What's the deal with Magnus these days? Does anyone actually know where he stands in his preparation to break Dan's test loop record? It seems all the information is second-hand and hearsay. You talk to one person and he'll claim Magnus is averaging over 100 miles a week, another will claim that Magnus secretly visited KC last weekend to check out the test loop for himself before the "official" visit, and that he posted a 12:50 under "less than ideal" conditions. Then there was that guy who claimed to have seen Magnus in a Livermore McDonald's and was talking about the "50 kilos" Magnus gained since WWW. Alright then, where's the proof? How about a photograph? Probably the truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes, but how are we supposed to know? We've heard nothing at all from Magnus himself. He's been avoiding the press, and I can understand that since they are annoying, but why the silence when it comes to other OK members? Who does he think he's psyching out? Is Dan losing a lot of sleep over the suspense?

Personally I'm becoming rather sick of all the hype lately surrounding Magnus. I turned on CNN sports last night and all they were talking about was Magnus this and Magnus that and could he run under 13 minutes and what sort of conditions were necessary to break that record.

Why don't we all just agree to stop spreading these ridiculous rumors and wait to see what actually happens when Magnus shows up on the starting line? How about that?

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 06, 1999

Answers

I think Magnus, or anyone for that matter, will have a tough time setting a course record on the test loop the first time they run it. But, I also know Magnus can run well -- I won't ever forget how he tore up the course at the Quivering Quads 50K last year.

The rumor I've heard is that Magnus and Sanna are both preparing for the Sacramento Marathon (on the same weekend as the Possum Trot). The Sacramento course is reportedly fast and Magnus may be prepared to go fast. Will marathon training carry over to the test loop? I would think it would.

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), October 07, 1999.