RUNNER’S CREED
Marathoner Ryan Hall, who has turned to ‘faith-based coaching’ that involves use of biblical principles, looms as an Olympic trials favorite
Running filled his days but no longer filled his soul. For Ryan Hall, the 2008 U.S. Olympic marathon trials champion, restoring a balance between his faith and his career as an elite marathoner was powerful motivation to leave his training group at Mammoth Lakes and take an unconventional path.
Hall, who won an NCAA 5,000-meter title at Stanford and finished 10th in the marathon in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and his wife, Sara — a notable runner herself — struck out on their own late in 2010. They split time between Flagstaff, Ariz., where he trains at altitude, and Redding, where he trains at sea level and joins his wife in activities at the Bethel Church and school.
“I am now operating under ‘faith-based coaching,’ which basically entails me applying biblical principles and praying about what workouts to do,” Hall said. “For example, I only run six days a week and take one day off — just like God did when he created the world.
“It also says in the Bible that ‘in the abundance of counselors there is victory,’ so I do have a team of people around me that are experts in their own field of interest and I occasionally consult with them. People on this team are nutritionists, chiropractors, massage therapist, weight coach, pacers, training advisors, my wife, etc.”
His methods are unusual, but it’s difficult to dispute the results.
The Big Bear native finished fourth last year in the Boston Marathon in 2 hours 4 minutes 58 seconds, the fastest U.S. marathoner in history though his performance was not a recognized record because of the course layout. He has the three fastest qualifying times for the U.S. Olympic marathon trials Saturday in Houston, where the top three finishers in the men’s and women’s races — scheduled to start 15 minutes apart — will be nominated to the London team. Hall, 29, is a favorite. “He’s one of the most talented people we’ve seen in this event, anywhere,” said Bob Larsen, who cofounded the successful Mammoth distance running program with Joe Vigil and coaches 2004 Athens marathon silver medalist Meb Keflezighi.
Hall’s challenges probably will come from Dathan Ritzenhein, Mo Trafeh of Duarte — who beat Hall in a half-marathon in Houston last January — and Keflezighi, 36, who is competing on short rest after the New York City Marathon and battling a foot infection.
“The major thing with Meb is he doesn’t defeat himself,” Larsen said. “Someone else who has lost three weeks and is trying to recover that quick from a marathon, you’d just about have to count him out. But with Meb, because he’s so savvy about tactics in a race, he definitely has a chance. Three people are going to have to run fairly well to keep him off the team, if everything goes well.”
Hall said he loves Mammoth and still has a home there but doesn’t regret leaving the group or coach Terrence Mahon.
“Since taking this giant leap of faith, life has been really exciting,” Hall said. “My dad always says that happy feet make light feet, and I have certainly experienced this to be true. The happier I am in my day-today living, the faster I run.”
Though he said he is excited about the trials, his joy is tempered with sadness.
During the 2007 U.S. Olympic marathon trials, Hall’s friend and training partner Ryan Shay collapsed on the New York course and died of what was found to be an enlarged and scarred heart. Training for these trials has awakened Hall’s memories of Shay.
“I remember how he lived his life and I am inspired by that,” Hall said. “The event of his passing made me realize how precious life is and that even the fittest of humans can pass at any time. His memory inspires me to make the most of every opportunity.”
Even if that means not following conventional wisdom or having a coach to shield him from the high expectations he faces.
“I run to make God happy. Everything else takes a back seat to that,” Hall said. “I believe that anything is possible with him. I also am not afraid of failure because I know in God’s eyes I am magnificent no matter what place I finish.
“I like to take chances, take big risks and go for it all. It doesn’t always work out, but it is who I am so that is how I run. If I am fully me out there, then that is all God expects of me.” helene.elliott@latimes.com twitter.com/helenenothelen