Julien Wanders explains why he dropped out of Valencia Marathon at 31km, on target 2:06:30

Never ever do this explanations come before the race, its always post race excuses. Julien is overtrained, and has been for almost 3 years. He competes everyday during his workouts, there is no way he is able to run much faster than any of his long runs because his longruns are already at race pace. Its sad because he is an incredibly hardworking guy with huge talent and it seems he wont reach his full potential if he continues like this

He's cooked. And his excuses are getting lamer and lamer. He should retire or move to trail running.

Or he was just milking the cold chat for his crowd as attentions is his business model.

A ferret ran up his shorts at km 31 and bit his knackers.

Julien "monster" Wanders: I am saddened to read about the disrespect for this guy keeping in mind that he is the double European record holder for 10km road and for the half marathon. 27:13/59:17. He's an absolute monster. He needs tweaking.

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Julien WANDERS | Profile | World Athletics

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Julien Wanders - Correction : His Euro records are 27:13/59:13, for 10km roads, half marathon. Monster man. 26 years young. If you've ever been to Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet, Rift Valley, Kenya, everyone talks about Julien in hushed tones there. He is considered a demi God there as are the two Kiwi twins, Jake and Zane Robertson, both 27:30/2:08:00 type runners, slightly older

At least his positive attitude is correct.

Whatever about any other health issues, his mind needs to stay positive if he wants to get back to the level he was at previously or beyond.

I'm not saying to write the guy off. He has a lot of talent. Maybe the marathon distance isn't for him. No shame in that, he can run a terrific half marathon.

If/when he decides to run another marathon, maybe the expectations should be set differently. Would rather see him run 2:09 than a DNF.

Here is the thing. Wanders can't live on old merits if he never learn from his mistakes:

December 2021 XC European Champs - Ending far back in the field due to "spleen pain"....But he started as usual at the front before Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Gressier & co smoked him.

April 2022 Paris Marathon - Stomach problems early in the race with multiple "toilet stop" ending with hypothermia and/-or hyponatremia. Not to mention he did a "morning shake out run" at 04AM before the race...

A few weeks after Paris, Sacral stress fracture ending with multiple weeks with cycling, aquajogg etc...

September Copenhagen Half - Got "a flu" prior to the race ending with 63min, but he started the race too offensive.

A coincidence? I don't think so. He is clearly overtrained. His immune system is out of balance because he always get sick when he is traveling (with lots of people around him at the airplane, airport, hotel etc etc.)

If Wanders wants to getting back to his "real shape" he clearly needs to adjust something! Either his training volume, intensity, nutrition, recovery or a combination of everything. Otherwise we will hear more excuses repeatedly after the races..

100% correct. His PRs are no longer relevant. He's on the decline. Cooked.

Dude, the kid, J.W. is 26 years young - not even in his prime as a distance runner. Still has a great future.

The rest of the world has moved on and lives a normal life. That includes going outdoors, even when not feeling perfect.

You should too.

Or he has ready-built made-up excuses for his lackluster performances.

He's also weaker during workouts, getting dropped by teammates or cutting sessions early. I also think he knows that even in the best shape of his life (= running his PRs), he stands no chance in any significant world class competition.

Cooked!

Julien Wanders : Cooked at age 26 years young? Really? There have been numerous stories of high level athletes going through hard times, and then bouncing back as good or stronger. Remember Dathan Ritz went through a difficult period and came back stronger.

Where is do you get your information from? Are you based in my ITEN on the ground and running?

Do you honestly think that Wanders would continue training and investing his whole life 24/7 to running if he didn't think he could honour his sponsors ASICS and numerous other entities including huge fan base unless he could really deliver the goods running wise?

Julien is a smart guy - he will bounce back

Typo: "Are you based in my ITEN on the ground and running?"

Correct: "Are you based in Iten?" (delete "my")

This is my united states of whatever *bangs ghost's head like a drum*

There is a HUGE DIFFERENCE learning from misstakes and come back stronger like Dathan Ritzenheim! Julien Wanders seems to lack that property. He repeatedly steps on mines and don't want to accept/see why he is getting sick & injured.

We all know Wanders dedicates 100% to his running career. It may also be what inhibits his development. On the edge of robotic life...

I hope you're right saying Julien is "a smart guy". By that I mean learning from mistakes/errors. The more he has done, the more skeptical I become.

Julien Wanders: Just give him time - he's a very educated Geneva based Swissman - from upper level Swiss patrician background - in fact he's not doing this for money because his family are independently wealthy, both parents Geneva Symphony Orchestra members -"creme de la crème"