Home Track Advantage

As someone who has grown up bleeding Bobcat green - that's what being a son of 2 OU alums will do to you - there isn't a whole lot about Miami University that I particularly care for.  I didn't like them when I was 6 years old and they were the Redskins and my feelings haven't changed now that I'm 26 and they are the Redhawks (make sure to read additional story below).

With that in mind, it's not surprising to know that I have always been a little agitated that a Miami University runner has held the 5k track/facility record at OU for more than 5 years now.  There are few places during my time in Athens that I've spent more time at than the track.  A unique bond is shared between a runner and his/her home track; it is, after all, the place where we runners routinely pour every ounce of effort into workouts - rain, snow, wind or shine.  It was time to bring that track record back "in house," where it belongs.

This past weekend we hosted the annual Sunset Distance Classic.  I decided to create the meet 4 years ago, after OU dropped its men's track and field team, with the hopes of generating some revenue for the cross country program, providing our guys with a chance to run another competitive race, and keeping track alive at OU.  What started as a small meet in its first year has grown into an Athens-tradition and it couldn't be possible without the help of other runners around the state of Ohio who choose to make the trip to Athens for the weekend - for that, I want to thank anyone who has ever run in the meet...it means more to me that you might realize.

The main event of the night's races has always been the 5k.  For the first time in 3 years, this meet worked well with what was going on in my training, so I made it my goal to run under 14:33 and erase that Miami name next to the 5k track record.  On what turned out to be a great night to run in Athens, I wound up eclipsing the old track mark, setting a new track record that now stands at 14:25.  Thinking back on the race now, it was the easiest and most comfortable 5k I have ever run.  I owe a lot of thanks to my rabbit for the first 6 laps, Ridge Robinson.  He set a solid early pace, which made it possible to just find a good rhythm the rest of the way.

As always, the meet was a success.  Thanks to everyone who ran or helped make the meet possible.  It was great to have so many friends, former teammates, and alums back in town.  My hope is that the meet will continue to grow and be even bigger and better next year.

I'd like to end this posting with one of the finest pieces of hard-hitting, investigative journalism articles written by the student-writers of the OU Post.  After stating what bothers him most about Miami, OU baseball Coach Joe Carbone (one of the best storytellers in all of SE Ohio) received confirmation that the younger, not as quaint or nice, bricked-lined campus to our West has a mascot that is indeed fictitious.  As the article so eloquently puts it: "yet another reason to dislike Miami."


Zoologists confirm Carbone's claim about RedHawks
http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/content/zoologists-confirm-carbones-claim-about-redhawks

If you would like to help out the OU distance team or would just like to
buy a Nike SDC dri-fit shirt because you think you'll pick up more
ladies (or men), contact me...you can get one for $20