Board Meeting
The Midwest Sets the Tone
Okay, look, the title of this post is a pun. The problem is, I don’t think indoor tracks have been wooden boards since at least the 90s. At least, not most of them, not unless you’re in, like, Idaho or something.
What I’m saying is, if possible, read this post in Idaho1.
I’m back from a downright refreshing 3 weeks off and I’m happy to report that races, slowly but surely, are beginning to resume. The only results I’m aware of at this point are from the Tracksmith Twilight Meet in Chicago. The meet, put on by every runner’s favorite photography account, was held on the evening of January 7th. Two clubs, as far as I can tell, were in attendance — MRun and Illinois. And, in a turn that should surprise absolutely no one, these two midwestern powerhouses have already set a high bar for the rest of us.
Illinois made a strong opening statement in the 800m, with their Katherine Vande Pol and Thomas Harmon running 2:17.96 and 1:56.86 for 2nd and 4th overall respectively. Braden Cardamone and Ethan Forsell also ran the event, placing 10th and 15th with 2:03 and 2:04 performances.
In the men’s mile race, MRun’s Adam Sawicki became the first club runner of the season under 4:30, running 4:29.74 for 10th overall. Ohio State mile stud Casey Manos, in the heat prior, ran an impressive 4:35 in a result that would stand as a league best for almost 10 minutes. Illinois Ethan Forsell also ran the mile, going 4:40, and Cade Baker took second in his heat with a 4:41.
Meanwhile, Diane Makovic of Illinois became the first club woman under 5:30 for the year, running 5:29.33 for 6th overall. Her teammate Evelyn Rowan wasn’t far behind, finishing in 5:46.
Distance fiends that they are, MRun logged some big results in the 3k, the longest event of the evening. In the women’s race, Anna Nagelhout2 pulled ahead of Ashley Heidenrich3 for the win, running 10:294 to Heidenrich's 10:39.
In the men’s race, MRun distance Dude Andrew Quaal finished second overall in a blazing 8:47.79. His teammate Zach Duval was only 5 seconds behind, finishing in 8:52 for 9th place.
Heads Up
For all you now-devout Substack readers: my friend and real-life coach, Jacob Montgomery, has started a newsletter of his own. Jacob’s a recent Pitt grad who you may remember from his third-place finish in the 5000m at NIRCA Nats in 2022. From April 2021-May 2022, he coached himself to everything from a 3:59 1500m to a 2:30 marathon. He’s also a good dude, and he knows a whole lot about running. Go subscribe to his newsletter, and give his podcast a listen while you’re at it. I may be biased, but I think this episode is pretty cool5.
Singlet Update
They’re on their way, I swear! I wouldn’t be shocked, unfortunately, if the holidays may have slowed things down just a little, but according to Pontoon Sports (the well-recommended Australian company through which the singlets were ordered), they’ve been shipped.
DHL, as far as I can tell, is a European shipping company, so the overseas shipping has begun! Fingers crossed for a speedy transit so the RSTC can be well-represented this indoor season.
If possible, I would do a whole lot in Idaho. Never been, but Snake River looks incredible.
2022 NIRCA 5000m champ and 1500m runner-up
2022 NIRCA Cross Country champion
Considering that 10:29 is 5:37/mile pace, there’s a not-insignificant chance that Nagelhout’s opening mile gave Makovic’s 5:29 league best a run for its money
In all seriousness, go give the Dylan Gearinger episode a listen. The man’s a beast.
As long as the singlets come before April, Im good. I got a road race I want to debut it in
gotta give credit where credit is due: my semi-coach Juris Silenieks helped me out for a few weeks with 1500m-specific work so I could run that 3:59. the rest i did myself :) lol