The Pre Classic Is A Diamond Of A Meet
Pre is doubling as the Diamond League Final this year
CELEBRATE YOUR SPORT BY BEING A FAN OF YOUR SPORT
Did you know that the Prefontaine Classic is this Saturday and Sunday? That's right! It's this September 16th and 17th! And did you further know that the Prefontaine Classic this year is doubling as the Diamond League Final? And did you know that this is the first time that the Diamond League Final is taking place in the United States? And did... you... know... that I won't be there? It pains me to write that last part. But it's true. I'm missing the Pre Classic/Diamond League Final. Well, actually, that's only partially true. I will be watching any and all coverage of this epic Track & Field Meet.
Wait... I see someone raising their hand.
You have a question?
You do?
Okay... what is it? Let's be quick and snappy. You do realize I'm in the middle of writing a post.
What's that you said?
What's the Pre Final League and Diamond Classic I keep talking about?
Do you have any idea how hard it is to completely butcher both names of the meets I was just talking about only moments ago? I'm actually impressed.
Anyway, it's called the Pre Classic... which is one of the premier T&F meets that take place each year on this floating space rock we all share. It was started back in 1975 as a way to celebrate the life and legacy of one of America's greatest runners, Steve Prefontaine, who had only recently died in a car accident. Over the last 5 decades the Pre Classic (Pre was Steve's nickname) has become an annual global showcase for the best T&F athletes.
And the other thing I was talking about is not called the Diamond Classic. It's called the The Diamond League. The DL is a a series of 15 Track & Field Meets that are held each year in different locations around the world. Over the course of the series athletes can earn points by how they perform in their events at each meet. The Diamond League Final is the final meet of the series. That's honest marketing there. And it is there at the Final that the Diamond League Champions in each event will finally be crowned. We're talking about the best of the best lining up and trying their best against the best. Athletes like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Athing Mu, Faith Kipyegon, Sha'Carri Richardson, and Ryan Crouser will all be competing in Eugene, Oregon this weekend. Oh yeah, the meet is being held at the legendary Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon.
It's obviously too late to make this long story short. So, I'm going to do my best to make this long story no more longer than it absolutely needs to. Okay, let me cut to the chase. You need to watch this meet. You need to check out the coverage leading up to the first race and field event. You need to follow along with all the behind the scenes stuff that Nike Running is going to be putting up on their Instagram page. You need to let me know what you're finding from the Diamond League Final at the Prefontaine Classic that looks cool because I can only scour the internet so much on my own. I need you!
And I also want you to watch the Prefontaine Classic because this is your sport at the highest level. This is your sport that you share with all these professional athletes. There will be efforts that will inspire you. There will be stories that motivate you. There will be performances that you can learn from. Watching this meet is one of those ways that you can become a better runner while you are not running. Because being a fan of your sport will only make you fall deeper in love with your sport. And there's nothing worth doing in this life that you won't do better if some love is involved.
So, check out these links. Find out the best coverage for you and then sit back... or stand up... or stride ahead (watching a T&F meet while on the treadmill can be electric) and celebrate your sport. I won't be there at the meet. But I will be there alongside so many of you, if only in spirit, watching and cheering and celebrating our sport. And I'm going to be a little better for it.
Cheers,
Coach Bennett
Check out the link to the Prefontaine Classic
Check out the link for the Diamond League
Check out the link for Nike Running on Instagram
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MAKING SURE THERE IS A PLACE ON THE STARTING LINE FOR ALL
I’ve got more. I hope you didn’t think that this edition of Coach Bennett’s Newsletter was done after the whole Prefontaine Classic/Diamond League Final stuff! Come on!
I got to spend some time down on LA recently with a few extraordinary people that work really hard to create starting lines for their communities. Other than the personalized Dodgers jerseys that littered the night it was truly as special evening.
Fine, I admit it… the jerseys are cool but I’m a Yankees fan and I can’t let it go unsaid… when it comes to World Series Wins… it’s 27 - 7 Yankees. This is what it’s come to. The yanks are currently so mediocre I need to bring up the distant past to get through this paragraph.
Anyway, if you are ever in the LA area and you want to run then you need to look at these wonderful people and their crews/clubs/groups as an open invitation.
Check out Good Vibes Track Club
Check out the Koreatown Run Club
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PODCASTS AND PODCASTS AND MORE PODCASTS FOR YOU TO LOVE
I know you’ve been listening to Coach Bennett’s Podcast. I just know it! That’s why I know that you listened to a very special episode 14 - Mindset Matters. Why was it so special? Well, I had my VERY FIRST GUEST! Yes! First guest ever! And I was able to get the one and the only tammie bennett. (she likes her name in all lower case). Coach tammie bennett is a mindset coach extraordinaire. So, check out the episode if you have not already. It’s amazing. And it will immediately give you some great ways to work on your mindset which is not only an invaluable thing to work on but should be something every athlete consistently works on.
Listen to Mindset Matters on Apple Podcasts here:
Listen to Mindset Matters on Spotify here:
Be sure to check out the latest episode of Coach Bennett’s Podcast -
Some Terrible Advice For Runners too!
Check it out on Apple Podcasts here:
Check it out on Spotify here:
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And there was also a new episode of Two Coach Bennetts Talking that just dropped. The title of the latest episode may be a little randy but we’re just talking about goals, and running and starting and starting over… honestly.
Check out Size (Not Always) Matters on Apple Podcasts here:
Check out Size (Not Always) Matters on Spotify here:
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THE SHOW UP SOCIETY OPENS UP!
Speaking of coach tammie… she just launched a community… the Show Up Society!
It’s a supportive community to help you connect to your inner joy, do more of what you want, and get out of your own way. Make sure you take the link below sooner rather than later to learn more about the Show Up Society because there is a benefit to signing up before October 1st.
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THANK YOU!
Thank you for reading. Thank you for running. Thank you for sharing the Newsletter and liking the posts and leaving comments. Thank you for subscribing. Thank you for listening to the Two Coach Bennetts Talking Podcasts and Coach Bennett’s Podcast. Thank you for watching and sharing the content I’m making on Instagram and TikTok and Facebook and Threads and Strava. I hope that it all helps. And Thank you to everyone that is supporting Coach Bennett’s Newsletter by being a paid subscriber. I truly appreciate it. It makes all the work worth it.
Cheers,
Coach Bennett
Great spotlight on LA clubs! I've got more on my Substack 😁