If an athlete can achieve a top 3 finish at the trails, along with any necessary time standard, there is NO shame in that athlete going to the Olympics. If Fam can do this, he shows that continuing to train is a decision made with 'dignity.'
Sure, a comparison to Pre is probably over the top.
perspectaval wrote:
Fam is ultimately a pitiful figure. He is washed up, long-past the age where he should have moved on with his life. He will never be world class, and never make any meaningful money running. His setbacks are the result of old age and being past his prime. A true advocate of American distance running can only hope he will not have a chance come London. If he takes a spot on the team, it will be a shame, as the spot could instead have gone to a guy who still has a chance. And to compare himself to Pre, who was at one time ranked #1 in the world, is just delusional.
He is starting his own "brand" because no one will sponsor him because he isn't any good anymore. I remember seeing a feature on his life and how he painted (poorly) and how he trained alone. It was ultimately sad, not honorable, or inspiring. This sort of continuing of serious training is mental illness.
If Fam had any dignity, he would retire quietly and maybe coach a small college team. But he doesn't. So he'll continue to live in Never Neverland with all the other over-the-hill almost wases.
Dude, what a negative attitude. Fam was in very good shape just two years ago. And he is still a young guy, just 33. He'll have plenty of time to do other things with his life after he attempts to make his 3rd (!) Olympic Team. Even if he doesn't make the team he will have given it a shot. He seems like a pretty cool guy to me.
and meanwhile you'll be posting on Letsrun wishing you even had a chance like he does.
haha, no. I don't think I ever thought that I would be anywhere near as good as Fam is or was. Are you sure you're responding to the right guy? I am rooting for Fam, if you have that kind of talent, why not milk it for all its worth?
bmi overweight wrote:
Sure, a comparison to Pre is probably over the top.
I don't think it is *that* over the top. Fam is/was faster than Pre after all (at 3K/5K/10K), at every distance except the mile, where Pre has a slight edge. Fam did not have the kind of success that pre had for sure, but people were slower in the olden days...
did you even read the article? he never made any pre comparisons. the guy asking the questions did
juju bees wrote:
I don't think it is *that* over the top. Fam is/was faster than Pre after all (at 3K/5K/10K), at every distance except the mile, where Pre has a slight edge. Fam did not have the kind of success that pre had for sure, but people were slower in the olden days...
Put Fam in a 10k race (27:37.74 probably pulled along) against Pre (27:43 solo in 1st or 2nd attempt at race, think he ran it twice ever) and Pre destroys Fam. Ditto in the 5k, the small advantage in Fam's 5k PR wouldn't keep him from being completely dominated.
Probably true, but thankfully for FAM he is focusing on the steeple. More power to him.
You're probably right, Pre was certainly the better racer when compared to his contemporaries, and I tend not to bet against proven gamers. It is still kind of interesting that their PR's are so similar (and show what tremendous range they both had):
Pre/Fam
1500m: 3:38/3:35
Mile: 3:54/3:55
3000m: 7:42/7:41
5000m: 13:21/13:11
10000m: 27:43/27:37
Very similar profile really...
I agree. Fam is a crack pot that admittedly made the Olympic team in an event in which the US absolutely sucks. Fam could not, even at his prime, compete for a spot on the team at 1500, 5K, or 10k. As someone said, outside of the steeple, he was always getting pulled to fast times. His PR in the steeple is nowhere near world-class or even close to the AR for that matter. And yes, you are correct, I was never or never will be as good as Fam was, but at least I can recognize that...and I can also realize that I am not a skateboarder, artist, or DJ. Blowhard is what he is.
Dude, what a negative attitude. Fam was in very good shape just two years ago. And he is still a young guy, just 33. He'll have plenty of time to do other things with his life after he attempts to make his 3rd (!) Olympic Team. Even if he doesn't make the team he will have given it a shot. He seems like a pretty cool guy to me.
he seems like a burnout to me. a pathetic burnout who can't grow up. Peter Pan adapted to the running environment. who were his contemporaries? are any of them racing anymore? of course not.
The negativity here is stunning. The guy makes two Olympic teams, pays his bills by running professionally and has really solid pr's. He also has a great shot at making a third team.
GO FAM!
Sorry, I meant to reply to the poster you replied to.
Quote Of The Day
"You know, it's not just some Hollywood production of some guy who's incredibly talented in high school. He's the state champion who ran an 8:40 two-mile and then he sets the track on fire. When most people start, we suck - straight out of the gate. It hurts. You want to quit the team. That's how it started for me ... You are going to face obstacles. You are going to get sick. Everyone gets sick in running. You are going to get hurt. Almost every single runner has been hurt at some point. That's going to come. The athletes that succeed are the ones that understand how to deal with that."
No, you just did not know how to create a sport. You thought you could be a kid for far too long. Your sport was always more compelling than the NFL. You just failed.
and he should "grow up" so he can be a happy and well-adjusted individual like yourself? lol.
Here are the top names on this site:
Asbel Kiprop
Silas Kiplagat
Eliud Kipchoge
Quote Of The Day
"You know, it's not just some Hollywood production of some guy who's incredibly talented in high school. He's the state champion who ran an 8:40 two-mile and then he sets the track on fire. When most people start, we suck - straight out of the gate. It hurts. You want to quit the team. That's how it started for me ... You are going to face obstacles. You are going to get sick. Everyone gets sick in running. You are going to get hurt. Almost every single runner has been hurt at some point. That's going to come. The athletes that succeed are the ones that understand how to deal with that."
Here are the young men that you should support:
Allen Webb
Galen Rupp
Ryan Hall
Chris Solinski
Matt Tegenkanmp
Bernard Lagat only as a teacher
Anyone who thinks otherwise probably should talk to FAM.
I can't imagine why anyone would say that you have to get sick running. I'm often perplexed that anyone would have any injury running even 8-10 miles per day in their youth.
Perhaps this sport is a little too introspective and narcissistic. If things didn't go well for you, just leave a message for the next generation of how to do it better. We don't care if you failed, we do care how you carry-forward.
Can you imagine that the Women's f-ball team and the Open is so much more compelling than any track event? There is no track runner that did anything to improve this sport - not Frank Shorter, not Steve Prefontaine, and not Jim Ryun.
Now the job is up to you.
A more talented version of Gabe Jennings?
33yr olds don't make the Olympic team in our country for the steeplechase .