Ryan Hall's Blog, page 300

Sally Meyerhoff’s Relentless Spirit Honored at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

Sally Meyerhoff was a 2:35 marathoner and competitive triathlete when she was tragically killed in a 2011 cycling accident. She placed 20th in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon. Photo: PhotoRun.net

Sally Meyerhoff often wore pink compression socks tugged high to her knees. In cold weather she donned leopard-skin arm warmers. Her red hair often was braided in ponytails, sometimes adorned with colorful bows.

“You could see her coming a mile away,” says Kate Van Buskirk, one of Meyerhoff’s former Duke teammates. “She wasn’t shy about anything. She definitely didn’t try to conform to anybody else’s ideas of what she should be doing.”

Meyerhoff died on March 8, 2011 when she was struck by a pickup truck just south of Phoenix while training on her road bike. She was 27.

Less than two months before her death, Meyerhoff celebrated one of her greatest athletic feats, winning the women’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix. Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of Meyerhoff’s victory. Wanting to perpetuate Meyerhoff’s relentless spirit, 10 former Duke runners will be participating in races that will draw an anticipated 20,000 runners at this weekend’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon.

They’ll wear customized T-shirts that read “Run Big Red” on the front. Look for them in their bright pink compression socks.

“We’ll wear as much pink animal prints as we can,” promises Van Buskirk.

RELATED: Remembering Sally Meyerhoff

Meyerhoff grew up in Tempe, Ariz. You can imagine what the show of love and respect means to her family.

“Honestly,” says Samantha Meyerhoff, Sally’s 26-year-old sister, “it’s an overwhelming feeling knowing that her legacy, the footprint she left on this earth, is still here. She has never been forgotten, ever.”

Sally Meyerhoff was a two-time All-American at Duke, once in track and once in cross country. At one time she held the school’s third-fastest time in the 3,000 meters (9:19.99) and third best in the 10,0000 (33:30.33). She also held the school’s fourth-best times in the indoor mile and 5,000.

The 20th-place finisher in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Boston (2:39:39), Meyerhoff had personal bests of 1:12:52 for the half-marathon, and 2:35:49 for the marathon.

Meyerhoff’s legacy, though, isn’t about numbers on a stopwatch. It’s her unabashed positive spirit that people remember. Her senior season, a couple days before Duke was to leave for the indoor national championships, Meyerhoff came down sick. Two days before the meet, she sat in the Duke training room, an IV stuck in her arm.

“It didn’t look like she was going to be able to come,” recalls Van Buskirk.

The team left for the meet without her. A day later, Meyerhoff was cleared to compete and she flew to Arkansas to race.

“She was tenacious in everything she did,” says Van Buskirk, a 28-year-old Canadian who hopes to make Canada’s 2016 Olympic team in the 1,500-meter run.

“She was a great role model,” Van Buskirk adds. “She was patient with the younger athletes. But because she demanded so much of herself, she demanded a lot from younger teammates.’’

Samantha Meyerhoff knows that side of her sister well. Samantha, too, ran in high school and eventually at St. John’s. The sisters sometimes trained together.

“She was six years older than me, like my second mother,” Samantha recalls. “She would like scold me if I said I couldn’t do something. (She’d say) ‘Now we’re going to going to take two laps around the park instead of one.’ ”

PHOTOS: A Tribute to Sally Meyerhoff

Sally Meyerhoff wrote goals on the bathroom mirror to see them every day. Wanting to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the marathon wasn’t enough. She wanted to qualify for triathlon’s Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, too.

One of her favorite slogans: Be Relentlessly Positive.

To honor her friend, Van Buskirk had the words tattooed on her left rib cage.

Meyerhoff could be goofy, too. She tagged everyone with nicknames. Because she stands 5-feet-11, Samantha was dubbed “Giraffe” or “Flamingo.” Sally sometimes walked about with dog poop in a bag, threatening to rub it on people.

Offers Samantha, “She was a little bit of a wild character.”

Their brother, Daniel, drove a lifted ’77 Chevy pickup and listened to blasting rap.

“A ghetto boy,” says Samantha. He loathed country music, considering fans of the genre “hicks.” So one day Sally coaxed Samantha and their parents into helping her laminate signs on the tailgate of Daniel’s pickup reading, “I like country.”

