California!

The Jackrabbits competed in Southern California this weekend.  Meets included; Cal State- LA, Bryan Clay Invite at Azusa Pacific, Beach Invitational, and the Mt. SAC Relays.

A lot happened so I am only going to highlight the biggest things!

1. Trent Lusignan kicked off the weekend for SDSU by running 30:25 in the 10,000 meters at Mt. SAC.  As a true freshman, Trent claimed 10th on the All-Time Top-10 list in the event.  SDSU head coach, Rod DeHaven is #2 while current athlete Mike Krsnak is #3 with his 29:40 clocking last spring.

2. Calvin Cammack had a 16 cm (about 6 inches) PR to win the Azusa Pacific Bryan Clay Invite in the Pole Vault.  Calvin's vault propelled him to the SDSU school record and a likely spot in the NCAA Championship First round later this season.  His vault was 5.11m or 16'9.25".

3. Jared Vlastuin replicated Calvin's performance with a win.  It was also a season best and the second farthest jump of all time behind his 25-02 jump last year.  This jump also secured Jared a spot in at least one event at the NCAA Championships.

4. Jared 'Benny' Ailts dominated the second heat of the 1500m at Azusa and broke the 3:50 barrier for the first time.  Jared will continue to chase a NCAA Qualifying time.  It should be about 3:46.  This performance also pushes Benny to 8th All-Time at SDSU.  He pushes teammate Jake Schneller back to 9th.

5. Cullen Mack, a freshman from Watertown, threw at the NWC Red Raider Open in Orange City, IA.  Cullen threw 164'11" which ties him for 8th All-Time at SDSU.  He has a bright future!

6. The Woman's 400 squad represented well with Megan Bren and Gina Fritz went 56.88 and 57.15 respectively and their 4x4 ran 3:52 at Mt. SAC.

7. The Women's 1500 team also ran well with Krista Creager, Laura Lawton and Tera Potts all running under 4:40.  Volunteer assistant Dani Burke also recorded a 4:31.  These girls look to run a 4x1600 at the Drake Relays this weekend.

8. Tera Potts and Danielle McCann recorded personal bests in the 3000m steeplechase.  Tera moves up to #3 All-Time while Danielle takes #8.  Tera is on the border for qualifying for NCAAs.

9. Amy Paulzine throws a 2 foot PR in the Javelin.  Amy is ranked 2nd in the Summit League in the event.

Nike Free Run+ 3 Vs Nike Free 3.0 V4

I have had a lot of questions regarding the differences between two of Nike's new awesome shoes.  Here are my thoughts.

1. The uppers are different.  The Run+ 3 has a tongue and while being a little heavier in the upper it is probably slightly more breathable with more mesh and less synthetic material.  The 3.0 V4 will give you more of a sock like feel and is slightly softer inside.  The Run+ 3 has the lace lockdown system while the 3.0 V4 does not.  I haven't found this to be especially important though.

2. The sole is the key difference between the two shoes.  The original line of thinking for the Frees was that barefoot running is a 0 and running in a traditional trainer is a 10.  The Free Run+ 3 is a relative of the original Free 5.0 and the Free 3.0 is slightly more towards a barefoot shoe.  It has an overall lower profile and you can feel the ground more.  This new 3.0 is probably the most popular shoe in the minimalist category.  It is far from a barefoot shoe though.

2a. Also, there are a few more differences on the soles.  Both of these shoes are the first in the Free line to incorporate diagonal grooves in the arch area of the foot instead of the typical grid like pattern.  These are another factor that push the 3.0 V4 more into the minimalist category  The 3.0 V4 does have more of those grooves as well as a larger groove that runs most of the length of the shoe.

3. Heel drop: 4mm for the 3.0 V4 and 6mm for the Run+ 3.

4. Nike+: The Free Run+ 3 is Nike+ compatible but the 3.0 V4 is not.  This is due to the lower profile in the 3.0.

What do I recommend? Both!  I really enjoy both of these shoes.  Of course, the Run+ 3 is closer to a typical trainer so if you are just starting the minimal route it might be wise to get one of these.  If you have already tried out the 5.0/Run+ line and want more minimalist then maybe the 3.0 V4 is your best bet.  Like anything else, I urge moderation and patience when beginning a minimalist regiment.  It is stress on your body that it is not used to.

 Run+ 3

 3.0 V4

2012 Boston Marathon Thoughts

This year's Boston marathon had it's surprises like usual.  Last year's champ, Geoffrey Mutai dropped out and a former NCAA runner from Louisville, Wesley Korir, won.  Korir is a tough runner and it wasn't surprising to see him come out on top in these less than ideal conditions.  Another tough runner appears to be Jason Hartmann of the USA.  Hartmann finished 4th, the same position as Ryan Hall, in a similarly talented field.  Hartmann did finish about 10 minutes slower, however.  It is nice to see a runner who isn't extraordinarily skinny out there running fast.  As a runner with a bigger bone structure I can relate to that!  Hartmann is said to weigh 160 pounds.  I am not sure how much the weather truly affected the race.  Obviously it did but was that as important of a factor as the attitudes of the competitors.  I mean, that joker-tri athlete Glen Randall led for awhile.  I don't think Ryan Hall would have allowed such a thing and if Hall went, so would have Gebre and Geoffrey.  The weather had more of a mental impact then a physical one in my opinion.  I would like to give a shout out to the top 2 South Dakota finishers.  First was last year's Brookings half marathon champion, Thomas Madut.  Madut formerly ran for Sioux Falls Lincoln and Dakota Wesleyan University.  Thomas ran 2:35.  Second was Corey Selland, a current graduate student at SDSU and employee at Bartling's shoes.  Great job guys!