FloTrack Mason Ferlic Stanford Invitational Interview HERE

Final invitational results from the Grand Blue Mile. pic.twitter.com/VOeXFUNWn5

— Drake Relays (@DrakeRelays) April 27, 2016

Nice work @MoenEmDown, race fitness keeps coming! https://t.co/QZTDDNUh6l

— Greg Haapala (@ghaapala) April 27, 2016

“Any time you’re successful somewhere, when you come back and try it again, it breeds confidence.” #GBM2016 pic.twitter.com/Jb4tdCL71c

— ASICS America (@ASICSamerica) April 27, 2016

Results HERE. (Click on View overall)

Macklin Chaffee finished third in the Metronic TC Mile on May 10 in  field full of familiar names--Nick Willis, Garrett Heath, Will Leer--but who is Macklin Chaffee?  A graduate of Williams College.  Founder of Golden Orb, a web design and development company, and, lately, a tall middle distance runner attempting to make a breakthrough in the mile/1500 meters.  He finished as high as second in the NCAA DIII nationals while running for Williams College, but wanted more.  A six month stay in New Zealand rekindled his desire to make his mark in US middle distance running, but a serious groin injury in 2011 derailed that progress.  Coming back from a long injury layoff, Chaffee has a new coach, Jay Johnson, and desire to make his way in a crowded field of US male middle distance runners who have begun to make their mark on the international scene with World Championship and Olympic medals from Matt Centrowitz, Jr. and Leo Manzano in the past two years.  

The Twin Cities has played a role in his development as he ran the 2011 TC Mile and placed fourth, then stayed on in the cities thanks to "hosts" Heather and Ben Kampf, who let him stay at their place after the race. Below Chaffee talks with DtB about his goals and how he's attempting to achieve those goals.


Down the Backstretch:  In the UK they’d probably classify you as a “nearly man,”  somebody who is on the cusp of a breakthrough, but for whom it hasn’t happened yet.  In your BLOG you answer the question of why you run by noting that you are very competitive and running is an outlet for that side of your personality. 

This can either make the nearly man status very frustrating or fuel for answering the challenge of discovering how good you can be at this running thing.  What do you hope to achieve as a runner?  Is there a timeline for you to either break through or pack it in, or is running something you’re in for the long haul?

Macklin Chaffee: It's a thrill to be back at "nearly man" status. Every year I've been healthy, I've dropped over four seconds from my time. I don't see any limitations as to what I can achieve. And THAT is an exciting prospect! So I would have to say, ultimately, running ends when I feel I have found my limit. And when I'm done, I'm done.

Joe Moore at the NACAC in Jamaica Photo courtesy of Mike Scott

 The Twin Cities Track Club's Joe Moore had a breakthrough in the Fall qualifying to compete on the US team that went to Scotland and won the team title there, and the NACAC Meet in Jamaica where the US once again took the men's team title.  All this after he took a couple-month, cross-country trailer trip for his shoe company sponsor Karhu.  After some time off to recharge the batteries he jumped into the Irish Run 8K  on Sunday and won.  Below he talks about those experiences and what's ahead for the summer of 2013.

Down the Backstretch:  You had a long Fall and Winter season with the US team opportunities taking you to Scotland and Jamaica.  What did you learn and/or what sticks out from those experiences?

Joe Moore: I learned a little about USATF and how much work they put into sending people around the world to compete.  They get a bad rap a lot of the time, but I think they do a really good job.  I also was reminded that cross country is the best team sport there is.  I hadn't raced on a team for years, but we came together (in both races) and pulled out the win.  It was an amazing feeling to race in the USA jersey and I really hope I can earn it again.

DtB:  Mike Reneau said you told him about the NACAC race where one of the Canadian coaches “said too much,” i.e. his comments late in the race to one of the Canadian runners who was ahead of you at that point that he had to hold his position for Canada to win the team title.  What were your thoughts as this was happening?  Take us through the moments that ultimately decided the team race there.

JM: I was having a pretty terrible race up until that point.  When we had seen who Canada had sent for the race, we were all a little taken aback.  I was really worried that we'd get beat. Canada was definitely the favorite in most people's eyes (Letsrun.com). I knew I was hanging on by a thread after a long season of racing, but I figured I could suck it up one more time. 

The Canadians had brought several coaches along too, and they all over the place cheering for their runners.  In that instance however, when I heard the coach tell his runner that he needed to stay in front of "the US guy" to give them the win,  I knew it was time to pounce.  What better time that when he was realizing that it was up to him to not lose the race. 

I went past him hard and held it.  The last 2k was one of the most painful experiences of my running career.  Every time I went around a turn I tried to make a serious face, not revealing my complete anguish. I actually managed to catch another Canadian (Simon Bairu - formerly of the Univeristy of Wisconsin) and seal the deal.  I was even more excited when I found out that Craig Forys had outkicked Cam Levins for the win. 

