What's an Olympian want with me?

About a week ago, I got this email from a guy who said he was a Norwegian distance runner. Said he found my blog through the Complete Running Network, where we are both members. Said he has enjoyed my writing skills on wine and running.

Said he was a two-time Olympic runner trying to bring attention to his own Web site and wanted to know if I'd link from my site to his.

Now, my first thought was, "Okay, this is either spam, or a friend trying to play a trick on me." I mean, what would a two-time Olympic distance runner want with my slow, low-Vo2max-havin', raggedy-marathon-runnin' ass?

So, I had to look the guy up. And as it turns out, the guy _ Marius Bakken _ is what he said he was. He has run in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics. He is the Norwegian champion in the 3k and 5k, running a blistering 13:06.39 in the 5k.

Quick math. That's a pace of 4:14 a mile.

Bakken has his own Web site and offers training advice. Its not Science of Sport or even Jim2's page. But its a start. And because Olympic distance runners don't contact me all that often. (I did get a return email from women's marathon champ Deena Kastor after watching Spirit of the Marathon a few months back) I figure I'll give Bakken some blog recognition.

Here is that email...

On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 9:05 AM, Marius Bakken <bakken.marius@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Kevin,
I have enjoyed your writing skills on your running & wine blog for a while (found it on the completerunning network where we are both registered)
I am a two time Olympic runner who has just started a website http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/. And I see that you have a series of links on the right side of your site.
As my site is very young, I am looking for possible links to it. Would you be interested in this ?
In return I could either :
1) Offer you a link from my "personal" webpage http://www.mariusbakken.com/ or the http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/ blogroll. 2) If you need any help with your training in the future, I would be happy to assist.

Wish you good luck with your future running & writing and look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Marius Bakken