“He was just baffled,” laughs Samantha.

Sadly, Sally Meyerhoff died young. She didn’t die forgotten. Come Sunday, friends will continue her legacy. They’ll wear pink compression socks and leopard-print headbands and armbands.

Those, though, weren’t Meyerhoff’s best accessory.

Remembers Van Buskirk, “She always had a huge smile.”

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Why Running a Half Marathon is a Huge Accomplishment

Photo: Paul Phillips

The half marathon has been the fastest growing race distance in the U.S. for the past 12 consecutive years, and it’s not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon.

For many runners, the 13.1-mile distance is like Goldilocks’ third bowl of porridge: It’s neither too short nor too long, it’s “just right.” For beginners and short-distance specialists, the half marathon is an intimidating but approachable challenge; marathon runners love it because it forces them out of their comfort zone and serves as the perfect tune-up three to four weeks out from a goal race.

From a practical standpoint, training for and racing 13.1 miles fits into the constructs of a busy lifestyle better than a marathon or ultra-distance race. The event itself doesn’t take all day and, in most cases, you won’t have too much trouble getting out of bed the next morning. It’s also long enough that it’s worth flying or driving to for a long weekend trip. (When was the last time you bought a plane ticket to run a 5K?)

Despite the half marathon’s ever growing popularity and accessibility, finishing one is still a big deal for any runner—because it’s nearly impossible to fake it for 13.1 miles. You’ve got to train diligently and have the discipline to execute your race day plan.

Committing to a training program is serious business and an ongoing accomplishment in its own right. Dedicating yourself to an 8-, 12- or 16-week training plan requires you to run consistently, increasing your long run and building up your overall mileage. It will challenge you to run farther or faster (in some cases both) than you ever have before—even on the days you might not feel like lacing up your running shoes.

Crossing that finish line is a celebration of all the work it took to get there. It resonates with new runners and experienced racers alike, whether you hit your pre-race goal or not. That excitement, along with the ongoing dedication toward the pursuit of a big goal, is contagious—you never know who it might inspire to take on a half-marathon challenge of his or her own.

RELATED: America’s 25 Greatest Half Marathons

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America’s 25 Greatest Half Marathons

Sedona Half Marathon, Photo: Courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

The “half” has become the race to enter these days. Last year, more than 2 million runners finished a half marathon in the U.S.—and due to this distance’s popularity, new races seem to be popping up everywhere. These races will fill up fast (and some might already be sold out), so sign up quickly or consider them for next year.

Sedona Half Marathon

Feb. 6, Sedona, Ariz.

This race has something for everyone—from the ironclad rock formations in Coconino National Forest District to running through a city that’s been declared a top-10 beauty by “Good Morning America.” Because of the high elevation and vertical ascent, the Sedona Half isn’t a place to set a PR, but the views make the trip worth your while.

Ocean’s Run Half Marathon

March 5, Westerly, R.I.

This half comes at the perfect time for a pre-

Boston Marathon warm-up. The race’s relatively small field means a more intimate experience. And it boasts a forgiving course that offers water views nearly the entire way. You’ll also pass through the quiet beach communities of Misquamicut and Weekapaug and experience the best Rhode Island has to offer.

Shamrock Half Marathon

March 18, Virginia Beach, Va.

You don’t have to be Irish to fall in love with this annual St. Patrick’s Day race. More than 30,000 participants between the full and the half make it a raucous party along a forgiving oceanfront course that passes historical sites like First Landing State Park. 

NYC Half Marathon

March 20, New York CIty

It’s a relatively new race (starting in 2006), but the NYC Half has quickly become one of the most in-demand half marathons in the country. Unlike the five-borough NYC Marathon, the NYC Half is entirely in Manhattan. It starts with the famous Central Park loop before heading toward the Hudson River and then taking runners down to lower Manhattan with a finish on Wall Street.

Hoosier Half Marathon

April 9, Bloomington, Ind.

Fans of the movie classic “Breaking Away” should don their Cutters jerseys for this annual spring race. The rolling course winds past Indiana University’s majestic campus, which has been called one of the most beautiful in the United States by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Divas Half Marathon

May 1, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

While many races are about going as fast as possible, others, like this one, are instead about the bling. All runners receive pink tutus with their registration, and finishers get crowned with a sparkly Diva medal at the end to show off their girl power.

