Imagine putting all of your mind and energy for an entire year to accomplish one thing. After you accomplish that one thing, what are you looking to next? You probably need some time to reaccess.
props to hocker for continuing to compete after winning gold even though he hasn’t done as well in those races. His mind is not as zeroed in on winning Zurich as he was on that one moment in Paris. That’s the difference. He won when it mattered and if he doesn’t win another race this year, I won’t knock him at all
Hocker barely out kicked Laros, or made up any ground on a clearly sick Jakob in the home straight. Yet a month ago, he destroys them all in a 3:27 race despite getting blocked and losing momentum.
I doubt he is doping, but the guy sure knows how to peak for the big one.
Hocker barely out kicked Laros, or made up any ground on a clearly sick Jakob in the home straight. Yet a month ago, he destroys them all in a 3:27 race despite getting blocked and losing momentum.
I doubt he is doping, but the guy sure knows how to peak for the big one.
Just 3 weeks ago he won the gold while having to push the greatest mid-distance runner of all time out of the way twice (because the dude was running too slow!). Since then he has run 2 races where his legs turn to cement the last 100, and that same slowpoke has left him in the dust twice. We haven't seen this since Bulmurka, Makloufi or Masterkova.
Jakob isnt the greatest middle distance runner of all time,and also cole is no more suspect than anyone else.
Just 3 weeks ago he won the gold while having to push the greatest mid-distance runner of all time out of the way twice (because the dude was running too slow!). Since then he has run 2 races where his legs turn to cement the last 100, and that same slowpoke has left him in the dust twice. We haven't seen this since Bulmurka, Makloufi or Masterkova.
only a brit would mention masterkova
cope and seethe josh
Cole ran:
2019: 4:07 and 15:00 on the nxn course on 30mpw
2021: 3:31 in an Olympic final @ 19
2022: spent the year injured
2023: was injured again but still ran a 3:48 mile and 3:30 in the world championship final
but let's talk about this season:
he obviously took a massive leap forward in fitness during indoor, running 8:05y for the #2 time in US history, following up with a world indoor silver in the 1500 after a convincing win at USAs altitude. Outdoors he ran 12:58, a decent PR, which he followed up with a 1:45 PR. At USAs he runs 3:30 with a 52.8 close after two rounds of making 3:34 look easy...
and you still want to tell me 3:27 FTW was a surprise? This entire leadup made that win and time about as surprising as joe fahnbulleh getting a bad start
This is a great post and captures the essence of it. By the way, I’m not saying Hocker isn’t using PEDs just like I’m not saying anyone else isn’t using them either. Hocker made an awesome leap in fitness this year, even though we all always knew he had sub-3:30 potential and the fiercest kick in any field in a race that actually mattered. The Olympic final was a perfectly paced set up for 1400 of 1500 meters, not just for medals, but for PR results. On a fast track with an amazing crowd in the only 1500 of the year that actually mattered.
I guess if we’re going to ascribe Hocker’s “fall off” to PEDs, then we have to do the same with Kessler. I mean, Kessler PRs in the 1500 final at the trials, then runs 1:43 twice in the 800 trials semifinal and final, which nobody saw coming for the kid, then runs another over two second PR in the Olympic 1500 final. Only to do nothing of significance since.
I don’t think the suspicion is warranted in terms of the fall off in performance if these guys had peaked perfectly or peaked at the US trials and held it for another month. Personally, I find it more suspect that both Jakob and Kerr were able to sustain their seasons for another few weeks and run world records to boot. I mean, Kerr 3:43 in a road mile some five seconds ahead of his nearest finisher…? Get outta here.
Finally, while 3:27 seemed incomprehensible a mere five years ago, the bouncy shoes and the bicarb have been game changers. The shoes are worth 0.5 sec per lap alone. It’s the new normal. But, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hocker never run a PR again because of how perfectly paced that Olympic final was for him. Hope I’m wrong.
