Ritz needs to set 10K record before season end

Awful hard to get a record when no remaining meets offer a 10000 on the track.

Jossi wrote:

Awful hard to get a record when no remaining meets offer a 10000 on the track.

What's funny, is that I thought about going to each competition, clicking links to see if another 10K was being run, before posting. But obviously, I didn't take the extra time, with Sat night approaching. Thanks for the reply.

Why is that funny? It is not amusing, and it is not strange, so please explain why it is funny.

Its almost September.

He needs a break.

He doesn't have to do what you tell him to.

And he certainly does not have to try and break the record yet.

I agree, if there is an opportunity, he should try. He is in a special place right now in terms of fitness and confidence.

Jossi wrote:

Awful hard to get a record when no remaining meets offer a 10000 on the track.

solution: hayward/UO should host a 10K--get some fast pacers, maybe even pay some kenyans to show up.

mdd wrote:

Jossi wrote:

Awful hard to get a record when no remaining meets offer a 10000 on the track.

solution: hayward/UO should host a 10K--get some fast pacers, maybe even pay some kenyans to show up.

Agreed, strike while the iron's hot. This may be as good as it gets for Ritz...who knows?

Ka Mate wrote:

Its almost September.

He needs a break.

He doesn't have to do what you tell him to.

And he certainly does not have to try and break the record yet.

That was the first dumb reply... plus another I didn't count on.

No poster wants Ritz to run, if his legs don't have anything left. Given his season's improvement curve, and that he motored that 3rd mile, he probably has a lot left.

...And you arguing Ritz to not do what I tell him to: Every pro athlete needs to keep in mind what the fans want, and smartly weigh it in. That's why runners make what they do, and mainstream athletes make what they do. Fans.

actually ritz should try for the 50k racewalk record - I believe he has it in him if he does it before sept 15th

He should wait for one of the US meets next year (there are no big US meets left in 2009) where he could make some serious bonus money for breaking the US record.

Actually I think Ritz should try and find a race this year to go for the 10k AR, but ttc comes off as such a pompous prick in this thread that I had to try and find a semi-reasonable reason for Ritz to wait.

Maybe a fast 10K road AR.

Not likeley to find a pick up 27 flat paced track 10,000 at this time of year.

Not much thought went into starting this thread.

Yea, I was a prick in the opening post.

Reason: I get tired of especially dumb, redundant replies, such as the one on this thread (i.e.- Ritz shouldn't run if he's not recovered). Why such a reply? Does that poster think I want Ritz to rig 28:00 on tired legs risking injury? Obviously, I'm talking about racing after recovery.

It's not a big deal on its own. But 75% of my posts, I already know the exact dumb replies. I.E. - Guaranteed, if I post a result and state the runner looked unimpressive, then I'll have 3-4 replies accusing me of writing him off for the season. Again, not a big deal on its own. But it's post after post, and often dominates an otherwise good thread.

Somebody needs to get a life.

Here's what will happen. He'll go for an AR attempt in May of next year at the Payton Jordan meet. If he breaks the record there, dont look for him to run 10K nationals but rather the 5K. Ritz will race 3-5 times over in Europe, probably focusing on the 3K but will do at leat one 5000. After a short week break, will begin to prepare for either NY or Chicago.

ttc wrote:

What's funny, is that I thought about going to each competition, clicking links to see if another 10K was being run, before posting. But obviously, I didn't take the extra time, with Sat night approaching. Thanks for the reply.

Had you been following the sport you would have realized that clicking links would have been futile.

mdd wrote:

Jossi wrote:

Awful hard to get a record when no remaining meets offer a 10000 on the track.

solution: hayward/UO should host a 10K--get some fast pacers, maybe even pay some kenyans to show up.

This is a great idea, the kind of thing Pre used to throw together.

Fun.

Don't think it will happen though. Ritz has a lot to handle when he gets home, finish moving, settle in with wife and kid, begin his next training phase with Alberto.

Webb got ripped a bit on these boards for doing exactly what you're advocating Ritz does: recognize he's in AR shape, set up his own time trial, go for the record. Then again, everyone gets ripped on these boards.

ttc: Maybe Ritz's priorities are elsewhere right now. If Brussels has a 10000, it might be different; but failing that, Ritz is going to end the year with world rankings in two events, so what more does he have to accomplish on the track right now? It sounds like he's pointing towards the HM world championships--what's wrong with him focusing on that instead of finding (read: creating) a 10000 record attempt? Ritz has always valued racing/championships over time trialing. It's part of why we all fell in love with him once upon a time.

I'd love to see Ritz in a 10000 and would watch it "live" online. But I don't think he owes himself or the fans to make an attempt this season. If he'd prefer to do the HM World Champs, he's more than earned that.

Brussels has no 10,000.

Ritz is not done yet. He's already spoken of doing at least one half marathon, quite likely the World Half in Birmingham, England on October 11

It's not unreasonable to think that a 10,000 around September 15 or so couldn't be set up in Oregon.

ttc wrote:

First off: No obvious and redundant replies.

Going for the record is inarguable (so is his likelihood to get it), unless people don't like accomplishments.

Again it's inarguable, saving 2 ignorant replies (I won't say what they are. But will point out, if someone uses them). For Ritz to have the 5K & 10K records is a big accomplishment, that is now attainable.

Why does he "need" to do it before season end? Are his best years not ahead of him in the 10K? Or is there some fear that Rupp will emerge next year and he will break the AR running on the back of Ritz?