Donavan Brazier is back!

CopperRunner wrote:

This could be and probably is biased because i’m both a delusional optimist and a huge Brazier fan, but I think he has a sub 1:42 left in him. Crazy to say that it might not get him to national champ let alone world champ status again, but I think this is possible.

He will have access to new technology and training developments that have only emerged in the last 2-3 years, Mike Smith is one of if not the best overall distance coaches out there, and I personally believe a long term injury like that is probably oddly enough good for 800m longevity. My personal belief is that the reason athletes tend to peak at 26 give or take in the 800m has a lot to do with how much 800m training beats up your body over the years and less to do with hitting some kind of age wall at 25-26.

I really hope for his sake he can finish his track career on a high note. He has been huge for the sport for how little of time he’s had to make an impact.

Salvitore Stitchmo wrote:

So I agree with your points re how training for the 800m has evolved and how more "traditional" 800m philosophy was particularly hard on the body hence a lot of guys tending to burst onto the scene and not have great longevity.

But the most important thing by far, irrespective of what your training is, is year on year consistency of training and racing without massive interruption. It's that consistency that you need to be great and run at level like sub 1.42. And as you get older, time off has far greater impact on you in terms of recovery and the ability to bounce back. For example when Jakob was injured for those 3 or so months beginning of last year, he was able to rebound incredibly quickly and find his potential again in a matter of the same amount of time. But that was 3 months and Jakob was 23. Donovan has missed basically 2 years and he's 28 - that's so different.

I guess like you I wish him all the best, but it would be stunning to see him figure again - even nationally. Running under 1.42 would be an absolute miracle.

McRunnin wrote:

Salvitore Stitchmo wrote:

So I agree with your points re how training for the 800m has evolved and how more "traditional" 800m philosophy was particularly hard on the body hence a lot of guys tending to burst onto the scene and not have great longevity.

But the most important thing by far, irrespective of what your training is, is year on year consistency of training and racing without massive interruption. It's that consistency that you need to be great and run at level like sub 1.42. And as you get older, time off has far greater impact on you in terms of recovery and the ability to bounce back. For example when Jakob was injured for those 3 or so months beginning of last year, he was able to rebound incredibly quickly and find his potential again in a matter of the same amount of time. But that was 3 months and Jakob was 23. Donovan has missed basically 2 years and he's 28 - that's so different.

I guess like you I wish him all the best, but it would be stunning to see him figure again - even nationally. Running under 1.42 would be an absolute miracle.

Yes, you're probably right, but please let us rejoice in this good news without Danny Downer pessimism.

Sure, it would be a miracle if Brazier ever runs a PB again, but miraculous comebacks at advanced ages are not unprecedented in sports. Michael Jordan came back to the NBA after a year of playing baseball, and he scored 55 points in just his fifth game back at age 32. Then he won three consecutive championships and Finals MVP awards from ages 33-35.

More recently, Kenenisa Bekele came back from all his injuries/issues to make Ethiopia's Olympic marathon team at age 42, after not being selected for their 2016 and 2021 teams.

We all know the odds are stacked against Brazier ever standing on top of a global championship podium again, but it's fun to daydream about him making a triumphant comeback. After all, we were once told that this is the place where dreams become reality!