Saucony 2009 - fam

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	Dan Knewitz   July 18 at 4:13pm Fam, I heard you may be doing the Bix. Any truth to that? reply
	Fam   July 14 at 12:23am Hey, I appreciate the input. keep running strong. Hope the best for everyone and their races to come. -fam reply
	Warren   July 13 at 10:16pm Fam, I loved your gutsy running in Eugene and I think everything you are doing is awesome. I hope this can inspire others to view running in a similar way and help american distance runners to achieve more in years to come. reply
	Kenyan   July 11 at 12:19pm Actually, I admire your courage and guts. But still, u can have a better strategy in races. You americans have money, facilities and good runners too. So why don't acquire pacemakers! I grew up in africa and whenever we were to race, we would choose three to four pacemakers from our team, their job is to sacrifice themselves for the big brothers. They would push the pace and make good times on splits. In your case, the first pacemaker would be able to bring you at 2:35-2:40(1km), second (5:10-5:15), third will have to make sure he works with 4th to bring you to 3k at 7:50-7:55. Then after, it's up to the big brothers to chase their times and compete. I am sure you can find people that can run those times in US, pay them if you have to. You are a pro now aren't you? At least, u will have to discuss it with your sponsor, coz if you win, they win too. If you lose everytime in the name of emulating the US running, then your sponsor won't be happy with it for sure. That being said, I am sure u know what u are doing, u got 9years running at high level. In your case, you shouldn't be chasing times but wins. U got nothing to prove to anybody it's all about winning not running fast. Let the youngsters do that for you. reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 11 at 11:21am Isn't Fam coached by Jack Daniels? Pretty sure he is. This is for the person who asked if he even had a coach. Bottom line, he put himself out there and it is easy to find fault when people put themselves in vulnerable positions. Whether or not we agree with what he is saying, or selling for that matter, it is a free country unless he is breaking a law. Who cares really? If you want to buy the DVD and support Fam then great! If you don't like his up front running style that doesn't always lend itself to winning, then great don't run that way. The guy is talented and whether or not you like him or not, it really shouldn't matter. The only thing that will help the running community is POSITIVITY and that is something that is definitely lacking here. reply
	Beentheredonethat   July 10 at 6:46pm no name said: “front running from the gun on a heavy head wind in a 5k isnt guts.. but stupidity. there is a time and place to race a certain way, and the way you raced not only DID NOT help US distance running.. but hurt it because we do not have you in the field competing in Berlin. You are talking about letting go of your ego, well please let go of your finicial self-promoting ego and help out US distance running as a whole. I firmly believe yourself and Lagat are faster than the rest of the 5k field that ran in Eugene.. and faster than all 3 that qualified. Having you wear a USA jersey and competing in Berlin would help out US distance running. P.S. Your still my favorite runner. No worries. I” Hey moron -- he's got the A standard. How many of the guys that beat him now have to fly across the pond (time change and jet lag included) to chase a time to actually run in Berlin? I am sure that will certainly help thier chances in Berlin. Sure FAM runs reckless (more aptly put with BALLS). Reckless is the term I have heard often describe how the E and N Africans run -- too the wall -- NO LIMITS. In essence FAM is trying to get us to stop thinking like big 's - to test our limits regardless of the consequences. Sure Teg and Sol looked great blasting 53's off a 13:20 -- now see how fast they close off of 13:00. Rock on FAM reply
	Liam Clemons   July 10 at 12:53pm fam said: “seriously.... this is a freaking marketing attempt. if you want to help out american distance running, why dont you... 1) set up seminars and camps and teach kids how to train... (FOR FREE) notice i did not mention how to RACE 2) fill in your blog what you do EVERYDAY on the flotrakr 3) stop being such a prick. be yourself.. and tell some people like me to f**K off... wait, you cant because you will lose my potential DVD purchase.. 4) HELP AMERICAN DISTANCE RUNNING BY GETTING THE BEST ON THE US TEAM. you are one of the best american 5k runners. you should be competing in BERLIN. way to help out american distance running so you can make a few extra bucks on the side.. 3)” And what have you done for American Distance running you self righteous punk? I am sure when he retires, FAM will do plenty of speaking around the country. It is pretty hard to do all the training needed and still have time to put on free clinics. How many runners even bother to put together a DVD of their training. If that is how he chooses to get his message out there and put fod on his table at the same time, more power to him. I love FAM's attitude. Keep running your ass of dude. reply
	Mark McDonnell   July 10 at 12:43pm Anti-Fam said "The reason E. Africans always win is because they can hang in the pack and kick like crazy at the end of the race." Echoing Jeremy, I'm obliged to add "Internationals kick off 12:5x 'sit' pace." Still waiting for Galen, or any other of my countrymen, to manage that feat. If Fam's the only American willing to try, God bless 'im. reply
	Fam   July 10 at 9:13am seriously.... this is a freaking marketing attempt. if you want to help out american distance running, why dont you... 1) set up seminars and camps and teach kids how to train... (FOR FREE) notice i did not mention how to RACE 2) fill in your blog what you do EVERYDAY on the flotrakr 3) stop being such a prick. be yourself.. and tell some people like me to f**K off... wait, you cant because you will lose my potential DVD purchase.. 4) HELP AMERICAN DISTANCE RUNNING BY GETTING THE BEST ON THE US TEAM. you are one of the best american 5k runners. you should be competing in BERLIN. way to help out american distance running so you can make a few extra bucks on the side.. 3) reply
