Is Kara no longer a threat to win Boston?

Aghast wrote:

Also I think it is pretty clear that Desi is not as talented so Kara still has a bigger upside.

Yeah right. I remember hearing this same thing about Grete Waitz over Joannie prior to 1984. Grete had far superior track times and even a slightly faster marathon best.

The difference is that Kara's lifetime potential under best conditions is close to 2:19 while for Desi it is more realistically 2:23

"Potential" is a great word. I remember Todd Williams who had run a half marathon 4 minutes faster than David Morris not being able to finish within 2 minutes of him in the marathon. People always think that track guys will transfer that "marathon potential" into the marathon. Although a few have, far more have not.

Yeah, pal, I've got a lot more than my GED. And if you guys seriously think it's unusual or arrogant for Americans runners to discuss medal aspirations even before they've made a team, you've been living on some other planet. It's far from uncommon.

I'll throw this idea right back at you. What camp were you in before last weekend? That's what I thought.

I took on anyone willing to bet that she would be beat by Desi at Boston, but that Desi might not win.

A contender? Boy, really going out on a limb there aren't ya? Who is claiming that isn't possible? Being in the top 5 is one thing, winning is another. Surely you understand that.

Why is 2012 out? Is she going somewhere? London isn't a sure thing and if she doesn't make it next Jan. 14th, she very well might run Boston in 2012. To be honest, that might be her best chance to win.

Ummmm...it "IS" uncommom, actually very uncommon. Show me a few top runners who have made these statements besides her coach years ago who was head and shoulders above the other Americans. Who?

Thinking it, dreaming it, saying it to your loved ones, etc.....that's one thing. Claiming last year that she going for the gold in London is quite embarrassing to say the least.

I know quite a few BIG name runners. Last year one of them that I know quite well told me that his goal is to medal, yes medal for the 10,000 in London. His current best is not even top 10 for Americans. We were running when he said this and his words immediately after saying it were "I wouldn't say that to anyone else but my family". Why? Because it's unrealistic and not probable, but he's got the right to dream.

Kara is tooooo confident, boardering on over-confidence. She needs to notch it down.

Goucher and her claims are based off what? A tainted bronze in 07' that was proven the following summer when she pr'ed and got 10th in Beijing. Translation for the weak minded, the field in Osaka was weak, hence the bronze. It's not her fault in terms of who runs or doesn't, but it's reality. Put the same ladies in Osaka that were in Beijing and she's gone out the back door and close to being lapped.

Her place in NY was 3rd, if I recall correctly and she skimmed under 2:26 by 8 seconds. But, who was there? Paula and ? But all of the females with faster times weren't at NY. Do ya think they'll show up in London? I'm betting yes.

Kara's credentials are good, but not world beating and she is way behind in the marathon. Boston will be her 4th, correct? So then if the top women lay it down in London and Kara actually makes the team, why suddenly will Kara be able to hang with them? Her downhill sub 1:07 half is a few years ago is not going to do it.

When she runs a 2:22, I'll back her possibilities, but until then, forget. Desi is rising and rising and will surpass her, but unfortunately she doesn't look like Karrogant so she's not rooted for as much.

Wait for it spanky! Desi is primed and ready to pop a good one. Then YOU will be on the Desi bandwagan, correct?

People will never be on the Desi bandwagon because even if she beats Kara in Boston, OTs or the Olympics she doesn't have the potential to be able to medal or win a major marathon. When she is in the top 3 in a major marathon or runs under 2:22 let me know and maybe I'll back her possibilities.

ur a year late Pedro wrote:

Her place in NY was 3rd, if I recall correctly and she skimmed under 2:26 by 8 seconds. But, who was there? Paula and ?

In NYC 2008 Kara was 3rd behind Paula and about 10 seconds behind Ludmila Petrova - 2:21:29 PR

Kara defeated

Rita Jeptoo - 2:23:38 PR

Catherine Ndereba - 2:18:47 PR, 2008 Olympic Silver medalist

Gete Wami - 2:21:34 PR, 2007 World Marathon Majors champion

Dire Tune - 2:23:44 PR, 2008 Boston Marathon champion

Maybe you've heard of them. Other than that, there was pretty much no one there.

She's only running to get an OT qualifier. Chill out.

I think you missed his point. Those ladies didn't have a good day. If those were your pr's would you call it a good day? No. But when Kara Goucher doesn't feel up to snuff, then it's a different story. I'll say it for the poster. Go back to your basement loser.

So just to be clear the reason Kara is a whining excuse maker is that nobody of any worth showed up at Osaka WC and when they showed up at NYC they didn't have a good day. Obviously, I have a great deal to learn about whining excuse makers and I thank you for your expertise in this subject.

Have you ever been pregnant? I think she ran amazingly well less than 4 months after giving birth. Each month she will get dramatically faster as her body recovers.

Fishing Instructor wrote:

If the timing mats were placed correctly, she was running 5:33 average pace through 8.5 miles and faded significantly the last third of the race.

It's hard to guess how quickly she'll get close to peak form. Maybe never, though I can't imagine why any fan of American distance running would wish this upon her.

Exactly. Saying "I think I can run in the 5:30s. I think that's pretty manageable right now" and falling way off the back of that range after barely 13k of a 21k race doesn't show a great sense of her own abilities. I'm sorry, but there's no way around that, no matter how much a "fan of American distance running" you or I might be. I'm also a big fan of athletes and especially our supposedly great coaches and athletes having it more together than this.

7 women in front of her at Beijing were NOT in Osaka! Get a clue.

Kara set a pr and LOST to 9 other women, including an American.

Someone who has run 2:22 and runs 2:27 in a marathon, did NOT have a good day.

Kara has never run 2:22.

Does that help in your learning process?

Think much?

Coming in here sort of late in the game, it's just stunning what nasty jerks you people are to each other. What spiteful children.

Kara (and most of Salazar athletes) have become interesting to follow so that I can cheer against them. They talk so much crap that it is fun to watch them fail.

"I am going to win the gold" "the change in his form is going to make him a 2:05 guy" "we shipped the cryogenics machine to NY"

It is funny as hell to watch this abortion in full action.

geezer23 wrote:

She was never a threat to win Boston, and she's still no longer a threat.

This is the correct answer

She is a bigger threat to say something stupid at least once a day.

Doesn't matter. Obviously my post trumped yours because you responded with nothing. I'd say I hit the game winning jumper and you don't like it. Everything I said was fact. You can check for yourself. If I am wrong, I will repost with an apology.

As for Kara, she's so overrated it's sick.

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If you put a bag over her head and just judged her off her performances, not knowing what country she was from, just her times over the last 3 or so years, would you pick her for gold, silver, or bronze? The answer you are searching for is NO!

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Top that logic Purple Clown Man!