Jared Ward tells LRC trolls to shut it

The fact that these guys can't be faster than our top guys 30 years ago is pathetic.

Shock! Elites actually read sub-elite troll forums like LRC!

And so does Runner's World, which we constantly make fun of. They actually report on our trolling and tell us to shut it.

"The debate quickly spread to LetsRun.com's message board, where posters called Smith a "poacher" and a "travel agent." He was winning the easy way, some felt, taking away opportunities from hardworking American kids. One asked why Smith wasn't developing homegrown talent. Another was more blunt: "No one in the USA/NCAA respects this approach.""

https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20829873/ncaas-fear-of-foreign-athletes/

Tries to defend American Marathoning with logic of “what could be” in terms of his buddies’ non-existent performances. Sorry, that’s not reality until it actually happens. In the meantime, we get to watch an actual marathoner (Rupp) - who has actually run fast - and then a bunch of 2:15 guys who post “cool” “workout videos” on social media and talk about what “they could run” .... that’s adorable.

Huh??? wrote:

Tries to defend American Marathoning with logic of “what could be” in terms of his buddies’ non-existent performances. Sorry, that’s not reality until it actually happens. In the meantime, we get to watch an actual marathoner (Rupp) - who has actually run fast - and then a bunch of 2:15 guys who post “cool” “workout videos” on social media and talk about what “they could run” .... that’s adorable.

^^ This.

He's contradicting himself. He claims the state of US marathonning consists of more than Rupp, then admits Rupp is on a different level than other Americans. It's cool they shared water bottles and bonded over their training, but nobody will take them seriously (apart from the mass hobbyjogger audiences on IG and RW who don't know any better) until they put up some sub-2:10s.

That said I will still be cheering for any American in the Olympics. It would take a Boston-esque freak weather day to equalize the field for them. If I were a 2:11-2:16 American I would train specifically for an extreme weather day then hope you get one, because it's a hail mary to win under normal conditions.

"Worth 2:09."

Ok, so they should go run 2:09, then.

He says he doesn't know who will make the Olympic team from the US for the marathon, but they will be "good." I'm sure he is right, they will all be good. But people are hoping to see us send a person or two with at least a long shot at top 3. Right now only Rupp appears to be in that category.

Perhaps we have too high of expectations. How many Americans in a typical Olympic year have a shot at a medal in the 100? 200? 400? Etc. Usually we have maybe an average of one runner with a shot at a medal per event. So some events we have 2 or 3, some events 0, some events 1. Our present state of American marathon running doesn't appear to be outside the realm of our other events.

In 2016, there were 47 "athletics" events and the U.S. won 32 medals. At an average of .6 medals per event, winning one of those in the Marathon looks pretty good.

Meh.. wrote:

The fact that these guys can't be faster than our top guys 30 years ago is pathetic.

Bill Rodgers was at his peak 40 years ago. Salazar debuted in 1980.

Give the man some due. He ran a 2:12 at NYC.

Ackley wrote:

Meh.. wrote:

The fact that these guys can't be faster than our top guys 30 years ago is pathetic.

Bill Rodgers was at his peak 40 years ago. Salazar debuted in 1980.

Yes, but they are still not doing as well as the guys 30-35 years ago.

Disappointed there wasn't a shout out to Walmsley.

The US greats of the past would have been in a second pack battle finishing in 2:09. This thread wouldn’t be that much different.

Mugician wrote:

"

Perhaps we have too high of expectations. How many Americans in a typical Olympic year have a shot at a medal in the 100? 200? 400? Etc. Usually we have maybe an average of one runner with a shot at a medal per event. So some events we have 2 or 3, some events 0, some events 1. Our present state of American marathon running doesn't appear to be outside the realm of our other events.

In 2016, there were 47 "athletics" events and the U.S. won 32 medals. At an average of .6 medals per event, winning one of those in the Marathon looks pretty good.

Yep

Predictor wrote:

The US greats of the past would have been in a second pack battle finishing in 2:09. This thread wouldn’t be that much different.

Correct. Shorter and Rodgers were 2:10 guys. Rodgers only broke 2:10 in Boston which is a net downhill course. They would get stomped on by today's African runners.

Says "with prime conditions" on a day that had pretty good conditions.

1) I liked Ward's post.

2) The US likely will send a strong team to Rio.

3) Despite 1 and 2, that wasn't a great showing for the US in NYC. The reality is Ward almost pulled out of the race six weeks before it took place so the fact that he was still top American isn't a good sign at all for anyone not named Jared Ward.

It's great for Ward as it shows he's on the comeback trail from a tough 2 years. But the reality is he was far from his top shape. The facts show that he finished more than 6 minutes behind the winner when in Rio he was less than 3 minutes behind.

It is strange that Ward chose to make these statements using a picture of the Americans running with Ethiopian journeyman Tadesse Yae Dabi, a 29-high guy.

I still like CD. Really, this was his first healthy year in a long time. If he can put together another healthy year, he's definitely going sub 2:10.

Was NYCM a watershed event? no.

Is Keitany or Eliud Kipchoge American? no.

Ok, my wife and kids weren't jumping up and down.

But as a fan, I LOVE American marathoning right now.

We had Meb. Shalane. Desi. I feel the best of Rupp is yet to come.

If you look deeper, the cooperation of the American women in Boston & then the Men Sunday was awesome to see.

@Mile 23, three American men in a straight line running as one. I loved it.

Congrats Ward & to the Americans!! One podium and 7 top 10, you did great!

They're barely sub-elite at best. On a perfect day, they can't go sub 2:10. Nothing to be proud of. Stop treating them with kid gloves. They're grown men who can't compete.