I’ve done lists of the worst things in distance running so far, here’s a positive one finally. The top (mostly US) female distance runners of the year.
3.) Sheila Reid
Swag as F&*$
I had to include a collegiate runner on this and the pick was easy. Sheila Freaking Reid. Ok, yes, I know she’s Canadian, but I’m grouping her with the US gals for now.
2011 Accomplishments:
Indoor- National Champ DMR, Runner up in NCAA 3k, Big East Champion, Regional Runner of the Year, 8:56 3k and 2:43 1k
Outdoor- First athlete to ever win the 1500/5000 double at NCAAs, Big East Champion, 4:11 1500 best and top collegiate 1500 runner at Mt. Sac, Regional Athlete of the Year
XC- National Champion, Undefeated, USTFCCCA Athlete of the Year
She’s unstoppable right now. Armed with a deadly kick that has gotten the best of Oregon’s golden girl Jordan Hasay, and armed with even more deadly good looks, she is the girl to watch for the 2012 indoor and outdoor NCAA seasons.
2.) Shalane Flanagan
DAYUMM GIRL
This is an easy one. Shalane’s trophy room boasts over 9000 OVER TEN national titles and, oh yeah, AN OLYMPIC MEDAL. Damn, Swag. 2011 was another great year for Shalane as she embarrassed the entire field at the US XC champs at the end of 2010 and started off the new year by finishing 3rd at the world xc championships. No easy task. Definitely one of our greatest hopes for a medal in 2012.
Also noteworthy to point out that in 2011 she had the number one time in the 3k, 5k, and 10k.
1.) Jenny Simpson
Compare with above
WHOA, when you google image search for this girl make sure you search for “Jenny Simpson Barringer”. “Jenny Simpson” gets you some pics you don’t (or do?) wan’t to see.
Anyway, a lot of people have said ‘Uceny would have won’, ‘her time was slow, slow year’ blah blah blah. Could’ve wouldve should’ve, at the end of the day only one US distance running woman won a World Championship this year, and a W is a W.
Honorable mentions: Desiree Devila, Hasay, Uceny, Huddle
Great pics!!! I agree with all 3. However, I love Jordan Hasay and hope she kicks the unreal talented Shelia. I LOVE Jenny Simpson and hope she kicks everyone’s butt and has those same owl eyes.
can’t wait to see what happens in the running world in 2012!
After all of those days of waiting and anticipating, I am a bit disappointed. Just three picks? It was well written and contained a lot of good info but I was expecting something better. Like Male Runner of the Year. Or something that was witty.
Thanks for the blog though, I will continue to be a devout follower
#eatrunswaggg
To be honest, I don’t follow women’s running nearly as close as men so I had a had time making a big list/saying funny things. Tomorrow is the guys list which will be longer and much funnier, I promise! And I appreciate the feedback