Speedendurance.com

2011 Rome Golden Gala – Women’s 400 meters

Posted: 27 May 2011 01:00 AM PDT

When I saw the heat sheets posted at the hotel, I was surprised to see both Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross competing in both the 400m and 200m just 45 minutes apart with the 400m going first.

I used to do the 400-200 at twilight meets spaced 30 minutes apart for a good special endurance workout, but we're talking about a world class meets and taking away lanes (and prize money!) from other athletes.

In any case, both Felix and Richards-Ross are in a class by themselves and both ran sub 23 to finish 4th and 5th respectively in the 200m.

Great job, ladies!

Here is the video for the 400 meters (Facebook and RSS readers, click here)

Here are the results, but I have one question: why the terrible reaction times?

SpeedEndurance.com recommends:

Tom Tellez and Dan Pfaff Training Videos – For sprints, jumps, hurdles and throws
Complete Speed Training – General Guide for All Sports
Complete Speed Training 2 – For sprinters 55m to 400 meters
100 meter Training with Marc Mangiacotti – Excellent for High School and College coaches
800 meter Training with Scott Christensen – Excellent for High School and College coaches

Usain Bolt 2011 Rome Diamond League Golden Gala 9.91 Video

Posted: 26 May 2011 03:34 PM PDT

Looking at the clouds at tonight's Samsung Diamond League 100 meter race (I still call it the Roma Golden Gala), I thought it was going to downpour.

But the rain and lightning started around 6pm and luckily, the winds pushed it about 40km north of Stadio Olympico.

With a near full house, the showcase event was the men's 100 meters with Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, and Christophe Lemaitre. As expected, they finished 1-2-3 but you would never had guess as Bolt had a horrible start and Powell was leading at 90 meters. Yes, it was that close.

But the biggest and loudest roar of the night was actually the Men's 200 meters (a non Diamond League event) with USA-born Italian Long Jumper Andrew Howe winning the race in an impressive 20.31, beating seasoned 200m specialists.

The 4×100m relay was also a close race between Canada and Italy to close of the evening. I will post those videos later if they weren't shown on TV.

Here is the race on YouTube: