The CHill Zone of T&F: Conway's View From the Finish Line

Let The Games Begin!

Jul 27th, 2016
7:49 pm PDT

The Trials were just over, yet here we are with the Games literally days to count down! These Games already feel different. Maybe it's the fact that venues are STILL under construction. Maybe it's the Zika virus that has so many afraid to go. Perhaps even the status of injured athletes like Christian Taylor, Allyson Felix, and Usain Bolt - what level will they be ready for in a few short weeks? Whatever it is, somehow CHANGE seems to be in the air! Expect the unexpected Read More...

Olympic Trials Part 2 – Tough on Vets 

Jul 14th, 2016
2:27 pm PDT

This was one tough meet! Youngsters had a great time - perhaps too young to realize they should be nervous or afraid. Here it was veterans and favorites that fell prey to injury, nerves, bad luck, and age. I knew going in that this was going to be a transition meet - a changing of the guard. But some of those that fell were certainly unexpected Read More...

Pre Trials Status Check

Jun 22nd, 2016
9:52 pm PDT

With the Olympic Trials less than two weeks away, I thought I would take a quick look at where we're at. First a word on doping which once again seems to lead the discussion. Doping This sport just CAN'T seem to get away from the issue of doping! Ben Johnson (1988) opened the door to sub 9.80 in the 100, and to an open conversation on doping! It took until 2002 and BALCO before that conversation became loud - though many wanted to pretend it was an American problem - despite all evidence to the contrary Read More...

What to Watch in 2016

Jan 12th, 2016
1:24 pm PST

Olympic years are always exciting for sports fans because that global showcase will take place this summer. That means we will see the best that track and field (among other sports) has to offer - the best athletes competing head to head. Sad that I can't say that in any other year, but unfortunately we don't get this type of competition in any other year with any regularity Read More...

World Championships Review–Individuals Pt1

Aug 27th, 2013
9:22 pm PDT

Now for the fun part, looking at individual performances - and there were certainly some very good ones. First however, let's get a bit of perspective by taking a look at medal counts. The double digit medal earners: United States 25 total, 6 gold, 14 silver, 5 bronze. Russia 17 total, 7 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze Kenya 12 total, 5 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze Ethiopia 10 total, 3 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze As expected Russians performed well at home Read More...

Athletes Back on Track in Monaco

Jul 20th, 2013
6:51 pm PDT

Nothing cures failure like success, and after a solid week of failed drug tests dominating the news about track and field, athletes got back to the track to do what they do best - compete. Well enough that, at least for me, thoughts ran back to Moscow and the upcoming World Championships. What better way to get things "back on track" than with a pair of world leading 4x1's as the US screamed 41 Read More...

London – Injuries, Upsets, Questions

Jul 15th, 2012
10:18 am PDT

The London leg of the Diamond League loomed as the most significant of the year for me. In part because it is the only DL meet to have all of the various events - so somewhat of a full preview before the Games - but also because London is where the Games are being held. We didn’t get a peak at the Olympic stadium, but otherwise the same conditions that will prevail at the Games Read More...

Trials Final Weekend

Jul 2nd, 2012
11:21 am PDT

After over a week of action, the Trials wrapped things up in nice style this weekend. There were only 2 finals on the track on Saturday, but 5 on Sunday. With 2 field finals each day. One would almost think they could have had single day “finale” and did it up right for the fans. Still there was some great action over the final two days Read More...

8 Must See Trials Events

Apr 28th, 2012
7:58 am PDT

I'm getting antsy, it's Friday night and no big results can be found - everything major will be happening Saturday. So my mind is wandering in the direction of the Trials. After all, once the smoke clears everything comes down to two meets this year - National Trials and the Olympic Games.In some countries the Trials may be the years most important meet, beside if you don't get past the Trials you'll never see the Games - at least not from the stadium in London Read More...

Mt SAC Match Ups

Apr 17th, 2012
1:23 pm PDT

What's a sign that this is an Olympic year? That the Mt SAC Relays are loaded. Several fields have multiple world class/ranked athletes scheduled to compete, and the overall level of athletes is as high as I’ve seen in a while. Below is my list of names and events that I think deserve more than a causal look - and there are plenty Read More...