| whaaaaat? |
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Well, if he wasn't planning on running 8:34, then the only way to win is slow it down, right? So he attempted to slow it down to give himself a shot? Doesn't that sound reasonable? And to say he doesn't think he can run with German is just plain stupid. Luke attempted (albeit failed as well) to run the 2 mile at Pre. So, there is no lack of desire to run 8:34 or faster there. It seems either way Luke was doing what he wanted to do in order to try and win. Try and slow it down to give himself a better shot and if that doesn't work, sit on him and hold on to see if he could pull it out. A lot of people are forgetting the part about this being a national championship two mile as well - not a German Fernandez time trial. I will give my respect though. He is an awesome runner to watch. So controlled and so strong. And to the guy who is comparing Ritz's 8:44 to this: Puuuuhleeeeeease. You have got to be kidding, right? If you don't consider this running by himself, then look a few weeks back to his 8:34 3200 or his 4:00 1600. Also, to say this wasn't the most anticipated race in high school track is ridiculous. Ok, I'll give you that there can't be ONE race that is the most anticipated, but this is ONE OF FEW. It had all the implications of breaking the hallowed, 29-year-old 2 mile record - because he had already had a day equivalent to it, for all intents and purposes. He had run the equivalent time in the 3200 AFTER his 4:00 1600. There was massive expectation for the record to go down - it would be a failure if it didn't. Sure, Ritz had an "outside shot" at the record - but this was it, it was EXPECTED. And your argument for the 2000 FLN race - sure there were 3 Olympians in there, but who is to say this race didn't have those future Olympians in there? There were 9 guys who went sub-9? Lowe and Puskedra and Finnerty (4:01 mile) could all have that potential. Also, go back to this years FLN and you can add in there 13:55 early-season guy Derrick. You have to be realistic here - this year has one of, if not the best potential to be the greatest high school distance running class. |
| lol@tards |
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"Mr. BIG3, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul." |
| All-time run |
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I agree with Stoned - Puskedra got in the way. German had to pass him at least twice on lap 2. It's one thing to compete, it's another to get in over your head. Puskedra is 0 for 2 in 2 mile record attempts and 2 for 2 in getting in over his head. |
| dead poets society |
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I didn't say that is what he should have done. Based off the things I have read, I just believe that, yes, he probably was going for the record as well. There is an interview out about how much confidence he and his coach have. So I was simply answering the other guys question, " Was he trying to run 8:34 also"! He tried at Pre. It wouldn't be too crazy to imagine him trying to do it again. Sure, maybe the smart thing to do was to let German run away from everyone and run for second. Doesn't seem like Luke's type of running and I don't blame him. Be sure to tell everyone who chases Bekele in Bejing that they should just let him go because they might trip him.... |
| INS |
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Seeing as he represented the good ol' USA at Worlds XC, I'd assume yes. |
| guygonemad |
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maybe not....but I like his spirit unlike so many others that are not willing to get out of their comfort zone and go for it! Big time props to Lowe and Luke....and you sir are a Pompas ass. |
| Stoned |
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"Well, if he wasn't planning on running 8:34, then the only way to win is slow it down, right? So he attempted to slow it down to give himself a shot? Doesn't that sound reasonable?" Are you serious? Slow it down? O.K. A national audience for a record attempt tuned in and some jackass (Not Luke)tries to slow down the pace so he can win? Wow. |
| Joe from Jersey |
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His coach was not lying when he said they did not do any fast speed work...nothing faster than 30sec 200's...his last lap was 62 point ?....that is crazy. As I watched the race unfold, I assumed he would drop a 58 or 59 last lap...this kid is super strong. He coach is a genius...better to undertrain than overtrain. I was also happy to see the record broken against HS runners. No pacers...No pros or collegians... Good Work German! |
| cmurph |
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The 10,000 at championships never goes out that fast. That allows 27 minute guys to hang with Bekele for a while because the pace is comfortable for them. Puskedra was obviously in over his head trying to hang on to German's pace. |
| buddy |
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why wouldnt paskedra just chill behind german? paskedra ran dumb. |
| EPO Canova |
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Who is Paskedra? I didn't see such a person in tonight's race. |
| Surprise! |
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Seriously? There was only one person going for a record today. I don't think Luke got in the way or slowed anyone down, I just don't think he had any chance in the world of "going for the record as well." |
| Sagarin |
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Kevin Williams 5th in 8:51. Yet another Colorado kid drops his PR by 15 seconds when going to sea level. |
| dunes runner |
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QFE - what a great run by German Fernandez, and has a generous personality too. |
| Old-timer |
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I just got back from the meet. I wanted to see this phenom for myself, and the 180 mile round-trip was well worth it. This kid's got game. I was down at track level and watched his cadence very carefully to see if during those last three laps he might have been under some sort of stress; we all know what the tell-tale signs are. All I've got to say, it seemed to me he had a whole left in the tank; German's form never waivered from beginning to end, other than accelerating his pace. As far as the track announcer is concerned, perhaps he did pour it on a little thick, but I think the crowd probably needed it as things were fairly quiet, that is, until the last three laps, and even then they needed a little prodding. I mean, for goodness sakes, here was a high school athlete, running alone, going for a record that's stood for 29 years! Like anyone else, when the crowd is energized, the athletes feed off it and sometimes good things happen. German's got a very, very bright future. If there's a little ego attached to it, so be it. His post-race interview didn't bear that out, though. Our sport needs all the pesonality it can get, if it captures the public's imagination, so much the better. I ran high school cross-country and track in the late 1960's. Can't even begin to tell you how much we rated back then. |
| Shorter Than Frank |
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okay, count me as a fan...man, i was on the edge of my seat wanting him to break the record. he did and i was happy as a clam. and i am happy to call myself a fan of german fernandez! of course, he should say that he didn't want to let his fans down. there are many, for sure. anyone else out there joining me to call themselves a fan? there's no ego there...i think he speaks the truth. |
| dead poets society |
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Key word is, "going for the record." Not getting the record. I don't think he had had any chance of breaking the record either. But why is it so hard for you people to realize that HE thought he did! Remember when he ran at Pre to try and get it? He told his coach that he thought he could run sub 4. Once again, I don't think he has a chance at sub 4, but HE thinks he can. |
| guygonemad |
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old timer thanks for the post race review....would loved to have seen/witness it. By the way dunes runner....what does QFE mean? thanks |
| TrackCoach |
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The sound feed was OK...some people always find something to complain about. |
| WDC Runner |
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Anyone know if Jeff Nelson was on hand for the event? He's had the record for a long time so I hope he was cheering for Fernandez also. |