Thweatt won't run marathon trials because

1738 wrote:

Poor decision, the 10k is going to be a lot deeper than the marathon. She'll have to compete against Huddle, Infeld, Hasay, Sisson, and Conley. Quite frankly I can't see her beating three of those women.

This is so obviously true that I wonder if it shows that neither she nor the coach value making the Olympics that much. I know fans like me focus on the Olympics as a kind of once in a lifetime experience. But I understand that might not be true of many elite runners, especially marathoners. There certainly is a lot more money to be made in other races, especially if the effort to make the Olympics could end up costing career longevity.

Coach Troop thinks that if she were to win a spot on the Olympic team in the marathon, running the marathon in August, 2016 would be bad for her body/career. So while you all assume that he already thinks she'll earn a spot - what you are missing is that Coach Troop is thinking long term. He does not want her running 3 marathons in 10 months. That's his real concern. So therefore, he would not want her running the olympics. Which means there's no point to running the olympic trials marathon if it's thus become a meaningless race.

I had quite a chat with Lee a couple summers ago. Based on what we discussed I very much doubt that any decision made in this case is about how much money will or won't be made. Ultimately the decision would be about making her the best runner she can be during the course of her career and longevity would be a major factor in whatever they decide. The other stuff, Olympic berths, money, etc. will take care of itself along the way.

I honestly think this decision is on par with symmonds skipping worlds. Not bright. Who knows what injuries could occur in the coming years

I still don't think that Symmonds "skipped" worlds but that's beside the point. Troop is really bright and been around the top for a long time. If he thinks it's a good idea it's got merit.

Think` wrote:

Troop da man wrote:

She runs on the track and signs a six figure contract to run NY again next year. If she runs the trials and makes the team she can not get paid until Spring 2017 and then will have gone 2 years of only running the marathon.

EXACTLY!

That is a valid reason, but not the others that were given.

A valid reason is she doesn't feel like doing it.

She was mediocre until this year, and she's being careful with her newfound status.

If YOU want her to run the trials offer her $300,000.

I wish they would reconsider this decision. Her best chance of making the team, given the depth in the 10k, is the marathon. She should do the same as Ritz in 2012 -- race the marathon trials, then drop down to the 10k trials if she doesn't make the team. Sometimes you just gotta strike while the iron's hot. Life is what happens when you're busy making plans.

Unless I am missing something, Laura Thweatt has never run a 10000m race on the track.

While I don't think racing the marathon trials so soon after a hard debut (NY is a hard marathon) makes perfect sense, Laura also lacks experience on the track. She did not race USA's in 2014 and was injured in 2015.

I respect athletes and coaches with a plan, but Laura has some tough options to weigh.

1738 wrote:

Poor decision, the 10k is going to be a lot deeper than the marathon. She'll have to compete against Huddle, Infeld, Hasay, Sisson, and Conley. Quite frankly I can't see her beating three of those women.

She beat all the elites that ran at x-country nationals, did I saw beat, I meant buried them.

She is beyond capable of making the 10k team, her 15:04 5k I would say will be sub 15 prior to the trials. She has shown the speed and strength.

Troop is a qualified coach that knows his athlete. She does not need to run the trials marathon, you clearly don't see what he is saying about a long career for Thweatt. Two more high level marathons ( trials and games if she made the team) he is correct in his assessment, doesn't make sense for the long term.

Her track track focus will pay dividends make the team or not when her next marathon comes around, on a fast course she is sub 2:25.

Agreed. Opportunity to be an Olympian is now. In 2020, the competition could and most likely will be tougher. Lots of time to rest. Kawauchi is proof three marathons a years isn't detrimental to performance. The races get him into shape.

I'd like to hear Wejo's take in the week that was since he tried his best to qualify for Olympics. We're talking about the Olympics, the pinnacle of an athlete's career.

Look at athletes like Rono that never made the Olympics despite being WR holders. They'd grab this chance and would never skip the trials.

fred wrote:

Think` wrote:

EXACTLY!

That is a valid reason, but not the others that were given.

A valid reason is she doesn't feel like doing it.

She was mediocre until this year, and she's being careful with her newfound status.

If YOU want her to run the trials offer her $300,000.

10K PR was in 2013, and she won club cross that year. 2014 5K PR, and another club cross win. She's been doing good work, it's just that no one noticed until now.

Money or not, it's a good long term plan. World Cross in the spring, USOTs and if healthy she could be in with that top group.

If Huddle decided to train for and run the trials she'd be a much bigger favorite than Thweatt, yet no ones giving her crap for skipping it.

So this is a woman that has missed the important part of the last 2 seasons (plus most of her collegiate career) due to injuries, and you want her to race 3 marathons in 9 months?

There is a reason Troop has been able to get her from injured nobody to where she's at now, and it's not because he doesn't know what he's doing.

strawman argument. Huddle is a favorite in the 5k/10k. She doesn't need to move up.

Huddle may move up for the 2020 marathon trials.

2020 trials will have way more fast runners than 2016.

Huddle, Rowbury, Infield in 2020 could have the spots locked up. This year, third place is wide open.

fred wrote:

Think` wrote:

EXACTLY!

That is a valid reason, but not the others that were given.

A valid reason is she doesn't feel like doing it. She was mediocre until this year, and she's being careful with her newfound status. If YOU want her to run the trials offer her $300,000.

That's total rubbish. However, if you want ME to shut up then give me $400,000 and I'll stay way from this thread.

what rubbish. No marathon gives six figure or 300k contracts to run their marathon. Give me a break. Surprised no one else has called out this rubbish.

1738 wrote:

Poor decision, the 10k is going to be a lot deeper than the marathon. She'll have to compete against Huddle, Infeld, Hasay, Sisson, and Conley. Quite frankly I can't see her beating three of those women.

janitor wrote:

This is so obvously true that I wonder if it shows that neither she nor the coach value making the Olympics that much. I know fans like me focus on the Olympics as a kind of once in a lifetime experience. But I understand that might not be true of many elite runners, especially marathoners. There certainly is a lot more money to be made in other races, especially if the effort to make the Olympics could end up costing career longevity.

Her coach is a three time Olympian, so I suspect he understands its value as a once (or thrice) in a lifetime experience, and sees that potential in her.

Having watched her race at USATF XC, I can see her making the 10k team. Those women you named are undoubtedly tough to beat, but Thweatt is in the top tier, after what she's now shown in XC and marathon. Sort of a homegrown Kamworor, only a little less intimidating. Unless you're racing her. Those ruling her out in the 10000 might consider that Sally Kipyego has a silver medal at that distance... and Thweatt just beat her.

Also, great interview. We have some cool women at the top of the distance scene these days.

6 figure appearance fees absolutely happen. But for medalists and major champions primarily. Someone like Laura probably got $10-20k for this one. She'll get double that next year based on this race alone... More if she makes the team on the track.

3 marathons in 10 months is crazy and would def do harm to her long term. Im sure she really wants to qualify for the olympics but having a long career is far more important. Some people have trouble looking at the bigger picture that's okay but don't knock on someone who is able to see that bigger picture. If she is as good as most of you think at the marathon then 2020 will be her year. If she never makes the olympics I am sure the nice future paydays from some major marathons will help ease the pain. I would say a veteran marathon runner might be able to handle 3 marathons in 10 months. By the way all those criticizing saying she should do that have you even run one marathon let alone two in one year.