DtB:  You took some “time off” after the XC internationals.  How important is that in the overall picture, knowing when to “chill out” for awhile, instead of going after it all the time?  How do you recognize when it’s time to back off?

JM: I always benefit from some down time.  That fall season became longer than I'd planned, so I was really at the end of my rope by the time NACAC rolled around.  I was only running a few miles a day and doing really short workouts leading up to it, trying to keep it together for another week. 

I drained everything out in that race and was completely toast.  I didn't do anything physical at all for the next week or so besides standing around at Gear or walking to the fridge.  It was great.  By the middle of the next week I was ready to go again and built back up to a normal mileage load in about three weeks. I consider times of not doing anything a very important part of the overall training cycle.  It's also the part of the training cycle at which I am very good.

DtB:  The Irish Run had a good field.  What were your thoughts going into the race?  What were you expecting?  What were your goals going in?

JM: I have to admit that I was pretty nervous.  I hadn't raced in a while and some of these local races can be hot.  I could tell a few days out that this one was stacking up to be a dogfight, and I wasn't sure how I'd respond.  Ben had just run really well at Gate River, and we all know what he did in college.  I knew he was the guy to beat.  It was also our first time with a whole team for the Twin Cities Track Club, and we were gunning for the Run 'N Fun team. 

DtB:  How did the race play out?  Was it always a battle between you and Ben (Sathre) or did it just come down to that at the end? 

JM: Mike took it out hard, which is his m.o. in short races.  I got kind of stuck in the pack and was back about twenty yards early.  Jason(Lehmukle) joined up with me, and we spent the first two miles slowly gaining some ground.  At about 2.5, I was getting close, and I noticed Ben make a surge and get a gap on Mike.  I realized that I needed to get on the train or get left, so I got up behind Ben. 

I tried a few times to get on his shoulder, but he threw in a lot of short moves to shake me.  Finally, at about 3.5, I got up next to him and decided I needed to make a dig, or it might come down the last half mile, which I'd prefer to not get into with a 22-year-old 8:07 3K runner. 

I got what I felt to be a pretty decent lead, and was pretty confident that I was off the front.  With a little over half a mile left, I could hear him getting closer and then he went right past again.  I caught back up and we came over the last hill side by side.  We were kind of sizing each other up coming down the last stretch.  I knew I'd be screwed if I went too early, but I still wanted to get the jump. 

He glanced over at me with about 150 to go and I went right then.  I sprinted hard through the line, actually leaning like a sprinter just to be sure.  I feel like when it comes down to a hard sprint like that, it's just kind of whoever has the legs that day.  It worked out for me. Mike got third and Jason (on two weeks of training, mind you) was fourth.  Run 'N Fun beat us in the team race, but it was pretty close.  I'm excited about a team rivalry with them, and I think they are too.

 DtB: You’ve said that you want to run fast and win a lot of races and do some more track races to get your PRs down.  Are you one of those runners who thrive on a lot of racing.  Some people have a hard time in training pushing themselves, so they use races to get sharp and get that extra push.  Are you like that or do just like to race?  Or was the Fall/Winter schedule recently just something that happened and not typical for you? 

JM: I glean confidence from workouts as well as races.  It's nice to have a good measurement of where your training is.  I didn't know what kind of shape I'd be in for a five mile race, so that probably contributed to how nervous I was Sunday. 

I've spent a lot of time training alone in the past, so I've prepared to push myself, which I think is a nice skill.  All the racing I did in the Fall and Winter just kind of happened, so I wouldn't normally be out there that often.  I think that was mentally taxing.  I like the art of the race, and I don't really use them as workouts.  That probably wore me out. That and living in a trailer for a couple of months.

DtB:  Do you have any specific goals for the track season—times, events—or will you just take it as it comes?

JM: Track meets are weird.  I don't want to go to California, so I'm going to have to be creative.  Mike and Chris Lundstrom and I are planning to have a fast 10K at the Hamline Twilight meet on April 24th.  Hopefully I can get some help and good weather and we can all go out and run a really fast race.  I'd like to finally break 29 minutes for 10K.

DtB: You made your first national team in cross country.  You’ve had a taste of the international scene.  What did you take away from that experience in terms of your own potential, what you want to achieve in the sport?  Did it alter your goals or merely reinforce objectives you had already had your sights upon?

JM: I almost feel like I belong with elite runners now. Those international races really fired me up to keep climbing the ladder.  A few years ago I couldn't even get a comp entry into a race and was thinking about giving up. Now I'm sneaking onto national teams and even contributing a little.  I'm looking forward to getting another level or two up if I can.

Megan Smith, College of Saint Benedict
Senior, Cross Country, Track and Field
Lakeville North High School/ Lakeville, MN
Major: Biology, Minor: Spanish

Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
 Being a division III athlete allows me to have the best of both worlds. My academics don’t take a back seat to my athletic career. I devote myself to training and competing because I’m passionate about running, not because I have to maintain a scholarship. Competing at the collegiate level is a unique and challenging experience; It’s something I would have missed out on had I chosen a division I school.

