Running Velox

The CSU 2010 Camp Video

2010-09-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Another great Colorado State camp! Many thanks to my wife, Becca, for putting this one together.

The Counselor 400m Challenge-2010

2010-08-22T05:42:00.001-07:00

This year's edition of the Counselor 400m Challenge! It's a battle of heavyweights with David Adams and Aaron Yoder squaring off on the Colorado State track the Sunday morning before camp.

Jim Ryun Running Camps 2010

2010-08-07T06:22:00.000-07:00

What a great summer of camps! I am thrilled that we maxed out both Gettysburg and Colorado State. In spite of the hard work that went into putting the camps on, I am sad that they are over. I think what I enjoy most is all the great campers I get to meet because each life is unique.
We had some fantastic speakers this year at both camps. I shared highlights with the CSU campers yesterday and tried to compres each speaker into key phrases.

Jim Ryun: Journey versus Destination.
Dr. Jack Daniels: What is the purpose of this workout?
Joe Falcon: Focus, Be a Warrior.
Charlie Gruber: Do the small things, 1% things that make a difference.
Jay Johnson: Simple ain't easy (great post for the camp by Jay here).
Bill Lundberg: Goals, both short term and long term.
Dr. Chris Melby: Nutrition is fundamental!

Already fired up for next year!!

Colorado State Camp Dates

2010-01-31T04:30:00.000-08:00

The Colorado State camp will be August 1-6, 2010. I already have one of the greatest American milers, Joe Falcon, slated to come back and join us after a hiatus last year. I am hoping to add Dr. Jack Daniels and Coach Jay Johnson to that list as well.

Gettysburg 2010 camp dates!

2009-12-30T09:37:00.001-08:00

The Gettysburg Camp dates are set: July 18-23. We are also almost done with the running camp website rebuild. I am very excited about it-fully automated with a PayPal option! Nailing down the CSU dates this week.

The Jim Ryun Running Camps 2009 Video

2009-08-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Another great summer of running camps in the books!

Jen Barringer

2009-08-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a chance to blog on Jen's race, but what an amazing performance. To take 11 seconds off your PR (which was the American Record) and place 5th on the greatest track and field stage in the world is amazing, especially considering that after long collegiate seasons, Jen hasn't placed that well in the last two major international championship meets.

Yet, amazingly, I keep hearing the buzz of, "She didn't run a very savvy race." Or "If she had moved sooner she might have medaled." I think the best one is the question directed to her-"Are you disappointed?"

With what? The new PR or her best finish ever in a major championship? Peoples' expectations are funny things. And oddly enough they always seem higher for people other than themselves.

BTW- a few other notes. I posted it a while ago, but scroll down to see Jen's interview when she stayed with Bec, the girls and me last October. I think it's pretty cool to see her talking about what she wants to accomplish back then and what she went out and did.

Also, did anyone notice how the Russian women in the steeple ran, well, normal times?

The 400m Challenge

2009-08-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

The counselor 400m Challenge from the Jim Ryun Running CSU Camp 2009 (though, due to sinus infection [David Adams] and strained Achilles [Ned Ryun], it was a two man race):

Super Ry to run NYC

2009-07-23T04:53:00.000-07:00

Ryan has made his decision for the fall-it's going to NYC. Great move by Ryan as this is the scene (though different course) of what I consider his best race ever, the 2008 Olympic Trials. Knowing Mary Wittenberg, she's going to assemble a great field for Ryan to battle.
As a side note, if you are on Twitter, I encourage you to follow Ryan and Sara's tweets.

Anthony Famiglietti

2009-05-27T03:28:00.000-07:00

A good story on Anthony and his comeback after a tough 2007 season. He's always struck me as a tough, gritty runner and I love the part where he shows up in sweat pants and a polo shirt and runs close to 29 flat for 10k in Central Park.

2008 Olympic Trials, 800m finals

2009-05-22T08:25:00.001-07:00

This race still fires me up. This is what running and the Olympic Trials are all about.

Jen Barringer article

2009-05-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

A great article on Jen at Universalsports.com.
I will say that one cool thing about the running camp family is this-we all kind of keep track of each other throughout the year, cheering and giving support. When Ned and I hopped in the car out in LA to have dinner with Ryan, he said, "How about the year Jen is having?"

