That sounds like he's pojecting this year being about times and not making Olympic Teams and finals. Its a long ways off for a guy like him who never seems to stay healthy for than 4 months at a time but if he does he will run 20 seconds faster in a 5000 in July in Europe.
I actually suspect Ritz will focus on the 10K and as support and blocker for Rupp in the Olympic race. You heard it here first. In fact I think we may have seen the Olympic 10K race play out last night. Rupp, Farah, and Ritz were clearly practicing running 64 seconds splits all through that 5000M. When Ritz is at his best he can run 64s all day. Ritz pacing Rupp all the way through to the last mile at 64 pace, then Rupp running a final 1500M the way he did last night is a potent combination.
in an interview last night, ritz said his intention right now is the 10,000
ryan foreman wrote:
I actually suspect Ritz will focus on the 10K and as support and blocker for Rupp in the Olympic race. You heard it here first. In fact I think we may have seen the Olympic 10K race play out last night. Rupp, Farah, and Ritz were clearly practicing running 64 seconds splits all through that 5000M. When Ritz is at his best he can run 64s all day. Ritz pacing Rupp all the way through to the last mile at 64 pace, then Rupp running a final 1500M the way he did last night is a potent combination.
I don't know if you are being serious but that is exactly the national mindset that works in Olympic Distance racing and was always unheard of in America. Rupp is close to medal status. Ritz has never developed closing speed like Rupp. I think his 1500 pr is still 3:42 from his freshman year in college. Since 1968 when Jipcho sacrificed for Keino these tactics were utilized in the Olympics. Famously the Kenyans but also in 1984 with Portugal when Ezequial Canario set the fast pace for Antonio Letiou the get the Bronze medal in the 5000.
Ritz will never have a shot for a medal in a world class championship track race. Thats why he moved up to the marathon early. Rupp's best chance for a medal is a fast race without a lot of surges and staying in 5th or 6th place. But you know it will be 13:50 at best at 5k.
Its fun to imagine this going on. But no way would Ritz sacrifice his race to help Rupp.
Ritz will watch the trials from the stands wearing a boot.
Ritz's 1500 pr is 3:42 from Freshman year of college, because that is the last time he had the balls to run one. Literally hasnt ran under a 3k in nearly ten years...pisses me off
cenotaph wrote:
in an interview last night, ritz said his intention right now is the 10,000
It will be interesting to see Hengelo. Assuming he's not injured or holding back in the race to merely get the "A" standard, he's going to break 27:30. In fact, if he gets after it, he'll get a PR.
broken arrow wrote:
Will Ritz try for the 10000 only at the olympic trials?
Well, if Ritz doesn't make the 10,000 team I am sure he will come back to run the 5,000.
Why not?
If he makes the 10,000 team I am 99% sure he will not come back to run the 5,000.
As far as the summer track season goes, I can see him getting some PR's off of that marathon training base.
I say he gets a PR in the 5,000 and 10,000 along with that marathon PR all in one year.
To show you how good the US has gotten, someone as great as Ritz can get all of those PR's and not lead the US in any event.
76-45-54 wrote:
Ritz's 1500 pr is 3:42 from Freshman year of college, because that is the last time he had the balls to run one. Literally hasnt ran under a 3k in nearly ten years...pisses me off
In addition, he has not run a 100m since his 13.7 from his freshman year of HIGH SCHOOL. Dude is just chicken sh!t. Annoying as heck!