	Schief   July 9 at 10:57pm Kudos to Fam. Here is a guy who does it his way, and is not apologetic. The rest of you "haters" out there, are no better than average joe, 9:00 minute pace runners. Take something from Fam and get your asses out and run Schiefer reply
	ARUN   July 9 at 10:07pm This is Silly said: “I hate to sound like the bad guy here. But it is ridiculous how defensive most of you are being. I am NOT ripping Fam's racing strategy as a strategy - because it wasn't. It was an attempt to gain notoreity and to help him make a name for himself. That's what all of this is. Fam is very good at marketing himself - he's made two goddamn DVD's about his running career - and now he releases something saying that it's all for the sake of OTHER people and everyone is going nuts about him. It's cool that he wants to share his training techniques, I guess, but it just doesn't make any sense and it is kind of embarassing, to be honest. If you really think that you as a runner, and American running in general, is going to improve because Fam the man makes another movie about himself, you must be mistaken. Fam is not an "individual" he is an egomaniac. I say this WITH respect for his times. And instead of having these absurd knee-jerk prissy-pout reactions to everyone who criticizes anyone who is fast ("well YOU never ran 13:11, blah blah blah"), maybe you should take a look at the rest of American distance running. You don't see Solinsky and Teg making DVD's about themselves, you don't see Solinsky and Teg pandering for attention in every way possible. How has Fam done this? 1) Made a huge deal about living and training in New York. Why the hell would you live and train in the busiest city in the country when you have the entire United States as a possible training ground? It just doesn't make sense. He is desperate to be different. 2) Tried extremely hard to act and sound like Pre during the 08 Olympic Trials steeple and in the interview afterwards. 3) Sounded like a complete fool in an NBC article asking about his diet - he tried to claim his DIET was the reason he could no longer run more than half a mile (completely ridiculous), and he sounded an awful lot like Webb ("Oh, well I've got the secret all figured out now") - THERE IS NO SECRET! Distance running is incredibly simple. I don't care what kind of genes you were given at birth, it still comes down to heartbreakingly hard work. 4) This post above. I mean let's assume for a moment he is being sincere. He really does want to try to improve American distance running. Which is great. It really is. But nothing he is doing is really doing that. If he wants to improve American distance running he should be a showboat and he shouldn't spend so much time making a DVD about himself. He should run a track camp, release an INSTRUCTIONAL video, help coach kids, volunteer at a few local high schools. THAT is giving back to the community and helping the state of American distance running, and since he wants to be Pre so badly, THAT's what would make him more like Pre. But as of now, I don't care how much you all whine and moan about un-supportive fans. I am supportive and I am rooting very much for Fam to succeed at an international level. But I'm also not dumb, and I'm blind enough to believe everything I read and take it at face value. This is Fam in his neverending struggle to be different. I wish he would quit it and focus on his training and be a strong, noble, quiet champion like Teg, Lagat, or even Rupp.” I must side with you on all fronts my friend. I'll give Fam this...he is eccentric. I however, could do without all of the sideshow promotional antics. If he chooses to be a sacrificial lamb in races, fine. I just don't want to hear that it's for the benefit of others. Come on! reply
	Andrew Garai   July 9 at 9:25pm Thanks for putting yourself out there, even at the cost of others putting you down. Its worth it imo if you inspire even just one person, and you inspire me! I love your views on running, and how unselfish you are. Keep at it, and I will too! reply
	Jasonnottomcruise   July 9 at 6:25pm concerned fam wasting talent said: “I think there is no question that you are admired for your passion and dedication. However, who would buy a dvd about strategies that consistently result in disappointing outcomes? ” Disappointing outcomes??? If disappointing outcomes would give me 6 US championship titles, numerous runner up titles, 2 Olympic teams, a career spanning 9 years (as a professional), running A-standards in 1500, 5k, 10k, and steeple, then sign me up for this video (just double checked the stats in wikipedia). Watch Jack Daniels Thirsty Thursday where he talks about Fam. Sounds to me like he is genuine in wanting to help and give back to this sport and as an artist it makes sense he would want to express it through a movie. His Olympic Video blogs on runner's world were awesome. I will gladly order his video, and hopefully it will allow me to experience all the disappointing outcomes I just listed above. reply
	Larry   July 9 at 6:05pm I have to agree completely with the comments of the poster, "This is silly". I've got nothing against Fam, but if you have a smidgen of awareness, his post above, for all its benevolence, comes off hollow. reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 9 at 4:55pm Fam has run and become reply
	Concerned Fam Wasting Talent   July 9 at 3:25pm I think there is no question that you are admired for your passion and dedication. However, who would buy a dvd about strategies that consistently result in disappointing outcomes? You know you are talented enough to be a winner and run better times if you would race smarter. No, that is not the way it "supposed" to be done. Do you want the best out of your body? Then run hard (physical) and smart (mental). Do you have a coach? reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 9 at 3:13pm Better than the win-win method is the win-win-win method . Watch here http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/clips/conflict-resolution/116196/ reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 9 at 2:58pm Sounds like a guy trying to expand the sport beyond 300 people scattered in the stands. reply