A Brief Chat with Nick Willis

2009-04-30T09:16:00.001-07:00

After yesterday's news, it was great to see a Brief Chat with Nick Willis pop up at Runnersworld.com.

Rashid Ramzi Caught!

2009-04-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

It's not like we didn't see this coming, but it is gratifying to see a cheat like Rashid Ramzi go down. Which means that a guy I am a big fan of, Nick Willis of New Zealand, is going to get bumped up to the silver medal. I was also remembering this morning the grief Nick was taking on the Letsrun.com message board after the 1500m final when he insinuated that some of the guys he was racing were not clean. Turns out he was spot on.

Ryan Hall interview with the Ryun boys

2009-04-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ned and I were out in Los Angeles for business last week and Ryan picked us up for dinner. While we hit our old favorite, In-N-Out, I pulled out my video camera to grab a quick interview.

Ryan Hall's Blog

2009-04-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ryan's blog, courtesy of Asics America.

Another Ryan Hall interview

2009-04-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

This one out of Chicago as Ryan gives some insights to the life of an elite marathoner.

David Adams, Ryun camp counselor, ranked in steeplechase

2009-04-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

It's always great to see former Ryun campers (and current counselors) rise in the ranks of American track and field. One such is David Adams, now a sophomore at Nebraska. A 1:59 high school 800m guy, David is quickly finding his nitch in the steeple, running a big PR of 8:48 a few weeks ago. With the Arkansas and Stanford meets coming up, I think he's got a good shot of going into the 8:30s.

3000m Steeplechase

1 Jake MORSE 8:30.19
2 Hillary BOR SO 8:36.84
3 Kyle HEATH SR 8:38.03
4 Barnabas KIRUI SR 8:41.12
5 Evans KIGEN JR 8:43.77
6 John MARTINEZ JR 8:44.92
7 Chris WINTER SR 8:46.91
8 Ryan GASPER JR 8:47.39
9 Gilbert LIMO SO 8:47.48
10 Kyle PERRY SR 8:47.92
11 David ADAMS SO 8:48.10
12 Scott MACPHERSON SR 8:48.35
13 Brandon BETHKE JR 8:48.66
14 Harry MILLER JR 8:49.09
15 Kevin MCNAB SR 8:49.76

Running Times interview with Ryan Hall

2009-04-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

A great piece by Scott Douglas as he interviews Ryan heading into next week's Boston Marathon.

A Brief Chat with Ryan Hall

2009-04-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Another great interview with Ryan Hall leading up to the Boston Marathon next Monday, this one courtesy of Runner's Worlds "A Brief Chat" series.

Four of the Greatest

2009-04-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

In an odd turn of events, dad and mom happened to be in Melbourne, Australia a few weeks ago the day a lunch was held honoring the great Australian miler, John Landy. Billy Mills and Ron Clarke were in attendance as well and I thought this picture was too good not to post. From L-R: Billy Mills, John Landy, Ron Clarke and Jim Ryun.

Gettysburg 2008 Camp Video

2009-04-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

As camp 2009 rapidly approaches, I thought I would post the video from last year's Gettysburg camp.

Jim Ryun's Response to Runner's World

2009-04-04T07:37:00.000-07:00

As many in the running world know by now, Runner's World ran what could best be described as a hatchet piece on dad's old coach, Bob Timmons. Ben Paynter's piece was unbalanced, unfair and in the end, as poor a piece of journalism as what could hope for from Runner's World. I know I am not alone in asking, "What in the world was Runner's World thinking publishing an article like that?"
Dad recently submitted a response to Runner's World which I have already posted on Letsrun.com's message board (one of my favorite sites to go to multiple times a day). However, I thought it would be appropriate to post it here as well.
Here is dad's response in its entirety . I edited it slightly to correct the error in Cliff Cushman's event-400m hurdles versus 400m.

