Yes, it wasn't a year of apparent breakthroughs. But he's at such a high level already, so fans can't take these things for granted. It's great that he is maintaining--indoors, fabulous fitness indicators--outdoors, proving he's still got that amazing 10k ability. Rupp's 5k has been discussed extensively on these boards. As I said, what should be his goal of reaching his top low 12:50 or under and world-beating potential, is just not there yet, but he has been and continues to chip away at it. Rupp imo got to this great place and his achievements so far by intelligent and hard-working patience and consistency.
Thinking upon it further, what is left for Rupp to do? The 5k is the one most conspicuous goal. So it's not going to come overnight and may take several years (if we also include 2012 and 2013 as contributing). Maybe we'll see it in 2015/2016.
He's got family commitments added to the equation, but in the next few years that shouldn't necessarily prevent him from rising further, as Mo Farah also has (albeit, not a toddler but grown child). Will Rupp ascend to something approximating Farah's dominance? (not in absolute terms but relative to the race fields of 5k and 10k). Is it not even worth the effort, considering the payout? Is there motivation for that? I dunno. Plus, if Mo Farah returns to the track, that #1 spot is even more in question.
I'm sure we'll see Rupp nab some top-3 finishes in important non championship races and even in a championship or two. What would be really exciting would be seeing him clearly put it on the line, best and be the better man, against top competitors like Gebremeskel, the emerging Ethiopians, Ndiku and the top crop of Kenyans, etc. when those guys show up in their top form (like, say that grind that separated the boys from the men in London's 5k). And to see him do it multiple times--certainly nowhere near as often as Farah, but more than once. Perhaps 2-4 times.
The 5k is crazy demanding though and Farah's achievements just demonstrate how amazing he is. After the Bekele age, none of the East Africans have been able to consistently--individually--come out a winner. I say it's not that the fields are weak but that they are so strong and that they just exhaust each other.
Assuming 1-3 gold and silvers (combined) are possible for Rupp in the 5k, maybe it might require an undue amount of effort for the bang of the buck. Maybe he should move to the roads for the m0nies. I dunno