#1. More on Houston

• Men’s Half Marathon
• (Flotrack Video Interview)
  • Kirubel Erassa 
    • 6th fastest marathon in US history, 60:44
    • Second fastest half marathon debut by an American, second to Ryan Hall’s debut and American record time of 59:43 set in 2007 in Houston.
    • He had his eye on Ryan Hall’s American record.
    • 2 weeks before the half, he had covid. “It took a lot of energy from my system so day by day I was just making progress
    • “If you are a 5,000, 10,000m runner, you do the training to do a half as well.”
    • Unsponsored right now
    • Trains in Ethiopia
      • Demecca is his coach, he also coaches the Bahrain team
• Marathon debuts
  • US distance runner Frank Lara’s impressive 2:11:32 was his debut!
    • Fastest American for his debut in his old stomping grounds at Houston Marathon
  • Tweet, “Racing a marathon and getting your wisdom teeth out the next day really makes you feel like you have COVID. Today I learned that I also have COVID. Also my left face is slightly less swollen!” Wishing you speedy healing, Frank!
  • Average of 5:01 pace
  • From a Houston Chronicle interview, Frank said, “It was awesome,” Lara said. “From start to finish, I was having the time of my life. Seeing friends, family, landmarks … it was so exciting hearing, ‘Go, Frank!’ and seeing guys wearing Jesuit lettermen jackets. It was so cool having the support of the town. I stuck to the race plan and did my best. I just didn’t have the last gear that the other guys did. With a mile to go, I said here we go. But the legs started getting heavier and heavier. I was really happy to just not fall.”
  • He laughed, adding, “That’s all I was thinking about the end.”
    • I think we can all relate, Frank!
• On the women’s side, two of the top three female finishers ran their debut marathons.
  • In a fast race led by American Record Holder, Keira D’Amato, 2nd place was UK distance runner Alice Wright who ran the 6th fastest debut for Great Britain.
  • 3rd was an impressive debut by American Maggie Montoya (USA 2:29:08)
  • Special note: in fourth place, far from her first marathon, was Doha US World Championships marathoner, Robert Groner (USA 2:32:02) who handedly won the masters division. 

#2. Study about smiling

(Psychology of Sport and Exercise )

• Thanks to AtoZrunner Zach Step for sending this research to us.
• Results
  • Oxygen consumption was lower during smiling than frowning (d = −0.23) and control (d = −0.19) conditions. Fourteen participants were most economical when smiling in contrast with only one participant when consciously relaxing. Perceived effort was higher during frowning than smiling (d = 0.58) and relaxing (d = 0.49). Activation was higher during frowning than all other conditions (all d ≥ 0.59). Heart rate, affective valence, and manipulation adherence did not differ between conditions.
• Conclusion
  • Periodic smiling may improve movement economy during vigorous intensity running. In contrast, frowning may increase both effort perception and activation. A conscious focus on relaxing was not more efficacious on any outcome. The findings have implications for applied practice to improve endurance performance.

#3. Preview of Millrose Games 

(Runnerspace)

• The Armory New Balance Track & Field Center will take place on January 29th

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