IF Meb makes the U.S. marathon team...

You're an idiot. This only applies if Meb was qualifying when only in 2:13 shape. As is, Meb routinely runs sub-2:10 type performances.

I'll 100% agree that US marathoning is lacking stars at the moment as Hall retired, Meb is near retirement and so too is Ritz. We have a lot of guys in the 2:10 to 2:12 range, but not under. But all that has nothing to do with Meb. Meb is still running great and if he makes it to Rio it will be because he's still got it; not because the competition was weak.

not embarrassing.

It would prove that genetics is superior to youth.

Ummmm No... wrote:

You're an idiot. This only applies if Meb was qualifying when only in 2:13 shape. As is, Meb routinely runs sub-2:10 type performances.

.

It appears that your stupidity speaks for itself. "Meb routinely runs sub-2:10 type performances." Even if that were true, and it is NOT, you have no understanding of the aging process. It would be like saying Kobe routinely scores 35 points a game. How stupid are you?

I'm on board with OP. It's not that Meb's not a great marathoner. It's more of, if one of the US top-3 marathoners is a 40+ year old, just shows that running in the US is extremely anemic and not worthy of competing on the world stage. It's time for some younger blood to step up to lead the US men.

It will be refreshing to see Puskedra knock out a 2:08 this weekend. I imagine that if the race is tactical, then Meb has a decent shot. If the pace is more aggressive early, then Meb likely does not make it.

Prediction:

Meb will be one of the top six finishers.

Prediction... but he wont be in the top three... The cliff....

wineturtle wrote:

Prediction:

Meb will be one of the top six finishers.

Nice bold prediction there....

I think US runners have had their minds blown by the huge drop in marathon times over the past few years. Ten years ago, a 2:10 marathoner would be someone you would talk about being in the hunt at Boston or NY. Now, it would just be The track and road circuit are more attractive than marathons for US runners. That is why guys like Heath, Hill, Jager, Rupp and Centro have spent years on the track without even considering the marathon. If it was 10-15 years ago, they would have all taken a shot at the marathon by this point in their careers.

So, the current crop of marathoners coming up are in a way the US "B" team for distance running. Only Curtis and Puskedra have solid track credentials of all the US marathoners with a shot at beating one of the three favorites. Guys like Eggleston, Arciniaga and Pennel pretty much skipped any sort of career on the track.

Meb won't make it. So feel better.

It's only an embarrassment depending on what time Meb ran to qualify. If he came in 3rd with a 2:15, that would be embarrassing. If he came in third with a 2:09, that would not be embarrassing.

you mean centro the 1500m runner would have done a marathon by now? when he is running 1500m pbs? and jager after a breakthrough season would have already done a marathon? ha

Yeah it is me wrote:

This would be an embarrassment of colossal proportions for U.S. distance running. Meb has been a great champion, but he is going to turn 41 in less than three months. For an almost 41 year old to make your Olympic team in a distance running event, you KNOW that this is symptomatic of a lack of depth and/or quality in U.S. marathoning. It would be similar to Lagat qualifying for Rio on the track this year. Really shameful...

"Colossal proportions" You gett'in in shape for hyperbole season? And if Deena makes it at 43? What's going to be your claim there?

So is the worst case scenario for American running...

Meb, Kibet, Chelanga going 1-2-3 is some order?

Would you say the same if 40+ Deena Drossin Kastor makes the team again?

I seem to recall a 37 year old who won the Olympic marathon in 1984. As a 38 year old, he won the World Cross-Country Championships and set the work record for the marathon.

Just saw on this site that's she's a scratch. Too bad! But what would you have said if she would have made it?

I'm sure Nike felt "really shameful" when Meb won Boston too.

I don't think it's necessarily 'embarrassing' for a 40 year old to make the team, but the fact that a 40 year old is considered a relatively safe pick to finish top three does make you question the depth of U.S. distance running for sure.

You are ignorant beyond belief !!!

Please go away and never post again !!!

Interstate 77 wrote:

not embarrassing.

It would prove that genetics is superior to youth.

It would prove that UCAN really works