Berlin to Leo Manzano: Time To Move Up, Big Man!

Berlin = City

City = Can't Talk

Can't Talk = Leo Isn't Listening

You = Stupid

Well, you're the one who fails to understand figures of speech.

Symmonds made the final, positioned himself well for the win and just tied up at the end. He can be a gold medal winner in the 800 in the future. As for Leo, he hasn't demonstrated any ability at the 5000 so why the hell should he move up?

so seeing as leo has shown consistently that he can't hold the pace on an international level for 1500 meters (finishing way back this and last year) what makes you think he can hold the pace in a longer race

Hmm, the pace will be slower?

Leo needs to improve his strength to handle all three rounds of the 1,500, plain and simple. He ran better this time around then he did a year ago in Beijing, so that's an improvement. Give the man a break and realize he still has a lot of work to do. And similar to everyone else on here...Leo doesn't need to move up.

Leo has chosen his event and hasn't shown he has the endurance for the 5K. He will make a decent living in the future and he should make some more national teams at 1500.

True but not every miler has the ability to transition to the 5k. The pace is slower but its more than three times the distance. The duration of the event takes it toll on a lot of runners as compared to others.

Uh earth to Brint, I'm not so sure you did 'cause you were all "well I'm sure he's heard of styling gel" like you *didn’t* know it was a joke!

Leo ran up to 10000m in college. He could train to handle the duration. He has precious little time to do the work to improve to the point that he'd need to in order to be a contender in the 1500. He's been on US teams for three consecutive years now, if he's not a contender by this point then it just isn't going to happen for him in this event.

Meekus wrote:

Uh earth to Brint, I'm not so sure you did 'cause you were all "well I'm sure he's heard of styling gel" like you *didn’t* know it was a joke!

Uh earth to Matilda, but when we say, "earth to matilda," it's not like we're acting like we're earth really calling you"

"hello....hello"

I think he should move up to the steeple - oh wait, aren't the hurdles taller than he is ?

He is a world finalist at 1500. Why should he change? Only a select few make it to his level. He won't be more effective at a longer distance judging by his XC results.

While were on it, along with Symmonds, Vessey and Wheating should move up to the 1500, Rowbury and Webb should mix it up in some 5ks, Teg, Solinsky, and Fernandez need to focus on the 10k, and it's about time Rupp starts on the marathon. Oh yeah, and I forgot that Jeremy Wariner should do the 800.

Here's a novel thought: why don't all reasonably successful white mid & distance runners move up? Every single one!

Lagat couldn't shake Bekele in the 5000m. I doubt that Leo would do much better.

OK in the 1st degree wrote:

Leo ran up to 10000m in college. He could train to handle the duration. He has precious little time to do the work to improve to the point that he'd need to in order to be a contender in the 1500. He's been on US teams for three consecutive years now, if he's not a contender by this point then it just isn't going to happen for him in this event.

How well did he do in xc? I just love it when people think every miler can move up in distance just like that. Don't let the slow pace fool you people. Yes its slow but its very taxing. Especially if the race is run in a negative split. Elg in his debut 5k ran a 12:50 but was soundly beaten by cherono. He looked tired on that last lap too. But El g is a exception and and as well as lagat. Possibly German Fernandez but thats about it.

We'll never know if he never takes a serious shot at increasing his aerobic endurance. Just because he isn't the best there is at 8k-10k xc doesn't mean he couldn't be a damn good 5000m runner on the track. We do know that Manzano has the basic speed to keep up in international 5000m races. That can't be developed. Endurance can be developed.

What do you consider reasonably successful? Given how much the US sucks (both men and women) in the 800m maybe our buttload of also-ran 400m runners SHOULD give the 800 a shot! We can develop endless great 400m runners but nothing to speak of in the 800? There's a lot of misappropriated talent stagnating in the wrong events.

Leo hasn't showed potential at the 5,000m. Even without great 800m speed, he is a good miler. He's never going to medal, but he can continue to make championship finals. That's the best he's going to be.

Wheating is a great candidate for the 1500m.

Symmonds is a better 800m runner than people give him credit for. He made some great strides this year. He'll make the final in 2011 and/or 2012. He hasn't shown much over 1500m.

Teg and Solinsky both need to change. Teg to the 10k, Solinsky along with him or to the steeple. Jager stays at 5k. German runs the 5k.

Willard stays at 1500m, as does Rowbury. Wurth-Thomas may make a good 5k runner. Jenny B to the 5k.

Abdi to the marathon. Lagat to the 5k. Webb to the 5k. Ulrey to stay in the 1500 until post-London.