Pole vaulting travel issues (hahaha),
US looks to contend in London in the 1500,
Centro and Alberto's boot camp,
chasing pre, and a
great SI article about the 100 meter runoff.
Monday, July 2nd - 4 miles. Happy 1000th mile to me!!! Fallen behind pace for 2000, but will have to work hard to hit the number this year. Ran a quick mile with Crystal (first time in weeks), then she, Matt, and I did the quick 3 mile loop around Francis Park. Overcast and warm, but better than it could have been. 32:18 total.
Tuesday, July 3rd - 5 miles. Ran early with the intention of running with Crystal, but overslept my alarm (new i-phone alarm sucks and is too quiet for me to hear). Ran a loop on the trails solo and kept it slow. Was really tired and slightly sore. 40-45 minutes.
So, let's get to the meat and potatoes of this blog post - Jeneba Tarmoh and her decision to drop out of the runoff for the last Olympic spot. Really disappointed that she dropped out of her chance for Olympic glory. More disappointed at her passing on a chance (as a running ambassador) to further promote her sport on the biggest stage of all - Monday night prime time network television with no major competition.
She was recently interviewed, and I will end this post with her comments and mine in red. I am normally not this outspoken about issues, but this really bothered me and I don't understand this rationale whatsoever.
Explain your decision to not do the run-off.
Tarmoh: After we had the discussion the morning of the meeting, and they [USATF officials] pretty much said. “Jeneba, what do you want to do, forfeit or do you want to run?” I said, “Are they my only two options?” They said, “Yes.” So I said, “I will run.” But throughout the day I thought about it. I ran that 100, and I did the victory lap, and I got my medal, and then they say I have to run again—after I ran the 100 and the 200, the three rounds. I had a whole lot of emotions and I was heartbroken. In my mind I felt that my joy was kind of taken away—after I had gotten third—and my legs were tired. It was more of my emotions. It would have been unfair to myself to go out there not whole-heartedly.
Not an excuse. Allyson Felix ran the same races you did. "My legs were tired" - well, who's legs aren't tired at this point???
Have you spoken to Allyson?
Tarmoh: I spoke to Allyson. I said, “You know, Allyson, my heart is not into it. I don’t want to do a run-off or a coin flip. You just take it and I just wish you luck in the 100, the 200, the 4 x 11, and 4 x 400. You trained hard for it.” I called her last night and told her everything how I felt.
"My heart is not into it" - that's because you have no heart, clearly. No desire to run for your country, no desire to achieve personal glory, no desire for another opportunity for a personal best. What exactly are you running for? I know this is unfair, but I am fairly certain that any elite athlete in your position would have run, including your main competitor (Felix). IT'S THE OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What else have you been training for your entire career???????
Were you 100 percent sold on the process USATF set up to settle break the tie?
Tarmoh: Throughout the process I didn’t want to run again. It didn’t feel right. I am a prayerful person and I prayed and just the thought of running again, my heart wasn’t in it. I don’t know how to explain it. But once I made the final decision, I was at peace. I smiled and laughed for the first time in days.
Let's see how you feel years from now. "My heart wasn't in it" - why did you even compete in the trials?
But you gave up an Olympic spot?
Tarmoh: It is hard, I must admit. It is not an easy decision giving up an Olympic spot. I did train really hard. At the end of the day just as long I know in my heart that I prayed to God and this is what God wants me to do. I can’t be mad. If they [people] have anything against me, if they are upset at me, I can’t really say anything.
Could you have been at your best in a runoff?
Tarmoh: I don’t think I would have been at my best if I would have gone out there tonight. I doubt I would have been at my best.
You'll never know now.
Why then decide to do it?
Tarmoh: At the time I can safely say I felt like I was being pushed into a corner. They just said, ‘Jeneba, you have five minutes, two options, run or give it up.' In the heat of the moment anyone would say, run. But with time you are going to think about it some more and weigh more options. I said, What is the worst that can happy? If you’re happy why are you going to make decision that will make you unhappy.
Why would trying to settle a tie make you unhappy? I am absolutely dumbfounded. Don't you need to know, in your heart and mind, who truly is deserving of the last spot???? Where's the fight???
Who are "they"?
Tarmoh: It was…I don’t know their names. Max [Siegel, USATF CEO] and Stephanie [Hightower, USATF president]. They didn’t really push me. They just said these are your options. They didn’t say you had to choose right now, but I felt I had to.
What are your feelings on the whole process?
Tarmoh: They [USATF] tried their hardest to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. It’s hard; they don’t have procedures for situations like this, but with the time given, I think they did do a good job. I think if they had a procedure for dead heats before this track meet and before we ran the final, then it would have been easier on Allyson and myself. It was hard on us.
Only part of this interview I agreed with. USTAF sh*t the bed on this one and caused a lot more hoopla and pressure, but surely the outcome was obvious
Are you still friends with Allyson?
Tarmoh: Yes, I have the utmost respect for Allyson. She is my friend, sister, competitor, and training partner. I have no ill feelings toward. I wish her the best of luck and Godspeed.
You will be going to London to run on the 4 x 100 relay team?
Tarmoh: Yes.
No doubt?
Tarmoh: No doubt about it, but you never know what happens.
Did you sleep well last night?
Tarmoh: I slept perfect. It was the best sleep I had since the final [in the 100 meter].
Let's see how you feel after the 100 meter final in London. I sincerely hope you can say this years from now
When did you make the decision to not do the run-off?
Tarmoh: I was at the track [Hayward] yesterday. It was probably three or four o’clock. I spoke to my agent and came to my conclusion that it is done with. I tried to think some more but I was too happy.
You mentioned previously that you were “robbed”. Do you still feel that way?
Tarmoh: I wouldn’t call it robbed. I feel like I would just say I could not fully experience my joy.
Did you speak with anyone special when making the decision?
Tarmoh: I prayed. I can’t say I did it myself. I do have my family members pray. And I went to my room, opened my Bible, mediated, said my prayers. It was just me having a conversation.
What did your family tell you?
Tarmoh: My family said do what you feel is right. Whatever makes you happy. When I was leaning for the runoff, they said, “Then go out and run your butt off. What is the worst that can happen? Just thinking about it, though, I was crying on the phone to my dad. How can I run off when I can’t fathom why I have to run again? But after I made the decision, they said, “We trust you, and if you prayed about it then everything is going to work out the way it is supposed to.”
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