	Bharath Krishnamoorthi   July 9 at 2:50pm dear this is silly said: “Rupp is....well...a robot and has everything handed to him since day one. ” +1000 Also, Fam, filling in your flotrackr each day is also a convenient way to share your training secrets ;) reply
	Aaron   July 9 at 2:34pm Way to be Fam. I like that mentality far more than what I see from other US athletes. reply
	Intheknow   July 9 at 2:24pm ZachD said: “Even if you don't like his running, you have to admit that he made quite possibly the most motivational running movie. He has had an impact on US running. It might not be immediate, but younger runners are completely turned on and amp up their training because of Run Like Hell. RLH is the "Once a Runner" of running movies. I think "Run Reckless" will be the "Running with a Vengeance" equivalent. Raw, motivational, and transforming.” run like hell was made by one of fam's college buddies. i'm not sure if the same person made run reckless, but i'm interested in seeing it. i thought run like hell was really, really well done. reply
	X Man   July 9 at 2:01pm Great run Fam. reply
	Poopie   July 9 at 1:34pm i think the general consensus has spoken. douchebags, plese leave. reply
	ZachD   July 9 at 1:32pm Even if you don't like his running, you have to admit that he made quite possibly the most motivational running movie. He has had an impact on US running. It might not be immediate, but younger runners are completely turned on and amp up their training because of Run Like Hell. RLH is the "Once a Runner" of running movies. I think "Run Reckless" will be the "Running with a Vengeance" equivalent. Raw, motivational, and transforming. reply
	Morgan Sjogren   July 9 at 1:22pm Letting go of the ego is the first step to contentment. All too often Americans are looking for elusive "happiness" and "success" which are rare and fleeting. Fam is a great example of staying true to oneself, being in the moment, and finding the positive in any outcome. While his strategy did not win him the race, this time, it certainly made it more competitive it for others which is perhaps the type of selfless acts needed to elevate U.S. distance running. Think about the teamwork routinely practiced by Kenyan runners, even at championship events. U.S. runners will not get to the top by staying in their bubble and trying to defeat one another. If more runners can learn to run outside of themselves like Fam we might finally have a chance! reply
	Dear This Is Silly   July 9 at 1:05pm You have a point on somethings man. I've have ran with the guy, had some good talks with Fam, and he's really a "different" kinda person. He's not trying to be Pre, or anyone else brother. He is the way he is. i believe your argument is stating that you're annoyed because he "Trying to be like Pre". He's just trying to show his life through videos in an Artistic point of view. Fam isn't just a "Runner" that stays quiet and behind the scene, he like to show how he does his everyday day regimen to help others. i myself have applied some of these ideals, and it placed me really well at USA XC, and outdoors. Just understand that people have different ways on expressing themselves. Pre did it one way, Rupp is....well...a robot and has everything handed to him since day one. and Lagat is truly a bada$$, and does his own thing the way he wants to. Sorry brother just trying to help reply
	This Is Silly   July 9 at 1:01pm This only really makes me mad because it is so obvious what he is doing is not that revolutionary at all. A lot of guys share their training. Matt Tegenkamp sat down with Runners World and did a serious of seven minute videos, demonstrating his core routine on tape. Chris Solinsky sat down with a camera for Kimbia to talk about his weight problems and everything he was doing to get over it and talked rationally about what kind of effect that might have. Dathan Ritzenhein and Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher have all had Flotrack cameramen come to watch them run a workout and have their coach interviewed during it. Mahon and Hudson and Salazar will be speaking candidly about their training techniques and the workout which their athlete is doing, while the camera follows them. These are the best runners in the United States, disclosing everything about their training in a cool, informative, humble, and very interesting way. I love watching these videos. I do NOT love watching Fam go through his endless self-promotion rigamaroll and then sit back and listen to how no one else in the United States shares their training program and he is so special. He's NOT! And anyway, it's not his training program, it's Jack Daniels! And Jack Daniels' training book is the best-selling and most widely respected book in the business! This is nothing new that Fam is doing, nothing suddenly altruistic. Other runners do it without the ego, and give their coaches a fair nod of credit. reply
	PWNED   July 9 at 1:01pm FLOTRACK SUX FLOSWIMMING IS WHERE ITS AT! reply
