Sports
In NYC, Ryan Hall considers marathons
By BROOKE EDWARDS
As an eighth grader at Big Bear Middle School, Ryan Hall was a discouraged athlete. He tried his hand at basketball, baseball and football, but spent most of his time riding the bench.
What a difference a decade makes.
Hall spent last Sunday riding in the lead vehicle for 38,000 racers at the New York City Marathon and contemplating a new phase in his career as a professional runner.
The organization that put on the NYC Marathon, the New York Roadrunners, courted Hall, hoping he would make his marathon debut at their event.
“They recruit younger athletes and bring us out, hoping we'll run in the future,” Hall explained.
While seeing the world's best marathoners at Sunday's event did inspire Hall, he confessed, “I am kind of scared.” He said, “I watched their legs and I felt like I was running with them. I knew they were hurting and cramping and it was like I could feel their pain.”
Though he has never run a marathon, jumping to this distance makes sense to Hall. It fits the pattern he has set for himself since his career began at 14 when he looked out the window of his dad's car at Big Bear Lake and thought, “It's really beautiful. I want to run around it.”
He made a name for himself at Big Bear High School, setting course records and winning state titles, by running the 1,500-meter.
In college, he led his Stanford teammates to an NCAA championship with the 5K.
Now 24, he has won national titles in the 10K, 12K and 20K since he turned professional last year.
As he increased his racing distance, Hall said, “I've hardly had to change my training at all.”
While most athletes significantly alter their routine to become marathoners, Hall said, “I've always trained at higher mileage, running the longer distances.” He also acknowledged the advantage of growing up and training in Big Bear's high altitude.
In the Hall household, the thought of Ryan becoming a marathoner sparked controversy.
“My dad understands running and why I want to try marathons,” Hall said. “Mom is more skeptical. She just worries. She says, ‘Running marathons is not good for your body!'”
Even Hall admitted, “I am pretty young for marathons. But we are seeing more and more young runners defy the stereotypes.”
One such runner is Dathan Ritzenhein who, at 23, was the youngest American professional to enter the NYC Marathon. Ritzenhein finished in 11th place.
Ritzenhein occupied Hall's position in the lead vehicle last year, a fact that may prove prophetic.
“I do seem to be following in his footsteps,” Hall said.
Hall and Ritzenhein are just two of the young Americans who are competing on a global level.
Hall secured one of six American spots in the World Road Running Championships in Hungary last month. He was the fastest American runner and finished 11th out of 84.
“I'm happy to be a part of it,” Hall said. “I like to see the U.S. doing well.”
Many who follow the cross-country circuit are hopeful about the showing Hall and the other young Americans will make at the next Olympic games.
“We all have 2008 in our sights,” he said.
In fact, Hall said the 2008 Olympic Trials might be his first marathon.
The Trials are next November in New York City and will also be hosted by the New York Road Runners.
Making his marathon debut in New York may bode well for Hall, as he won two titles there this year.
In February, he finished nearly a minute ahead of Ritzenhein to win the USA Cross Country Championship in New York City. In September, Hall set a course record and won the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run in Northport, New York.
“It has been a good year,” Hall said.
Not that it is all fame and glory.
At his first ever official autograph session set up by his sponsor Asics at the marathon expo this weekend, Hall sat beside his newlywed wife and former Stanford teammate Sarah. They were seated at a long table in a white booth surrounded by posters of themselves at various races.
Hall saw a young boy standing slightly back, looking toward the booth. He waved the boy over and, pen poised, asked, “Would you like an autograph?”
The boy looked Hall square in the face, thought for a moment, and said simply, “No.” Then he turned and walked away.
“It was definitely humbling,” Hall said with a laugh. “But it keeps things in perspective.”
Big Bear native Brooke Edwards is a freelance writer in New York City. Brooke is working on her masters degree in journalism at New York University.
What a difference a decade makes.
Hall spent last Sunday riding in the lead vehicle for 38,000 racers at the New York City Marathon and contemplating a new phase in his career as a professional runner.
The organization that put on the NYC Marathon, the New York Roadrunners, courted Hall, hoping he would make his marathon debut at their event.
“They recruit younger athletes and bring us out, hoping we'll run in the future,” Hall explained.
While seeing the world's best marathoners at Sunday's event did inspire Hall, he confessed, “I am kind of scared.” He said, “I watched their legs and I felt like I was running with them. I knew they were hurting and cramping and it was like I could feel their pain.”
Though he has never run a marathon, jumping to this distance makes sense to Hall. It fits the pattern he has set for himself since his career began at 14 when he looked out the window of his dad's car at Big Bear Lake and thought, “It's really beautiful. I want to run around it.”
He made a name for himself at Big Bear High School, setting course records and winning state titles, by running the 1,500-meter.
In college, he led his Stanford teammates to an NCAA championship with the 5K.
Now 24, he has won national titles in the 10K, 12K and 20K since he turned professional last year.
As he increased his racing distance, Hall said, “I've hardly had to change my training at all.”
While most athletes significantly alter their routine to become marathoners, Hall said, “I've always trained at higher mileage, running the longer distances.” He also acknowledged the advantage of growing up and training in Big Bear's high altitude.
In the Hall household, the thought of Ryan becoming a marathoner sparked controversy.
“My dad understands running and why I want to try marathons,” Hall said. “Mom is more skeptical. She just worries. She says, ‘Running marathons is not good for your body!'”
Even Hall admitted, “I am pretty young for marathons. But we are seeing more and more young runners defy the stereotypes.”
One such runner is Dathan Ritzenhein who, at 23, was the youngest American professional to enter the NYC Marathon. Ritzenhein finished in 11th place.
Ritzenhein occupied Hall's position in the lead vehicle last year, a fact that may prove prophetic.
“I do seem to be following in his footsteps,” Hall said.
Hall and Ritzenhein are just two of the young Americans who are competing on a global level.
Hall secured one of six American spots in the World Road Running Championships in Hungary last month. He was the fastest American runner and finished 11th out of 84.
“I'm happy to be a part of it,” Hall said. “I like to see the U.S. doing well.”
Many who follow the cross-country circuit are hopeful about the showing Hall and the other young Americans will make at the next Olympic games.
“We all have 2008 in our sights,” he said.
In fact, Hall said the 2008 Olympic Trials might be his first marathon.
The Trials are next November in New York City and will also be hosted by the New York Road Runners.
Making his marathon debut in New York may bode well for Hall, as he won two titles there this year.
In February, he finished nearly a minute ahead of Ritzenhein to win the USA Cross Country Championship in New York City. In September, Hall set a course record and won the Great Cow Harbor 10K Run in Northport, New York.
“It has been a good year,” Hall said.
Not that it is all fame and glory.
At his first ever official autograph session set up by his sponsor Asics at the marathon expo this weekend, Hall sat beside his newlywed wife and former Stanford teammate Sarah. They were seated at a long table in a white booth surrounded by posters of themselves at various races.
Hall saw a young boy standing slightly back, looking toward the booth. He waved the boy over and, pen poised, asked, “Would you like an autograph?”
The boy looked Hall square in the face, thought for a moment, and said simply, “No.” Then he turned and walked away.
“It was definitely humbling,” Hall said with a laugh. “But it keeps things in perspective.”
Big Bear native Brooke Edwards is a freelance writer in New York City. Brooke is working on her masters degree in journalism at New York University.
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