The fact that we all can discuss WR’s when a rumor like this comes around and discuss them with a fair amount of seriousness only speaks to the level of Jakob’s talent. What an exciting time to be a fan of track & field.
What Banana Bread said (great username). We're never going to hear this kind of talk about Josh Kerr or Hole Cocker. Ever. Buddy can step all over them (most of the time) in the 1500 then turn around and beat down the half marathoners.
I'll be very impressed if he runs sub 59. Around 60 flat is probably pretty likely. The year Cheptegei ran the 5,000m and 10,000m world records he got rolled up at the world half marathon championships. Jakob's 1500m/5000m training is quite a bit different from half marathon training, even with all of his threshold running.
Playing devil's advocate here. There is nobody who spends more time than Jakob running at "HM pace" throughout all his threshold training. And he can still run 3:26.73 and 7:17.55. I'd say he still has the advantage and he himself stated that the HM is probably his best distance. I do, however, agree with you about Chep. If a 26:11 guy couldn't do it, but who knows really. We don't even know if he's even running it.
Running a bunch of 1k-2k intervals at HM pace doesn't really prepare you to race a fast half. You need to practice running at steady/hard paces for much longer durations. Maybe Jakob could get the record someday, I have my doubts but it would be silly to count him out. But for his first time out at the end of a long track season, he'd do well to run 59.
I ran a 67 off of solely 1k / mile threshold reps. It was weaker than my shorter times but I’m best at the 5000 anyway. He runs just so much threshold volume and overall weekly volume he should be good.
Please. JI is GREAT but come on, Kiplimo will run too.
Kip has had a mixed season. Has run a 12:40, but his times in the 10000 have slowed down more than 10" from his 26:33 PB the year he broke the half WR.
No DL wins, disappointing in Paris, but defended XC world title.
He is undeniably the best ever at the half.
Not only he holds the record, front running before the first 5k in the not-THAT-fast Lisbon course (Valencia>Copenhaguen>Lisbon, from my own experience), but he has THREE sub 58 times.
Kandie set the previous record racing until the sprint finish in the best half (and one of the best road races) ever, with 4 athletes under 58' when the WR was Kamworor's 58:01
Probably Kiplimo is aiming to lower his record. If he feels fit and the weather is fine, he could get a try at a crazy time.
He was under 57' pace at 15k in Lisbon. In fact, his en route 15k is faster than the world best.
I expect an epic effort from him resulting in a new and impressive WR, knowing that Kejelcha (57:41) and Barega (57:50 IIRC) will race Valencia and 57:31 is in jeopardy.
All that said, do you really think JI (as great as he is) has ANY chance of just racing his first half, against the best ever at the distance probably trying to end a so-so season on a high note and improve his WR in order to secure it from Valencia...
...and winning? Or, even more delusional, running sub 57:30 at his first try?
It takes a day to recover for every mile you race, so anyone should theoretically literally be able to run any race the day after a 1500m. I actually found myself more sharp when I ran sessions the day after a 1500m when I did track.
I believe this rule of thumb doesn't apply at the output% level elite pros are able to deliver.
Exactly 10 days after his 26:11, Chep "only" had legs for a 4th place in 59:21, more than 30" behind Kiplimo.
Please. JI is GREAT but come on, Kiplimo will run too.
Kip has had a mixed season. Has run a 12:40, but his times in the 10000 have slowed down more than 10" from his 26:33 PB the year he broke the half WR.
No DL wins, disappointing in Paris, but defended XC world title.
He is undeniably the best ever at the half.
Not only he holds the record, front running before the first 5k in the not-THAT-fast Lisbon course (Valencia>Copenhaguen>Lisbon, from my own experience), but he has THREE sub 58 times.
Kandie set the previous record racing until the sprint finish in the best half (and one of the best road races) ever, with 4 athletes under 58' when the WR was Kamworor's 58:01
Probably Kiplimo is aiming to lower his record. If he feels fit and the weather is fine, he could get a try at a crazy time.
He was under 57' pace at 15k in Lisbon. In fact, his en route 15k is faster than the world best.
I expect an epic effort from him resulting in a new and impressive WR, knowing that Kejelcha (57:41) and Barega (57:50 IIRC) will race Valencia and 57:31 is in jeopardy.
All that said, do you really think JI (as great as he is) has ANY chance of just racing his first half, against the best ever at the distance probably trying to end a so-so season on a high note and improve his WR in order to secure it from Valencia...
...and winning? Or, even more delusional, running sub 57:30 at his first try?
This could be great for Jakob, stick behind Kiplimo and see how long he can hold out. If all those double threshold sessions paid off, maybe he can win over him.
Playing devil's advocate here. There is nobody who spends more time than Jakob running at "HM pace" throughout all his threshold training. And he can still run 3:26.73 and 7:17.55. I'd say he still has the advantage and he himself stated that the HM is probably his best distance. I do, however, agree with you about Chep. If a 26:11 guy couldn't do it, but who knows really. We don't even know if he's even running it.
Running a bunch of 1k-2k intervals at HM pace doesn't really prepare you to race a fast half. You need to practice running at steady/hard paces for much longer durations. Maybe Jakob could get the record someday, I have my doubts but it would be silly to count him out. But for his first time out at the end of a long track season, he'd do well to run 59.
Ahhhh I knew a LRC poster would finally come through! I am so glad you are in the know and know exactly what Kiplimo's and Jakob's training is. Thank you for that insight. Can you let us all know how their next workouts go?
brother. There's no way he's getting shut down like the way you're talking. If he's lining up next to these guys, he's there to race. I'm not saying he'll win, and i'm not saying he'll break the wr (yet), but you better believe he's gonna give them a run for their money if he's showing up.