some how I missed the start of this one not that it really matters. But I am wondering how long these kinds of debates are going to happen. As events become more competitive there is bound to be some cross over in events. Now I know years ago some thought that walkers couldn't run and that is why they walked. But time and again we see that walker cross over into running very well. Alina Ivanova a 42 min 10 walker and 2:27 marathoner from Russia. Most of you know about Michelle's exploits as a middle distance runner (NAIA champion and 15 time all-american as well as a 2:48 marathon). A couple of years ago I pointed out that Justin Easter of Main won the state championship in the walk, mile run and two mile in the same day. Many at the time scoffed that the triple wasn't that hard but really that is impressive no matter how you look at it - he ran a 4:20. He won the JN 10 k walk his senior year in HS and won JN in the steeple the next year. Amber Antonia a All American cross country runner was second in Eugene. Robyn Stevens who is one of the best Junior walkers has also run 5:12 and will go to Parkside to run and walk.
How many of you knew that Jerry Lingren tried the walk in meets? How about our own list member Floyd Highfill. ?
My point is this: the walk is just another endurance event. That's it. You train almost the same race the strategic, get the same HR's same VO2 all the same. There are lots of guys I see run that would be just as good or better walkers and some walkers are solid runners it goes both ways.
SOme folks, Roger Ruth for example, put out all kinds of things about the vault. Mike ROTH puts stuff up about HS walkers. Mainstream track writers/list keeper/whoever sometimes inadvertently forget to mention good performances by walkers. Ask Tom Surber or Glen McClicken how many times I have drooped them notes about things as reminders. I am never upset when I have to do this because I know they are very busy and they always say thanks. If all the events had people doing stuff like that media relations would be way better.
Anyway I am not sure what happened here but this list is all about T&F - don't really see why there needs to be a problem at all.
Mike
