House of Run

Jason and Kevin discuss the unofficial beginning to the sprint season by running down the results from the Jamaica Invitational, Oregon Twilight and the Kawasaki Grand Prix.  The guys also check in on the progress of Alan Webb, theorize about the best uses for a Jumbotron at a track meet and debate the best Olympic movies.

Jason and Kevin discuss the success of the US relays at the Penn Relays, Lopez Lomong's spectacular miscalculation, Cam Levins' superb season and Wallace Spearmon's meet record.  Also, the guys analyze the Kenyan Olympic marathon selection (for the last time), the separate practices of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, and the best steeplechase fall of 2012.

Jason and Kevin comment on the hiring of Max Siegel as USATF CEO, react to a very surprising London Marathon and review the top performances from the past weekend on the track.  Other topics include, who should comprise the Kenyan Olympic marathon squad, Savannah Guthrie's hurdling techniques and whether Olympic athletes should be paid.  Also, the guys debate how Bershawn Jackson's comments stack up to other great trash talking in history, praise the greatest track and field headline of the year and name the best Penn Relays distance medley relay team.  

Jason and Kevin discuss all things Boston Marathon including the heat, Wesley Korir's upset win, Sharon Cherop's redemption and Geoffrey Mutai's failure to finish.  The guys then turn the conversation toward the Kenyan Olympic selection process, the surge in Ethiopian marathoning in 2011 and this weekend's London Marathon. Also, the guys discuss Usain Bolt's first race of 2012, Yohan Blake's win in Kingston, Lashawn Merritt racing NFL players and Allyson Felix's quandary.

The Morning Run is a daily compilation of links, news and commentary. Yesterday, the Jamaican Observer wrote about Yohan Blake’s plans to double in the 100 and 200 at this year’s Olympics.  While not surprising, it got me thinking about which decisions will have the most impact on the competition in London.  After not including relays, or assumed doubles, such as Usain Bolt, Walter Dix, Carmelita Jeter, Mo Farah, Galen Rupp, etc. I narrowed it down to four: Allyson Felix: 100/200, 200/400, 200,  400 Despite the articles and intimations to the contrary, attempting the 100 seems like a long shot for Felix.  After all, if she were going to put another race on her schedule that comes before her favored 200, then it would be the 400, where she narrowly missed gold in 2011.  If she does opt for the 100, her path out of the Olympic Trials got a little bit easier with the news that Marshevet Hooker will be taking the year off. However, it seems very hard to believe Felix would put an extra race in her legs, both in Eugene and London trying to beat 100 meter specialists.  The more realistic option is between the 200 and 400.  She tried the double last year in Daegu and came up a bit short finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively, but even with the Olympic year resurgence of Sanya Richards-Ross and Christine Ohuruogu, the 400 is still not nearly as deep as the 200. So why would she drop the 400, a race where was .03 seconds away from gold at the 2011 World Championships?  The idea of racing Veronica Campbell-Brown and Carmelita Jeter fresh has to be tempting.  As does winning gold in the 200 where she earned the silver medal at the last two Olympics. Chances of: 100/200:  1% 200/400:  75% 400:            25% 200:            50% Abubaker Kaki: 800 or 1500 As they overlap on the London program, this is most likely and either/or situation.  Kaki was the silver medalist in the 800 last year, but the man he lost to, David Rudisha, seems unbeatable.  His switch to the 1500 for the Olympics would make him the first to employ the ARAAC strategy (Avoid Rudisha At All Costs).  Most don’t have the ability to pull off the ARAAC, but Kaki ran 3:31 last year and is already entered in a 1500 for the first Diamond League meet. What would be the ripple effect of Kaki’s switch?  Aside from Rudisha’s path getting easier, it would make Kaki a medal threat immediately in the 1500.  Throw him, and his closing speed, in the mix with Asbel Kiprop and Silas Kiplagat and the chances of an American medal decrease significantly as well. Chances of… 800: 40% 1500: 60% Kenenisa Bekele: 5,000, 10,000, 5,000/10,000, neither We will definitely have more information about the form of the defending gold medalist after he returns to racing this weekend in Ireland. Bekele barely raced last year and dropped out of the 10,000 at the World Championships snapping his undefeated streak in that event in the process.  His 2011 wasn’t all bad though as he returned in Brussels to run the fastest time in the world (26:43).  Was that performance a sign to returned dominance or a final curtain call? The answer should be much more obvious this year because he will have to show some positive results early in the season in order to get selected to the Olympic team.  Bekele’s presence in either event would make it much more difficult for Mo Farah to win in front of his home crowd and it would also mean that a highly qualified Ethiopian will be on the sideline.  In the 2011 World Championships, Ethiopia went 1st and 3rd in the 10,000 and 3rd and 5th in the 5,000 (they would have been 3rd and 4th had Imane Merga not been disqualified).  The 5,000 and 10,000 are separated by several days making the double manageable. Chances of: 5,000: 25% 10,000: 85% 5,000/10,000: 65% Neither: 10% Yohan Blake: 100, 200 or 100/200 Why would a reigning world champion in the 100 not race the glamour event at the Olympic Games?

