December 2007 Track and Field Articles

Seven stress fractures are enough to make a runner give up the sport, but not Camille Herron. She thought she was finished competing by her sophomore year of college, but Herron, 26, recently ran 2:45:40 at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, December 1. The performance qualified her to run the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon in Boston, April 20.

Herron's athletic career began with basketball when she was 3 years old. She had dreams of excelling at basketball like her father and grandfather, who both played for Oklahoma State. Growing up, Herron was always active.

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The year 2007 was filled with excitement, news- makers, and incredible times in track, cross country and road racing. Often, in a year leading up to the Olympic games, it's just that, a lead up. However, this year it wasn't the case as everyone across the board was unleashing monster performances. The Osaka World Championships saw American's back on top in many events. The World Cross Country Championships returned "home"" and were dramatic as ever. American distance runners found themselves making a difference on the world scene again. 2007 brought in new talent and new super stars. Ryan Hall and… more »

Last year’s DMR champion Russell Brown doesn’t have indoor eligibility left but will be training for USA Indoor Nationals and will be back to compete for Stanford in outdoor track.

What’s your major?
Right now I’m a master’s student, actually in sociology. I was political science for undergrad. Political science is not that hard of a major to fulfill. I knew I was going to come back here and I knew I had eligibility; I wasn’t really interested in expanding it out. I mean, like some guys, you can save your eligibility and have… more »

While most teenagers are still in bed, Ashley Brasovan, from West Palm Beach, Florida, awakes early each morning to run up to 50 miles each week. She especially enjoys long runs of 10-12 miles. Brasovan’s talent and dedication have set the Wellington High School junior apart since her 7th grade gym teacher noticed her knack for running.

Earlier this month in San Diego, California, Brasovan won the high school girls 2007 Foot Locker National Cross Country Championship meet, with a time of 17:20. After winning the Florida State cross country title this fall, Brasovan knew she… more »

There were no meets this weekend. So in the Christmas spirit, I attempted a bit of poetry. I wish you all a Happy Holidays and that you all have PRs in the upcoming year.

The Morning of Christmas
Adapted from Clement Clarke Moore’s The Night before Christmas.

Twas the morning of Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
With evidence that St Nicholas had been there.

The high school… more »

Ryan Vail of Oklahoma State University recently placed 11th at the NCAA XC Championships individually as his Cowboys placed third as a team. His indoor track season is going to kick off at the Tyson Invitational.

Can you give me a brief history of you and your running, when did you start seeing success?
I started running track in eighth grade, but I really wasn’t any good. As I grew I started to see a bit of success early in my high school track career, but I didn’t take the sport seriously. I played football in… more »

A month ago Ryan died and a month ago Ryan won. I have always thought that running had the power to teach important life lessons. I felt that we weren't running miles or racing laps, just for the sake of it. I always considered it to be a training ground for life in that the values learned on the trails and the track would be invaluable. Now, after the tragedy and triumph found at the U.S. Olympic trials, I find myself asking "where is the lesson this time? And what it does it all mean?

In… more »

Katelin Rains is the defending NCAA Division II national champion in the pole vault. She has started off her indoor season with bang by erasing her own NCAA Division II indoor pole vaulting record of 14’0 and setting the new record at 14’1/2. Needless to say, she is very excited. “It was a really good feeling to know that I could pick up where I left off. I’ve been training harder. I still have a lot of learning to do. Jumping well in the first meet was great, but I have high expectations, and I need to jump this well… more »

Who is Julia Rudd? Some know her as "Alan Webb's girlfriend," but she is a lot more than that. Rudd, 24, from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a member of the Indiana Invaders elite track and field team and 10:15.76 steeplechase runner.

Rudd and the Indiana Invaders recently competed at the 2007 USATF National Club Cross Country Championships, December 8, in West Chester, Ohio. Rudd placed 16th at the meet and described the conditions as wet and muddy, which was an advantage for her.

"I was pretty confident with my training going in," Rudd said. "The… more »

Michigan State Spartan Nicole Bush is getting ready for Christmas Break and the beginning of the indoor track season. She recently placed fifth at the NCAA XC Championships, the highest finish ever for a Lady Spartan.

How do you school mixes with being a top college athlete?
I think it’s pretty hard to balance anyway, if you’re not running. I don’t think anyone has it easy; I’m just used to doing it. I don’t know if it’s too hard, I wouldn’t know what to compare it to.

So, are you training for… more »

Santa Claus is coming to town, and presents will soon be under many trees. If you are like me, either you are having problems buying gifts for your runner friends or all your relatives are asking you want you want. Santa Claus can not exactly deliver a PR. To help you with this struggle, I have a few suggestions.

A Flocaster's wish list:
Again to Carthage by John L. Parker Jr. It is like the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows of the running community. The novel picks up in the early 1970s where Once… more »

Nicole Blood led the University of Oregon women to a second-place team finish at the 2007 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships last month in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was eighth overall, with a time of 20:18 for the 6000-meter race.

“Cross country was just a great season,” Blood said. “We have a really great team. We got better with every meet.”

Last year, Blood missed most of the cross country season due to a sacral stress fracture. She said missing the first eight weeks of practice her freshman year was tough, but… more »

Often times as runners we are told to run thru the pain. Missouri Southern Junior, Dustin Dixon has taken this bit of advice to heart. During the Division II National Cross Country meet, Dustin’s fibula broke with about a mile left in the race. Dustin did not stop. Dustin finished the last three fourths of the race with a fibula that was in two pieces. Not only did he finish the race but he finished in 23rd place, losing four places in the last mile, and was named an All American. Dustin Dixon is the definition of tough.
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The past year has been plagued with injuries for Victoria Jackson, but she is not going to let that bring her down. If anyone knows how to make a comeback, it’s her.

November was a down month for Jackson, 25, while she recovered from her latest stress fracture. She has recently suffered stress fractures in her ankle and metatarsal, as well as chronic plantar fasciitis. She said her injuries are caused by overcompensation due to biomechanical issues. Jackson also admitted that she tends to try to run through injuries.

“I keep running on… more »