What do you like most about competing in the MIAC?
 There are so many talented teams in the MIAC that bring exciting competition to our races. And I know I’m surrounded by other athletes who share my passion for running and focus on academics—We’re all experiencing the same pressures.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
Patience. Like running, you’re going to work tirelessly at something, and still finish unsatisfied or disappointed. Things are going to go wrong. But I’ve learned to be patient, work on things I can change and let go of the things I can’t. I’ve learned that success requires dedication, pushing your limits and having faith. Then its patience; one day that amazing race is going to happen and all the work and time you put in will be worth it.

What is your most embarrassing sports moment?
Falling over a steeple barrier that wasn’t even the water barrier. It took a few seconds before I registered what happened and got back up. Luckily, very few people saw so it was only embarrassing to me.

If you have been involved in community service projects, which project has been the most rewarding and why?
I worked at an orphanage for young children while I was studying abroad in Chile. I truly felt like I made a difference after just a few months there, providing mental stimulation and a positive role model for the children, something they otherwise lacked. These kids will never experience the childhood I was fortunate enough to have, but if I could make them smile or giggle, I know I improved their day even for just


The USTFCCCA rankings for this week:
Division I
Gopher men stayed at 16th in the national rankings, fell from three to four in the Region
Gopher women climbed from not ranked to 27th in the national polls, held third place in the Region
Division II
Minnesota State Mankato men rose from second to third in the Region, rose from 25th to 16th in the national rankings
MSM women held third in the Region, rose from not ranked to 27th in the national rankings
Winona State women rose from not ranked to 18th in national rankings
University of Minnesota Duluth women stayed at eighth in the Region, fell from 25th to 26th in the national rankings
Division III
St. Olaf men fell from first to fourth in the Region and from 17th to 34th in the national rankings
St. Olaf women fell from 11th to 12th in the national rankings, stayed at second in the Region
St. Johns men stayed at 6th in the Region
Bethel's men rose from tenth to seventh in the Region
Carlton's men stayed at ninth in the Region
Carleton's women fell from 20th to 21st in the national rankings, stayed at
St. Thomas' men rose from not ranked to tenth in the Region,
St Thomas' women fell from 24th to 30th in the national rankings, stayed in fourth in the Region
St. Ben's women stayed at sixth in the Region
Gustavus' women rose to seventh from eighth in the Region
Concordia(Moorhead) women stayed at tenth in the Region

The NYRR debuts its weekly video program On The Run.  Team USA Minnesota's Gabriele Anderson is featured on the radio podcast HERE.  She is also featured (4 minutes, 20 seconds) into the inaugural video HERE.

Flotrack interview with Chad Johnson, who talks about how a knee injury caused him problems, future plans HERE.

Team USA Minnesota's Katie MacGregor talks to Flotrack about her near misses and her approach to the 2012 US Olympic Marathon Trials HERE.

You've seen the trailer, here's the full 12 minute video of Minnesota's "Four Musketeers" giving their thoughts on the preparation for the Olympic Marathon Trials. Produced by local group, Ideatap Studios, the scenery gives one a lot of views of the guys out on the Mississippi River Parkway doing the work to prepare for Houston. Interviews with all four and Team USA Minnesota coach Dennis Barker gives glimpses into the process of getting ready for the big event.

Their blurb for the story: "Since 2001 Team USA Minnesota has had 17 US National Champions and 61 top three finishes in US Championship races. Jason Lehmkuhle has two Olympic Trials top ten finishes, including fifth in 2008. Andrew Carlson has won two US National Championships. Matt Gabrielson finished eighth in the 2008 Olympic Trials 5,000 meters. Josh Moen has run 46:38 for 10 miles. Enjoy the stories of these men as they train for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston on Saturday, January 14th.

Regards,
Dan Vogel, Riley Conway, Paul Sanft, and Joe Tossey"

Marathon Road from Paul Sanft on Vimeo.

Runner's World has just published a wide-ranging interview with Duluth native Kara Goucher HERE.

Goucher, who will race the Dodge Latin Music Miami Beach Half Marathon on Sunday, talks about training under new coach Jerry Schumacher, workouts with teammate/rival Shalane Flanagan, and her preparations for January's Olympic Marathon Team Trials.

Photo by Victor Sailer/Photo Run.

Chris Rubesch, of the Superior Performance Elite team, won the men's title at the Wild Duluth 100K last Saturday in 11:25:02. DtB's Ultramarathon Contributor Alex Kurt asked him some questions this week.

Down the Backstretch: First off, what drew you to the Wild Duluth races? To the 100K in particular?

Chris Rubesch: I live here in Duluth near many of the trails the race runs on, so not only do I have the pleasure of running on them regularly, but I also know how challenging they can be. I think I was drawn to the race by both my love of these trails and the challenge. Of course I also know that [the race directors] are great.

DtB: How did the race unfold? In a race this long, you're bound to have low points and high points. Was this the case for you? What were those points in your race?

