Eilish McColgan takes down Letesenbet Giey at FBK Games in Hengelo - 30:19.02 FTW

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:

They weren't even running that far below the standard of 13:13.50 at the Sound Running Meet with perfect conditions and drafting. So really the only difference from what Jakob did if he ran just for the standard is running a reasonably fast last lap (answering Mohumed's moves) and a slightly faster penultimate lap to keep with the top group. He was likely in 12:50 shape so running 2 seconds slower per lap than his fitness and then kicking off it is not some crazy effort.

Meanwhile, you're asking why Gidey didn't run 30-flat tempo with McColgan in pretty cruddy conditions? Pretty much night and day, not even getting into the race being twice as long and far closer to Championship season. In addition, Gidey should test her ability to kick and run away from her compatriots. We know she can time trial and run a steady fast pace at the end of paces. She needs to build confidence in her finish.

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:

They weren't even running that far below the standard of 13:13.50 at the Sound Running Meet with perfect conditions and drafting. So really the only difference from what Jakob did if he ran just for the standard is running a reasonably fast last lap (answering Mohumed's moves) and a slightly faster penultimate lap to keep with the top group. He was likely in 12:50 shape so running 2 seconds slower per lap than his fitness and then kicking off it is not some crazy effort.

Meanwhile, you're asking why Gidey didn't run 30-flat tempo with McColgan in pretty cruddy conditions? Pretty much night and day, not even getting into the race being twice as long and far closer to Championship season. In addition, Gidey should test her ability to kick and run away from her compatriots. We know she can time trial and run a steady fast pace at the end of paces. She needs to build confidence in her finish.

THOUGHTSLEADER wrote:

rojo wrote:

We've long said that one of the problems our sport faces is that most meets you are watching really are practice. We got proof of that today the Ethiopians focused on beating themselves since this served as their Trials race and let McColgan get ahead early.

Former WR holder Almaz Ayana didn't make the Ethiopian team as she was the 5th Ethiopian across the line.

A bizarre take. How was that race practice? OK you can say Eilish was in an event of her own, but she went went as hard as she could for as long as she could against the clock for a huge PB. It was race against time, not really competition. Still considering she wasn't rabbited and there was no safety net for her like in a practice, it was a creditable performance.

The Ethiopians and a few other racers battled each other for 3 spots with no pacemaker and positioning against each other all that matters.

Practice is carefully orchestrated, but this had no orchestration. It was a real race and places 4th and 5th I'm sure aren't happy with how it went.

With your first line, I'd think of a race with 1 finisher (2 hr marathon, New Balance DMR, Bowerman 4x1500) or a race where every detail is ironed out for a time trial (e.g. some time trial attempts).

MoPo wrote:

Jakob and Gidey are completely different situations. For one, if Jakob missed the standard or cracked a bit and didn't win but still got the standard, it is no big deal. He can run another 5k to get it and his position doesn't mean anything of significance in getting it.

Jakob also wasn't racing 6-8 other Norwegians who are all among the best in the World with only 3 places up for grabs like Gidey was. One of whom had already beaten her at 5k just a week ago and who is also the 5k Road WR holder in Taye(and an unknown quantity when it comes to the 10), a former 10k WR holder in Ayana, the second fastest half marathon runner ever in YY, the 4th fastest half marathon runner of all-time in Gebrzihair and a raft of other world class athletes.

No offense to the other athletes that Jakob was racing but he was the absolute class of the field by a wide margin and chasing a very soft time for him with no worries of world class athletes from his home country passing him and ending his shot of making the World Championships. Thats what the Ethiopians had to deal with. If Gidey went out driving the pace and got blown by over the last lap, yall would be here today saying what a fool she was. She got what she needed and what was most important today. Neither her or anyone here is going to look back on her career and say ooo she was an all-time great but losing to McColgan at the FBK games is a blemish on her career.

MoPo wrote:

Jakob and Gidey are completely different situations. For one, if Jakob missed the standard or cracked a bit and didn't win but still got the standard, it is no big deal. He can run another 5k to get it and his position doesn't mean anything of significance in getting it.

Jakob also wasn't racing 6-8 other Norwegians who are all among the best in the World with only 3 places up for grabs like Gidey was. One of whom had already beaten her at 5k just a week ago and who is also the 5k Road WR holder in Taye(and an unknown quantity when it comes to the 10), a former 10k WR holder in Ayana, the second fastest half marathon runner ever in YY, the 4th fastest half marathon runner of all-time in Gebrzihair and a raft of other world class athletes.

No offense to the other athletes that Jakob was racing but he was the absolute class of the field by a wide margin and chasing a very soft time for him with no worries of world class athletes from his home country passing him and ending his shot of making the World Championships. Thats what the Ethiopians had to deal with. If Gidey went out driving the pace and got blown by over the last lap, yall would be here today saying what a fool she was. She got what she needed and what was most important today. Neither her or anyone here is going to look back on her career and say ooo she was an all-time great but losing to McColgan at the FBK games is a blemish on her career.