Kara says 'Alberto's Gimmicks'

When I read her quote I thought it was a dig on Schumacher. She complains about the strategy Schumacher gave her, complains about not having Salazar's 'gimmicks'. If I was her current coach I think I would tell to take her as$ back to Salazar.

Shalane didn't need gimmicks to kick everyone's as$. Kara doesn't believe in herself and searches for something more to believe in.

marijuologist wrote:

I've used that word in regard to Salazar's methods repeatedly on here. I wonder if she reads letsrun and decided to adopt my statement as her own.

Yeah, and Ritz will win the WC 10k in 26:10.

crazy person wrote:

Your getting older, Kara. Deal with it. Can't be on top forever.

I'd sure as hell let her. Just sayin.

Back on topic, the dig was at Schumacher more than anything.

I really do think that Schumacher made a big mistake in having his athletes go out that hard when he knew the conditions were going to be that bad. Shalane was so much better than everyone else so by the time the pace caught up with her she had the race won. Kara is not that good and a quality coach would know that taking such a huge risk when the conditions are that bad is stupid. If she hung in the chase pack she would have probably made the team.

Precious Roy wrote:

Not a dig on Alberto. She was pretty candid that Alberto was the better tactician at the 10k champs. I think Kara is getting frustrated with her current plateau. She hasn't been able to break through in the marathon. She can no longer just show up on the track and beat everyone. She has run for the best coaches in the business and has the best training partner available in the US. She is at the point where she may be realizing that this is as good as it gets.

THIS...and if anything it sounded like she was blaming Jerry and wishes she was back with Alberto. Just sour grapes because her time has come and gone.

domestic pro wrote:

Back on topic, the dig was at Schumacher more than anything.

I wouldn't call it a dig, but it indicated that she & her coach didn't have a good strategy or didn't prepare for the conditions. She was making no excuses and seemed a little embarrassed by her performance (she said she felt like she didn't deserve to go even if she makes the team). Just shows that even experienced runners and good coaches can miscalculate.

Here's what she put on twitter:

"I love my coaches, my teammates, and running. Last night was a disaster, but I'll make new goals. Suggestions for great summer road races?"

Sounds like she realized she spazzed out a bit and trying to save face. She sounded a bit angry at Jerry in the interview.

Yeah I think it was the fact that she got showed up by 2 much younger athletes that are coaches by her former coach. On paper Kara and Shalane definitely should of walked away with spots just with there expirance. Then you have the person you train with on a daily basis have no problem with the race. I'm sure she was definitely embarrassed.

My understanding is that she hasn't been training with her, that SF has been up in Mammouth and KG in Portland.

NikeOP wrote:

Yeah I think it was the fact that she got showed up by 2 much younger athletes that are coaches by her former coach. On paper Kara and Shalane definitely should of walked away with spots just with there expirance. Then you have the person you train with on a daily basis have no problem with the race. I'm sure she was definitely embarrassed.

Straight forward to me. Seems too many are making more from it than the interview showed. Good interview and smart lady, Kara seems from it. Pretty honest, humble and without ego. All the references are being analyzed too much i.m. opinion..

Alsal used those ice vests in 2008 at the trials; only had three of them with five athletes on some of the nights.

Yes! wrote:

A very good point. Goucher turns 35 on July 9. She's not a youngster anymore and the there is tremendous up-and-coming young talent as well. She may very well be entering the decline phase of her career where she gets a little bit slower every year and gets passed by the younger generation of runners.

She is 35 years old and you think that she may be entering the decline phase of her career.

No, she is definitely very solidly into the decline phase of her career.

1500m PR - 2006

3000m PR - 2007

5000m PR - 2007

10000m PR - 2008

HM PR - 2009

Marathon PR - 2008

She has been on the decline at the longer distances (10000 - marathon) for four years already. Of course it take most athletes some time to accept that they are getting worse year by year rather than better. But peaking at 31 years old would be pretty typical.

the small of tanakas back wrote:

Gimmicks? This is a woman who wears an "energy balancing" necklace for pete's sake.

Good point. Elite runners...I mean the real elite, top 0.0000000001%'ers often don't correlate with intelligence. Top-level coaches and agents take advantage of that. It's a very weird game. But I think we see it repeated across all sports.

No PRs since she left Salazar.

I did this a couple years ago for our distance kids at the state meet. Duct tape and several freeze packs. Made a vest and fashioned shoulder straps. Kids thought I was nuts but didn't mind giving it a try. Gimmick or not, they thought they had an advantage on a really hot day. I searched online and could not find one. I remember the athletes wearing them while warming up before the Athens marathon. Thought it was a great idea but wasn't sure how long the effects would be helpful since it was so hot during the 2+hour race but again, if they thought they were on the leading edge and had an advantage within the rules.... USA came away with 2 marathon medals so it could have made a difference.

No PEDs since she left salazar lol

Montesquieu wrote:

No PRs since she left Salazar.

Well Now That You Mention It wrote:

She is 35 years old and you think that she may be entering the decline phase of her career.

No, she is definitely very solidly into the decline phase of her career.

1500m PR - 2006

3000m PR - 2007

5000m PR - 2007

10000m PR - 2008

HM PR - 2009

Marathon PR - 2008

She has been on the decline at the longer distances (10000 - marathon) for four years already. Of course it take most athletes some time to accept that they are getting worse year by year rather than better. But peaking at 31 years old would be pretty typical.

Montesquieu wrote:

No PRs since she left Salazar.

Well Now That You Mention It wrote:

She is 35 years old and you think that she may be entering the decline phase of her career.

No, she is definitely very solidly into the decline phase of her career.

1500m PR - 2006

3000m PR - 2007

5000m PR - 2007

10000m PR - 2008

HM PR - 2009

Marathon PR - 2008

She has been on the decline at the longer distances (10000 - marathon) for four years already. Of course it take most athletes some time to accept that they are getting worse year by year rather than better. But peaking at 31 years old would be pretty typical.

Age overcomes EVERYONE. Salazar or no Salazar.

Regardless of her coach or training regimen it should be expected that by the age of 30 - 31 she would have achieved what will end up being her lifetime best. It is all downhill from there.

Duhhhhhh wrote:

No PEDs since she left salazar lol

Montesquieu wrote:

No PRs since she left Salazar.

Age, my friend. Age.

Your obsession with PEDs does not change the fact that one would expect almost all runners to be in decline past age 30 - 31.

Oh please. Salazar is a narcissist that uses and abuses his stable of athletes with the blessings of Nike. Short-term gimmicks wrecking havoc on long-term health.