Molly Huddle Leaves Open the Possibility of Doing the Olympic Marathon Trials

Molly could run both the marathon trials and track trials, but running the marathon very likely means adjusting her training. Then she would have to run the race and recover from the race. This would disrupt her training for the track trials and probably leave her in less than optimal track shape for the trials AND the Olympics. This is why Rupp isn't running a marathon until AFTER the Olympics. Can't have it both ways. Building up for and racing a marathon takes away from her 10k. We saw last year how Farah's training and racing a spring marathon removed most of his track season. Olympic years are no time to try a new event.

"Only a blockhead would run a marathon not for money. " Dr. Johnson

Anyone would does a trials marathon is nuts. This is the one even that doesn't require a trials. Just pick three qualified.

broken arrow wrote:

I guess it boils down to whether she decides that she has a better chance of medaling in Rio in the marathon versus the 10000 meters.

Why can't she compete in both at the Olympics like Frank Shorter?

If the marathon were clearly already her event, it would be a different story, but anyone else feel like her training partner Amy Hastings could play a role? Seeing that Molly will almost definitely make the team in the 10k and the marathon could be somewhat of a risk, seems a little weird that she would also go out if her way to wreck what is probably Hastings' last chance at making an Olympic team. Not saying Hastings is even close to being a sure thing, but it's hard to imagine a marathon team that Molly makes that Hastings does too.

Amy hastings..? wrote:

If the marathon were clearly already her event, it would be a different story, but anyone else feel like her training partner Amy Hastings could play a role? Seeing that Molly will almost definitely make the team in the 10k and the marathon could be somewhat of a risk, seems a little weird that she would also go out if her way to wreck what is probably Hastings' last chance at making an Olympic team. Not saying Hastings is even close to being a sure thing, but it's hard to imagine a marathon team that Molly makes that Hastings does too.

That's an interesting point.

In answer to someone's question, Molly ran the USA Road Circuit because she likes to race, a lot and often.

Then again, Hastings was an olympian in 2012 in the 10k (arguably not really her event) after heartbreak in the marathon trials, so maybe Huddle will see how that worked out for her and go for the trials in both as well.

Hastings left Providence group for Portland back in July

Really? I didn't know. Details? I saw a post by Shalane today that made me wonder.

Whatever happens, I can see definitely see Molly running 2:23 (fast course) in her debut, and be under 2:20 within two years from that. I see her as a bit more talented than Deena overall, and while Deena is tough as nails, Molly just seems to get in crazy zone on the roads. Kind of Bill Rodgers like that way- humble in person, but a like a (wo)man posessed out on the roads.

not a chance....she's best served by making her debut at NYC or Boston and make it a guaranteed cash cow. nothing but risks involved in running the Trials 26.2 as your debut--it is the risks VS rewards theory here, and risks are 10 X's greater than any benefit of the Trials 26.2. sure, she's intrigued, but I also know she's not sold on it--see Katie McGregor and Jen Rhines as examples of athletes who you would think would make awesome marathoners, but wasn't quite in their comfort zone (and simply didn't enjoy the process)

Molly is tops right now---but nothing to gain by trying 26.2 at the Trials. take NYRR or BAA's money and "run"

I agree with this guy. 0.0001% chance.

The 10km is her event and maybe with this recent news Reo Olympics will be cleaned up compared to than London was and she can medal.