	This Is Silly   July 9 at 12:53pm I hate to sound like the bad guy here. But it is ridiculous how defensive most of you are being. I am NOT ripping Fam's racing strategy as a strategy - because it wasn't. It was an attempt to gain notoreity and to help him make a name for himself. That's what all of this is. Fam is very good at marketing himself - he's made two goddamn DVD's about his running career - and now he releases something saying that it's all for the sake of OTHER people and everyone is going nuts about him. It's cool that he wants to share his training techniques, I guess, but it just doesn't make any sense and it is kind of embarassing, to be honest. If you really think that you as a runner, and American running in general, is going to improve because Fam the man makes another movie about himself, you must be mistaken. Fam is not an "individual" he is an egomaniac. I say this WITH respect for his times. And instead of having these absurd knee-jerk prissy-pout reactions to everyone who criticizes anyone who is fast ("well YOU never ran 13:11, blah blah blah"), maybe you should take a look at the rest of American distance running. You don't see Solinsky and Teg making DVD's about themselves, you don't see Solinsky and Teg pandering for attention in every way possible. How has Fam done this? 1) Made a huge deal about living and training in New York. Why the hell would you live and train in the busiest city in the country when you have the entire United States as a possible training ground? It just doesn't make sense. He is desperate to be different. 2) Tried extremely hard to act and sound like Pre during the 08 Olympic Trials steeple and in the interview afterwards. 3) Sounded like a complete fool in an NBC article asking about his diet - he tried to claim his DIET was the reason he could no longer run more than half a mile (completely ridiculous), and he sounded an awful lot like Webb ("Oh, well I've got the secret all figured out now") - THERE IS NO SECRET! Distance running is incredibly simple. I don't care what kind of genes you were given at birth, it still comes down to heartbreakingly hard work. 4) This post above. I mean let's assume for a moment he is being sincere. He really does want to try to improve American distance running. Which is great. It really is. But nothing he is doing is really doing that. If he wants to improve American distance running he should be a showboat and he shouldn't spend so much time making a DVD about himself. He should run a track camp, release an INSTRUCTIONAL video, help coach kids, volunteer at a few local high schools. THAT is giving back to the community and helping the state of American distance running, and since he wants to be Pre so badly, THAT's what would make him more like Pre. But as of now, I don't care how much you all whine and moan about un-supportive fans. I am supportive and I am rooting very much for Fam to succeed at an international level. But I'm also not dumb, and I'm blind enough to believe everything I read and take it at face value. This is Fam in his neverending struggle to be different. I wish he would quit it and focus on his training and be a strong, noble, quiet champion like Teg, Lagat, or even Rupp. reply
	1000miles   July 9 at 12:35pm If everyone sat like Galen every 5k would be 15 minutes and every 10k would be 30. He's just saying that every now and then, if you're in a situation where you can (as in you are one of the two runners in the field who have the A standard), lead the pack and take it out at a fast pace so your competitors can hit a standard, PR, or just run fast. He's obviously not going to do that every race, I don't see why everyone's bugging out about this. reply
	Sean   July 9 at 12:15pm The Fam has always been known for being a good guy, and this just reinforces it. I support your win-win situation and the many to come fam. Best of luck to you! reply
	Matt Holton   July 9 at 11:59am Great philosophy Fam. reply
	JonDCH   July 9 at 11:51am I appreciate his attitude, but if I'm reading him correctly he is satisfied with being a professional rabbit? reply
	UK / FAM FAN   July 9 at 11:27am UK! You hit the nail on the head! reply
	UK   July 9 at 11:10am some of you mates have lost it. the american distance running scene is finally getting a little push from guys like Fam and even rupp...and you negative little nancys can find nothing better to do than to bash some of your best hopes for distance running prowess because you disagree with his bloody racing strategy? its like when you get a new president..you may not agree with his methods or like him but he's your leader now so you need to support him...from the outside looking in..i would suggest you mates support men like Fam and the rest of your track elite who are trying to bring some american prestige to world class running..quit this mindless negative babbling. reply
	Sit And Quip   July 9 at 8:47am Fam won '08 trials front running. He set a personal best in Beijing front running to the final. He paced half of the US to PRs in the 5k at Mt sac '07 front running when he ran 13:11(fastest 5k on US soil at the time). He did the same again this year at Mt sac 13:17 as far as I know fasest 5k in the US right now besides Lagat. So tell me how his front running style is not working? All of these races are on this sight feel free to view them. Nie should be paying him for making their runners faster. BTW he lost in all of those races...but PRs galore. win-win fam! reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 8 at 10:37pm Rupp didn't care about time when he won the 5k this year. He was running it to win and get his team 10 points. I don't think hes gonna bust out a huge time anyway with it being his 3rd race in three days. reply
	Jeremy Skarda   July 8 at 9:59pm Anti-Fam said: “Don't you people understand that front running does not win championship type races anymore? The reason E. Africans always win is because they can hang in the pack and kick like crazy at the end of the race. If Fam wants to do his own thing, that's cool, but he will have a difficult time qualifying for the World Champs/Olympics/etc.” Well Africans running slow and kicking like crazy are about the same as Americans running all-out. reply
	PRO FAM   July 8 at 9:49pm I am a 30 min 10k guy, I would love any input on how to improve. Fam is trying to help the up and coming runners. It is true, no good deed goes unpunished. Fam is trying to help, and look, some of you took it the wrong way, and turned around and basically spat in his face. People like him are the future of American distance running. You doubters, critics, and armchair quarterbacks should really think before you post. Maybe tell us about how you ran in the low 13s for 5k..???? ( I don't think so).. It seems some of you must know better than Fam!!!! COME ON! Let us all in on how you would do better, or what you HAVE done that is better! Or....., get the hell outside and run a mile at his 5k pace, run your ass off to get out all of your worthless bad energy. reply
