What I'm "overly sensitive" about is the constant subtle digging and begrudging of Rupp's ability and accomplishments. The kid is 22, has run at the World Champs and the Olympics, he's got the US Collegiate Record at 10km, the AJR at 5km & 10km - but none of this matters to you. It seems as if you wait for a thread about Rupp and then hijack it in a derogatory direction. (Of course, I could be wrong; it's really hard to believe that a grown man has nothing better to do than lurk on a message board and leap at every chance to grind his personal axe against Rupp/Salazar) As for his "being dragged along", if it's so easy, why is it that Galen has accomplished all those things I mentioned above while others have not?
Please don't come back with your smarmy response that you've given credit to Rupp, you acknowledge his ability, blah, blah, blah - because every time you do that you also throw in the subtle dig.
Example: "Rupp ran 4:01.x in HS 4 years ago+, any guy who could run 4:01.x , could surely run 1:52.00 or better,look it up. I am surprised at all the hype on this,1:51.33 on a oversized track, is this that big a deal?
Rupp ran almost 4 minutes years ago."
The implication is that he hasn't improved: "Rupp ran almost 4 minutes years ago." Yep, it's a fact that he did, but anyone who's ever read your stuff on Galen knows that your intent is to demean his performance with that last line.
Ridiculous? The petty jealousy you've displayed over the last six or seven years is what's ridiculous. You've ripped Rupp and Salazar regularly.
I simply pointed out that a "pretty good HS runner" hadn't achieved anywhere near what Rupp had - and opined that he couldn't even if he had the "advantages" Galen has. I made no attack on the young man's character; in fact, I mentioned that I imagined he was a hard worker and probably a pretty good guy - JUST LIKE RUPP IS!
I'll admit that mentioning the young man's name was probably a poor decision. I mean, we're dealing with a young man who is human and might have mis-interpreted my comments as a personal attack - despite the fact that I said he was probably a hard worker and probably a pretty good guy. Hmmm, I wonder if Rupp might have a similar reaction to some of the things posted about him over the years? Oh, heck, who cares? He's Galen Rupp and a public figure so I guess that gives King - and the other bashers - free reign to demean him on a regular basis.
Here we agree. Because it's YOU who said it - cowardly hiding behind a different screen name - there is rightfully a strong response to your personal vendetta; not just from me but from many who see through your subtle ripping of Galen/Alberto.
Again, we agree. You certainly do have issues with MRR; my issue lies in the fact that you take the opportunity to bring Galen into the fight. "Of course he ought to be able to run that fast; what's the big deal?" You may believe deep down that that statement doesn't denigrate Rupp's performance, but many folks on this board would disagree with you. I believe that the point of MRR's original post was to be positive and supportive that one of America's top young distance runners had done something positive. I don't necessarily agree that Galen can "certainly" run faster, but beating a 3:56 guy would seem to be a positive feather in the young man's cap.
No, that's not the point. Your posts always have a different overt meaning, but the constant theme is a just-slightly-below the surface nagging, digging, demeaning, rip at Rupp/Salazar. You've done it for years, and this current effort (here and on Dyestat) is another attempt to further your personal agenda in lessening Rupp's efforts/accomplishments.
My poor attempt at levity. It's a line often used be entertainers. Sorry to hear that you never get out of the house.
Yes, you've said the same thing for years: notably that others are clearly better because they've won this and that; that Rupp isn't really any good because of his advantages; that others (Bobby Curtis on the recent Dyestat thread) have a greater upside; that Galen won't improve very much as he's already trained at a high level, has the advantages, etc...; that he won't make it at the "next level" and so on and so on and so on.
What will it take for you to admit that you've been wrong about those things? He's clearly better than EVERY other kid in his HS class; yes, better than McDougal (Olympic Team trumps all other claims). He's the FASTEST EVER AMERICAN BORN COLLEGIAN at 10km. He was pretty good as a high schooler. He was pretty good as a Junior (28:15, 2nd at NCAAs in the 10km). He's been pretty good as a collegian (a few runnerup finishes, one title). He appears, by all accounts, to be ready to take the next step.
Why do you feel the need to point out Galen's "deficiencies" both here and on Dyestat? I could understand if it was just a once-in-awhile occurrence, but you're conspicuously silent when all is well in the Rupp camp - and then, BAM, at the first opportunity to bring him down you post in both places - and won't even use the same screen name, much less your real name. If you're confident in the impartiality of your posts, feel free to use your real name and location so that others in the running world might have an opportunity to have a rational discussion with you in real life.
Another subtle dig, preceded by a compliment. "He dominated XC like he should..." In other words, he gets no credit for his winning NCAAs because he's suppose to win. Of course, what you fail to admit is that he has broken through to another level - beyond all of his HS class and virtually all of the high schoolers in the few years surrounding his.
When will you admit that all of your predictions about Galen's lack of future success have been wrong? What does he have to do to please you? Win the 3km and 5km indoors? Win the 5km and 10km outdoors? Make three more Olympic teams? Break the American record at 10km? Or will he need to get the 5km and 3km also?
Will you ever post here and/or Dyestat and just flat out admit that you've been wrong? No subtle digs, no allusions to "advantages"... Just a simple admission that your previous judgements about Galen's progression were flat out wrong.
That's all I'm asking.
Dave Frank