CR: I was with a lead pack until a few miles into the race, and then I moved into the lead. Apart for a few mile section in which another racer was just ahead I was in the lead for the whole race and continued to expand on that lead at the turn around. In ultras there are definite highs and lows, but I have also found that I have gained more ultra training and racing experience the lows have become shorter for me. It was hard going for me going over Ely's Peak the second time, but after that I got right back into a rhythm and felt strong until the end.

DtB: Ultrarunners are seen as sort of eccentric, even by regular marathoners. Why do you run races this long?

CR: I enjoy racing shorter distances, but with ultras each and every [race] is a unique challenge. You may have to change your race plan 2 or 3 times during a race, and finishing is never guaranteed. I like that challenge. I also love trails and the outdoors that many ultras run on.

DtB: Nutrition is also a factor in a race this long. What did you eat and drink during the race, and how frequently?

CR: When I started racing ultras I had a fairly closed nutrition plan for my races and I tried to follow that plan exactly. Now I eat and drink things during a race that I would never eat in my everyday life. The best example of that is Mountain Dew. I don't ever drink pop outside of an ultra, but in a race the caffeine and sugar of Mountain Dew works great for me. I try to drink about every 20 minutes and eat something every 40 minutes to an hour. I eat mostly gels and M&M's, but eat whatever looks in an aid station.

DtB: How did you get into ultras?

CR: I have been a runner for as long as I can remember - since middle school cross country. When I started I was not that good of a runner. But as I grew and trained more and the distances got longer I became more and more competitive. I think I first became interested in ultramarathons when I read an article about Scott Jurek winning his third Western States 100 and I thought that it would be such a challenge to run that distance. I told my parents that someday I was going to see what it was like run that far, and now here I am racing 4 to 6 ultras a year.

DtB: What was your training like for this race? What is your training, nutrition, etc. like for this and other ultras?

CR: I follow a training cycle throughout the year that is based on hours of training instead of miles, and uses my heart rate to determine my training zones. My volume goes between 12 hours a week to 25 or more hours a week depending on what time of the year it is. Two weeks before this race I had a 22 hour week and the week of the race my volume went down to about 12 hours.

DtB: What are your racing plans for the near future, and for next year and beyond? Do you have any specific running goals?

CR: The next thing on my schedule is a rest period starting in November during which I train about 14 hours a week and I get plan my own workouts. Then in late November I will start to ramp up my training for the snowshoe racing season. That will last until the end of February, and then I go into ultras. I am planning to go back to a few of my favorite races, like the Voyaguer, and also hope to do the FANS race (12 and 24 hour races around Lake Nokomis) again. I will also add a few new races to my schedule next year. In the next two years I would like to do some of the large races out west and also run in some USATF ultra national championships.

Leah Thorvilson, who was a sprinter, hurdler, triple jumper at Armstrong High School, transformed herself into a distance runner in college at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock (ALR), and took up marathon and ultramarathon running after that. On Sunday, she was hoping to get down to 2:39 to get an A qualifying standard for the US Olympic Trials, but instead she ran out of gas during the second half,shuffling to the finish in 2:46:54.

Running the first half of the race in 1:18:40, Thorvilson was set up to possibly come close her own personal best of 2:37:54, but she got slower as the race progressed. No amount of willpower could make her legs move faster, she said, as she was hardly breathing hard, but her legs had hit the proverbial wall. From the waist up she was fine, but her lower body was fried, she said after the race as she walked backward down steps on the way to a post-race interview.

Her result was disappointing, but not crushing, as she had already qualified for the Olympic Trials, missing the A standard by 43 seconds while finishing 17th at this year's Grandma's Marathon in 2:39:43, her fastest time since 2009. She wanted to hit the A standard to qualify for getting her expenses paid to run the Trials. "This won't be my last trials," she said prior to Chicago. She wants to use the Trials as a potential opportunity to attract sponsors and as a springboard to 2016.

She quit her sales job with Sprint to focus more on her running, began working with a coach, hoping that it would all pay off in January 2012 in Houston. But it's back to the drawing board after Chicago. Not unfamiliar territory as she pretty much started from scratch in Arkansas when she moved up to distance running.

"Having Leah attend Arkansas-Little Rock was a gamble by both parties," said former University of MN and ALR coach Kirk Elias, who now coaches at University of Nevada, Reno. "She was being recruited as middle distance runner when she had been a long hurdler/triple jumper in high school.

"I had heard from both Rick Kleyman and Scott Wieker at Armstrong HS(my alma mater) about this former hurdler who had not gone straight to college (she went to massage school directly out of high school). She was running about five miles a day during the year immediately after high school. I had always had good luck turning speed sided athletes into distance runners……..and as I was getting a program started from scratch (my first year at UALR the men and women were both last in the Sun Belt in CC) it seemed like a good bet.

