If Ritz is in it for the long haul he needs to look back at Al Sals coaching career.
Al Sal had Nike Oregon Project Altitude House starting around 2000 and didn’t have much going on until Rupp in high school and even then it wasn’t until Mo joined Rupp when things really took off. So that’s maybe 12 years of coaching challenges, learning, development, progress before his biggest success.
So let’s see where Ritz and Co are in 12 years.
Compared to in Europe and Africa you might have 1 or 2 coaches your whole life
I've said it before but I personally do not find the shoes On makes as comfortable or good performance shoes but I do know that they will put the money necessary into trying to close the gap. That doesn't necessarily mean that they 100% will create the right technology but the effort will be there. Never met Ritz but Wheating is a nice unassuming guy and all of the On founders seemed like personable genuine people. I see nothing wrong with having all these seemingly competing teams all sponsored by one company either.
Ritz would benefit from having other people that have coached for a long time under the same company. I don't see why he wouldn't bounce ideas off of Lee Troop or the Kastor's I'm sure he already communicates with them now and then in some way.
I would assume Ritz training is going to be a mish-mash of Hudson and Salazar(More Hudson for longer distance guys, more Salazar for shorter distance guys)
I've worked in Boulder for 12 years and have to say - I just don't understand this choice for a running group that is not soaked in cash like the nike teams. Obviously it's not at all a bad place to train - but for 95% of "elites" it's cost prohibitive. I work for a company that pays low 6 figs right out of school (aka 2-3X what almost all of these guys/girls are making) and NONE of them can afford the People's Republic. Off the top of my head places which would be better:
Ft Collins, Lakewood, Loveland, Broomfield, Lafayette. All check the box of access to good training venues (dirt roads/trails), fast tracks, medical care.
If I had to pick one set-up it would be to get a couple of roommates and set up in an apartment in Lafayette. Most of the runs can be on coal, creek or erie trails. Drive to mags once a week.
any reason the ON guy had to throw Tinman Elite so far under the bus with his comments?
Jgt11 wrote:
I would assume Ritz training is going to be a mish-mash of Hudson and Salazar
So high injury rate and/or significant positive splitting? Unless you're talking about athlete romance and microdosing, instead.
What does a Japanese Corporate Runner make? We should look at that model. Jeff Schrieber (CAN) said $30K back in the 1990s?
As a libertarian, I can't stand the boulder "professional running" scene. I hope this group is the next to crash and burn a la Tianman.
MAGAKAG
Ritz had THREE coaches since graduating from College.
Hudson
Salazar
Hansons
What credentials does ritz have for coaching, though? Or Wheating, for that matter?
Just curious. Didn't know if he's done any of that before. Coaching is way different than doing the training
6 x 1600 at 4:21 w 3:00 rest is not that impressive. It essentially says Klecker is in 28 min 10k shape.
babushka_lady wrote:
What credentials does ritz have for coaching, though? Or Wheating, for that matter?
Just curious. Didn't know if he's done any of that before. Coaching is way different than doing the training
Coached Parker Stinson to his 25k American record 1:13:48 and his 2:10:58 at Chicago last fall. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
Ritzenhein has done a pretty good job with Stinson - AR in the 25k and 2:10. This is all in the setting of Stinson being an incredibly immature and impetuous athlete - not a good mix when you have long blocks of training to sabotage and a couple hours of racing in which to do something boneheaded.
I think Ritzenhein will be of the "do as I say, not as I did" school when it comes to coaching. I've read some interviews in which he is very self-aware of the mistakes he made as an athlete, and he's mature and introspective enough to learn from them.
Klecker is not an otherwordly talent but is mature, likes to work, and races well. I could see him ultimately running in the 13:05 / 27:15 (taking the Minnesota state record from Nenow) / 2:09 realm.
Of all the people they are taking a chance on, Wheating is the surprise for me. That guy had limitless potential as an athlete, blew it, then has done nothing since except be a goofball. Hopefully he's not controlling the budget.
The words about Tinman may sting but it is absolutely true.
Libertarian Centrist wrote:
As a libertarian, I can't stand the boulder "professional running" scene. I hope this group is the next to crash and burn a la Tianman.
MAGAKAG
Why? Are these groups being funded by taxpayers?
I remember his 2005 outdoor season was lost because he injured his foot kicking a soccer ball with his dog.
You forgot to mention Longmont. We have an excellent trail by the Lagerman Reservoir.
TrackFan1979 wrote:
You forgot to mention Longmont. We have an excellent trail by the Lagerman Reservoir.
No one moves to that area to live in Longmont
covid covid wrote:
6 x 1600 at 4:21 w 3:00 rest is not that impressive. It essentially says Klecker is in 28 min 10k shape.
Pfffffft...only on letsrun...
Can’t make this kind of stuff up.
fjn wrote:
What does a Japanese Corporate Runner make? We should look at that model. Jeff Schrieber (CAN) said $30K back in the 1990s?
Schiebler.