Red River High Mountain Half Marathon

May 21, Red River, N.M.

Sometimes the best half marathons aren’t necessarily the easiest. That’s the case for this one, which starts at 8,700 feet and climbs another 700 feet. But the perks, a small-town race with a small field held in a beautiful environment and historic mountain town, easily make up for the effort required to cross the finish.

RELATED: Why Running a Half Marathon is a Huge Accomplishment

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Where to Qualify for Boston

Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon, Photo: Courtesy of Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series

Want to earn a coveted BQ time? Train your butt off and run like a fiend at one of these races. Registration for the 2017 Boston Marathon is expected to open in early to mid-September, and it’s likely that runners will need to be at least 2 minutes under the qualifying time for their age group to be guaranteed a spot.

Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon

Feb. 28, New Orleans

This fast and mostly flat tree-lined course starts downtown, passes through the French Quarter and cruises home to a grand finish near the botanical gardens in New Orleans City Park. Perks include live music, a special marathon finisher’s jacket and a massive post-race party that continues on Bourbon Street.

Glass City Marathon

April 24, Toledo, Ohio

This race has gained a reputation as a great, fast race thanks to its smooth roads and very little elevation change. It starts at the University of Toledo then winds through outlying neighborhoods and the Ottawa Hills. It has one of the highest percentages of Boston qualifiers among springtime races, with more than 16 percent of the field qualifying every year.

Eugene Marathon

May 1, Eugene, Ore.

Run 26.2 miles through Steve Prefontaine’s old stomping grounds and finish on the historic track at legendary Hayward Field. The only mild hills on the course are located at mile 4 and mile 8—it’s otherwise mostly flat. In the past two years, 20 percent of the entire field has reached BQ times.

Sugarloaf Marathon

May 15, Sugarloaf, Maine

Now in its 34th year, this point-to-point race is one of the fastest in the U.S. Over the past several years, about 25 percent of the field has run BQ times. After a flat initial 5 miles, runners encounter rolling terrain through mile 10, then run gradually downhill (with a loss of 980 feet) over the final 16 miles.

Pocono Mountain Run for the Red Marathon

May 15, Stroudsburg, Pa.

This net-downhill course, with a dramatic drop from 1,883 feet at the start to 443 feet at the finish, produced the fourth highest percentage of Boston qualifiers last year (28.7 percent of the field). After 6 rolling miles at the start, the course has a consistent downhill profile from mile 6 to mile 20 and continues its gradual descent over the final 6 miles.

Newport Marathon

June 4, Newport, Ore.

This small race on the Oregon coast typically sees about 20 percent of its runners earn BQ times. Runners rave about this marathon’s course, which includes a section along the Pacific Ocean in the first few miles followed by a serene out-and-back section along Yaquina Bay for the final 22 miles.

Santa Rosa Marathon

Aug. 28, Santa Rosa, Calif.

This smallish race has a 6 a.m. start and a mostly rural, single-loop course (much of which is on paved bike paths next to a creek) that winds through vineyards before finishing back in town. Annually, it has one of the highest percentages of Boston qualifiers, ranging from 21 to 31 percent in recent years.

Last Chance BQ Chicagoland Marathon

Sept. 10, Batavia, Ill.

Now in its fourth year, this small race was specifically created to be held on the final weekend before the registration opening for the Boston Marathon. It has a flat, criterium-style loop course that follows the Fox River (eight times around a 3.21-mile loop) with many shaded sections adjacent to parks. Last year, almost 61 percent of the 300 runners in the field earned qualifying times.

Erie Marathon at Presque Isle

Sept. 11, Erie, Pa.

This 43-year-old race has always been known for its fast, flat two-loop course. In recent years—since the Boston Marathon moved up its registration dates—it’s gained attention as a last-chance Boston qualifier. Last year, 77 of the 950 runners broke 3:10, and 33 percent earned BQ times.

RELATED: 25 Great American Marathons

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25 Great American Marathons

Big Sur International Marathon

Whether you’re looking for an insane challenge or a pancake-flat race to hit a PR, there’s a marathon for every runner. In fact, the sport has exploded with enough races to fill a lifetime of training schedules. So this year, find that big-city spectacle you’ve always wanted to do. Or have a relaxing weekend and take in some small-town charm. Here are 25 of our favorite marathons in 2016 to get you started.