"Leah found out she loved to run. I found out she was a savvy, fearless racer. She only ran 5:24 for the mile indoors her freshman year, but by her senior year ran 4:44. Leah ended up winning conference titles in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track and was clearly the dominant athlete in the conference her senior year.

"She was a dynamic trainer willing to put in miles in the off-season while attacking tempo and track sessions during a competitive year. I have been coaching since 1974 and have rarely comes across someone so willing to put themselves on the line day in and day out.

"Leah has always marched to her own drummer. Independent, feisty, but friendly and giving, she was great to have on a team. Her progress since college (having run 2:37 in the marathon) has been impressive, but on at least one level, completely understandable. If anyone has the psychological characteristics of a marathoner, it is Leah. She has a love of training, is unafraid of hard work, and loves to race."

Thorvilson has won several marathons since beginning her road running career in 2008, including the Walt Disney World Marathon this year where she ran the race dressed as Tinker Bell. To read more about her adventures, you can find information her blog HERE.

Upon returning from Daegu, South Korea where she competed in the IAAF World Track and field Championships, USA triple jump champion Amanda Smock took some time to reflect the experience in this exclusive Down the Backstretch interview. Smock (pictured) didn't advance to the finals in Daegu but is already looking ahead to 2012, an Olympic year.

Down the Backstretch: Can you set the scene of the competition and walk us through your jumps at the World Championships?

Amanda Smock: The competition took place during a morning session on the 4th day (of nine) of the meet. The stadium was enormous, the largest I have ever competed in. There were two flights of 17 jumpers, both flights competed at the same time in side by side pits. We had three attempts and the top 12 jumpers would advance to the finals held two days later.

I felt really good and as you can imagine, had a lot of adrenaline. My 1st jump was the best attempt of the day but I fouled - it would not have been enough to make the finals so not a huge deal except mentally, it would've been nice to start off with a good mark. My second and third attempts were pretty similar in technique. In both jumps I made the mistake of rushing through the take off board and getting too high on my hop. Pretty frustrating competition, but keeping in mind the big picture, it was pretty amazing to be competing on that stage … in the World Championships.

DtB: In the end, did the result seem like a near-miss -- i.e., a performance similar to Eugene or Chula Vista could have put you in the finals -- or that there's a gulf you need to bridge to be a finalist at this level?

Smock: Had I completed jumps that were technically better – or equal to those I jumped at US nationals or in Chula Vista, I would’ve made the finals. Instead I had really poor attempts. After watching the video of my jumps I was able to see the mistakes I was making and of course now I would like a re-do! All I can do is learn from it, move on and not make the same mistake in the future. If I can get more consistency in my jumps, I can be in a position to make finals.

DtB: I'm curious to know your impressions of jumping with the best triple jumpers world. Did it seem similar to jumping, say, at a USA Championships or did Worlds feel like clearly another level?

Smock: Competing at Worlds brought back to memories of my first year at the US championships. I remember the feeling of being so happy just to be competing at the meet, a little bit star-struck and a little bit intimidated by the call room procedures. In that sense, it was similar to Worlds. Thankfully, each experience makes being in the position more comfortable than the time before. At my next major competition, I suspect I’ll be a lot more comfortable than I was this time around.

DtB: Did you watch the finals?

Smock: I did watch the finals and was really happy I had the opportunity to do so.

DtB: This was your first time representing the USA internationally. Can you describe what it's like wearing the USA uniform and being part of the USA contingent at the meet?

Smock: In a few words, I was honored and very proud to be competing for the US and to be wearing the US uniform. The USA is definitely recognized as the best track team in the world so to be a member of the team was pretty incredible. The fans got pretty excited to see and meet US athletes so there were plenty of "photo ops" to be had.

DtB: What was the city of Daegu like? Did you have any opportunities to see more of the city than just the stadium and the hotel?

Smock: Daegu definitely had a big city feel to it. It felt a lot like New York to me but was surrounded by beautiful green mountains. I was able to venture outside the athlete village a few times and ate at some cute restaurants where we sat on the floor and ate Korean cuisine. Inside the village, the organizing committee arranged for daily cultural events with traditional dance performances, games, and art displays, a convenient way to be a part of the Korean culture without having to travel outside of the village.

DtB: Next year, of course, is an Olympic year. With the 2011 season in the books, do you find yourself already looking ahead to the next season, the Trials, and the Olympic Games?

Smock: I gets me pretty excited to know the Olympic year is finally here. I have been thinking a lot about the upcoming season, specifically about training plans - things to keep in place, changes to make to improve my performances and how to plan out my competition schedule. In a few weeks I'll be attending a "jumps summit" hosted by USA track and field where a lot of time will be spent doing these things. Come October 1st, I'll be ready to start training.

DtB: If there's one key for you for making the Olympic team, what do you think that is?

Smock: Good question. If I could boil it down to one key piece, I would say improving the hop (1st phase) of my jump including everything from the takeoff to the arm action, as well as the hop landing. Much of the jump success is determined in this phase - if you don't execute the technique well, things go downhill pretty quickly. Sounds pretty simple on paper, fix the hop - make the Olympic team. I'll give it a shot!

