runn wrote:
Rod Dixon, World Class at every event from the 800 to the Marathon, Olympic medalist:
Train like an animal and drink lots of beer.
It's possible to be world class and have a good time.
Dixon was a proven competitor in major competition, and his times from almost 45 years ago match or exceed Engels.
Engels act and talent would've been refreshing and brash in the 70's, but today it looks lame. Waving to the crowd while running 3:55 doesn't come off very well.
NERunner0353 wrote:
Did folks not see the race? Engels pumped up the crowd coming around the final turn then got passed a little before the line. Barely held on for second.
Pure embarrassment
ForFusion wrote:
He literally said on the PMT podcast that’s he’s been partying ever since the trials. I’m honestly shocked he even ran in this race.
I feel like people here think that Engels “partying” and “enjoying a cold one” is just a schtick.....it’s not. He may be a world class runner, but he also doesn’t actually enjoy running. If we’re going to praise Craig for being “just like us”, we can’t all of sudden be hard on him when he decides to relax after a disastrous past 18 months. Give the dude a break.
This is classic behavior for someone who is insecure and is terrified of failing. The old "oh, sure, I lost but I wasn't even trying" schtick. That way he can avoid facing the fact that he hasn't succeeded (in his eyes) and can try to save face. Trust me, he cares deeply.
reer wrote:
ForFusion wrote:
He literally said on the PMT podcast that’s he’s been partying ever since the trials. I’m honestly shocked he even ran in this race.
I feel like people here think that Engels “partying” and “enjoying a cold one” is just a schtick.....it’s not. He may be a world class runner, but he also doesn’t actually enjoy running. If we’re going to praise Craig for being “just like us”, we can’t all of sudden be hard on him when he decides to relax after a disastrous past 18 months. Give the dude a break.
This is classic behavior for someone who is insecure and is terrified of failing. The old "oh, sure, I lost but I wasn't even trying" schtick. That way he can avoid facing the fact that he hasn't succeeded (in his eyes) and can try to save face. Trust me, he cares deeply.
In layman's terms...he's a head case.
ForFusion wrote:
He literally said on the PMT podcast that’s he’s been partying ever since the trials. I’m honestly shocked he even ran in this race.
He's been racing a decent amount. Not winning any races.
Yeah, I wish I could have a little bit more fun, like Engels, or like his public image indicates, anyway. In many ways, I think "good for him" for enjoying his many opportunities to make light of his experiences and embrace life - the good and the bad - when so many around us seem to have personal rain clouds over their heads that turn into raging downpours after life's worst moments.
However, does a smile and a laugh really indicate what the man is thinking and feeling in more recent times after finishing 4th in the Olympic Trials and second in the Falmouth Elite Mile, and then after clowning around at the finish of the B mile on hallowed ground in Eugene? MAYBE. Maybe his media hype doesn't reveal the true follow-up to disappointment, and that he seethes in anger and even wallows despair behind closed doors after each defeat or missed opportunity.
Is Engels really going to love the fact that his antics at the end of last night's mile will immortalize him on YouTube, where some enterprising videographer will shortly make use of the episode to illustrate showboating and "how to celebrate too early"? Craig Engels, on YouTube alone, will have his notoriety FOREVER. Sure hope he's happy. Sure hope it's worth downing a few brewskis over, accompanied by hearty belly laughs and backslaps.
LappedMiler wrote:
...and even wallows despair behind closed doors....
...wallows IN despair...
I know in my case when I stopped caring about my performances I knew it was time to give up racing. I wasn't going to run against serious runners and embarrass myself.
sub15@50 wrote:
Lets be gentle here. Remember mental health
Exactly! Maybe if he quit and DNFed with an excuse that he "can't handle the pressure" he'd be a hero and media darling. LoL
Engels is running, having fun.
Good on him.
The world needs more of it .
The sport needs guys who make running and the life look fun. So, good to have Engels around. But first thing is the performance, so he'll need to buckle down for an extended period of time to realize his potential, as he said himself before trials.
Pretty sure Beamish had more fun than Engels yesterday.....
He kind of looks like he's just enjoying himself racing, earning a little cash, living the pro life before he retires in the near future. There's not much to race for this year so we won't get an idea of how serious he is until he starts the build up to world's next year. But he looks pretty content with how things are for him atm
thoughtsfailure wrote:
Pretty sure Beamish had more fun than Engels yesterday.....
They both had fun. After the race, they walked around the track together and talked with spectators. Engals is doing it in his style and having a good time. Nothing wrong with that. The crowd was behind him last night.
remove the 3 periods in the "www" lets run won't let me comment a link.
I'm an Engels fan, but after watching what he did last night, he should have left his shoes at the finish line and walked out of the stadium.
fun was a thing wrote:
Engels is running, having fun.
Good on him.
The world needs more of it .
Ooh! I hope he plays the clown in his next race, too! Tee HEE! Tee HEE! What a fun-loving goofbag that Craig Engels is!
He was just having fun. There was nothing at stake here since they ended up not running fast for a time.
I think he flourishes in front of a crowd. He needs to make it to Paris but it sounds like he could be decently happy going on with his life in another direction too.
accurate wrote:
That's bullsh!t. He's supposed to be a role model, not some clown.
I thought he was a runner? Not a role model.
Dwightarm wrote:
accurate wrote:
That's bullsh!t. He's supposed to be a role model, not some clown.
I thought he was a runner? Not a role model.
Why shouldn't we expect pro athletes to be role models?
Other runners post motivational quotes on social media, give advice and training tips, explain how they over came eating disorders or injuries. They try to inspire and help their fans....Engels instead brags about his mullet and his beer drinking.