He represents a class of American distance runners who had moderate levels of talent, excelled at some point either in HS or college, but never stood out as a professional. Sure, he might have some recognition just based on social media or a random area record he has, but he sure as heck ain’t making a team.
In a way I associate him similarly with Tinman elite because I can count on seeing an essay in a post-race instagram post about why the race didn’t work out. I always kind of viewed him as a head case who could never quite figure things out. Not sure if that’s accurate.
obviously had a ton of love for the sport and got to do it a lot better than 99.9% of those out there, so for that I give him kudos and all the best on the next journey.
It’s interesting to see some comments about him having solid but not high end talent. I’m around the same age as Parker and always viewed him as a higher end of talent (not Fisher level since Grant’s one of a kind, but still high). He didn’t have elite top end speed but had great lower body form/efficiency and had really good results at long distances even in high school - for example finishing 6th in the 10K at world juniors his senior year, which was the best an American had ever finished.
It’s interesting to see some comments about him having solid but not high end talent. I’m around the same age as Parker and always viewed him as a higher end of talent (not Fisher level since Grant’s one of a kind, but still high). He didn’t have elite top end speed but had great lower body form/efficiency and had really good results at long distances even in high school - for example finishing 6th in the 10K at world juniors his senior year, which was the best an American had ever finished.
Probably early specialization was his true edge on his peers. Sort of like Hasay minus the NOP pharma access. Then once he got to college and beyond his peers caught up to and passed him. If he had graduated college around 2000 or soon after, he could have been a real contender maybe even make a team a la Brian Sell. The part of his body with possibly the least talent was above his shoulders.
He fits the perfect example of what it must be like to be an amazing, super-talented runner with a massive engine and good speed but no chance to ever make another team.
How come everyone knows he cheated on his wife? DAMN!
It was widely talked about on these forums as his mother in law went public.
A guy on reddit wrote:
I don’t follow him so occasionally I will check his profile and I think he made it private after his injury. Is he still posting recently?
Update: supposedly he cheated on his wife according to a report from letsrun
His mother in law saying "Infidelity has hit this family hard in the past. And I have recently spoke up about it. (It only took me 18 years). To see this happen to someone I was supposed to protect turns me into “a Mama Grizzly Bear” (Sarah Palin). The frustrating thing is, we would have never found out if we didn’t stick together and have each other’s back. Not having “feelings” toward a bar fly does not justify the fact that it is okay to have sex with someone you meet at a bar 6 days after Valentines Day. The excuses have been insurmountable. My daughter is the strongest person I know, but this has rocked her world. As a family we will heal and forgive, but we will never forget. #infidelity #speakingup”
How come everyone knows he cheated on his wife? DAMN!
It was widely talked about on these forums as his mother in law went public.
A guy on reddit wrote:
I don’t follow him so occasionally I will check his profile and I think he made it private after his injury. Is he still posting recently?
Update: supposedly he cheated on his wife according to a report from letsrun
His mother in law saying "Infidelity has hit this family hard in the past. And I have recently spoke up about it. (It only took me 18 years). To see this happen to someone I was supposed to protect turns me into “a Mama Grizzly Bear” (Sarah Palin). The frustrating thing is, we would have never found out if we didn’t stick together and have each other’s back. Not having “feelings” toward a bar fly does not justify the fact that it is okay to have sex with someone you meet at a bar 6 days after Valentines Day. The excuses have been insurmountable. My daughter is the strongest person I know, but this has rocked her world. As a family we will heal and forgive, but we will never forget. #infidelity #speakingup”
Yeah mother in law posted about it on Instagram and if I recall correctly it was right before the 2020 Trials Marathon, which Parker was seeded reasonably high in. This news and that he was pulling out with an injury both came out within ~1 week of the race, which likely drew more attention to it than normal
Funny how his career played out.. his HS coach was known for bullying and being extremely hard on his athletes always calling them “head cases” yet he praised Parker.. I guess good genes can only get you so far
Funny how his career played out.. his HS coach was known for bullying and being extremely hard on his athletes always calling them “head cases” yet he praised Parker.. I guess good genes can only get you so far
What do either of these statements have to do with each other?
Funny how his career played out.. his HS coach was known for bullying and being extremely hard on his athletes always calling them “head cases” yet he praised Parker.. I guess good genes can only get you so far
What do either of these statements have to do with each other?
Yeah mother in law posted about it on Instagram and if I recall correctly it was right before the 2020 Trials Marathon, which Parker was seeded reasonably high in. This news and that he was pulling out with an injury both came out within ~1 week of the race, which likely drew more attention to it than normal
Oh the horror, a guy made a mistake. It happens in life. Get over it and leave people alone.