	Poppingblisters.com   July 8 at 9:47pm fam fun said: “where can I buy the movie run like hell?” http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BKUDW8?_encoding=UTF8&tag=runningmovies-20&linkCode=as3&camp=15041&creative=373501 reply
	Anti-Fam   July 8 at 9:42pm Don't you people understand that front running does not win championship type races anymore? The reason E. Africans always win is because they can hang in the pack and kick like crazy at the end of the race. If Fam wants to do his own thing, that's cool, but he will have a difficult time qualifying for the World Champs/Olympics/etc. reply
	Jeremy Skarda   July 8 at 9:40pm And why not try to raise the level of racing in the U.S. because even at a slow pace no runner coming out of the United States can out-kick or out-race runners like Kenenisa Bekele, Haile Gebrselassie, or any Kenyan or Ethiopian distance runner for that matter. When those countries have runners that aren't even at the top where they come from and they have times 15 seconds faster than the AR why is everyone so mad that someone is trying to be able to compete with the best in the world? reply
	Jeremy Skarda   July 8 at 9:31pm Why is everyone saying that he'll never win? I thought it was quite clear that winning was not the goal. Obviously he was trying to win but he didn't want to do it how everyone else tries to. An example is Galen Rupp. Who runs a 13:37 in high school and his college senior year he runs a 14 minute 5k just trying to win? What's the point of winning if you aren't showing what you can actually do all-out in a sport that is based soley upon physical fitness, pain, and who can push their body to its limit, and even further each race. Nothing is wrong with front running and everyone who bashes it probably just doesn't have the balls to do it. reply
	Fam Is Slow   July 8 at 8:53pm Fam loves to market himself. He is no longer competitive so he works flat out for the first 2/3 of a race only to get dropped when the racing starts. Him and Utra Marathoner DK are shameless self promoters. Boooooooo reply
	Gotcha!!!   July 8 at 8:28pm I agree, When you look at america's running people like to go slow and win a race, i believe if its in us to do it than do it, I understand conserving but no need if you know that you can go faster, I've ran races and people are more of winning than competition, if you beat me i want your best not leftovers your best, in turn i become more competitive and work hard to earn that title. reply
	John Ribeiro   July 8 at 7:33pm If Fam wants to run a certain way, it is his decision to do so. I am very fond of people who do not always think of themselves and instead look at the larger picture. However, as a professional runner, I would rather take 3rd place and thus wearing my country's jersey in a global competition instead of 8th place and raising the level of competition. But hey, who doesn't admire a guy like Fam? reply
	Fam Fun   July 8 at 6:54pm where can I buy the movie run like hell? reply
	Greg W   July 8 at 6:52pm Fam is right about the win-win attitude, just look at how many of US's top runners are coming out of Oregon, it is that help each other mentality that is bringing US distance running to the forefront. Besides, Fam got 8th place, that is still respectable where I come from, how come no one is tearing Abdi to shreds? He tried to push the limits, and he didn't have it that day, but if you never try or make sacrifices, you cannot accomplish anything. Also, you negative people out there must not remember the Steeple Trials or countless other races in which Fam has led from the gun and accomplished his goals, it's simply his running style, and without it he couldn't be as good as he is. reply
	Graham Armstrong   July 8 at 6:12pm Of course jog-and-kick runners would be put on a pedestal above Fam. Since that's the type of running we advocate, it must also be the reason Americans are dominating the world scene of track and field :/ reply
	Steve L.   July 8 at 5:47pm This is silly said: “I don't see how making a big deal out of 'running reckless' ISN'T being egotistical or self-righteous. How is shameless self-promotion helping your competition? I respect your times and your work ethic, but your competition works just as hard, and I don't see them saying things like "eating the wrong food caused me to not be able to run for more than half a mile at a time" or "I'm not trying to win a steeplechase medal because I know everyone is doping" or nonsense like that. Maybe you aren't doing it intentionally, but every time I see you do one of these "public relations" things - an article about you or by you, a new DVD released by you, a post or pre race interview - you are inventing new ways to try make yourself separate and 'legendary'. This endless struggle to be different is a bit nauseating. Distance running is a preciously simple thing, don't spoil it with all this side nonsense. You have the dedication and the genes to at least challenge for a medal internationally in an event of your choice - there just aren't many human beings that can say that.” F&*k you. He's talking about getting the US running on the same stage as the E. Africans. Asking if everyone will help out instead of being so individualized and get hyped in ego's like dumbsh!t football, baseball,basketball players . Go F)(K yourself. reply
	Poopie   July 8 at 5:40pm fam you are amzing, and your resume precedes you! f*uck all of these a*ssholes who think they know anything about running because they don't. i believe you will run an AR in the 5k one of these days. There are way too many a*ssholes on flotrack. reply
	Poppingblisters.com   July 8 at 5:21pm Individualism: the habit or principle of being independent and self-reliant. Fam, never stop doing what you do. Our sport needs it. reply
