The RUPP Factor - why is nobody talking about the recent retirements/trials skippings and RUPP

I think there is a problem with equating the World Class field that assembled in the same race that Mo ran in with the bunch of nobodies that Rupp will be up against (even if the old timers hadn't retired) that are the best the US can put up in a domestic marathon.

Don't get me wrong, the UK is no different in having a bunch of nobodies (our lot can barely scuttle past 2hr15), but winning a national trial where there are no East Africans running is a completely different world from winning a World Marathon Majors big city marathon.

HobblingHarrier wrote:

I have to say it wrote:

Rupp scares no one in the marathon. Remember how the top marathoners in the world NEVER thought of Mo Farah as a factor in his debut at London? Remember they were right? That is how the top American marathoners view Rupp. They may be right or wrong but Rupp scares no one at this point. Runners World and all of the so called experts are the only ones that view him as a possible contender.

Rupp has run 26:44 for 10k, Mo has run 26:46.

Mo debuted in a slightly disappointing 2:08:21 - a host of recent 2:03/2:04 marathoners weren't overly worried about his competing.

So therefore a group of guys who have not broken 2:10 in 2015 aren't viewing him as a possible contender?

Good trolling.

Yeah, I'm still surprised that people think they can directly predict Rupp based on Farah. Yes they are both good runners and often training partners, and yes they went 1-2 in the Olympic 10K and have run similar times for 10K. But they are not twins. Mo has run 3:29, Rupp could maybe run 3:32.high. Rupp does not have those wheels, but Farah may not have the long range. They have both run under 26:50 twice I believe, with Rupp having the faster 26:44. Probably they both could go under 26:40 in a perfect race, but as they go longer, and especially on the roads, I think the advantage may go to Rupp.

Mo is more erratic, Rupp is more fluid. Over a marathon course this could have a big impact. Remember Rupps mile repeats after his two mile AR? He just clicks of the pace, lap after lap, mile after mile, presumably on tired legs.

We don't know what Rupp can do for the marathon yet, but Mo is not his barometer. And any thinking, sane person should recognize that he poses a real threat to any American runner on the roads.

3:29guy wrote:

Mo has run 3:29, Rupp could maybe run 3:32.high. Rupp does not have those wheels

You're clueless. Rupp has higher top end speed than Mo, and he runs the shortest intervals faster than him.

Devil Dog wrote:

A lot of flippant responses here.

The answer is yes. A lot of these guys realize they are now has-beens. Maybe they each had a shot with really only each other to compete with. But enter an all-time American great, they realize they have no chance. Better to retire in these circumstances than after a defeat.

Abdi, Ritz, and Hall were all great, and did us well as Team USA members, but their time has come and gone and they know it. They opened the floodgates for the likes of Rupp, and now they get to sit back, watch, and enjoy along with the rest of us.

You don't consider Matt Tegenkamp, Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein to also be "all-time American greats"?

Rupp announces he is running the marathon trials. Soon after, Santorum and Paul both exit the presidential race. Others to follow. Coincidental timing...or are they scared?

Don't overlook the fact that there is a big difference between Mo struggling against time-trial studs in a major marathon and Galen planning on running the Olympic marathon.

It will be slower than a major. Tactics will play a key. Advantage goes to the guy with the wheels when there is a pack with a couple miles to go.

Galen is probably capable of 2:05. He'll win the trials easily and be a medal contender come the Olympics. He'll only have to compete with a couple legit contenders, and he'll be in the mix.

newname wrote:You don't consider Matt Tegenkamp, Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein to also be "all-time American greats"?

You'd do well to notice I stated they were all great. Of course they're all on the list of American greats, but much, much lower than Galen currently is on the list, not to mention where he will end up once he too retires. They know better than to think they can compete, today, with Galen, who is better than any of them at their best.

OP=idiot wrote:

. NBA stars are retiring... something's not normal for sure.

One in particular about 3 years too late.

I kind of wonder if Salazar's change of plans to have Rupp run the Olympic Trials Marathon was because of his ego and wanting one of his runners on the Olympic Team. I saw on a thread that Salazar was mad that Ritz wouldn't wear the NOP singlet at Boston, so I assume Ritz won't wear it for the trials.

He has shaped this century wrote:

Hydra's greatest assassin, the product of brainwashing and scientific experimentation:

http://cdn3-www.craveonline.com/assets/uploads/2014/04/Captain-America-The-Winter-Soldier-Sebastian-Stan.jpg

Galen Rupp, America's greatest runner, the product of training by Alberto Salazar:

http://cdn.running.competitor.com/files/2011/06/Rupp_GalenSt-NYChalf11.JPG-213x320.jpg

Coincidence?

Dude, I am a fan of Rupp, but this post is epic. Nicely done. Made me chuckle. So true.

Ask Al Sal wrote:

3:29guy wrote:

Mo has run 3:29, Rupp could maybe run 3:32.high. Rupp does not have those wheels

You're clueless. Rupp has higher top end speed than Mo, and he runs the shortest intervals faster than him.

Lol, then ask yourself why Farah can run 3:29 and Rupp certainly cannot. Running a one lap or half lap interval is very different than running continual laps. I get it that Rupp can sprint well with partially recovered legs, I'm talking about racing, or for that matter running.