dante wrote:
And how should he have run? Do enlighten us since you clearly know the exact tactical decisions which would have resulted in a different outcome.
Are you actually going to debate that Chelanga ran the race he should have? It doesn't take a tactical genius to recognize when a runner is in over his head, not running smart. Chelanga may believe his strategy was ideal and that Rupp was simply that much better, but most of us who have run more than 5 road races probably have enough experience to know that running away from someone as good as Galen Rupp isn't smart.
And for the record, I would like to throw my name onto the Galen Rupp bandwagon. In July, I watched the Trials 10k hoping he would stumble and fall. In August, I was furious he ran well. He was nothing more than a prepubescent golden child who was spoon fed and had EVERYTHING handed to him. I think the last few months have changed my opinion because, although much of that description is true, it is something we runners should desire. No, I've never won an NCAA championship and I'll never run at the Olympics, but if I could sell my soul (or any other possession, both physical and hypothetical) in order to be as good as Rupp or some of the other top runners in the world, I would. So I'm done hating the kid for having something I wish I had. Regardless of the magic beans he is handed, he is tough as nails when it comes down to it.
That got lengthy, but I stand by it. :-)