years, during which time I competed
> regularly in road races, on the track, and in cross country.  Some 
> observations based on this experience:
> 

{First three interesting observations deleted}
 
> 	(4) Running has become to young Kenyans what basketball is to
> inner-city Americans.  A large number of kids dream of becoming great
> runners; that is the only way for many of them ever to make more than
> $2000 per year.  
> 
I think this is a major difference between the U.S. and Kenya.  American
sports (baseball, football, basketball) require short explosive action,
so mainly athletes with these skills get any recognition (and at an early
age, I think this is important.)  Also, a frightening number of high
school distance running coaches have little or no experience.  And
cross-country/ track teams are some of the first things dropped when
schools face buget cuts.  I think the U.S. suffers a lot from poor
coaching and little recognition, especially at the important early stages.

> 	So what can be done to improve the pitiful state of US distance
> running?  Some ideas:
>
{first idea deleted}

> 	As for (3): In order to be the best in the world it is necessary
> to train with and frequently compete against the almost-best in the
> world.  What distance talent we have is spread much too thin in this
> country.  I would encourage any 22-yr old American who wants to compete
> at this level to go live in Kenya for a couple of years.  The Armed 
> Forces team is delighted to have others join them in training.
> 

Another difference between the U.S. and Kenya is that U.S. distance runners
tend to train alone or in small groups.  This may be that the U.S. government/
Olympic committee has no central training facility, while Kenya seems
content with supporting their distance runners through there Armed forces.

> 	Finally, Americans have to think higher.  Todd Williams is a fine
> runner, but he seemed satisfied to make the final and come in 10th 
> at the Olympics (he only came in 10th because Kenya couldn't send the
> next 20 runners who would have beaten him), as he was looking ahead to 
> the future.  He seemed to forget that Chelimo and Kiptanui are 2 years
> younger than he is!

Sorry, but I have to object to this, especially since it's insulting to
Williams.  From what I've read, Todd Williams definitely is seeking a
higher level.  Happy about his Olympics, yes but not satisfied.
> 
> 	Sorry for the length of this post.

You should be! It was too short!
> 
> 	Coty Pinckney			Thomas.C.Pinckney@williams.edu

                       -dp