Walt Disney World Marathon

Jan. 10, Orlando, Fla.

The success of the Walt Disney World Marathon has spawned other races in the park throughout the year, including a weekend full of races before the big event on Sunday. But the full marathon course offers runners a tour of all four Walt Disney World theme parks. If ever there’s a race your family is happy to tag along for, this is it.

Los Angeles Marathon

Feb. 14, Los Angeles

This point-to-point course starts at Dodger Stadium and takes runners through Hollywood, Beverly Hills and other LA neighborhoods before finishing in front of the Santa Monica Pier. Afterward, enjoy a drink in the beer garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This year the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials will be held the day before (on a different course).

Austin Marathon

Feb. 14, Austin, Texas

This hilly marathon offers an excellent tour of Austin with a start and finish in front of the Texas Capitol. Along the way, runners will visit Lady Bird Johnson Lake, the Allandale and Hyde Park neighborhoods, and the University of Texas campus. At the finish enjoy live music and food trucks for a great taste of Texas.

Catalina Island Marathon

March 19, Catalina Island, Calif.

This isn’t anything like your typical urban marathon. Held on Catalina Island about 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, the race features a rugged, hilly and challenging course that offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and the island’s unique plants and animals. You won’t PR running over mostly dirt roads and trails with plenty of elevation changes—but you won’t

forget it. 

Boston Marathon

April 18, Boston

The world’s oldest and most famous marathon celebrates its 120th running this year, and the race from Hopkinton, Mass., to Boston is more popular than ever. Participants must qualify for the event and registration for the 2017 race opens in September. For those who qualify, there’s not a more memorable marathon experience.

RELATED: Where to Qualify for Boston

Big Sur International Marathon

April 24, Big Sur, Calif.

Big Sur is universally recognized as one of the most scenic races in the country. Starting in Big Sur, the point-to-point course follows Highway 1 along the Pacific coast to Carmel. Limited to 4,500 participants, the race fills quickly (it’s already sold out for 2016), so register early to enjoy those postcard-perfect views of the rocky coast.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon

April 30, Nashville, Tenn.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll folks go a little bit country at this springtime race that celebrates the sounds of Nashville. The course features an impressive tour of the city and plenty of local musicians that highlight the diverse music scene. A headliner concert in the Bridgestone Arena tops off the weekend.

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Photos: Ryan Hall Career Highlights

2011 Boston Marathon Weekend
April 17, 2011, Boston, MA
Photo by: Victah Sailer
Victah1111@aol.com
631-741-1865
www.photorun.NET

With the news of Ryan Hall’s retirement at the age of 33 due to chronically low testosterone and fatigue, we look back at his remarkable career:

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16. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Runner-up at Bay to Breakers

In his first race since the Olympic Marathon, Hall finished second at the Bay to Breakers 12K in San Francisco in May 2013, running 35:40. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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15. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: DNF at Olympic Games

Citing a hamstring injury, Hall dropped out of the Olympic Marathon just after the 10-mile mark on a hot, humid day in London. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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14. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Second at Rock 'n' Roll San Diego

Hall's Olympic buildup began at the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Half Marathon, where he finished second to fellow Olympian Meb Keflezighi. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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13. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Hall Makes Second Olympic Team

Hall made his second Olympic team at the 2012 Olympic Trials in Houston, running 2:09:30 to finish second to Meb Keflezighi. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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12. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Sub-2:05 at Boston

A year after he became the fastest-ever American at Boston, Hall ran an incredible 2:04:58 to finish fourth in the fastest marathon race ever run. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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11. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Fastest American Ever at Boston

Although he only finished fourth, Hall's 2:08:41 in 2010 was the fastest ever time by an American at the Boston Marathon. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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10. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: New York City Marathon Debut

In his New York City Marathon debut in 2009, Hall finished fourth in 2:10:36, three spots behind Meb Keflezighi, who became the first U.S. winner since 1982. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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9. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Boston Marathon Debut

Hall ran the Boston Marathon for the first time in 2009, finishing third overall in 2:09:40. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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8. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Beijing Olympics

