Qualifier Schedule Update & PrettySporty.com Photos

This weekend I'm definitely planning on racing the mile at the ISU Cyclone Qualifier. It's scheduled for 12:10 pm. Disregard the schedule that I posted earlier today. Since that posting, we moved the 5k to the end of the meet to give a few athletes a chance to get quality marks. I plan on pacing that race and it's scheduled to start at 4:35 pm.

Here's another photo from last weekend's race in Boston.

Check out the whole PrettySporty.com gallery at: http://www.prettysporty.com/Photos/USAInNat07/WM3K/index.htm

ISU Last Chance Qualifier

I plan on running the mile on Saturday here in Ames. It's currently scheduled to start at 12:15. Here's a link to the schedule for the day: http://admin.xosn.com//pdf7/56594.pdf

Body Mechanix Athletics & Tommy Neal's Half Marathon

Check out the homepage of my former sponsor, Body Mechanix Athletics: http://www.bodymechanixathletics.com/index.asp The owners of the company mentioned me and made some very kind remarks. It's a great group and I appreciate all their help. On Sunday my roommate and training partner, Tommy Neal, made his half marathon debut in Williamsburg, Virginia. He set an impressive personal best of 1:06:41 on a hilly course. He finished 3rd in a tough field. The complete results can be found at: http://www.tribeclub.com/Downloads/ABHalfwin.doc

2007 USATF Indoor Championships

Thanks to www.eliterunning.com for the picture. This is before the start of the race where I won my first USATF medal.

Thanks & USATF Pics

I intended on doing so yesterday so I'll take this chance to thank my hosts for the weekend. Terry Shea and Carly Graytock did a fantastic job of making me feel at home and taking care of me in the days leading up to the race. They are both examples of the hundreds of great people that I've met along the way. They both spent a little bit of time with the Hansons training group in Michigan and both have already qualified for the 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials. In a quick search, I found this interesting interview that Carly did while she lived in Michigan: http://www.fast-women.com/athletes/interviews/2005/carlygraytock.html Also, thanks to my friend Erin Dromgoole for making sure that I made it to the airport. She and I met last year while representing the US in Ireland and although she's been hurt she'll be back running well by the end of the outdoor season I'm sure. Here's a link to some photos of the race: http://eliterunning.com/photos/index.php?g2_itemId=64853&g2_page=4 There might be others coming in a few days. I still intend on posting more details about the race and trip.

USATF Indoor Championships

Thanks to all of you for your emails, calls and messages. I was welcomed back to Ames by 9 inches of snow and I still haven't run yet today so I'll be brief. Here's a link to the results from my 3k yesterday: http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USAIndoorTFChampionships/results/F5.asp Today I had the surreal experience of sitting in a restaraunt and watching myself race on national tv. It went well and there were a few good shots of me in my snazzy new Big River Running Company jersey so hopefully the guys in St. Louis will see some return on their investment. I'll post more details about the trip and race after I get caught up on life.

BRRC Interview...

Check out the homepage of my new sponsor, Big River Running Company. They flattered me with the honor of an interview. If you're too lazy to go to their homepage, you can just click here: http://www.bigriverrunning.com/Blake_Boldon.htm

Big River Running Bio

My bio is up on the company's website. Check out my details and information about the whole team here: http://www.bigriverrunning.com/mensbios.php I think most of the details are set for this weekend's race. I run at 5:40 EST on Saturday afternoon and the meet is scheduled to be televised on ESPN 2 on Sunday from 3 to 5 pm (I'm not sure if that's Eastern or Central time). There are definitely no guarantees that I'll make the coverage but it might be worth checking out. Here is a link to the entries in all the events: http://www.usatf.org/events/2007/USAIndoorTFChampionships/entry/status.asp

Big River Running Company Logo

Big River Running Company

After attaining a USATF qualifying mark in the 3000 meters last weekend I spent a few days debating a trip to Boston for the meet. Then I spent a few days trying to think of a way to get to Boston. Then last night I made a connection with Matt Helbig and Ben Rosario, the owners of a great new shoe store in the St. Louis area. They started Big River Running Company with high hopes and they're well on their way to establishing a permanent fixture in the St. Louis running community. They have generously offered to help offset some of my costs for this trip and all I have to do is run fast in a uniform that sports their sweet logo. I'd like to tell you all about who they are and what they do, but it would be easier just to let them do it. Please check out their website: http://www.bigriverrunning.com/ I don't think they take online orders at the moment, but if you're in the need for running gear you can call them to place orders and they will ship it the next day.

ISU Classic 3k Summary

Last Saturday I had some family and friends at the meet so I'd like to thank them for making the trip to Ames to watch me run. The race went according to plan and it was good to get a solid effort in to start 2007. Texas A & M sent a pacemaker to ensure a competitive effort from the start. I didn't catch the athlete's name, but he did a great job of getting out and setting a quick and even pace from the gun. While he was setting the pace I was back in the pack somewhere between 3rd and 6th. The pace felt fast but we were running about 65 seconds per 400 meters. The pacemaker stepped off the track right before 1200 meters and then Brad Lowery from Team USA Minnesota kept the pace up and the lead pack was narrowed to about a half dozen. I saw 4:03 for 1500 meters and I was about 4:19 for 1600. Shortly after that I moved to the lead and I set the pace from that point. Ben Gregory from Wisconsin Runner Track Club hung on to my shoulder until about 200 meters to go when he tried to make a move for the win. I responded but waited until about 100 meters to go to reclaim the lead. I went around him and cruised home for the win in a new personal best. My last 300 was under 45 seconds and over the last 80 meters I felt that I had another gear available if Ben was able to come back to me. While leading I felt under control and I was aware of what was going on around me. It was a good effort and a solid confidence booster as I continue to get ready for the outdoor season.

ISU Classic Results

Here's a link: http://admin.xosn.com/attachments1/3062.htm?SPID=4239&SPSID=46591&DB_OEM_ID=10700 More information to come soon. As a footnote to my comments on Tommy's efforts on Friday, his great effort came at the end of his 7th straight week over 100 miles per week and his third straight at 110.

ISU Classic Heat Sheet

There has been a change to the schedule and my heat of the 3000 meters is scheduled to start at 6:10 pm on Saturday. Tonight at the meet my new roommate and training partner showed off his fitness in the two slow heats of the 5000. Tommy Neal ran 14:54 in the first heat and after 5 to 8 minutes of rest he did a tremendous job of pacing the next heat. He finished right at 15:00. He's set to run a half marathon in Williamsburg, VA in two weeks and then three weeks later he plans to make his marathon debut in Virginia Beach. Here's a copy of my heat for tomorrow night. =============================================================================== Section 1 Timed Finals 1 Blake Boldon Isu Unatt 2 Edwin Henshaw Tulsa 3 Brian Duplechain Texas A M 4 Brad Lowery Unattached 5 Ben Gregory Wisconsin Ru 6 Jayden Russ Iowa State 7 Mitch Bible Texas A M 8 Jordan Fife Ind. St 9 Peter Remien Unattached 10 David Hebert Texas A M 11 John Olsen U. S. Naval 12 Guor Majak Iowa State 13 Mike Torchia Minnesota 14 Jeremy Stevens Illinois 15 Daniel Strackeljahn Eastern Illi 16 Antonio Vega Minnesota 17 Chris Rombough Minnesota 18 Jonathan Grant U. S. Naval 19 Jeffry Grassmeyer Drake Univer 20 Kevin Born Iowa State