The Groundhog Was Right

Punxsutawney Phil takes quite a bit of abuse from those with expensive instruments and fancy degrees, many of them right at PSU.  But through it all, he hit the nail on the head this year.  I'm hoping the snow and cold hasn't hurt any of the PSU distance runner's training.

But the real question is, "How long did Bill Murray have to relive February 2, over and over again, to finally get it right and move on to February 3?"

Here's 2 compelling answers for those who desire accuracy and those with obsessive-compulsive issues.

• Writer and Director Harold Ramis opines, "I think the 10-year estimate is too short. It takes at least 10 years to get good at anything, and allotting for the down time and misguided years he spent, it had to be more like 30 or 40 years…"
• An exhaustive review of just about everything finds... 

  33 years and 350 days

  Yeah, you better go read the whole thing!

Chased By A Russian.

Via Onward State

"There’s a large focus throughout the museum on Penn State Olympians, especially those in track and field.

Unbeknown to many, Penn State had an incredible track program in the decade after World War Two, according to Hickman, himself a distance runner.

One of these Penn State track stars was Barney Ewell, who, said Hickman, “would be more famous than Jessie Owens had World War Two not happened.”

Ewell was a star in college but was drafted to serve in the war during the 1944 Olympics games, his peak years. Miraculously, at the age of 30, Ewell qualified for the 1948 Olympic team in London. In the 100 meter final he finished second, earning a silver medal in the first photo finish in Olympic history.

Hickman also shared the story of Horace Ashenfelter, the only Penn State individual Olympic gold medalist (3000m Steeplechase). Ashenfelter’s gold medal, along with his running shoes and racing bib, are displayed prominently in the museum.

Ashenelter worked for the FBI, and in the 1952 games in Helsinki, he raced members of the USSR. Joked Hickman, “It was the first time an American spy was chased by a Russian.”"

I honestly didn't know Horace Ashenfelter was the only individual Olympic gold medalist in Penn State history. It should be noted that Barney Ewell won gold in the 4x100 at those London Olympics. Interesting stuff

From Sea to Shining Sea

The Penn State men and women spent the weekend either in Seattle, WA or Geneva, OH. Since I can't be in two places at once (not yet at least) and the blog revenues can't afford to reimburse travel expenses. I'll leave the coverage this week to GoPSUSports.com. Results and recap from here. (Kara Foster did throw down a 16:01.56 5000 meter at the Husky Classic.)

 

At the USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder, CO our own Tyler McCandless took 21st in 38:32 for the 12K course.

 

Photo via the Newton Running Elite facebook page

The 107th Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden The Armory had the Steve Shisler led State College boys take second in the high school boys 4x800 in 7:47.75 while future 800U member William Cather split 1:53.9. Only 10 years ago that time would of easily won an outdoor state title and now it's common place for an indoor stuff. Crazy stuff from 800 High. Since we had alumni involved in competition from coast to coast (literally), I am giving this my performance of the weekend. Props to Coach Shisler for getting the boys to think big time. Video of the race from the State College TFXC facebook page.

 

 

Post by State College TFXC.

Apparaently, Putting Holes in Things Is a Thing

The holes in the back of the American Speed Skating uniforms that may or may not be the cause of failure on the oval, reminds me of the 1984 Olympic Marathon where Alberto Salazar cut many holes in his uniform for better cooling. It worked then about as well as it has for the modern day skaters. (15th in 2:14:19)

Holy Uniforms, Batman!

And Brannon Kidder tried a few holes in his hand in yesterday's One Mile duel with Mac Fleet. Three holes must be the ideal number as Brannon almost overtook Mac at the finish in 3:58:49.  That's 2 sub-4s in just 2 weeks!

Is This Something?

"Thousands of tiny holes to enhance breathability and male pleasure."

If it turned out newly engineered shoes were to blame for poor performance of US athletes at the Olympic Games, I'm pretty sure a really big hubbub would be made.  As well it should.

So when the poorest performance of American Speed Skaters (who once dominated the sport) at any Games is thought to have something to do with the outfits they are wearing, I would say the maker has some "splainin to do". The top finish by any American as I write this is 7th. 

Stock in Under Armour slid more than 2% in trading on the first day of controversy, and now the Americans have received approval to ditch the outfits, which more than 1/2 will.  Maybe a medal will now appear!

Apparently, the holes in the back of the suits to enhance cooling actually trap air and cause drag.  It reminds me of a great parody of the Daily Collegian I read in 1976 made in the spirit of the National Lampoon.  It contained a great ad for condoms that incorporated thousands of tiny holes to "enhance breathability and male pleasure".  Wish I could find a copy of the issue.

Save Us Al Gore!



