Solinsky: There has never been an American in history to run three races in a row at this level

Malmo, I hate to say it, but I fail to see the relevance of asking for 10k's from runners who are clearly not 10k runners. Lagat and Webb both had streaks of 3 in 2007 that I think are just as good - maybe better.

IAAF points for Webb:

1237 (1500m) + 1242 (mile) + 1206 (800m)

Solinsky:

1222 (5k PR) + 1227 (10k) + 1181 (pre 5k)

And for Lagat, two world titles speaks for itself. If you want to say 3k/5k/10k guys - sure. I think BK ran in a different era, so comparing him is also kind of a wash.

So my conclusion is that 'never' is hyperbole. I give Solinsky a lot of credit, but it's not unprecedented.

some stats wrote:

You need to write more clearly. You said nothing about the need to have a 10k with 2 5ks in your original post. Those performances listed are not just "fine", but AMAZING. And I am not being negative about Solinsky's performances AT ALL, I think his first two races are awesome, and his third solid (but not incredible). This is not taking anything away from him, just being even-keeled about his races and firmly keeping in mind the previous history of US athletes in track. Let's try to give credit to the past!

I wrote clearly. I put up a 10k a 5k (two of the best distance performances we have on the IAAF scoring table) plus an American soil 5k, which the nattering nabobs called "embarrassing" Nothing about my post discredits the past. For you to casually dismiss Solinsky's incredible race yesterday is sad. In all of the 5000 races ever run in this country, only a mercenary American has ever run faster than Solinsky did yesterday. That is incredible.

As I've said once, and I'll say it again, all of those performances by those other athletes are fine, but no American has ever strung together three races the way Solinsky just did. What's scary, is that I think his next 5000 will be even more incredible.

1) AR in the 10000, 1st American under 27:00

2) #3 Alltime 5000, 5th American under 13:00

3) #2 Alltime American on home turf

Better Analysis wrote:

you dont feel webbs career (thus far) is diminished at all by his poor international championship showings?

Let me get this straight? Being a finalist in a world championship is a poor showing?

germans are quick wrote:

Malmo, I hate to say it, but I fail to see the relevance of asking for 10k's from runners who are clearly not 10k runners. Lagat and Webb both had streaks of 3 in 2007 that I think are just as good - maybe better..

I fail to see the relevance of comparing the most incredible streak by a DISTANCE runner to incredible streaks by MIDDLE DISTANCE runners.

I made a simple, straightforward post.

Why not just compare Jesse Owens or Carl Lewis to Solinsky?

No you did not write clearly since you're asking the reader to predict what is going through your head when you say "performances":

"The third incredible performance in a row for him."

This can mean races/performances strictly at 10k/5k, it can also mean any race performance at other distances (and also include getting medal or beating a quality field not just places on all-time lists). The fact that most people on this thread are interpreting not the first (10k/5k only) but the other two speaks volumes.

But even if you DID say that, it's a sort of a limiting distinction given the state of the US 10000m the last 20 years or so. This has been a rough event for us in the past, so it's not communicating a whole lot by looking at things from an American-only perspective. The guy is a sub27 10000m runner, we can qualify him much better in terms of world rankings etc.

Also you need to give up the badgering of Lagat's American status a rest. You've been doing this since 2005 and it is disgusting. He's an American, deal with it. You also need to figure out what mercenary means - he wasn't paid to come to the US.

malmo wrote:

Let me get this straight? Being a finalist in a world championship is a poor showing?

for a 3:46, 3:30, 1:43 guy...who that year led the world in the mile (which no one has bested since i believe) and was 2nd in the 1500 and 800...7th in the world champs is a poor showing

not a disastrous showing, but if hed brought home a medal that year (or any year), hed be thought of completely differently...

as of yet he hasnt shown the ability to race well in international championships based on his fitness level...dont get me wrong his run some awesome times and hopefully he'll comeback well, but theres a significant difference between those whove won medals and those who havent...

Better Analysis wrote:

for a 3:46, 3:30, 1:43 guy...who that year led the world in the mile (which no one has bested since i believe) and was 2nd in the 1500 and 800...7th in the world champs is a poor showing .

In your mind it's poor.

