Georgia Hunter Bell a fraud?

LetsCynical wrote:

Or…someone that was a promising junior athlete took another path, developed massive aerobic strength via cycling/duathlon, and then made a return to their first sport with fresh legs and a fresh mind?

I will grant that drugs are a huge problem in the sport and we always have to assume that big names will get popped. Hunter-Bell and Alex Yee offer some evidence that cross training offers benefits and that grinding out the traditional runner’s schedule is not the only path to success.

I will also posit that a big reason for Hunter-Bell’s success is that she worked a 9-5 in cyber security until recently. Having an income and skills outside of running very likely blunts many of the neurotic and anxiety driven behaviors that we see in many elites. If she never improves or gets a major injury, then back to the office! Many one dimensional elites are two years and some poor spending decisions away from poverty should their careers come to a halt. That keeps them up at night whenever they feel a niggle or a sore spot.

in closing, I am rather surprised that Hunter-Bell gets so much suspicion here. She should be an inspiration to you post-collegiate cubicle serfs that have the talent to get an OTQ or that want to give going pro one more try before settling into careers, families, and the inevitable dad bod phases of life.

this is nothing new wrote:

LetsCynical wrote:

Or…someone that was a promising junior athlete took another path, developed massive aerobic strength via cycling/duathlon, and then made a return to their first sport with fresh legs and a fresh mind?

I will grant that drugs are a huge problem in the sport and we always have to assume that big names will get popped. Hunter-Bell and Alex Yee offer some evidence that cross training offers benefits and that grinding out the traditional runner’s schedule is not the only path to success.

I will also posit that a big reason for Hunter-Bell’s success is that she worked a 9-5 in cyber security until recently. Having an income and skills outside of running very likely blunts many of the neurotic and anxiety driven behaviors that we see in many elites. If she never improves or gets a major injury, then back to the office! Many one dimensional elites are two years and some poor spending decisions away from poverty should their careers come to a halt. That keeps them up at night whenever they feel a niggle or a sore spot.

in closing, I am rather surprised that Hunter-Bell gets so much suspicion here. She should be an inspiration to you post-collegiate cubicle serfs that have the talent to get an OTQ or that want to give going pro one more try before settling into careers, families, and the inevitable dad bod phases of life.

Imagine if Nuguse had run 3:39.94 in 2023 prior to taking bronze in 3:27.80 last year. That’s the equivalent of what Bell did, except she’s almost 6 years older than him. Are you really surprised people find her suspicious?