Is it just me or has this been the harshest winter in recent memory? I'm not talking in terms of snow, which we in the Mid-Atlantic states have been buried in. But we have a lot of snow every winter. I am talking about the sub freezing temperatures. I never complain about the cold weather but this winter has been getting to me. That's how I know its been harsh. Damn that Punxsutawney Phil and his accurate prediction.

Good for a trench warfare snowball fight



Bread, Milk, Eggs and Toilet Paper

We all know what that shopping list means.  Snow Day!  And that means 2 vigorous sessions on the treadmill for me today.

You can't find kids to shovel nowadays.

This will give me a chance to prepare and steel myself for the second Podcast, The Rock and Roll One.

Here's some photos by our In-House Photographer Mark Hawkins of the First Podcast Session in the Lounge overlooking the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track.

Co-Blogger Matt Groves was overdressed!

Coach Groves was in tip-top shape.

We had to edit that one! And is my hair as gray as Coach's?

The secret is to be well prepared and have top-notch gear!

Greg Fredericks puts emphasis on a finer point of miling.

Long Run Memories

Flotrack stuck around an extra day after the Penn State National to film the men on their Sunday long run. Today it is featured as their "Workout Wednesday".

Watch more videos on Flotrack

A lot of mystery from Rusty Boots to long run stories. We have more secrets and inside tales than Skull and Bones or the Freemasons. I am sure someone could write a book with stories about cramming 20 guys into a van and running 15-20 miles out at Bear Meadows or Black Moshannon. I have one from a rainy early September morning my junior year. We were cutting through a certain local golf course on the way back to the track. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings, there was a sudden drop off, and next thing I know I am swimming in the golf course pond.

I can name every area of town featured on that run. Blue and grays? Looks like team issued running tights and the State Penn long sleeves with the Rusty Boots on the back.

Blues and Grays!

FloTrack featured a photo of PSU distance runners yesterday with the question, "What college is featured in our Long Run Wednesday photo?"

Do I see blues and grays?

There appears to be a preponderance of the old fashioned 60's and 70's "blues and grays" us old-timers wore every day at practice.  Although I'll bet they aren't made of cotton, and the jocks aren't the kind that we wore at the time! Maybe someone can fill us in.

Is There Anything This Guy Can't Do But Golf?

Here's some great pictures from the recent Penn State National from the camera of Mark "Le faucon d'orange" Hawkins.  And since Mark happens to appear in them, someone else must have taken the photos with his camera.  Turns out that the someone is Greg Fredericks.  So now that makes about a million things he is better at than I.  Golf seems to be the only hold-out.  But I always say that the golf is optional...

Nick K. and Mark Hawkins. Photo by Greg Fredericks.

Singlets on display!

Mark Hawkins, Beth Shisler and Nick K. following the NVTC Mile.

Mark Hawkins in the earlier Penn State Relays NVTC Mile.

An Olympic Public Service For My Dozens of Readers

There's a beer nearby, I'm pretty sure.

I really miss those carefree Sunday afternoons when I lived in Detroit and wasn't on duty at the Hospital.  I could tune into CBC and watch some hot Curling action whenever I wanted to.  I came to love the sport most American make fun of.  The day I saw a contestant sipping from a frosty mug placed strategically on the ice, I was hooked.  Imagine that, a sport where you can keep your beer cold while "throwing" 46 pound rocks across a frozen lake.  What's not to like?

So here's a great introduction to the sport by someone who apparently thinks a lot like me:

A Beginners Guide to Curling: The Greatest Sport on Earth!

Sykes-Sabock Challenge

While our elite alumni were tearing it up in Boston on Saturday. The guys and girls on the varsity team took to the track for the season's final home indoor meet. Graduating seniors were recognized and will be joining us on the "other side" shortly. Probably wondering how the last four years could have gone by so fast. Results and recap here and here.

The women won the meet with 228.5 points, well ahead of second place Buffalo with 86. The men finished second to Connecticut 162.5-159. As it should in scored meets, the final score was decided by the 4x4. Penn State won but UConn got the necessary second place to secure enough points to clinch. Fitting that we have a scored meet the week after I shared an article about college dual meets.

The performance of the meet goes to Brannon Kidder and his 800 in 1:47.45. The time puts him in a tie for first in the nation with Eluid Rutto of Middle Tennessee State and earned Big Ten Men's Indoor Athlete of the Week. Owen Dawson set the race up perfectly pacing the first 400 meters. I guess he wanted a piece of the action after being left out of last weeks rabbiting glory.

Not to be forgotten. Fawn Dorr competed at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston as well. Coming in 6th for the 400 with 54.72. Live on national television of course.