Last three Olympic champions better milers than Rupp

Agreed thats probably why he didn't win the Olympics, because he wasn't fast enough.

Yes, but I think a lot of fans are excited about the potential that this time shows. He ran an equivalent 3:33.8 (.8 off of Farah, and about 2 seconds off of Bekele). But he ran this IN JANUARY! Only backing of a tad from really hard workouts. Salazar has shown that he brings his guys into form at the right time of the season, so there's good reason to believe he'll be faster (maybe not much) and in monster shape by the summer.

Plus, even while saying "he's not as good" you're talking about an American in the same breath as Geb(distance running god), Bekele (other distance running god), and Farah (5k 10k double gold medalist). Rupp isn't as great as those guys, but he's being talked about in the same posts. We haven't had this kind of 5k 10k talent in a long time. '64 was the last time USA medal-ed in the men's 5k or 10k at the olympics.

but what about the last three silver medalists?

Consider sticking to the facts. The indoor 1500 record is 3:31.18. A 3:33.8 would put him 6th all time and yet he had 109 metres to go. Anyway you slice it, it was a very special run. For tricks, it would push Morceli back to 7th all time and this was a fellow who went after the mile record several times and failed each time (his best was 3:50.70). Neither Bekele, nor Farah figure on the indoor lists at all, Rupp is much, much faster. Until we see what he can do outdoors, a comparison with Haile & Kenny & Farah is still premature, based upon this 3:50 result.

lada wrote:

Neither Bekele, nor Farah figure on the indoor lists at all

Exactly. Most of the world doesn't really bother with the indoor 1500 to nearly the extent of the outdoor. Endless references to all-time lists are deceptive. Indoor-to-outdoor offers little or no benefit at 1500 pace.

lada wrote:

Rupp is much, much faster.

Than what? 3:33? Bekele??

norphxc wrote:

But he ran this IN JANUARY! Only backing of a tad from really hard workouts.

I just don't think that the usual predictions for improvement from early to late season hold here.

This wasn't an early-season rust-buster, with months to sharpen lying ahead. This was part of a planned PEAK, although with the NB 3000. There's not much reason to think he'll be quicker in the summer, especially since of course the focus will change.

I think it's interesting that in term of off-season focus, Rupp has gone short while Farah has gone long (New Orleans Half as a target). Seems smart of Salazar.

Agreed there's lots to be optimistic about here. I'm just not calling for a 3:28 like some here.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

So you're comparing him to someone who is arguably the GOAT, the guy who makes the other guy arguably and not definitely the GOAT, and his own training partner.

A good test of a person's ability is who they are compared against. Sounds like you have a thing for Rupp!

A whopping 2 seconds form the indoor WR

Yes Rupp ran that in January. After doing months of 1500-3000 training. This summer he will be doing 5000-10000 specific training so do not expect him to be able to crush his indoor time. It is a very good time for a 10k runner but if he wants to accomplish his goals of being the best 10k runner in the world that speed is necessary. Someone in his position his expected to have that kind of speed.

To those who still doubt that he has sub 50 second 400m speed do you still stand behind that or have you realized that even 10k guys on the world level can move?

I wish my mile time was that close to Geb, Bekele, and/or Farrah.

Seriously - 3 of the best, if not the 3 best, distance runners in how long? Sitting on their heels isn't too shabby.

rupp-certified saladbar wrote:

lada wrote:

Neither Bekele, nor Farah figure on the indoor lists at all

Exactly. Most of the world doesn't really bother with the indoor 1500 to nearly the extent of the outdoor. Endless references to all-time lists are deceptive. Indoor-to-outdoor offers little or no benefit at 1500 pace.

lada wrote:

Rupp is much, much faster.

Than what? 3:33? Bekele??

Yes, Rupp is faster over this distance indoors to Farah & Bekele. Farah ran a 3:39, one year ago yesterday, Kenny has no 1500 runs at all though his outdoor best is 3:32 (his indoor mile best is 4:01). Please dispute this, I'd really enjoy reading how you will do it.

Farah beat Rupp last summer when they raced a 1500.

I am not down playing Rupp's race it is just that I expect he will win a gold medal in the 10k one day in the WCs or OGs and this mile falls in line with where he should be. The post I made on the other thread was also more about the crazy idea that people had about Rupp becoming a miler and running amazing times like the American record. I was trying to show that guys of his ability should be able to run a 3:50 mile. Fast for a 10k guy but not as much for a 1500m or 5000m guy.

Certainly, I agree with your points. My point however is that on the indoor track, Rupp is much faster than Farah & Bekele over the 1500/mile. There is no disputing that.

No. Farah and Bekele have not raced the indoor 1500/mile enough or focused on it for you to make a statement like that. I think Bekele and Farah could run faster than Rupp in an indoor mile they just have never focused on it like Rupp. Either way your statement is very easy to dispute.

My statement is based on facts, yours speculation. I didn't say that Farah couldn't run faster than Rupp at this distance, just that Rupp did run faster. Think about it...

is that really what you wrote?

Yes it is.

rupp-certified saladbar wrote:

This was pointed out by canova>god on another thread, and I think given all of the fanboyism going on it's worth addressing.

In spite of all the excitement, 3:50.9 is not as quick as fanboys want it to be. It seems quick because only Americans run it often and the WR and all-time lists are thus relatively weak. It is equivalent to a 3:33.8 1500 - a whopping EIGHT SECONDS from the WR.

It's so not-special that every Olympic gold medalist since 1996 has done it:

3:31i (Haile)

3:32 (Bekele)

3:33 (Farah)

So, the only 10,000 OG winner since 1992 to have been as SLOW as Rupp in the 1500/mile is Farah, who wone the least competitive 10,000 is recent history.

CONTEXT.

You want some context? Here's some context for why people are excited:

A) He's American. Naturally, people on this site will be more excited when an American runner puts in a good performance.

B) A sub-3:51 mile is an objectively good performance for any American athlete, regardless of when and where it goes down

C) The fact that it was run in January, indoors, by a 5k-10k specialist makes it even more notable

D) Did I mention he's American? We like American runners here.