I was looking at Ramsden's recent results and saw he'd run a 3:51 mile a few weeks ago and thought that wasn't too bad. Then I realised it was a 1500m.
I have no issue with using a top 2 finish at Nationals to justify an August selection that takes into account current form. But the Billings 1500m April selection is case-in-point of the folly of going too early. On form- Jess, Linden, Georgia are doing better and none are yet selected. Maybe even Abbey is doing better with her 1500/800 form.
Claudia's early pick in the 800m and Cam in the 1500m makes more sense, as they actually won and beat the major contenders.
With the World Champs quite late, this would have been a great year to trial a championships closer to the event like the USA. Aussies could have run the Euro season to get the standards and come back to seal it at Nationals.
An advantage of early selection is that you can train to peak at worlds, rather than before it. It is possible that Billings could have adjusted training and tapered to run better in recent races, but she didn't need to. Athletes who need to demonstrate form to be selected can run the risk of peaking too early in the season.
An advantage of early selection is that you can train to peak at worlds, rather than before it. It is possible that Billings could have adjusted training and tapered to run better in recent races, but she didn't need to. Athletes who need to demonstrate form to be selected can run the risk of peaking too early in the season.
What happened to Matt Ramsden? He was a wonder kid and was expected to be the next Mottram over 1500 and 5000 eventually. Was he injured or just eventually stalled in the MTC factory. They have some great talents but never seem to adapt training to suit the runner rather than making the runner fit into one size fits all programme.
That being said if they could keep some of them healthy like rayner he'd be a force on the roads.
On the womens side the solution is simple both Griffith and Hall are in great shape, and everyone who's qualified can run at least one event. Anyone who misses out in the 1500 should be selected for the 5000m. They have both qualified in both events. Lauren Ryan has not looked amazing in the 5k this year and has qualified for the 10k, so she doesn't need to be selected for the 5k especially given her 8th place finish in the event at the national champs). Below is their position in the national champs
800: Caldwell - 1st, Hollensworth - 2nd, Billings - didn't run, but the 3rd placer isn't qualified
His body has been cooked for a few years now. As you said, MTC doesn't adapt the training for their athletes. It's always one size fits all. They also over-race every year and eventually wreck their bodies. Does anyone actually see Rayner, Brett Rob, Ramsden etc. actually running faster on the roads than they already have? Rayner's 30 this year and seems to be getting injured more frequently, Ramsden's going backwards and Brett Rob is 34. I think Stewy should completely switch to roads now so we can see what he can do. He's clearly not going to get back to his best on the track and will never be competitive again.
Seth is currently 41 our of 42 in the world rankings on Road to Tokyo - Since the qualification period is over, does that mean he's safe? Out of those ahead of him, Laros may only run the 1500
Thank God the US doesn't have this problem. The Aussie's should run a trial race - it would be great drama. We need more races with meaning.
Hoare hasn' trun faster than 3:33.8 (fom his 3:50.95 mille) since early June. He's 28. Thomas is 5 years younger and has been running 3:32 consistently all summer.If they raced right now, I have little doubt THomas would take him.
Does that mean Thomas deserves to go? Not necessarily. Hoare killed him at their champs and has a faster seasonal best.
Are you picking for the future or rewarding for early season success? Just a terrible system. There is no right answer.
This post was edited 8 minutes after it was posted.