Photo by Randy Miyazaki/TrackandFieldPhoto.com.

We all have our obsessions--chocolate, the "perfect" garden ... For Kara Goucher winning the Boston Marathon is high on that list.

Read about how she's coping with it HERE.

Down the Backstretch: Most people run London for a fast time. Aside from a lot of turns, it’s a pretty flat, fast course. Is that the reason you chose to run London?

Jason Lehmkuhle: The goal this spring was to run a flat and fast marathon. Since the 2004 Olympic Trials, I've been exclusively on somewhat difficult marathon courses, or, maybe more accurately, not courses that people generally seek out to run fast (Boston, New York, Twin Cities).

I'm getting a little older and PR's are going to be harder to come by, but I really believe I can run faster in the marathon. I wanted to get on a course that gave me the best chance to run in the 2:10 to 2:11 range, and something that more would more closely simulate the flatish course that the 2012 Trials will be run on.

DtB: What did your New York half tell you about your fitness, your progress for London?

JL: I was just alright with my run in New York, not disappointed but not especially excited by it either. I felt a little flat during the race, but I was coming off of my biggest few weeks of training. It's not uncommon for me to have a less-than-inspiring final tune-up pre-marathon. I think I'm right on track. Overall, my training during the buildup has been very solid. That tells me more about my readiness for London than the NYC Half did.

DtB: Do you have a time range you’re hoping to run in London?

JL: 2:10 to 2:11:59

DtB: The Brit, Andrew Lemoncello, was close to you in New York and is running London. Did you guys run together? Are there any plans by the race organizers to have pacers for those trying to run certain times other than the front runners? Have you, Smyth, and Trafeh talked about the race, sharing the pace, any sort of joint effort?

JL: I actually didn't run with Andrew until the final 300-400 meters. He ran just off of the group I was running with for most of the race and closed really well. Andrew (Lemoncello), Patrick (Smyth), a small group of Aussies and myself will likely run together with a couple of rabbits in London aiming for 2:10 pace.

DtB: How does running London fit into your plans for the US Olympic trials, attempting to make the team?

JL: With the timing of the Trials in January, it really made sense for me to only do a marathon this Spring. For me, there's just not enough time to recover from a Fall marathon and do a good buildup for the trials. As I mentioned, I also wanted to run on a flatter course that might better approximate what the Houston course is like. London works perfectly.

DtB: Are you going to hang around London after the race to see some of the sights, visit the Olympic site?

JL: Unfortunately, I leave the morning after the marathon. In all likelihood, I won't do much sightseeing. I was in London for the marathon in 2008. I was a rabbit for a 2:11 pace group. I did a little touring around the city then. London is very cool. I'm excited to go back.

Down the Backstretch: Why did you choose Shamrock to make your attempt to qualify?

Chris Erichsen: Shamrock is a flat, fast course, which was definitely something I was looking for. The late-March timing was also ideal, as it allowed me to race a marathon early in the spring and still make it back in time for the majority of the summer road racing schedule.

DtB: After having come so close in two other attempts were you beginning to have doubts if you would ever make it or did you manage to keep a positive outlook?

CE: No, I don’t think it was ever an issue maintaining a positive outlook after Fargo last year and Houston in January. Even though I was running times that were very close to the standard for both the full and the half, I wasn’t regressing.

I continued to get faster season after season, so I figured it was a matter of putting myself in a good position to qualify and then running well on that day. That’s basically what Shamrock was,even though the conditions were less than ideal, I had trained well enough and raced smart enough to set myself up for success.

DtB: You said your long runs went up as high as 26 miles. Why that long? Did you do the 26 miler on a treadmill or outdoors?

CE: Getting up to 26 miles for my long run was just a natural progression in my training schedule. I wasn’t necessarily setting out to run 26 miles before the actual marathon, it just worked out that way.

I usually find it fairly difficult to begin a long run, knowing exactly how long you are going to be out there. If I finished a 22-miler the week before, I might shoot for 20 and add on at the end if I’m feeling good.

This year’s winter did force me to do some long runs on the treadmill. It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but it also goes surprisingly fast when you catch a good movie or game on TV. I don’t feel as guilty watching two straight hours of TV if I’m running the whole time.

DtB: Because of all the snow, and especially ice, on the roads and sidewalks how did you determine what runs you'd do outdoors and what runs indoors?

CE: If I could see where I was running or if I knew the trails were plowed, I would try to run outside. Unfortunately, this meant I was inside during most of the work week. A majority of my workouts were also on the treadmill, as it was one of the few pieces of dry ground in the area.

I tried to get outside at least a few times every week, but with races so early in the season (and in warmer weather), I was usually OK if I ended up running inside. I saw the entire New Year’s resolution workout cycle this year.

DtB: Did you have any particular workouts, races during the run up to Shamrock that convinced you that you could get the qualifying time there?