	This Is Silly   July 8 at 5:14pm I don't see how making a big deal out of 'running reckless' ISN'T being egotistical or self-righteous. How is shameless self-promotion helping your competition? I respect your times and your work ethic, but your competition works just as hard, and I don't see them saying things like "eating the wrong food caused me to not be able to run for more than half a mile at a time" or "I'm not trying to win a steeplechase medal because I know everyone is doping" or nonsense like that. Maybe you aren't doing it intentionally, but every time I see you do one of these "public relations" things - an article about you or by you, a new DVD released by you, a post or pre race interview - you are inventing new ways to try make yourself separate and 'legendary'. This endless struggle to be different is a bit nauseating. Distance running is a preciously simple thing, don't spoil it with all this side nonsense. You have the dedication and the genes to at least challenge for a medal internationally in an event of your choice - there just aren't many human beings that can say that. reply
	Harry X   July 8 at 4:24pm I think its important that people like fam begin to run without setting limits upon themselves. How else will americans be able to run sub 13s as consistently as the east africans unless we start pushing the envelope? I'm sure those last 2 miles hurt just as bad for fam if he goes out in 4:20 or 4:12. reply
	Andrew Goodwin   July 8 at 4:22pm you very simply did not understand the message of this blog. his goal IS to run reckless. he said it like 30 times. hard to miss. also, teg, solinsky, and jager, while they did run great tactical races, they benefited from fam leading. it was pretty obvious that none of them were going to lead at any point until the end, which means their times would not have been nearly as good without fam. he therefore elevated his competition around him and partially did what he set out to do. reply
	Jeremyporter   July 8 at 4:14pm we love to hate them when they are down. we love to call them names, to put them down, all for the sake of making ourselves feel better for our inadequacies. The reality is, none of us on this board have ran near as fast as fam nor have we accomplished near what he has on the roads or the track. Let me pose you all a question, who was going to take the lead that day in the wind? Not Teg, not Solinsky, not German. Would you rather have watched a 13:50 5k with a fast kick and a winning time in the 13:30's? But would Fam had made the team with that race?? Maybe, maybe not. If not, you would have been the first guys to slaughter him and say, why did you not run up front like you usually do....I have seen many top guys lose on the final kick. Running a slow pace just lets alot of guys in the mix that really do not belong there. At least we still have a good team still representing the US. you are awesome fam. i like that win-win attitude. reply
	Anti-Fam   July 8 at 3:31pm LOL at all you people trying to defend Fam. If his goal was to run "reckless" in the beginning of the race, he sure did. Nobody can deny his move about halfway into the race when he faded then sprinted to the lead was just plain stupid. You would expect someone of Fam's caliber to race smarter than that. If his goal was to run reckless, stupid, and not make the team, he achieved those goals. I just think it's funny to see so many people come to his defense when he has a bad race. Just accept that Teg, Solinsky, and Jager were better than him that day and move on. reply
	J. A. Cisneros   July 8 at 2:50pm haha i meant Fam reply
	J. A. Cisneros   July 8 at 2:50pm So is fan not an Olympian!!! Common people he knows what he's doing. He's paid his dues, he wrote that now he has the freedom to pick and choose which race to run and how he wants to run it. He knows what he's doing. reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 8 at 2:39pm Fam was valet parked at the Ritz-Carlton all weekend (the peachtree meet hotel). Doubt he had any parking issues with you. reply
	Fan Of American Running   July 8 at 2:22pm I'm not here to tell you right or wrong Fam, because ulitimately there is only right in your heart in what you think is right. But I can tell you that you won't win the big races with the big competition in what we define as winning a race, which is crossing the line in first place. You may win for yourself in holding up your ideals of what you think racing should be but that is just not going to win the actual race against a talented field. A field you are clearly better than, you bet. An early season race when guys aren't fit or are in a huge training week, sure it can. But not at the big meets that count when you would have a tough time winning on your best day and running a smart race. The talent of racing is not just balls and fast pace. It's strategy. A master of chess doesn't make bold moves from the start and expect to win. If you can learn to respect racing for everything that it is, perhaps you can learn to respect yourself for being able to race with strategy, patience, nerve and execution which are the other aspects of winning that are actually more difficult than just running hard. You seem like a passionate person who likes to push it hard. Work out hard, get in races in Europe that are way above you and run your ass off the whole time. When you get into championship races though, try racing to win or on the biggest levels to get a medal. Running reckless is great for inspiring high schoolers, but winning the big stuff is the oppossite of recklessness. Being a master of anything is the oppossite of being reckless. Focus, patience, and execution are on the opposite side of the tracks than recklessness. Good luck Fam, seriously. reply
	Andrew Goodwin   July 8 at 1:48pm the point that fam is making here is pretty much that he doesn't give a flying turd if all you people think that winning is the end-all-be-all of running and that he's a moron for not trying to just win every race, whether fast or not. he has chosen to make reaching his physical potential in running and helping others around him to do so as well, a more important goal than winning races. not to say that one is more honorable than the other, but crapping all over him for trying to accomplish something different than what has become the accepted pinnacle of achievement (winning) in our society, is wrong. if he was going out to try to win every race and proceeded to do what he did at USA's, then it would be a completely different story, but that obviously wasn't the case. he has other goals in mind and everybody telling him that he is an idiot for going after them apparently would prefer him to live life to their standards and not his own. reply
