Pro-Tips: Jim Ryun
Pro-Tips is a series of articles directly from the pros. Tips from the mouth of the athletes who have reached the pinnacle of the sport. With tips of every kind, this article series is intended to help enlighten everyone on what it is the pros do that help set them apart.
By Rob Versaw, MileSplit Utah
Until Leo Manzano ran his way to a silver medal in London this past summer Jim Ryun was the most current Miler / 1500m from the United State to medal in the Olympics, only he did it in 1968 at Mexico City. At the time he owned world records in the 800, 1500m and Mile. His most famous accomplishment may have been his long-standing high school record in the Mile, which stood until Alan Webb broke it in 2001 at the Prefontaine Classic. Ryun was the first high school runner to break the 4 minute barrier in a HS-only race (Lukas Verzbicas, the second in 2011).
After Ryun's illustrious career in track and field he went on to serve the 2nd Congressional district of Kansas in Washington DC, raise 4 children and he currently runs several annual running camps, which can be found at www.ryunrunning.com. Eventually, like Jim, track will end for all of us, but he took a moment to chat with us about what track has taught him about the real world.
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