Jason and Kevin dissect the weekend performances of Dathan Ritzenhein, Chris Derrick, Jackie Areson, David Oliver, Jeff Demps and Alan Webb.  Then, the guys look ahead to the coming weekend and preview the marathons in Boston and Rotterdam with a special focus on Geoffrey Mutai, Moses Mosop and Firehiwot Dado.  Finally, the guys overanalyze the new Nike advertisement and the trailer for "Fast Girls."

Jason and Kevin chat about Sanya Richards-Ross, Jeff Demps and the other top performers at the Texas Relays, the unique schedule of Tyson Gay, and the names to remember from the Jamaican Champs meet.  The guys also discuss Nike and Adidas bickering, a potential new look to the Los Angeles Marathon and the "first" Kenyan Olympic Trials. Then, filmmaker Tim Jeffreys joins the show to preview a film he is working on about marathoner Ryan Hall.  Tim explains why he thinks Ryan is an interesting subject and chronicles the highlights of his time with Ryan thus far.

Jason and Kevin talk with running broadcaster, writer and analyst Toni Reavis.  Toni previews the stakes of the upcoming spring marathons, explains why he thinks hosting the Kenyan Olympic Trials at Hayward Field is a good idea, and analyzes several problems with road racing in the United States.  Also, Toni describes the challenges of broadcasting running on television to a mass audience.  Then, Jason and Kevin read listener emails about long standing world records, Canadian collegiate champions and complex running terminology.

       Ken Goe of The Oregonian joins Jason and Kevin to discuss the decision to host part of the Kenyan Olympic Trials at the Prefontaine Classic.  Ken explains the hurdles that needed to be cleared in order for the race to happen and gives his opinion on a trials race being held outside of a home country.  Then, Ken updates the guys on Galen Rupp, Mo Farah, Ashton Eaton, the U of O women's program and gives a couple of names to remember for the outdoor season.        Also, Jason and Kevin debate whether Peter Kirui has entered the morass that is the Kenyan marathon selection process after his fast half-marathon in New York City.  The guys also evaluate the American's performances, including Kara Goucher and Dathan Ritzenhein, from the race and guess what Firehiwot Dado still needs to do to make the Ethiopian Olympic team.        Finally, Kevin looks at another collegiate track program that is being cut, Jason makes a bold prediction about when Usain Bolt will open his season and answers Twitter questions about running on St. Patrick's Day.

Jason and Kevin wrap up the 2012 indoor season by discussing Bernard Lagat's gold medal run, Sally Pearson's inevitability, Ashton Eaton's world record and Veronica Campbell-Brown return to the top of the podium.  Then, the guys talk about the big weekend for Lawi Lalang and Jeff Demps at the NCAA Championships and Jordan Hasay and Chris Derrick's prospects for the outdoor season. Finally, the guys also discuss the "plastic Brits" controversy, Robby Andrews' decision to go pro, the greatest name in track and field, and preview the New York City Half Marathon.

Jason and Kevin discuss the results from Melbourne, the unorthodox Olympic selection process by Ethiopia and Kenya and John Steffenson's victory dance. Then they talk about Bolt losing to royalty, Dai Green's trash talking promise and break down the upcoming World Championship and NCAA Indoor Championships.

Jason and Kevin wrap up their coverage from the USA Indoor Championships and recount all the fast times, false starts and American records from Albuquerque. The guys discuss Leo Manzano's win, Galen Rupp's bounce back, Trell Kimmons' fast start and Dexter Faulk's false start. Also, the guys debate the emergence of Brenda Martinez, Tianna Madison and the big jump from Chaunte Lowe. Finally, Jason gives his thoughts of video boards and music at track meets. Play/Download

Jason and Kevin recap the first day of action at the USA Indoor Championships with the help of Ato Boldon. Ato gives his take on Dexter Faulk's surprising performance, Tianna Madison's start and Justin Gatlin's outdoor outlook. Ato also shares his thoughts on the new false stat rule and coaching future NFL stars. Then, Kevin and Jason discuss Bernard Lagat's victory over Galen Rupp, Jenny Simpson's easy win and Haile's struggle in the Tokyo Marathon. Play/Download    

Jason and Kevin run through the past weekend's results including a new personal best for Jessica Ennis, defeats for Bernard Lagat and Mo Farah, another win for Lerone Clarke and some interesting words from an Australian sprinter. Then, the guys are joined by Flotrack's Ryan Fenton to discuss the presentation of track and field on television.  Ryan explains what improvements could be made to the broadcasts, why changes are necessary and he also describes his experience as the "sideline" reporter for the Millrose Games. Finally, Jason and Kevin close out the show by discussing the possible move of the Kenyan Olympic Trials to Eugene, an early match-up between Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, the upcoming USA Indoor Championships and answer Twitter questions from professional athletes. Play/Download

Jason and Kevin discuss Bernard Lagat and Galen Rupp breaking each other's records, Lawi Lalang's chances at making the Kenyan Olympic team   Lerone Clarke's gloves and the whereabouts of Usain Bolt and Moses Mosop.  The guys also talk about the breakthroughs by Tianna Madison, Thomas Longosiwa and Miles Batty and debate an innovative idea for major marathons.