| umm |
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The Steeplechase is an awesome race. Its really exciting. The combination of the strategy of distance, and the possibility of humiliation of hurdles. Plus its ridiculously hard, which everybody seems to ignore. And finally, the US has a stud-in-the-making in Evan Jager, and he could have a good shot at unseating the Kenyans in Rio if things go well over the next four years. So why doesn't the Steeple get any love? |
| ?$#@! |
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Please cite these posts ragging on the steeple. I've never seen them. |
| steeple me this steeple me tha |
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the steeplechase probably gets so much hate or noninterest because it's a weak event. Not many of our or the world's best runners do it. It's usually filled with B-level runners. Being ridiculously hard does not make it entertaining. I am a distance runner, and I do not find it any more exciting than a 5k or 10k. If they had alligators in the water, then sure. But as is, no excitement. Perhaps, when Jager beats some people that matter (and when he actually becomes an A-level runner at other distances), then people will pay attention. |
| Hrothgar |
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Jager beat people that mattered just the other week. |
| Cheeplestase |
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The best runners don't run the steeplechase because they are afraid of getting injured. I think Jager could have made the Olympic 5k team, but he is destined to be a steeplechaser. I'm predicting top 6 for Jager, and he would definitely beat some people that "matter" and be considered an A level runner. |
| steeple me this steeple me tha |
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who? |
| koi |
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Steeplers are obviously not as good at 1500 or 5k so they go to the steeple. This is mostly true for women, and was true for men up until this Olympic year. |
| Come to Oregon |
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If you were a fan of the sport you would know that steeplechasers have been quite successful at flat races. No so the other way around. Many have tried the steeple and walked away with a rude awakening. |
| ZE Chewy |
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Our top D2 school hates on steeplechaser because if anyone does it here, you pretty much are guaranteed a spot at nationals. "or so the upperclassmen have said" |
| Sour Grapes |
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In general, distance runners tend to hate athletes. Most of the people on this site - as evidenced by Chris Derrick's remark a while ago - are runners because they couldn't do "real" sports. Steeplechasers are real athletes. They can do more than just run fast. They have athletic ability. This sets them up for hate. I have seen many, many runners go to the steeple thinking they were going to be hugely successful only to realize the same lack of athleticism that kept them off the team sports makes them terrible steeplers. You wouldn't imagine how many sub 4 milers became steeplers a couple years ago certain they would be Olympians only to come back with their tail between their legs. In typical letsrun fashion, people must then declare the steeple "weak" in order to alleviate their own feelings of inadequacy. They will of course say that steeplers don't have great 5 or 15 times while ignoring the fact that 100 meter runners don't have great 5 or 15 times either. In fact many sprinters claim distance runners only run distances because they can't sprint. They will also ignore the fact that guys like Jager and Cabral have decent flat race credentials. There is actually a much higher chance of a steepler doing well in a flat race than a flat runner doing well in a steeple so I guess the logic of letsrun can only lead us to conclude that the only legit distance race is the steeple and all the other ones are weak since no flat runner would compete well in a steeple but a couple steeplers could hold their own in big time flat races. (Penn relays anyone?) |
| Running on Empathy |
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If you were a fan of the sport you would know that steeplechasers have been quite successful at flat races. No so the other way around. Many have tried the steeple and walked away with a rude awakening.[/quote] True. Henry Rono comes to mind. |
| Brianruns10 |
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I can understand why some dislike the steeple, but I feel nothing but respect for steeplers. I'd kill myself trying to go over the first barrier, not to mention the water obstacle. If I could change something about it, it'd be to move it from the track and onto a cross country course. It's such a pastoral event anyways, it feels natural to me. |
| randomcoach |
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I coach a successful youth steeplechase athlete who also happens to be the fastest 3000m runner in the province, and in the top 3 for 1500m and 800m also. |
| o.O |
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Exciting? Running wouldn't be exciting even if you added a a flying stage. |
| Gators |
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Hmmm.. Nick Symmonds is a world class 800 runner with a very soft 400 time. He wouldn't even make the NCAA final in the 400 but he is boss at 800 on the world stage. Our best steeplers are good at the steeple because its their best event. side note: gators in the pit would be awesome. |
| Gatordile Hunter |
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You'd think the U of Fla would put in a few inflatable ones anyway. And how about fiery torches on either side of each barrier, and compete the event at night with low lighting.
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| gringonash |
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^^^^^ This x 100 ^^^^^ |
| Sagarin |
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Or water moccasins... Seriously folks, the steeple is the single most exciting "distance" event in track (excludes 800, 1,500). The 5,000 and 10,000? I don't mind that they cut away coverage. I'd rather just watch the last three laps anyway. But the steeple? It's like cross-country on the track. It's very difficult and takes the right amount of strength, speed, and athleticism for an athlete to be successful. And now we have a kid who is just scratching the surface of running a world class time and being competitive internationally in his first year running the event. Rono's 8:05 seemed untouchable. Jager has run 8:06 and is destined to run sub-8:00. Truly amazing. |
| Herblindsey |
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My father and brother were murdered by a gang of steeple chasers. I will always hate the steeplechase;) |