	Anti-Fam   July 8 at 1:20pm No offense, but that 5k at US Champs was one of the dumbest races I have ever seen. What were you thinking? reply
	Bryan Spreitzer   July 8 at 12:04pm how would you go about promoting a dvd? reply
	Cool Coward   July 8 at 11:51am Fam got mad at me after the Peachtree Road Race on a small crowded street. We were totally blocking his car and he looked like he was in a hurry. reply
	I LOVE YOU   July 8 at 11:28am I love you so much. You are an amazing, wonderful person. I cannot praise you enough. We should all praise him more. reply
	GetaGrip   July 8 at 11:24am Fam, You are supposed to be a professional, why don't you race like one? Give yourself a chance and hang back for once. Obviously your idiotic front-running techniques haven't/don't work. Take a lesson from Galen, he's a winner, you're just a loser who has watched Without Limits one too many times. You think it's courageous to go out and kill yourself and lead every lap and kill all your chances of winning the race, that's not courageous, it's stupid. I am just so sick of your bullcrap, you can do that kind of stuff against not that good of competition, but it's USA's, and you're going up against Teg (a 13:04 guy), you really think you're going to run away from him? Give me a break. You're just stupid, and it shows in your racing, that's why you'll never be the best in the USA or the world. All you do is give stupid high school freshman boys the motivation to go out and hammer the first half of a race and die, just like you. reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 8 at 11:09am and i almost forgot to say Thanks!! reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 8 at 11:08am Fam your a fantastic guy and I hope you continue to excel and elevate those around you. I know i will buy your dvd and aspire to be as humble and helpful as you are and a runner even half as good as yourself. Keeping blogging and running and dont listen to the negativity you have obviously done something right because your a two time olympian and an elite distance runner. reply
	puzeyj   July 8 at 10:54am By far the best blogger/harrier out there. Not only are you raising the bar in your running and the running of other US harriers, you are raising the bar on what people choose to post. Your blogs always inspire, are always articulate, and are rarely reckless. Thanks for saving that for your training and races. reply
	Sucka Free   July 8 at 10:44am I applaud both the running effort and the headsup on the DVD. I get what Fam is saying...winning a single national championship is less important than continually pushing US distance to race competitive international times. We have been so complacent on living in a bubble of US times, that it is a joke when we step on the international stage. The women are stepping up their game, I'm glad Fam is dedicating himself to be that for the men. And if he can package together a quality product to teach others, he is doing a service for us distance runners. What a runner can't make a living from doing what they love? reply
	1000miles   July 8 at 10:40am no name said: “front running from the gun on a heavy head wind in a 5k isnt guts.. but stupidity. there is a time and place to race a certain way, and the way you raced not only DID NOT help US distance running.. but hurt it because we do not have you in the field competing in Berlin. You are talking about letting go of your ego, well please let go of your finicial self-promoting ego and help out US distance running as a whole. I firmly believe yourself and Lagat are faster than the rest of the 5k field that ran in Eugene.. and faster than all 3 that qualified. Having you wear a USA jersey and competing in Berlin would help out US distance running. P.S. Your still my favorite runner. No worries. I” There is a good chance we will have him competing in Berlin (if neither Teg or Jager get the A) so grow some balls and shut up. reply
	Fam Fan   July 8 at 10:35am Well, to counter the negativity here, that 5k at the USA Champs was great fun to watch, much more so than a plodding kicker's race where no one comes close to setting PR's. Every great runner talks about the need to risk in races, and I applaud Fam for doing what he thought was the right move, even knowing it was a bit suicidal. Billy Mills talks about going through the 5k mark in his Olympic 10k just five seconds slower than his best-ever 5k. That's risky - that's daring. And it's also pretty cool. I'm sure guys like German appreciated the effort - and it was weird to see German go through 2 miles less than 10 seconds slower than he ran the California State Meet 3200m just last year. To do that, and continue on for another fast mile, shows how much HE has improved, and good pacing helped him grab that Jr. record. Fam is a great character and talent who adds a great emotional dimension to a sport that too often gets reduced to training methodologies and, to be honest, a boring approach to racing. It seems like Americans tend to accept the second-fiddle role behind Kenyans/Ethiopians/Moroccans, and guys like Fam are a bit of a wake-up call. We need to be chasing that "A" standard. We need more guys like Fam extolling the virtues of being an individual and daring to be great, while also piling on the miles and running great times. And I'm sure the DVD is worth whatever he's charging for it. reply