2023: was injured again but still ran a 3:48 mile and 3:30 in the world championship final
but let's talk about this season:
he obviously took a massive leap forward in fitness during indoor, running 8:05y for the #2 time in US history, following up with a world indoor silver in the 1500 after a convincing win at USAs altitude. Outdoors he ran 12:58, a decent PR, which he followed up with a 1:45 PR. At USAs he runs 3:30 with a 52.8 close after two rounds of making 3:34 look easy...
and you still want to tell me 3:27 FTW was a surprise? This entire leadup made that win and time about as surprising as joe fahnbulleh getting a bad start
This is a great post and captures the essence of it. By the way, I’m not saying Hocker isn’t using PEDs just like I’m not saying anyone else isn’t using them either. Hocker made an awesome leap in fitness this year, even though we all always knew he had sub-3:30 potential and the fiercest kick in any field in a race that actually mattered. The Olympic final was a perfectly paced set up for 1400 of 1500 meters, not just for medals, but for PR results. On a fast track with an amazing crowd in the only 1500 of the year that actually mattered.
I guess if we’re going to ascribe Hocker’s “fall off” to PEDs, then we have to do the same with Kessler. I mean, Kessler PRs in the 1500 final at the trials, then runs 1:43 twice in the 800 trials semifinal and final, which nobody saw coming for the kid, then runs another over two second PR in the Olympic 1500 final. Only to do nothing of significance since.
I don’t think the suspicion is warranted in terms of the fall off in performance if these guys had peaked perfectly or peaked at the US trials and held it for another month. Personally, I find it more suspect that both Jakob and Kerr were able to sustain their seasons for another few weeks and run world records to boot. I mean, Kerr 3:43 in a road mile some five seconds ahead of his nearest finisher…? Get outta here.
Finally, while 3:27 seemed incomprehensible a mere five years ago, the bouncy shoes and the bicarb have been game changers. The shoes are worth 0.5 sec per lap alone. It’s the new normal. But, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Hocker never run a PR again because of how perfectly paced that Olympic final was for him. Hope I’m wrong.
… and the stage. Perfect pacing and the stage of it all. Not sure that ever gets replicated.
Actually his peaking and not being able to sustain it makes me think he’s even more clean. That and his chubby body composition is certainly not of someone on peds. In contrast look at typos body composition in 2012. He certainly was on the juice.
Just 3 weeks ago he won the gold while having to push the greatest mid-distance runner of all time out of the way twice (because the dude was running too slow!). Since then he has run 2 races where his legs turn to cement the last 100, and that same slowpoke has left him in the dust twice. We haven't seen this since Bulmurka, Makloufi or Masterkova.
Tell me you've never achieved a significant goal without telling me you've never achieved a significant goal ....
It takes time to recover and refocus - physically and mentally. It's also really hard to re-recreate the intense focus needed to beat other world-class runners. Nobody can be at their peak all of the time, and it's so much harder after peaking and achieving something as significant as an Olympic gold.
By the way, someone who has done some super special doping scheme just for the Olympics doesn't go out and run other high-profile meets like the DL. If you're scared of getting caught, you lay low on some tropical island for a couple of months.
Just 3 weeks ago he won the gold while having to push the greatest mid-distance runner of all time out of the way twice (because the dude was running too slow!). Since then he has run 2 races where his legs turn to cement the last 100, and that same slowpoke has left him in the dust twice. We haven't seen this since Bulmurka, Makloufi or Masterkova.
Tell me you've never achieved a significant goal without telling me you've never achieved a significant goal ....
It takes time to recover and refocus - physically and mentally. It's also really hard to re-recreate the intense focus needed to beat other world-class runners. Nobody can be at their peak all of the time, and it's so much harder after peaking and achieving something as significant as an Olympic gold.
By the way, someone who has done some super special doping scheme just for the Olympics doesn't go out and run other high-profile meets like the DL. If you're scared of getting caught, you lay low on some tropical island for a couple of months.
Snell went on to break two world records a month after winning the 800/1500 double in Tokyo - a much more demanding effort than the one event Hocker competed in. So much for an expected "let-down" after achievement. Your argument is the usual excuse for an athlete coming off the juice.
Tell me you've never achieved a significant goal without telling me you've never achieved a significant goal ....
