Korir, like Chelenga and Ritz, has struggled to put it all together consistently in the marathon. There have been plenty of athletes that fall into this catagory: their half marathon times seem like their marathons should be no-brainers and yet... the energy systems don't seem to quite match up to the distance. Ritz and Korir both had one really fast marathon and a number of good, but not stellar, finshes.
While watching Mantz's biomechanics makes me cringe (the degree of rotation on his legs and feet cannot be good long term), I'm encouraged to see him and Young, fresh legs, taking the top American places.
Think of it this way: if I had told you a couple of years ago that we'd have 4 American men sub 2:09 in Chicago and that the hate wouldn't stop, people would have not believed it. Yes, Rupp in on the downside of his career, it's what happens with injuries and age, but he's had a great career. Its nice to see Chelenga put a good one together. Its nice to see the young guys take a step up. Young reminds me of Sell in 2007, or Jared Ward. Tons of hard work and effort, coming together at the right time.
Congrats on Molly making strides to come back as well. Great PR for her, and just nice to see her finishing after the last couple years. She seems human and flawed, jsut like the rest of us. No surprise there, but good for her. The women's Oly trials race looks really interesting to me. If Bates' foot isn't too messed up, then watching Bates, Flanagan, D'mato, Sisson and Seidel battle it out will be really great viewing.
Look, I know that I should remember taht this is Letsrun, and that there is literally no result that won't result in negativity. Even if you win, like Mu, you don't win by enough to stop from getting sh!t on by the message board posters here. But I'd rather celebrate some people making strides and doing better than they have before. They're putting in the work and at least trying to compete.