On a hot day in China, Hall placed tenth in 2:12:33, one place behind American teammate Dathan RItzenhein. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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7. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: 2:06:17 at London

Hall was fifth at the London Marathon in 2008, running 2:06:17, the second-fastest marathon ever run by an American at the time. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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6. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: U.S. Olympic Trials Victory

In November of 2007, Hall won the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in New York City, running 2:09:02, a Trials record. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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5. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: Marathon Debut at London

Hall placed seventh at the 2007 London Marathon in 2:08:24, the fastest ever marathon debut by any American. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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4. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: American Record In The Half Marathon

At the 2007 Houston Half Marathon, Hall ran 59:43 to break the American record for the half-marathon distance, a mark which still stands today. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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3. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: 2006 U.S. Cross Country Champion

In 2006, Hall won his first senior national cross country title in the 12K event, winning by 27 seconds. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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2. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: 2004 NCAA Cross Country Championships

Hall came back from injury to finish 26th at the NCAA Championships in 2004 to once again earn All-American status. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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1. Ryan Hall Career Highlights: 2nd at 2003 NCAA XC Championships

In the highlight of his collegiate cross country career, Hall battled with Colorado's Dathan Ritzenhein to finish second at the 2003 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Photo: PhotoRun.net

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Scott Bauhs Aims to Win Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon

Photo: Photorun.net

On winning three national championships during his time at Chico State, Scott Bauhs scoffs, “Division II is a little bit easier.” He also adds, blushing, that he tries to forget his pedestrian 2:32:35 marathon debut last March in Los Angeles.

And if you ask Bauhs about his chances of finishing in the top three at the Olympic Marathon Trials on Feb. 13, and qualifying for the Rio de Janeiro Games, the 29-year-old from San Luis Obispo, Calif., deadpans, “I’m not on anybody’s short list to make the team.”

You’ve got to respect a man who has made four world championship teams, yet isn’t shy about poking fun at himself. But when Bauhs steps to the starting line at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon on Jan. 17, his mind will be focused on one result.

“To win the thing,” he says.

Among Bauhs’ top competitors will be Aaron Braun of Alamosa, Colo., (1:01:38 PR), Yonas Mebrahtu of Eritrea (1:01:41) and Ben Bruce of Flagstaff, Ariz., (1:02:53).

Since finishing third at the 2012 Houston Half Marathon in a respectable 1:01:30, Bauhs has experienced his share of setbacks: Dumped by adidas, graduate school struggles, and poor performances that left him staring at his watch in disbelief, wondering if he should quit.

If Bauhs isn’t on the road to Rio, he definitely appears to be on the route to progress. He finished fourth at the Big Sur Half Marathon last November in 1:03:54, easing up at the end because he knew he had secured a sub-1:05 marathon trials qualifying standard.

As for his struggles, they started when he pursued a sports MBA at San Diego State University in 2013. “I know a lot of people manage grad school and running all the time,” he says. “I thought I could, but not the program I chose.”

Having to devote so much time to studying, his running suffered. He’d run 100 miles one week, 40 the next. You can imagine what the race results were like. He showed up at the 2013 U.S. Cross Country Championships hoping to finish in the top six and advance to the world championships. He finished in 20th place.

In 2011, he finished fourth at the Gate River Run 15K in Jacksonville, Fla., in 43:39. He ran that same race two years later and finished 35th, 2 minutes and 27 seconds slower than his previous time.

Quitting running had crossed his mind. “I definitely had thoughts of taking advantage of my youth and surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, the things serious runners don’t get to do,” he says.

Instead, he persevered. In January of 2014, as part of his MBA program, he served an internship at Running Warehouse in San Luis Obispo. The owner of the company, Joe Rubio and a respected coach, has helped many runners reach the Olympic Trials.

Bauhs is now the company’s marketing manager with a boss who lives and breathes running. “Joe is incredibly flexible,” Bauhs says . “It’s a great combination for me.”

Bauhs thinks it’s an ideal environment for a runner when they’re financially supported, enabling the athlete to focus strictly on running. He had that once with his adidas sponsorship. “But I admit, I was never able to pull it off,” he says. “Other distractions managed to creep into that voice.”

Now, he epitomizes the modern term “slasher.” He’s an e-commerce executive by day, pro runner by early morning/late afternoon. “It’s great to go to races and come home to a steady paycheck, regardless of how the race goes,” he says.

