Unless you live under a rock, by now you know that American elite runner, Meb Keflezighi, won the Boston Marathon last Monday on Patriots Day. And unless you also live under a rock, I'm sure you've heard about how Ryan Hall may have somehow played a part in his victory. And regardless of whether you think Hall deserves a little bit of credit or you think he is a pompous ass, I'd like to pose one question… how many people actually know the stories and have followed the careers of these two American elite runners? How many of people know their race histories, amazing victories, devastating setbacks and relationship as training partners and friends? For those that don't, a judgement on either of these men based on media coverage that only skims the surface of who they are beyond Boston 2014, doesn't carry much weight (in my opinion).
What prompted this post was an interview posted by Competitor Running, a site I follow and frequent on Facebook. In listening to Bob Babbitt interview Hall, I can see how Hall comes across a bit arrogant at times, but he also had a lot of validity to what he was saying. In other words, because I've read much of Hall's autobiography, I can hear his personality come through (not trying to act like I know the guy, but reading someone's story gives you insight into the way they think and act). The comments under the posting infuriated me, mostly because people thought Hall was taking credit for Meb's victory. NO, he was NOT! Meb ran a fantastic race and deserved every bit of that win. He was strategic and in top shape. His race was executed precisely as he had planned and probably visualized over and over in training. Meb Keflezighi was the sole first place winner of the Boston Marathon.
But Ryan Hall did help his friend. No one can say that Meb wouldn't have won anyway. He likely would have. No one will ever know. But to bash and make such hateful comments such as "Ryan Hall is an ass. Dude hasn't run a good race in over 2 years. Showed his true colors when he pulled out of the London Olympics. He needs to just go away.", shows how absolutely stupid people are when they dare to publicly comment on what they DON'T know.
Ryan Hall holds the fastest American record for the marathon at 2:04 (and change). Meb's PR was in Boston, 3 minutes and 59 seconds slower than Hall's PR. But Ryan has never won a major marathon and Meb has. Place is what gets you the win when racing… any race. That is a fact. Therefore, many people have commented that time doesn't matter and the better runner is the one that gets the higher place and therefore, Meb is better than Ryan. Oh is that so? I am certain I have placed higher in shorter (or longer distance) races than some people that have qualified for Boston. And those people with qualifying times have been able to participate in the Boston Marathon. But my place in any race did not get me into Boston. And hypothetically, even if I had won a marathon on a Boston qualifying marathon course with a 4 hour time (because there were only 3 runners :), I would not be going to Boston. My time, and time only, will get me there.
So that argument is really, really stupid.
I have followed the careers of both these men. They are both top notch, exceptional athletes as well as men of stellar character. They are both devout Christians, which again, if one knew that, he wouldn't be commenting that "Hall only does things for his own glory. No one else." Dear God, idiot, read something about him or perhaps visit the Hall Foundation website and then see what a stupid comment that is! This is a man whom his teammates respect. Otherwise, why would they listen to him on the race course? If I had trained my butt off and was in the lead pack in Boston and was running with some guy who was only in it for himself, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell I would waste a second even considering his suggestions. But they did. And one of the lead Americans, Nicholas Arciniaga, said this:
“So we kept it slow. I don’t know if that did anything to help. But those guys had to work to catch Meb. I think Ryan was really smart to (think to) be able to say that (in the middle of the race).”
Doesn't sound like a bitter and bullied runner to me! Sounds like he knows and respects Hall's character and opinions and therefore, CHOSE to follow his advice.
In 2007, after the New York olympic trials marathon, Meb was crawling around his hotel room as the result of a hip fracture that denied him a spot in the olympics that year. He couldn't walk and had also just learned that another training partner and elite runner, Ryan Shay, had dropped dead on the course. He described that as the "low point in my career". So what did he do? He describes a moment when he just cried and prayed and said, "God, if you want me to continue doing this… which I believe you have called me to do…then help me see that. Otherwise, make it clear that I need to retire." No wonder I got choked up watching him break the tape 7 years later in Boston. And this was not just any year. I know exactly why Meb Keflezighi won that race. And so does he. In everything that happens to him from the tragic to the glorious, he turns to God. His day was coming and he trusted that and at 38 years old, an age that is tough to compete at this level, he pulled off the seemingly impossible in the most meaningful Boston Marathon in history.
As for Hall, who hasn't had low points in their careers? Running is a career for Hall and like Meb, Ryan feels that God called him to run starting in the 8th grade. Part of being so devoted to the Lord is learning to keep that faith alive and strong during some very difficult times. It is easy to love and praise God when life is easy and we are winning. It's a whole other story when life is hard. I do believe it is the most faithful that are tested far more than the luke warm. And so it is also obvious to me why such an amazing athlete like Ryan Hall has had a couple of pretty miserable years. He has been riddled with injuries and has had to pull from many races. He had high hopes for Boston and was so disappointed with his performance. But knowing what I have learned about Ryan Hall, I do not believe for one minute he is taking the glory of this race from Meb. And I believe very much that he tried hard to sacrifice a bit (once he knew he didn't have it in him that day to win or come close) so that an American, one that he loves and respects, could win.
I hope that this ridiculous attack against Ryan Hall stops soon. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, it is much easier to put credence into the opinion of someone who knows what these guys are about on a personal level. And they are both wonderful guys and A-MAZING athletes.
See? All my reading and stalking the elites isn't so futile after all :)
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