Bekele 7.40

Bekele had a bad day in 2004, he still won. He has a bad day now, he gets dusted. He's just not as good as he used to be. But he is still the favorite in any 10k.

This means little. Last year he dropped out of Worlds but came back weeks later to run 26:43

I wouldn't write him off just yet. He said before the race how he was now having to train less than he would like as he doesn't want to hurt his calf again. He's probably very fit but hasn't done much speedwork as he's being careful. There's a pretty big difference between a 3k and a 10k and he's probably waiting as long as possible before really doing some bigger sessions and all reports suggest he can get his fitness back in 3-4 weeks so as long as he hasn't re-injured his calf I still think he's the favourite for the 10k.

The commentators on Universal sports mentioned that Bekele reached down to grab his calf after the race. This could be anything from a serious relapse to injury or just a little tightness. They noted, however, that he kicked in the last lapped, beat a few people, and ran sub-60. Not exactly something you do if you feel like you might be injuring yourself.

As of right now he is still entered in the stacked 5k in Shanghai next week. If he races then we'll know it was nothing. If he doesn't then it could still be very minor, but he's just taking it safe.

Hopefully Bekele is not on the edge of injury. If he can stay healthy, he'll time his training just right to peak for the Oly games and he'll win or medal in the 10000. My gut tells me he won't win.

But he may yet. He's Bekele.

when the London Olympics are over, Bekele says he will switch to marathon running. He plans to break the world record in that event, too.

after his attempt to win a third Olympic gold in the 10,000m, Bekele says he has "one last dream" and that is to take up marathon running.

Does he believe he can break the world record in that event, too? "Of course. I want to try, if I move into marathon, everybody can expect me to try. I always want to run faster than others, that is my goal, and it always has been."

Gggghuygfrfd wrote:

I think you don't understand what the subject of our debate is

This actually made me Laugh out Loud!

Thanks

7:40 is not a bad opener. but it is a wake up call.

bekele looks to be able to do multiple 63-64 second laps, but he's not there for consecutive 61 second laps.

right now the 10k is in his wheelhouse, the 5k, not.

10k he's a favorite for gold

5k he's a medal contender.

bekele will have to do more speed work and soon to have a shot at the double, while maintaining the volume needed for the 10k.

coming back from injury this will be a risky task.

probably he should just train for the 10k win, and just hope for the best in the 5k, the risk of re-injury is just too great, as the 5k winner will likely have 3:30 1500m speed.

As always it seems the people on the boards no nothing about training. There is a thing called peaking that is just kinda signficant. Too often people peak too early. Colleges like stanford struggled with it for years in cross country. Athletes make the mistake every year by trying to do too much too early. There is still a long time before the olympics. Those athletes that are in their best shape right now will be done for by the time things start to matter.

7:40 Looks like a great time considering everything Bekele has been through lately. It will probably be another couple months before the smart Athletes start emphasizing the speed in their workouts.

Also taking in to consideration the success of Bekele in the past I trust that they know what they are doing and will have him in perfect shape come the olympics.

Lets us all pray that Bekele is able to stay healthy.

he is rusty. No speed work. one month of speed work and he

is down to 7:30. He will blow everyone off the track in the 10K at London. He might medal in the 5K , but this is open.

Again, assuming he doesn't re-injure himself, he is still the favorite for gold in the 10k by a long shot. 5k isn't a sure thing, but it will depend on how much speed work he'll be able to handle between now and August.

To me, this early season 3k means very little.

i kinda like running wrote:

Again, assuming he doesn't re-injure himself, he is still the favorite for gold in the 10k by a long shot. 5k isn't a sure thing, but it will depend on how much speed work he'll be able to handle between now and August.

To me, this early season 3k means very little.

I agree completely. Man, I can't wait for the Olympics.

If he ended up wining in 7:40, it wouldn't be a big deal, but to finish in 8th, 10 seconds behind the winner, it proves, if nothing less, that this year he is mortal (or maybe clean). That performance tells me he won't win double gold.

Too slow wrote:

If he ended up wining in 7:40, it wouldn't be a big deal, but to finish in 8th, 10 seconds behind the winner, it proves, if nothing less, that this year he is mortal (or maybe clean). That performance tells me he won't win double gold.

That's not what that should tell you. Recall that he Dnf a 10k, then two weeks later ran 26:43.

Too slow wrote:

If he ended up wining in 7:40, it wouldn't be a big deal, but to finish in 8th, 10 seconds behind the winner, it proves, if nothing less, that this year he is mortal (or maybe clean). That performance tells me he won't win double gold.

Didn't El G get 8th in a 1500 in 2004 in like 3:32, ~2 seconds behind the winner?

The sea yields to knowledge wrote:

Didn't El G get 8th in a 1500 in 2004 in like 3:32, ~2 seconds behind the winner?

He was 5th. Lagat won in 3:29. Lagat also beat him Zurich that year. At the Olympic 1500, Lagat was the only man who could beat him, and he almost did.

How many people will line up in the 5k that could beat Bekele, when he is in mortal form? At least three or four. Same in the 10k.

Too slow wrote:

The sea yields to knowledge wrote:

Didn't El G get 8th in a 1500 in 2004 in like 3:32, ~2 seconds behind the winner?

He was 5th. Lagat won in 3:29. Lagat also beat him Zurich that year. At the Olympic 1500, Lagat was the only man who could beat him, and he almost did.

How many people will line up in the 5k that could beat Bekele, when he is in mortal form? At least three or four. Same in the 10k.

He was eighth at the Rome Golden Gala. Rashid Ramzi won in 3:30.25.

Well I think it's just people not used to seeing Bekele have to worry about waiting until August to peak. Usually he's stomping everybody in May and still stomping them in August, but now that he is walking a finer line in his training it would make sense for him to hold off on the speed work.

KB's facebook says "it's very bad".. is he injured??

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenenisa-Bekele/21177068703