In a race at that level there is only one winner. Everyone else sucks. I get it.

Malmo...I normally enjoy your posts, and I like the discussion on this one, however I don't think you are reading your original post or title when you are arguing about this. The title of this thread is "Solinsky: There has never been an American in history to run three races in a row at this level", you do not specify distance or type of runner, only that they had to "run" said race. If your thread title was "Solinsky: There has never been an American in history to run a 10k and 2 5k's, one of which was on American soil in a row at this level" the rest of your arguments would make sense.

So based on your thread title and original posts I don't see why these other strings of "three races in a row" are exempt.

Oh my god. You must be a f***ing lawyer or something? Next time I make a simple post I'll include a 2 page addendum and warranty? Will that work for you?

I thought the point of my original post was obvious. I will confess, I should have known better. It seems no matter what, the Letsun crowd needs their hands held, and I should have parsed every phrase. I'll try better next time to meet your high standards.

Bob did his triples with 16% body fat. Advantage Kennedy.

malmo wrote:

In your mind it's poor.

In a race at that level there is only one winner. Everyone else sucks. I get it.

no...I never said Webb sucks, Webbs a beast and has run some huge time trials...but why is it so difficult to understand that when you lead the world (at the time) in the 1500, 800, and mile...finishing 7th in the primary meet of that year is a poor showing (not disastrous...but still less than what should be expected)

I agree with Malmo, a 10k MUST be included for a fair comparison. A 10k is tougher on you than three 5ks. To eliminate the 10k is not a fair comparison.

I believe the major point is that his performance was outstanding and because he has set the bar so high, they don't recognize it.

malmo wrote:

Oh my god. You must be a f***ing lawyer or something? Next time I make a simple post I'll include a 2 page addendum and warranty? Will that work for you?

I thought the point of my original post was obvious. I will confess, I should have known better. It seems no matter what, the Letsun crowd needs their hands held, and I should have parsed every phrase. I'll try better next time to meet your high standards.

Letsrun is full of some of the most miserable ****s you've ever come across. Indeed, you probably should've known better.

last lap wrote:

Bob did his triples with 16% body fat. Advantage Kennedy.

Prior to Olso, Solinky's PR in the 5K was 13:12.....yesterday he ran 4 seconds faster than that, but 12 seconds slower than his brand new PR, which came after a new AR in the 10K. Only on this site is that grounds for complaining.

Solinsky will end up running sub 12:50 and sub 26:50 during the European season

Mrr82 wrote:

malmo wrote:13:08.11 Chris Solinsky

Malmo, while i think it's pathetic people are bashing on Solinsky for this race...i also think it's amazing and a great sign...

How long ago would a 13:08 have got everyone off their chair celebrating like crazy? It's an amazing change of events where a 13:08 is a let down. Most years in the past decade+, a 13:08 would have been the fastest time of the year.

THIS.

For those that don't remember go watch the movie 5000 Meters again. In 2004 we had one guy break 13:20 and a bunch of 13:25ish types. Now a 13:08 (which was the Meet Record until yesterday) is 'embarrassing'.

I think most people interpreted the title of this thread literally. I sure did. If you wanted to say 5k / 10k guy, you should have said it. Connotations don't make their way across the internet well.

Projecting your mistake on everyone else is kind of a lame thing to do, though. Having strong, informed opinions is great, but being unable to express them without unwarranted ad hominem attacks and sarcasm is not.

malmo wrote: I'll try better next time to meet your high standards.

and well you should young man

germans are quick wrote:

I think most people interpreted the title of this thread literally. I sure did. If you wanted to say 5k / 10k guy, you should have said it. Connotations don't make their way across the internet well.

This was a straightforward thread that you read wrong and I can understand how you read it wrong. So why keep dragging it out?

It really was an off performance in comparison to his last two races. Considering he blew off the American Championships to run this race to try to break 13 on American soil and that the pace was there, it is an extremely disappointing result for his fans.

Maybe he peaked already. But he just didn't have it compared to the last two amazing efforts. It has been a great season for the former Badger, but I know that he has a bunch of races planned for July and August from his European home base at San Moritz which I hope are not going to be steps down from this already slower than expected result. 13:10+ will get you 12th place in the races he will be entering.