It takes time to recover and refocus - physically and mentally. It's also really hard to re-recreate the intense focus needed to beat other world-class runners. Nobody can be at their peak all of the time, and it's so much harder after peaking and achieving something as significant as an Olympic gold.
By the way, someone who has done some super special doping scheme just for the Olympics doesn't go out and run other high-profile meets like the DL. If you're scared of getting caught, you lay low on some tropical island for a couple of months.
Snell went on to break two world records a month after winning the 800/1500 double in Tokyo - a much more demanding effort than the one event Hocker competed in. So much for an expected "let-down" after achievement. Your argument is the usual excuse for an athlete coming off the juice.
Your argument is the usual waffle from an old man stuck in the past.
Snell went on to break two world records a month after winning the 800/1500 double in Tokyo - a much more demanding effort than the one event Hocker competed in. So much for an expected "let-down" after achievement. Your argument is the usual excuse for an athlete coming off the juice.
So I guess Snell stayed ON the juice after the Olympics instead of tapering off then? I guess it's also better to stay on the juice and beat a 28-year old world record by 3+ seconds, and lower your own PR by 6+ seconds after finishing 4th in the Olympics?
It astounds me how a runner message board can be so clueless about fitness vs fatigue and peaking when it counts. The Olympic 1500m final is the apex of middle distance races every 4 years. Every athlete circles the day of the final and line things up to ensure they have there shot if they make the final. Hocker and Kerr have both proven that they can time their peaks extremely well. Jacob on the other hand seems to just operate at extremely high fitness for 5 month without a specific day of absolute fitness vs fatigue structure. I think Jacob is clean based on his background in running but if anyone is dirty, it is Jakob.
It astounds me how a runner message board can be so clueless about fitness vs fatigue and peaking when it counts. The Olympic 1500m final is the apex of middle distance races every 4 years. Every athlete circles the day of the final and line things up to ensure they have there shot if they make the final. Hocker and Kerr have both proven that they can time their peaks extremely well. Jacob on the other hand seems to just operate at extremely high fitness for 5 month without a specific day of absolute fitness vs fatigue structure. I think Jacob is clean based on his background in running but if anyone is dirty, it is Jakob.
Also, keep in mind that not all countries qualify their athletes in the same way and on the same timeline. These guys basically had to peak at the trials, then hold it for another month. Kessler, for example, ran phenomenally well at the trials, obviously had a fantastic, peak, peak Olympic final, and then it was just a matter of time… is he doped? I doubt it.
It astounds me how a runner message board can be so clueless about fitness vs fatigue and peaking when it counts. The Olympic 1500m final is the apex of middle distance races every 4 years. Every athlete circles the day of the final and line things up to ensure they have there shot if they make the final. Hocker and Kerr have both proven that they can time their peaks extremely well. Jacob on the other hand seems to just operate at extremely high fitness for 5 month without a specific day of absolute fitness vs fatigue structure. I think Jacob is clean based on his background in running but if anyone is dirty, it is Jakob.
Also, keep in mind that not all countries qualify their athletes in the same way and on the same timeline. These guys basically had to peak at the trials, then hold it for another month. Kessler, for example, ran phenomenally well at the trials, obviously had a fantastic, peak, peak Olympic final, and then it was just a matter of time… is he doped? I doubt it.
Actually six weeks between US trials and Olympic final…
Snell went on to break two world records a month after winning the 800/1500 double in Tokyo - a much more demanding effort than the one event Hocker competed in. So much for an expected "let-down" after achievement. Your argument is the usual excuse for an athlete coming off the juice.
So I guess Snell stayed ON the juice after the Olympics instead of tapering off then? I guess it's also better to stay on the juice and beat a 28-year old world record by 3+ seconds, and lower your own PR by 6+ seconds after finishing 4th in the Olympics?
So what was the dope available to md runners in 1964, little boy?
Snell went on to break two world records a month after winning the 800/1500 double in Tokyo - a much more demanding effort than the one event Hocker competed in. So much for an expected "let-down" after achievement. Your argument is the usual excuse for an athlete coming off the juice.
Your argument is the usual waffle from an old man stuck in the past.
The past is something most of you know nothing of and have no experience of. That is why you don't understand the present.