Taking the plunge open.substack.com/pub/heleneelli…

Couple bylines yesterday for Runner's World, ICYMI:

Bobby Kersee talks the season so far for Mu, SML and more: runnersworld.com/news/a60876245…

On Strava, social media, mile splits and -- sometimes! -- subterfuge:

runnersworld.com/runners-storie…

Some news for Runner's World: Athing Mu won’t run in Saturday’s huge Pre Classic 800. Spoke with Bobby Kersee about the precaution behind the decision, what he’s learned coaching her + his thoughts on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s LA win and Keni Harrison

runnersworld.com/news/a60876245…

With Elite Runners, Nothing Is Quite As It Seems on Strava runnersworld.com/runners-storie…

I've spent years around teams that guard practice details like state secrets. Then I logged into Strava...and saw elite runners making everything about training public.

For Runner's World, I wrote about what those posts reveal -- and what they don't.

runnersworld.com/runners-storie…

Wrote about Michael Norman, one of track and field's most interesting people. Only 1 year after winning a world title, he was 'on a downward spiral toward hating the sport' in 2023. How taking a monthslong break put him back in gold-medal contention:

worldathletics.org/competitions/o…

The complete voting results for the 2023-24 Kia NBA All-Defensive Team:

New Minnesota Tourism Bureau slogan:

A very thoughtful gesture.

Grant Holloway, man of the people

(This was seconds after running a world lead of 13.07 in the 110m hurdles)

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the 200 at today's LA Grand Prix in 22.07. She is focusing solely on the 400 hurdles in '24 and said she never gave much thought to an Olympic 400h-400 double.

400 hurdles 'are my bread and butter,' she said. 'It's what I'm most comfortable with.'

One note ahead of the Los Angeles Grand Prix this weekend at UCLA. Was told that Olympic and world champion Sifan Hassan is now running the 1,500m on Saturday. She had originally been announced as part of the 5,000 field.

Very interesting interview with Kipchoge, who said he didn't sleep for three days/nights before the Tokyo Marathon in February after being subjected to online abuse following the death of Kelvin Kiptum.

I’m on a red-eye but wanted to spotlight the strong work this year by my talented LAC beat compadres. To Brad Turner, Law Murray 🎈, Ohm Youngmisuk, Justin Russo, Tomer Azarly, janis carr, Brian Sieman, Joey Linn, Farbod Esnaashari + many more: We survived the remodeled Crypto media room.

On today's episode of The Sharp 600, Jason Logan is joined by Andrew Greif to break down the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs. bet365 US

🏀How big of a loss is Porzingis for the C's? 🍀
🏀How big of a loss is Kawhi for LA? 🤔
🏀+ much more & best bets

🎧bit.ly/3UGYR2T

When Steve Ballmer says he loves sports, he actually means it. As Christian Caple notes here, Ballmer took in some Seattle spring football alongside Pete Carroll this week.

In Nov., L. Frank told me LAC was “not asking (Harden) to carry the team to four wins. We’re asking him to contribute.” (latimes.com/sports/clipper…). With Kawhi largely unavailable LAC’s needed Harden to carry a heavier burden. Credit where it’s due: He’s come through in playoffs.

For PG, this could be a Game 5 vs. Utah type of performance (also played without an injured Kawhi) incoming

ICYMI: The crew welcomes back Andrew Greif to chop it up after a really disheartening loss to the Mavs highlighted by the worst tandem game from 213 ever in their playoff runs together. How to recover with G4 coming up quickly?

Collectors' Item Edition of The Saturday Stein Line NBA podcast presented by Panini America has dropped ... breaking down Mavericks/Clippers with cameos from special guests Iztok Franko and Andrew Greif: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…