American Record Steeplechase

[Roy2]

I wanted to say happy birthday today to Henry Marsh, still the American record holder in the steeplechase. Today Mr. Henry Marsh turns 50 years old. Some great memories watching him run. How about you?

[kuha]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

My hat's off to Henry Marsh: If anyone got "everything" out of their innate talent, it was most definitely him. Sub-8:10 twenty years ago!

[hijumpsteve]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

It may not be an accurate quote, but to show his "blood and guts" approach, he reportedly once said:

"If pain is the only problem, then there is no problem."

[old SATCH]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

Was not Henry Marshs nickname SWAMPY. Think is now a lawyer and motivational speaker. He made 4 OLYMPIC teams second male to do so / American. EASY ? , WHO WERE first and third?

[hijumpsteve]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

Frank Wyckoff was the first I think.

[hijumpsteve]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

And can't go wrong in saying Al Oerter can I ??!!

[hijumpsteve]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

and if Al Oerter is first, then Marsh is second, and Carl Lewis is third.. plus Wyckoff that you did not know ??!!

All this from my head... no research !!

[hijumpsteve]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

on 2nd thought I'll drop Wyckoff... do not think he was on the '24 team So I will stick with Oerter/Marsh/Lewis. Actually Lewis was on 5 teams if you count the phantom 1980 team.

[5k Guy]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

Interesting thing about Marsh, he only ran 6 days per week. He is the only great distance runner I can think of who took a day off (no running or cross training) every week, all year long.

[hijumpsteve]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

>Interesting thing about Marsh, he only ran 6 days per week. He is the only
>great distance runner I can think of who took a day off (no running or cross
>training) every week, all year long.

Was that a religious thing with him ? Memory serves that he's a devout Mormon.

[racewalker]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

Ron Laird made 4 teams ('60, '64, '68, '76).
'60 was in 50km walk and the others were at 20km.

[kuha]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

I hadn't heard of this before, but if it's true, Marsh's day-off regime could have been a "sanity" thing just as much as a "religious" thing. It's telling that we could talk about a world class guy training "only" 6 days a week! Also of note: I haven't checked, but I seem to remember that his mile PR was about 3:59.0 or so. Remarkably modest for one of history's most accomplished steeplechasers.

[5k Guy]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

>Interesting thing about Marsh, he only ran 6 days per week. He is the only
>great distance runner I can think of who took a day off (no running or cross
>training) every week, all year long.

<Was that a religious thing with him ? Memory serves that he's a devout Mormon.>

Yes it was. He very much believed in working six days and resting on the Sabbath.

[old SATCH]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

MARSH did a Morman mission to Brazil ,didn't break 4.00 until he was 31. Never won an Olympic medal ,84-4, 88 --6. his 8.o9.17 in 1985 still is the American record.

[kuha]

Re: American Record Steeplechase

I had to LIU (that is, "look it up"), but here are Marsh's PRs: 1500: 3:43.52 ('85); mile: 3:59.31 ('85); 3000: 7:56.2 ('85); 5000: 13:45.2 ('84). He clearly didn't run many 3000s, but it's still amazing that his best on the flat is only 13 seconds faster than his steeple PR. Does ANY sub 8:10 guy have a differential this small?