From Weird Earl's

Weird Earl's is an archive of links to web "curiosities" on the Straight Dope home page. A recent link takes us to the Squished Penny Museum. I have to admit I collect these things...or rather it was decided I collected them. My wife came back from a business trip with a few of these and said "You collect these, right?" No. "Well, you do now."

I've got them from the Empire State Building, the Hemingway House, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad to name just a few. But I don't have this one:Huh. Didn't even know it existed.

Your Morning Linkpile

RW Daily News has the main headlines, including NCAA cross country championship previews.

Sports Illustrated's David Epstein weighs in on the latest in the Caster Semenya saga. He also weighs in on the latest in the Oscar Pistorius saga, and the Science of Sport guys look at it too.

Britain's Telegraph notes how Americans are running off the recession in a big way.

The IAAF cross country season starts tomorrow. Let's Run previews the women's race at Monday's NCAA championships, and the Runner's Tribe previews the men's race.

Your Morning World o' Links

RW Daily News has the main headlines.

The IAAF released a statement that they're not yet making a statement on the Caster Semenya case. But the South Africans just released one saying she's keeping her gold medal and prize money. This whole thing is not even close to being over.

The Science of Sport guys react to a new study on Oscar Pistorius' advantage. As usual, they take a long and thoughtful look at complex data.

Christian Cantwell talks about defending his world indoor title, and Carmelita Jeter is making noise about the 60 meter world record.

Your Morning Linkpedia

RW Daily News has all the headlines: USATF Hall of Fame inductees, the beginning of the IAAF cross country season, and the Boston Marathon is already filled up.

And then there's this one: Runner's World has gotten into a bit of a controversy over some fitness photos of Sarah Palin that ran on their website and subsequently went on the cover of Newsweek. Should RW have done things differently? Only in that they shouldn't have had anything to do with that woman. Dealing with her in any way brings unavoidable political theater, and if it's not what you want then steer well clear.

The IOC has finally stripped Rashid Ramzi of his Olympic gold medal.

Usain Bolt is now officially a sports superstar: he was in a "This is SportsCenter" commercial. In other news, he's throwing a big giant par-tay.

A proposed Comcast-Universal Sports merger may pave way for an Olympic channel.

Interesting Read

Not often you find these in the snarkfest that is Let's Run's message board, but the one about training at 2 or 3 or 4 AM is worth a click.

Your Morning Linkstravaganza

RW Daily News has the main headlines.

WADA is celebrating its tenth birthday, and it's had a significant effect. And a big-time steroid dealer in Florida got busted.

Franklin Field, the home of the Penn Relays and one of the nation's great stadiums, has been given a serious update.

Follow track athletes on Twitter.

Intersection in My Venn Diagram

Shannon Robury wrote a piece for Huffington Post. While it's for a left-wing political site, what she wrote could just as easily been part of a Get Motivated! seminar.

Your Morning Link Dump

RW Daily News has the main headlines.

USADA chief Travis Tygart says rogues are the main problem in doping, not institutions. And Sureyya Ayhan Kop's lifetime ban is upheld.

Sesame Street is turning 40, and the show's running-related highlights are noted. Missing: the Sesame Street News segment covering the tortoise v. hare race, a classic. There's more.

Your Morning Link-o-Rama

RW Daily News has all the top headlines, including the finalists of IAAF Athlete of the Year.

The Kenyan cross country season got underway in Machakos.

The AIMS symposium looked at the successes and potential of charity running.

SPIKES mag profiles world decathlon champ Trey Hardee.