CE: I think there were two main reasons that I felt confident about hitting the qualifying time heading into Shamrock. The first was my performance at the US Half-Marathon championships in Houston. I finished in 65:41 and missed the standard by about three seconds per mile.

I personally think the half-marathon standard of 65:00 is tougher, so knowing I was pretty fit in January was encouraging. I also did a number of longer tempo runs, which felt easier and easier over the course of the training cycle. I wouldn’t say I was convinced I would get the qualifying time at Shamrock, but I was convinced I was in good enough shape to do so.

DtB: Did you have training partners or others you run with?

CE: Matthew Berry, Joe Soucheray, and Brandon Flowers play pretty integral roles in my training. In all seriousness, I try to get out with the Collegeville team about once a month, and I run with other guys with about the same frequency. I primarily train on my own because that is what fits my schedule.

DtB: Now that you've achieved your goal and have a had a few days to let it sink in, have you readjusted your goals, set new ones, or are you just going to enjoy the Trials experience?

CE: There will definitely be new goals, but that’s something I won’t be focusing on for a little while. If I start setting new goals now, I might get too excited and overdo it. In the next few weeks, I will sit down with my coach to re-assess both short and long-term goals.

DtB: Where you doing two runs a day or just one long workout each day? If it was two that would mean runs before and after work every day. How did you handle that?

CE: Most days when I was running a lot of mileage, it was two workouts per day. After a while, it becomes routine to wake up early and run, skip happy hours after work, etc. Eventually, it can become tougher to break that routine to sleep in or take an afternoon off. It’s all a matter of perspective.

DtB: Were your co-workers aware of your quest? If so, did they throw you a celebratory party after you got back from Virginia?

CE: If they weren’t, they definitely heard about it. The coordinator of the Target Run Club sent out a “news flash” e-mail on the Monday after the race, and when I got back in the office I had over 150 congratulatory emails, most from people I had never even met. The support I received from my co-workers, friends, and family was incredible.

Mary Hanson, who was married to Ron Daws, periodically has guests associated with running or track and field on her long-running cable TV program The Mary Hanson Show. Last month, she interviewed former University of Minnesota head track and XC coach Roy Griak. The interview was aired first on the Mary Hanson show and has been repeated several times. It is scheduled to air again as part of the Minnesota Leaders with Mary Hanson programs on TPT and possibly show up on that segment of Hanson's website HERE.

In the interview Griak talks about his start as a coach in Duluth, his path to the University of Minnesota, and some of the athletes he coached along the way. He gives his views on coaching, the importance of sports to schools and the community, and the need to recover what made sports programs great and helped develop not only good athletes, but good people. Griak, who is still actively engaged in the Gopher sports program, says he relishes the contact with today's athletes as they help "keep him young."

He notes that one of the most important things for coaches is to connect with and care for their athletes. They each need individual attention, and that both the athletes and coaches benefit from the interaction.

Down the Backstretch: It’s nice to see somebody actually using their college degree. Seriously, what gave you the incentive to do the website and the various media projects you are doing?

Carrie Tollefson: Thanks. I value my education from Villanova so much, and I have always tried to keep my passions on and off the track alive. I realized early on in my life that being well rounded is crucial for everyone.

I have learned so much from experimenting with different avenues, and I am so thankful my parents encouraged us to try everything. That is how I have lived my life. I love to run, but things happen and really, an injury can end a career fast, so I always wanted to stay in tune with the "real world" as well.

Running will always be a part of my life, and I hope it will stay a part of my career, but there comes a time when a professional runner can't run professionally anymore. Life after athletics can be tough so I am trying to keep both my athletic career and my other passions in check.

I have a lot on my plate these days. First and foremost, I am a Mom!!! I love it so much. Ruby is the best thing Charlie and I have ever done in our lives, and being home with her is the best job in the world. She comes with me to Lifetime Fitness for two hours a day and plays in their day care while I work out; and then another day or two a week I will have her go to a family friend's home so I can work on my camps, CTolleRun, my speaking gigs, my Minnesota Grown commitments, and when I travel for NYRR and the Daily Cool Down.

So to answer your question, I have always worked outside of running. I started doing a little radio during college, and then right after I graduated from Villanova, I started doing TV commentary for Elite Racing. They had me doing color commentary for various marathons and for the NCAA cross country championships.

This has led to many things and CTolleRun just really came about last year. John Magnuson, with Mtec results formally known as ChampionChip Minnesota, approached me about the show and asked if I would be interested. We thought it would be a fun thing, and we are just really learning what people like to see and are really open to anything.

We love endurance sports and what they do for athletes on all levels and think it is neat to just bring out the fun in being physically fit. My director and producer, Julie Magnuson, and my cameraman, Tim Bornholdt, have been great to work with and it has been a joy taking this new journey.

DtB: How did the Daily Cool Down(DCD) program for the NY Road Runners happen? Did they ask you? Did you approach them?

