How good can Mo Farah be?

well, Farah got beat by a felloe Brit yesterday.

Threshold man, when i ran 1:48 I was running up to 100mpw, actually 112 one week. Even 800m runners have to train when we are short of speed.

Glen - Your old mate Paul Larkins ran his 800 pb (1.47.1) during a week where he ran over 100 miles.

Threshold man - remember people like Coe did start out over longer distances. Mottram came from an endurance (triathlon etc) background but has run a pretty swift 800m.

Good to see Mr Vernon back on top of stuff. Looks like a good run from him.

Uk Boy No 2 wrote:

After having one of the best seasons in the world this year by a non- African at the distance events, how good do you think this guy can be?

800 - 1:48

1500 - 3:38

3000 - 7:38

5000 - 13:09

I reckon that Dave Moorcrofts British Record is almost a certainty within the next couple of years.

Does anyone think he ever has a chance of winning at world / olympic level?

Having one of the best seasons in the world this year by a non- African? I thought he was born in Somali? Surely that makes him African?

Somali?

Andrew Lemoncello was born in Japan. Do you think he's Japanese? Alternatively is he American as he's benefitted more from their system than a UK one?

not a country wrote:

Somali?

Sorry obvious typo there.

Uk Boy No 2 wrote:

After having one of the best seasons in the world this year by a non- African at the distance events, how good do you think this guy can be?

800 - 1:48

1500 - 3:38

3000 - 7:38

5000 - 13:09

I reckon that Dave Moorcrofts British Record is almost a certainty within the next couple of years.

Does anyone think he ever has a chance of winning at world / olympic level?

Does anyone else feel a bit sad when they see limits put out? This isn't a 'Pre, No Limits' type post, moreso, how I hate thinking about an overall goal. There's always that feeling that maybe if you're at that point, you can go faster. And then there's the thought that you might never hit those time goals...that's even more disappointing.

while we're at it, here are Moorcroft's PBs

800m - 1.46.64

1500m - 3:33.79

1mile - 3.49.34

2000m - 5.02.86

3k - 7.32.79

2miles - 8.16.75

5k - 13.00.41

not the answer wrote:

There is nobody in Britain at the moment who is capable of sub 13.20 except Mo, he has the potential to run sub 27.15, there is nobody else who looks like running sub 28.15. The AAA was a one off feak, they happen.

You say 'Who gives a toss about African genes'

well go and take a look at the world rankings for 5k/10k and it seems that theer is a little more to it than just 'attitude and dedication', are you saying its more about mindset than physical ability? So the East Africans are just more dedicated, don't talk out of your arse thats just naive.

The gap was there for all to see on Sunday, in a field of 50 odd our second counter was 28th.

McCormack adn Thmompson definitely have the ability to go sub-13.20

stop trying to go for the 'they are racists' angle, it isn't there, the fact is people can mention Dave Taylor, Lemoncello all they like, they were born to parents of European stock, Mo is British, he has lived here for year and years but he is of African origin, he is competing on more of a level playing field.

I think the fact that both Abdi and Mo have risen to be arguably the best in their respective countries when both are from the same village is a massive argument in favour of genetics over environment. What are the odds that out of the 60 million odd in Britain, the one that rises to the top is Somalian, and the very best junior (based on last years Euro XC trial) is also Somalian? How many Somalians are there in the country? Less than 1%?

They've risen to be the best despite the fact they've been raised in a mostly western environment. So if you take everyone as equally "talented", what are the odds that the chaps who turn out to be the best runner in Britain and America both come from the same village? Must be extremely small.

Mo can go a long way and I think that a group of Brits can probably get to a reasonable standard if not near his ultimate potential, there's no reason why brits like McCormick, Thompson et al. can't run sub 13:20 and create a fairly handy team.

Just out of interest how would a Select "non-african" team do against the African teams in the world X? I'd iamgine that Farah, Lebid, De La Ossa, Jesus, Mottram of course and the top Americans (Goucher, Tegenkamp, Ritz, Abdi...). COnsidering that quite a few Europeans were in the 20 something mark last year, this slightly more talented group you'd have though might at least challenge for 3rd/4th place?

there are plenty of british juniors that have been as good as Mo in the past but too many haven't progressed thru to the senior ranks. I'm knocking Mo - I think he's great - but honestly focussing on his heritage does not help other Brits.

It is no coincidence that his breakthrough has come about at a time when he is by his own admission training harder than ever and making sacrifices in his lifestyle. I would argue that if anything his roots give him more motivation and desire rather than a physical advantage.

oh really. U are a genius!

The second post on this thread is spot on.

Obviously in 2006 there were mixed views of Mo but by 2010 he had run 1.48, 3.33, 7.34 and 12.57. He had won Euro Cross, Indoors and managed a Euro 5+10k double. I am sure that Mo would credit St Marys, UKA and his coach for enabling his progress. Other Btits should learn from that process and I think it is part of Mo's responsibility now to ensure that they do.

Imagine if in 2006 somebody had said Mo would one day be a double Olympic champion... Crazy

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Nice prediction I made nearly 7 years ago!! Although my running has gone much slower from 31-32 min 10kms to 37-38.