	Brett   July 8 at 10:07am No Name, In my opinion, you are looking at this from too small a viewpoint (By the way, no one ever mentioned the word guts). Fam wants to improve himself as a runner, but he also wants the U.S. to be more competitive at the world level in the future, beyond 2009. If the most important race in history were the 2009 World Championships, then I would agree with you that Fam should have run a different strategy, because he has proven to be one of the top performers this year. If Americans want to compete at the same level as the countries with the best distance runners right now, and be able to stay in a race with them, the times across the board have to improve. I think Fam is trying to increase the level of racing, instead of being a completely selfish person. You may agree or disagree, but I think his "big-picture" view is the best way to improve the competitiveness of U.S. athletes on the world stage. reply
	Anonymous Coward   July 8 at 10:00am i like fam, but this was nothing more than a plug for his new DVD and a shot at saving face for racing badly reply
	Victor LeMay   July 8 at 9:41am AWESOME!!! reply
	No Name   July 8 at 9:37am front running from the gun on a heavy head wind in a 5k isnt guts.. but stupidity. there is a time and place to race a certain way, and the way you raced not only DID NOT help US distance running.. but hurt it because we do not have you in the field competing in Berlin. You are talking about letting go of your ego, well please let go of your finicial self-promoting ego and help out US distance running as a whole. I firmly believe yourself and Lagat are faster than the rest of the 5k field that ran in Eugene.. and faster than all 3 that qualified. Having you wear a USA jersey and competing in Berlin would help out US distance running. P.S. Your still my favorite runner. No worries. I reply

Famiglietti won his first national 3,000m steeplechase title since 2002 at the 2008 Olympic Trials in bold, front-running form. Famiglietti took the lead early in the final and ran alone throughout the race, running 8:16 pace for all but the final two laps. Although he slowed somewhat in the final 800, "Fam" won easily in 8:20.24. Famiglietti ran a season’s best in the opening round at the Olympic Games when he clocked a personal best 8:17.34 (bettering his previous PR of 8:17.91 from 2004), which also was the fastest time by an American in 2008. Known mostly for his prowess in the steeplechase, Famiglietti’s 2007 season was highlighted by his 5,000m runner-up finish at Mt. SAC on April 13 in the year’s second-fastest time by an American of 13:11.93, which is the fastest time by an American ever on U.S. soil. Famiglietti’s 2006 season was highlighted by personal best performances in the 1,500 meters (3:35.83) and at 10,000 meters (27:37.74). He posted a then personal steeple best with his runner-up finish of 8:17.91 at the 2004 Olympic Trials. Famiglietti made his breakthrough in 2000, improving his personal best by more than 17 seconds and placing seventh at the Olympic Trials. He headed into the 2001 GMC Envoy USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with the fastest time by an American in 2001 and came away with second place, a personal-best time, and a berth on Team USA for the World Championships. His victory at the 2001 World University Games is the first international title by an American in the steeplechase since John Gregorek captured the WUG title in 1991. While in Beijing, he cut his hair into a mohawk and bought a bicycle so he could travel around the city. He gave the bike to some children before he left for home…was a psychology major at Tennessee but has no plans to practice psychotherapy: “I’ve got to figure myself out first”…is an artist, with a particular interest in abstract expressionism. Famiglietti has a quotation from the 1980s New York graffiti artist Basquiat (aka “Samo”) tattooed on his forearm…has an interest in Eastern religions. 2008: 13th at Olympic Games (8:31.21)...Olympic Trials champion (8:20.24)… 3rd in opening round Heat 2 at Olympic Games (8:17.34 PR, U.S. Leader)…ranked #1 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 8:17.34. 2007:4th at USA Outdoor Championships steeple (8:27.64)…USA 8 km champion (22:35)…1st at adidas Track Classic 3,000m (7:41.27)…2nd at Mt. SAC 5,000m (13:11.93PR)…ranked #6 in steeplechase, #5 at 3,000m & #10 at 5,000m in the U.S. by T&FN…bests of 8:27.64 & 7:41.27. 2006:4th at AT&T USA Outdoors 5,000m (28:27.73)…U.S. k km champion (13:50.1)...3rd at Stanford (27:37.74)…3rd at Reebok Grand Prix (3:55.71)…8th at Stockholm (8:24.41)…7th at Rieti (3:35.83PR)… 5th at Linz (8:19.77)… 9th at Roverto (13:24.47PR)…ranked #2 U.S. in steeple, #5 U.S. at 1,500m by T&FN…bests of 3:35.83, 8:19.77, 13:24.47, 27:37.74. 2005: 2nd at USA Outdoors (8:20.49)6th in opening round at World Outdoor Champs (8:21.84)...1st in at adidas Track Classic (8:25.16) 1st at meet in Columbus (8:20.04)...2nd at Rieti (8:19.46)...best of 8:19.46 2004: 2nd at Olympic Trials (8:17.91PR)...8th in opening round at Olympic Games (8:31.59); 1st in 1500m at Sea Ray Relays (3:43.38)1st at Penn Relays (8:25.02)7th in 3000m at adidas Oregon (7:50.70)14th in 5000m at Mt. Sac (13:38.29)ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN bests of 8:17.91, 7:50.70 & 13:38.29. 2003: 3rd at Pan Am Games (8:40.22)best of 8:31.03 in opening round at USA Outdoors...ranked #4 in U.S. by T&FN. 2002: USA Outdoor steeple champ (8:19.07); 4th at USA Indoors 3 km (7:59.15)4th at World Cup (8:32.27)13th at USA 4 km XC (11:47)4th at Gresham (8:21.05 ); ran 8:23.30 in Monacoran 8:24.49 in Stockholm ranked #1 in U.S. by T&FN best of 8:19.07. 2001: World University Games champ (8:21.97); 2nd at USA Outdoors (8:22.68)...4th at US indoor 3,000m (7:59.41)...11th in opening round at World Outdoors (8:44.54)10th in 4 km at USA XC Winter Nationals; 3rd at adidas Oregon Track Classic (8:23.20)...ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 8:21.00 in Stockholm. 2000: 7th, Olympic Trials (8:25.37) ...2nd SEC Outdoors 4th, NCAA Outdoors (8:42.49) best of 8:25.37. 1999: 8th in heat, USA Outdoors (8:42.58)... 6th at NCAA Outdoors (8:50.11)...best of 8:42.58. 1998: Southern Conference champion in steeple and 5 km...11th at SEC XC...75th at NCAA XC...best of 8:52.12. 1997: Southern Conference XC runner of the year runner-up. 1996: Southern Conference freshman of year in XC