Opening The Flood Gates
by Dathan Ritzenhein | Jun 14, 2010 |
So I am now the “former” American Record holder in the 5000m. It was great while it lasted even though it was just a short nine months. I knew last weekend that my reign as American Record holder was about to come to an end. With Bernard and Chris both running great, and the huge upswing in American distance running, there was no way my record of 12:56 was going to last the summer. The previous record by Bob Kennedy of 12:58 stood for an amazing 13 years I believe. For so long that time was almost an abstract thought-unattainable. When I ran 12:56 last year in Zurich I knew within a week that I had opened the flood gates when Matt ran 12:58 in Brussels only seven days later. It makes me very proud of the huge gains we have made in American distance running to know that we now have four guys who have ran sub 13 in the last nine months. I think of all the great athletes we have getting ready to breakthrough and it is so exciting. I have no doubt that Galen will join the list this summer as well as some other great young runners. I was running loops last week around the grass field on Nike campus and I realized that the only three people running around the loop were sub 13 minute runners. It was an amazing feeling to think that in this small area we have three American guys who have run 12:56, 12:56 and 12:58! I think the progression that has happened since that magical night in Zurich last year just shows that 12:58 was just a mental barrier. We now have broken through that one thing that has been holding us back; and the future is bright!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:43 am
Dathan,
I remember seeing you at a meet in high school (I hail from Livonia, MI) and thinking “wow, that kid is good.” To see what you’ve accomplished and having your name forever in the books makes me proud to call myself a runner, and especially one who has shared the same trails, much like the ones you speak so fondly of. Keep up the great work.
-Collin
June 15th, 2010 on 11:36 am
Dathan,
Are you healthy? Are you racing soon? I think a lot of folks would be far more interested in your current fitness level your plans going forward for the next 4-6 months than your take on the racing of other elites. I’m a huge fan and I would love to see you dip under 27 before racing a fall marathon this year. Hope all is well with you.
June 15th, 2010 on 12:28 pm
I think you should get it back…
June 15th, 2010 on 5:21 pm
awesome article, but what are your summer plans!
June 16th, 2010 on 8:55 am
Roger Banister is forever recognized as the first sub-4 miler… but he was only the first by a few weeks.
When you are willing to start a trend, you do not always get to be the one in the record books. The rest of the country watched your race and said to themselves “crap… I got work to do.” From the best to the mediocre, you have done what every man aspires to do: you have raised the bar, set the standard another notch higher. You too will reap the benefits of what you have sown, no doubt about it.
June 16th, 2010 on 10:02 am
Great glimpse into the attitude and mind-set of a true American distance running Champion. It’s one thing to take it personal when someone beats your record. But to see it as just the beginning of a bright future for all American distance running…that says tons about you and who you are. Great post.
June 17th, 2010 on 7:27 pm
It is always a good feeling to know you are in the right place. When I went from high school to college and met many people of my same skill level it felt great. Keep up the great work Dathan. Remember Records are meant to be broken. All we can do is to inspire those after us to do their best and great things will happen, thanks for continuing to inspire, I hope that one day I can aspire to the level you are on. If not I will know that I have done my best.
June 19th, 2010 on 8:06 pm
Dath-
Are you running at the USA Outdoor Championships? I hope to see you there.
Thanks,
Bob