Not sure how you could get a faster day and faster course anywhere in the country. Pancake flat, no wind, cool. Really quite ideal.
Not sure how you could get a faster day and faster course anywhere in the country. Pancake flat, no wind, cool. Really quite ideal.
This was my first time running Naples and it was fantastic. Weather was around 53 degrees at the start with only a couple miles per hour breeze. The course is completely flat without even a hint of a hill anywhere. For me, every mile seemed accurate with no long or short splits, which were shown accurately with a race clock at each mile.
There are three legs of the course where it doubles back on itself for at least 1.5 miles, where you can get really good looks at the other runners. The first two turnarounds are around traffic circles and don't really slow you down at all. The third and last turnaround is around a median which is about ten feet wide, which is the only place you could point to that the course slows you down in the slightest. Even the crown in the road is gentle by Florida standards.
It seemed to me that the best way to watch this race is to run it. Desi Davila seemed to be just pacing for a PR when she went by the first two times, but was REALLY flying the third time. I think this was a PR for her by 1:40. This seems to be a breakout year for the depth of the race as well. 1:15 would get you 15th place last year, but only 30th in 2011. 1:20 was 24th last year and only 55th this year.
While that may be true, his assessment is spot on.
kbr wrote:
Well, you're an asshole.
You don't think it's worse for your son to read a stream of abuse from an anonymous poster directed at a woman who recently gave birth? Really?
If you honestly think it's more "damaging to him to read a mild swear word, that's a shocking lack of perspective as a parent.
no cigar for her!!! wrote:
Kara will be behind Desi in Boston, for the 100th time! The excuses will fly from Kara and from those who were in the camp that said she had plenty of time after giving birth.
Here's a small sampling:
"My training wasn't quite what I thought it was"
"I should have taken off sooner when the pace was slow, but next time...."
"Having the baby last summer just wasn't didn't give me enough time"
"I will run faster next time"
"I believe in myself"
"Pro basketball players want my number and I want everyone to know it, even my husband."
"Paula's WR is my ultimate goal. Yes, of course I know it's unrealistic, but it's my goal."
"I will win the trials"
"Getting Gold is my "goal" in London"
"I think people think I am amazing and so do I"
"I am Kara Goucher dammit, pay attention to me!"
"I am the best. Heck I broke 2:26, once. I know the Russian lady ran 2:20 at Chicago, stop bringing her up. Who does she think she is anyways?"
"So what if she can average about 13 seconds faster per mile, that's only 3 seconds every 1/4 mile."
"I am special and I will win."
"People love me and I am a Goddess"
"Just who do those dozen or more ladies with pr's faster than mine think they are?"
You nailed it! Those are all perfect "Goucherisms"
That's not the point. The stupidity of people on this board never ceases to amaze me.
Thanks, I did my best. I've got more where those came from. The problem is people hate to be wrong, not just hate others being right. She's highly, highly overrated and no one on here would bet she will get gold in London, but they get pissed when you post your own views. Too bad.
Why is it necessary to tear down kara when someone is trying to build up Devila.
Both are great athletes. It is understandable that you support the blue color un-heralded athlete but lets act civil here.
Kara has made some huge strides in her running and we all look for her improvement.
Your level of frustration in listing out excuses she will make etc., seems rather bizarre.
DD will do some damage this year... and she should because she is in the best shape of her life. I think she is the star on the US team now. All running fans know that.
I am not sure in Flangan can sustain her success to the world champs...
In 2011 DD will be the top US marathoner.
FYI- thanks for mentioning Gebre in all this.. I agree she maybe one of the top runners on US soil. Anyone know when she is eligible for US citizenship (as i duck for the barage of insults that will be leveled on her for living in the US).
Even after you become a US citizen, you have 2 years before you can represent in international competition.
Shame on you!!!!!!! wrote:
Your post has been reported. My 12 year old son reads these boards. Agree with the poster or not, that is uncalled for. He or she didn't swear, you did.
Awesome, your 12 year old son can see what a petty and intolerant person you are.
Agreed.
Plus, that list of Goucher "excuses" are not excuses at all. They're statements of goals and in some cases, statements of facts. How a thread about Davila (and Gebre) turned into Kara-bashing I do not understand. I would bet these types of posters have never touched 1:14 and have no idea what it takes.
Nike reality check wrote:
Even after you become a US citizen, you have 2 years before you can represent in international competition.
are you sure? as several ethiopians just got citizenship for bahrahn and united arab emirates in the spring of 2010 and they all competed for their new countries at the asian championships in november 2010.
that's A-rab countries dougie, we don't slobber over the ethio's like you do.
douglas burke wrote:
Nike reality check wrote:Even after you become a US citizen, you have 2 years before you can represent in international competition.
are you sure? as several ethiopians just got citizenship for bahrahn and united arab emirates in the spring of 2010 and they all competed for their new countries at the asian championships in november 2010.
POSITIVE. Just double checked with Jim Estes. In addition, you can't even run in US road championships.
Unless I'm reading the IAAF rulebook incorrectly it's a 3 year wait after receiving citizenship. See Chapter 1 Rule 5:
cheap american bastard wrote:
that's A-rab countries dougie, we don't slobber over the ethio's like you do.
that does not seem fair if arab countries can have new athletes represent them immediately the same rule should apply to everyone.
either
1. arab countries and every other country in the world should have a 2 year wait after transferring nationalties, or
2. every country should be allowed to use their athletes immediately after they gain citizenship.
me liking ethiopian girls is not really the issue.
the issue is all countries should have to go by the same set of rules.
Citizen Runner wrote:
Unless I'm reading the IAAF rulebook incorrectly it's a 3 year wait after receiving citizenship. See Chapter 1 Rule 5:
http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/05/47/81/20091027115916_httppostedfile_CompRules2010_web_26Oct09_17166.pdf
okay regardless of if its immediate, 2 years 3 years or whatever all countries should have to go by the same rules.
I don't care how other countries handle it, I am just happy to make them wait here in the US. I also love the fact that they can not pick up a paycheck at any US championship during that wait time.
Sure, now you say she will do great and be the top US marathoner of 2011. That's quite a stretch. Did you say that before Kara's 1:14 and Desi's 1:10 or after? I bet after. By the way, I can break 1:14 and I too don't and never believed for one minute that Kara was going to beat Desi at Boston.
Thanks for your redundant post. "All running fans know that". Bull crap, now they claim to know it.
Davila has improved in every marathon.