For the time being, Bauhs has decided to continue chasing his running dream, and recent solid workouts have solidified his confidence. He ran 10 miles at a relatively easy 65 minutes recently, stopped for two minutes, then ran another 10 miles in 51 minutes.

“I feel I race better than I work out,” he says. “But that’s given me a ton of confidence.”

As for being an underdog at the upcoming Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles?

“I’m definitely not going in there to race super conservatively,” he says. “Letting the top three get so far out of sight, out of mind that it’s not going to happen. This is one of those races you throw the normal conservative nature out the window.

“My plan is to hang in there with the group, like several of us are going to Rio.”

RELATED: Abdirahman Leading the Way for Olympic Hopefuls at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

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Ryan Hall Announces Retirement From Professional Running

Ryan Hall is still the only American man ever to run under 60 minutes for the half marathon. Photo: PhotoRun.net

In a surprise announcement, two-time Olympian Ryan Hall has said he is retiring from professional running—just four weeks ahead of the upcoming U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles.

The 33-year-old Hall, who nine years ago set a still-standing American record of 59:43 at the Armco Houston Half Marathon, where his wife Sara will compete this Sunday, made the announcement in a New York Times story.

“So thankful for all the memories of the last 20 years of my running career,” Hall wrote on his Facebook page Friday afternoon. “Thankful for the people I’ve meet, the places I’ve been, the good days the bad days, and hugely thankful for everyone that’s invested in me throughout my career. It was an amazing ride but it wasn’t meant to last forever. Thanks for everyone’s support! I’m looking forward to helping others experience their own breakthroughs whether it be on the roads or in their hearts.”

Last fall, Hall admitted to struggling with injuries and inconsistent training since 2012. He also said his buildup to the 2016 Trials had been less than ideal.

“The last four years certainly have been very trying,” Hall said last October. “The last Olympic Trials cost me four years of struggle as I got plantar fasciitis about a month before the trials and ran through the trials with it. Then I trained for the Olympics with plantar fasciitis, which resulted in my stride changing and an endless chain of injury after injury.”

Hall, who has been sponsored by the shoe and apparel brand ASICS since graduating from Stanford University in 2005, cited chronically low testosterone levels as the reason for his retirement in the Times story—something he alluded to for the first time in an interview last fall.

“It’s been the most frustrating challenge I’ve faced in my running career because I haven’t been able to figure out exactly why it’s happening,” Hall admitted. “Running is very tough on the body in many ways but I think one of the biggest ways is hormonally. Every time I’ve had blood work done, I’ve had clinically low testosterone levels, which affects everything. It has been really frustrating to put together months of really good training only to lose it all due to sudden fatigue that requires complete rest. This has kind of been the trend for me over the last couple of years, which is why my results have been so up and down and why sometimes I am so hopeful about my running and other times not so much.”

Hall, who won the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in New York in a Trials record 2:09:02 and finished second to Meb Keflezighi at the 2012 Trials in Houston, dropped out of the 2012 Olympic Marathon with a hamstring injury. Laden with injuries and illness in recent years, Hall hasn’t finished a marathon since placing 20th at Boston in 2014, where he ran 2:17:50.

“Ryan inspired a whole generation of American runners,” his longtime agent, Ray Flynn, Tweeted on Friday. “His fearless running style defines his legacy in our sport.”

The Halls live in Redding, Calif., with their four daughters—Hana, Mia, Jasmine and Lily—adopted last September from Ethiopia.

RELATED:

— Last Lap with Ryan Hall

— PHOTOS: Ryan Hall Career Highlights

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Hillary’s Marathon

In 2013, at the age of 20 years old, Hillary pushed herself to finish an extraordinary journey. Hooked up to fluids and an IV pole, a mask covering her face to keep germs at bay, Hillary turned a corner on the floor of the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A crowd of onlookers broke into loud cheers and applause.

With that final corner rounded, Hillary had completed walking a marathon within the walls of the St. Jude. With confetti flying around her, Hillary hugged her mother, then members of her care team, her journey complete.

Hillary has always been active. There wasn’t any way she was going to let two separate battles with cancer slow her down.

