Solinsky moving up to marathon

I think the reason that Solinsky's had so much trouble coming back is that the injury affected his mechanics. I mean, they had to screw his hamstring back on, and there's no way that's going to be 100% of what it once was.

Klovn wrote:

I think the reason that Solinsky's had so much trouble coming back is that the injury affected his mechanics. I mean, they had to screw his hamstring back on, and there's no way that's going to be 100% of what it once was.

Why is there no way it's going to be 100% of what it was?

ranger wrote:

BBD wrote:

Clearly he still has "speed" with a 13:23 and decent 1500 last year, but it makes sense that since he is not the factor he used to be on the track that he would try his hand in the marathon. After all the talent has not just disappeared, it may just take a different form. He got slim once and ran real well, so who's to say that getting back to that kind of volume won't get him back to being lean and mean.

Who knows maybe this kind of training is what he is missing from getting back to being a great 10k runner. Worth a shot in my opinion, he's got nothing to lose.

13:23 is not speed. Those 2:04 guys are running sub 13.

(citation needed)

I'm not an expert, but I can't imagine that a tendon that's been ripped off the bone is going to work as well as it once did.

no, they can't. But they can keep a large fraction of their

5K pace for 42K (2:05 doesn't require more than approx 13:20

capability).

Depends if there was a bone fragment that fit back perfectly in the original position.

If they had to do some sort of abrading and screwing stuff back in roughly the same position I could see it being impossible to get the mechanics exactly the same.

So he shoots for a 1:05 halfie Q first then a 2:18 B at bigcity event races. Two pay checks maybe three if he gets B and wants a shot a the free cot and transportation stipend at trials going after an A.

The question is will anyone shell out significant bucks to have him in their race.

I doubt he'll make much from this projected revenue stream.

Even if Solinsky never got injured, he would probably be looking to move up at this point in his career. He is 29. Bekele is 31 and is moving up. Bekele's best 10ks are behind him. The same would probably be true for Solinsky in his 30s.

His size is not necessarily a non-starter for the marathon. Jason Hartmann is taller and probably heavier.

Also, the 2016 US Olympic marathon team could be wide open. Meb will be over 40. Ryan Hall may or may not return to form. Rupp will stay on the track. Anyone who can run 2:10-12 will have a shot at the team. Solinsky will certainly be in that mix if he stays healthy and adapts to the marathon well.

yyy wrote:

no, they can't. But they can keep a large fraction of their

5K pace for 42K (2:05 doesn't require more than approx 13:20

capability).

According to what? Every calculator and many athletes say otherwise. What are you basing your conclusion on?

Solinsky is 6'1" and 165 lbs.

What's the best marathon time by someone that big?

Possibly he could lose a bit of weight...

hipster LetsRunoff wrote:

can't say that for certain. we didn't have an experiment going with a "control Chris Solinsky" clone concurrently doing 10-15% less work. maybe that CS is a world-beater today. just because it seemed to be working doesn't mean it was the best/only way to do it.

Tyrannosaurus Rexing wrote:

....he NEEDED this maximum amount of training to succeed. Any cut-back would reduce his ability a lot. Really, really too bad.

my understanding, which could be incorrect, is that we've already had that experiment. As he was coming back, I thought he was doing it on a somewhat, overall compared to his peak training periods, reduced workload. And the results? Not good. not good at all.

basically he says he can't get his speed back, so the marathon is his only shot at another olympic team.

LetsRun.com Update:

One correction to the OP, Solinsky has never gone to the Olympics.

SMJO wrote:

Another case of no middle ground in training.

140 miles including intensity wasn't giving results and 90 miles would allow the speed but not keep his strength up.

How about 110-115 including speed?

He said in the article the middle ground wasn't possible for him. He couldn't handle that mileage and do the speed work.

Not every marathon is won in 2:04. Just because a lot of Africans run 2:04 doesn't mean that a 2:09 guy on any given day win a Major. Look at Meb in 09. And remember Rio 2016 is going to be hot. You think 2:04 is going to win it there?

It's a shame he can't continue on the track but after two disappointing or nonexistent seasons after surgery it's the only card left to play.

Track Fan 1979 wrote:

Not every marathon is won in 2:04. Just because a lot of Africans run 2:04 doesn't mean that a 2:09 guy on any given day win a Major. Look at Meb in 09. And remember Rio 2016 is going to be hot. You think 2:04 is going to win it there?

Certainly not ideal for a fast marathon, but likely not hot. Average high in August is 76, low is 66.

The time might not be 2:04:XX, but it will be a 2:04 type effort.

I agree. There could be a surprise, but I would expect all 3 medalists in Rio to have 2:05 or better PR's. Maybe a 2:06 guy.

Track Fan 1979 wrote:

Not every marathon is won in 2:04. Just because a lot of Africans run 2:04 doesn't mean that a 2:09 guy on any given day win a Major. Look at Meb in 09. And remember Rio 2016 is going to be hot. You think 2:04 is going to win it there?

Is this a serious post?