The last few days have been lovely. The temps have cooled down and the crisp autumn air has swept in new athletes into the McMillan elite athletics program.  Its exciting to see more and more college grads pursuing the dream to become a full time athlete and possibly become an Olympian.  The increase in post collegiate training groups has definitely improved the mid layer of American Distance running therefore pushing the very top to new levels. If USATF and those supporting athletics in this country continue to not be short-sighted and invest in the mid to high level athletes, this country will continue on the trend of reaping the harvest of high performances.  Just as American athletes continue to strive and never settle, our governing body can not rest on their laurels that we have the best track and field team in the world or setting up a USA running circuit.  Lets face it, while the money in American running is getting better than it was 20 years ago, its still a joke compared to almost any other sport.  The winner of the entire circuit makes an additional $6000. This is a nice incentive that USATF puts up but the winner of the entire circuit for running and placing high all year long should really make more than the payout of one individual race. Just my opinion but if USATF really wanted to make things interesting a payout in the neighborhood of $40,000 for winning the circuit would provide major incentive.  

5 weeks and 6 days til Chicago...