When Hillary was just a toddler, she fell in love with dance. She watched with rapt attention the heels that pounded the stage and was wooed by the sweet sound of jingle taps. Hillary didn’t know the teens who were jigging in those clogging shoes. But by the end of the rousing performance, she had found her calling.

Hillary has won national awards for clogging and danced with her college dance team. Her repertoire includes tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical and dance line. “Dance was my life,” Hillary said.

But in 2008, something happened to Hillary that threatened to end her dance career forever. She fell ill during dance practice. Her family turned to St. Jude for her treatment and care after she was found to suffer from b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

After three years of chemotherapy that pushed her cancer into remission, Hillary thought she’d conquered cancer forever, but her victory would be short lived.

Doctors soon learned Hillary suffered from an unrelated form of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She began her second cancer battle in October 2011. Hillary underwent another nine months of intensive chemotherapy and achieved remission once again.

Sadly, Hillary relapsed and returned to St. Jude in 2013. Her treatment included chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Hillary pushed herself to remain active. Being able to dance for an audience is what she misses most, and she knows she needs to work hard to make her dreams a reality.

The idea of walking the length of a marathon—26.2 miles—helped keep Hillary focused on the benefits of remaining active after her bone marrow transplant. She walked at least one mile each day to build strength, endurance and prevent fluid build-up in her lungs. Three weeks after her transplant, Hillary walked 26.2 miles, or 286 laps, in the corridors of the BMT Unit, becoming the first St. Jude patient to cover the distance of a marathon while receiving inpatient care.

Hillary is now fighting cancer for a fourth time. She’s undergoing chemotherapy and a stem cell treatment at St. Jude. While Hillary fights leukemia, she continues with her coursework in college, majoring in chemistry. She has also choreographed line dances for high school students and run a dance camp. With Hillary’s determination, she’ll be back on her feet very soon.

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Several Races Offer Last Chance to Qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon

Photo: Nils Nilsen

So far, more than 400 runners have qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon, which will take place Feb. 13 in Los Angeles. If any more are going to get in, it will have to be this weekend.

The cut-off for the qualifying window is Sunday, which means this weekend’s races have added meaning for runners still trying to nab the qualifying standard. For men, the “B” standard is a 2:19:00 marathon time or a 1:05:00 half marathon. For women, the “B” standard is a 2:45:00 marathon or a 1:15:00 half marathon.

Here’s a look at some of the races taking place this weekend that could have an impact on the Olympic Trials marathon field next month:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and 1/2

Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona is boasting a fast half-marathon field in both the men’s and women’s races, which could help several runners looking to get under the qualifying standard.

In all, 10 women running the half marathon have already met the 1:15 Olympic Trials standard, which could benefit several other elites looking to join them. On the men’s side, four-time Olympian Abdi Abdirhman is pacing at 1:04:45 in hopes of helping a few more elite men into the Trials.

“My goal is to run hard, run solid and help as many people get across that line under 65 minutes,” Abdirhman said.

RELATED: Abdirhman Leading the Way for Olympic Hopefuls at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

Houston Marathon

The race that hosted the 2012 Olympic Trials marathon will this year serve as either a tune-up or a last-chance qualifier for many elites.

The half marathon field will have several qualifiers tuning up, including Diego Estrada, Jeffrey Eggleston, Craig Leon and Luke Puskedra in the men’s race and Sara Hall, Serena Burla, Jen Rhines and Colleen De Reuck in the women’s race.

In the marathon, one of those looking for a Trials-qualifying time is Sage Canaday, an elite ultrarunner who ran the Trials marathon in both 2008 and 2012 and is looking to keep his streak going. His time of 2:19:12 in tough conditions at the Boston Marathon last April barely missed the standard, and he’ll make one more go of it in Texas.

Naples Daily News Half Marathon

Race director Perry Silverman saw the NDN Half Marathon’s flat course, ideal weather and last-chance Trials qualifying date as a perfect opportunity to pull out the red carpet for competitive runners. Last March he announced that 25 men and 25 women trying to qualify for the Trials would get complimentary housing from Gulf Coast Runners members, as well as a $100 travel stipend, an elite entry and a chance at a $10,000 American-only prize purse.

Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon

The picturesque race in north San Diego County runs along the Pacific coast, with gently rolling terrain and no major hills. Several women broke 1:15 last year in the half marathon.

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