"As I read the recent Runner’s World story on Coach Timmons, I was struck by the courage Coach Timmons displayed in allowing the writer to interview him during one of the most vulnerable times in his life. Some who have dementia don’t go out in public let alone allow themselves to be interviewed by someone who clearly had another motive than to record Coach’s outstanding accomplishments. Typical of Timmie, he made himself available to someone who obviously lacks a mature understanding of one man’s gift to the world of track and field. Coach is to be commended for his willingness to be interviewed in his home with Pat by his side.
I lived through many of the years referenced in the Runner’s World article. I recall one summer when I lived with the Timmons family in their Lawrence, KS farmhouse in order to train for the 1964 Olympics. They welcomed me as a member of their family. I treasure the nearly 50 years that I’ve known the Timmons family as a student athlete and now as lifelong friends. Timmie and Pat are grandparents to our children, great grandparents to our grandchildren and Godparents to our son, Ned. We have celebrated many holidays and family events together. Yes, there were those who didn’t “make it” under the Timmon’s program, but the larger number of us did, and became not just better athletes, but more importantly, better human beings.
Cliff Cushman, a KU great, silver medalist in the 400 meter hurdles in the 1960 Rome Olympics once wrote, “Unless your reach exceeds your grasp, how will you know what you can achieve?” Coach believed in this principle and applied it daily to our workouts. He wanted the best for each of his athletes, and while he wanted them to win in their individual event, he was more concerned about the character and well-being of the athlete.
While the writer attempted to capture the Timmon’s years by allowing athletes to tell their story, he failed to make some very important points. First, he selectively chose the athletes who did not enjoy all the success they’d hoped for in Timmie’s program (with the exception of Steve Heffernan). Where are the quotes from guys like Bill Lundberg, George Mason and others who had great success under the Timmon’s system? A coach, any coach, has a particular philosophy that has given him success. I thought Coach executed his program extremely well. Secondly, an athlete has a choice as to what program he will submit himself to. Simply said, it is the athlete’s choice to remain with a certain program or leave it
I will readily admit that the training loads were challenging, but no one gets to the top of his event without overcoming many obstacles. I was a boy who was cut from my church baseball team who Timmie turned into a world record holder and three-time Olympian. Coach Timmons was in the business of helping each athlete reach his full potential. I know it pained him when someone dropped out of his program. What is not mentioned by the writer is that Timmie anguished over those athletes who didn’t make it.
I submit to the readers of this poorly written article, that there is another side to the story of Coach Timmons. After retirement from KU, Coach gave his time to coach junior high track and volleyball as well as encourage those around him to continue to set goals in life. All those that come in contact with Coach and Pat are never the same- the love, kindness, encouragement and sincerity they exude are attributes I have always strived to emulate and examples I have set before my children and grandchildren. I wish Coach all the best in these latter years of his life. I am saddened the writer of the article does not appreciate Coach Timmons and the sacrifices he and his family made for his athletes. He is and will always be loved and respected by a whole host of former athletes, their families and his fellow coaches throughout the Big 8 (now the Big 12).

Jim Ryun
United States Olympian (1964, ’68 & ’72)"

New Sponsorship for the Jim Ryun Running Camps

2009-04-03T12:06:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that we just locked in a new sponsorship for the running camp with Garmin. As camp has grown, it has been my goal to slowly add great sponsors to the camp to continue to expose our campers to products that will help them achieve their individual goals in running. Along with Garmin, ASICS and Gleukos will again be sponsoring the Jim Ryun Running Camps.

Interview with Jen Barringer

2009-04-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

This is a short interview that I conducted with Jen when she stayed with us for the Olympians event at the White House last fall.

Juli Henner to join us at the Colorado State camp!

2009-04-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

I confirmed recently with Juli Henner, 1996 Olympian at 1500m and current coach of Chris Lukezic, that she will join us for the better part of a day at the CSU camp. Juli and I have been friends for years and she has some great insights not only from having run at the highest level of our sport but also coaching at it as well.

The High and The Mighty

2009-04-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

On my previous blog I was going through SI.com's Vault to find old stories about dad. I don't believe I found this one before. It's from the 1972 Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. The title is The High and The Mighty.

New Ryun Running Camp Blog

2009-04-01T07:55:00.000-07:00

I apologize that our old blog site went down. I am still not sure what happened, but we're up and running again. I will be posting camp updates, news, who will be at camp and various observations on the running world here at this blog.