CT: The New York Road Runners approached me to do the Daily Cool Down. Mary Wittenberg has always been such a huge supporter of American Athletes and she always tells me that she thinks I should move to New York so I can be on air there. She wants us all to reach for the stars and her support and encouragement means so much to all of us athletes.

The Daily Cool Down is the "behind the scenes" of our sport, kind of like Entertainment Tonight. Not only do we like to hear about the elite athletes but we want to find out more about everyone else that is running the race or helping our sport. It has been really fun and I hope it continues to grow.

DtB: Is the DCD a collaborative thing where you are part of a team generating the ideas and working out the format and content of the programs?

CT: I have a team that helps me with this. We work together but they build the show before I get there, and then, once I arrive, we talk and let it come together. Zach Starr is the producer and my cameraman, for the DCD and he is so much fun to work with.

He and NYRR work together before to find who and what we are going to cover and then once he and I start working we just go for it. He helps me with my lines but we really just live in the moment and let things happen.

Nothing is memorized and if you have seen any of the shows, you can see I sort of fly by the seat of my pants. We have a lot of fun and they really like me to just be me. A bit crazy, but still a down to earth Minnesota girl, I guess. Sort of like my CTolleRun episodes.

DtB: There seems to be a mix of the serious with the “lighter” stuff on the DCD, such as the interview with the World Trade Center bombing and 9/11’s family and then doing a diaper changing challenge with Adam Goucher. Is there a set mix you’re trying to have for the program or is it more “organic” in picking up things as you go along and pulling them all together for a program?

CT: Exactly, we have a few people that we interview and we know the content and how we are going to build the show but then, with things like the diaper changing challenge, that was an idea I had randomly.

We wanted to show the public that elite athletes are normal runners and people just like everyone else, and we like having fun as well. Sometimes I think people have no idea who we are except when we are running really fast and then they recognize the name.

Adam Goucher is a great athlete, one of the gutsiest runners I have ever met, but he is also a really good guy. Really fun, happy, and is obviously really excited about being a father, so I thought this would be a fun way to remind the world that he does more than just run.

DtB: What was the reason for CTolleRun.com? What are you attempting to do with the site?

CT: Well, with CTolleRun.com, we are trying to create a show that would appeal to runners of all abilities. With my crazy and upbeat personality, we are stepping outside the box by trying to educate, inspire, entertain, and really just have some fun with the running world and those that are interested in living a healthy life.

We have been doing episodes around the country and even internationally featuring different races and events. It has been a great adventure and we hope it continues, so check us out and send your episode ideas to www.CTolleRun.com.

DtB: Watching the programs, one would think that you’ve changed your first name to Olympian, as in Olympian Carrie Tollefson. How are things going in terms of that becoming two-time Olympian…?

CT: Well, as far as saying Olympian Carrie Tollefson, I sometimes wonder the same thing. Not so sure about changing my name but it is one of the titles in my professional career that I am honored to be able to call myself. I think for the rest of my life that will be one of my biggest accomplishments, so I will most likely, always say it. Plus, both producers asked me to say it so I follow what they say. They crack a hard whip!

In terms of trying to make my second Olympic team, I would love to. I have had a little challenge with my plantar ever since January but I am back training again and hope to be racing on the roads in five to six weeks, and maybe even the track later this spring, early summer. There is still a fire in my belly when it comes to running, and until that goes out, I will be trying as hard as I can to get to the finish line first!!!!

DtB: What sort of perspective does being a parent give you in regards to your various endeavors? How has it impacted your life?

CT: I love every minute of it. We can't wait to have more children, but it is hard trying to juggle everything. I would be lying if I said that I am having an easy time figuring it all out. Ideally I would be home full time with Ruby, able to take her on every run, and to every workout, bring her with me to every gig I have, let her be with me at my youth camp or my adult camps, and travel all over the world with her and Charlie, but that doesn't seem to work.

I am very blessed to have my husband, Charlie’s, help. He is a great dad and gets to have Ruby to himself quite a bit. Charlie is an Architect and he loves what he does as well, but I could not do what I do without such a supportive husband. We are celebrating her one year birthday on April first and really, this has been the best year of our lives. She has brought so much joy and love to us.

Running is important, and my career is important, but being a loving mom and wife is by far, the most important and best job I have ever had.

Would appear that the Goucher family has many talents. While parents Kara and Adam have spent their time excelling on the roads, cross country, and track, their young son, Colton, has already ventured into the realm of blogging. Read what he has to say in his opening missive as a celeb baby HERE.

We wanted to draw your attention to this conversation between Olympian Carrie Tollefson and Team USA Minnesota distance runner Gabriele Anderson.

Anderson, a University of Minnesota alumnus, recently finished 3rd at the USA Indoor Championships. As part of Tollefson's "C Tolle Run" internet video series, HERE, the two sat down for an interview about Anderson's U of M career, the recent start to her professional career, and her battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Find archived C Tolle Run episodes HERE.