Ritz GNR

It would be nice to see him in World XC this winter.

I see what you're trying to do there, but halving such a long distance and stating that x or y couldn't run half that distance is not that smart.

There are a lot of highschoolers who can run under 50.45 for 400m, but they're not as close to Rudisha like Tirunesh is to Paula for example.

How many girls can run 14:38 (half Ayana's WR pace)?

You're right that Paula is likely a doper but your arguments are flawed.

The article said they were at 28:32 for 10km, and 42:36 at 15km. Makes a third 5k split of 14:04. That leaves 17:36 for last 6.1km, which is 4:38 pace (roughly 14:25 for 4th 5k split).

Pretty good running for Ritz indeed.

runn wrote:

I think Ritz best distance is the 1/2 marathon.

^this. 100% the 1/2 is his best distance. real shame the full has so much money and glamor to it, he really could have excelled doing world xc and world 1/2 champs all these years...playing the what if game maybe he could have even stayed a little healthier.

Runrincerepeat wrote:

runn wrote:

I think Ritz best distance is the 1/2 marathon.

He should simply be a road whore- nothing wrong with that.

Back when road racing was just starting to grow- late 70's/early 80's- a lot of guys were road whores and distance runners were well known.

They were with the "masses", running the same race, mingling afterwards.

It was good for the sport.

For sure have you read the book "king of the roads" about alsal and frank shorter and bill Rodgers in the late 70s early 80s? They raced all the time and it was amazing for the sport

Actually, I lived through that era. It was amazing.

When Runners World was real it would talk about how our sport was different because the average runner could drink beer with the stars after the race.

We used to just hang out with the great runners.

Nice race! I thought Ritz retired. Guess not.

If he had gotten say, 5th at the OTM, he probably would have. Now he has a new lease on life.

RITZ IS BACK BABY!!!! wrote:

Nice race! I thought Ritz retired. Guess not.

RITZ IS BACK BABY!!!! wrote:

Nice race! I thought Ritz retired. Guess not.

RITZ IS BACK BABY!!!!

Thanks. Anyone have the whole race?

Video, please wrote:

Here's the last mile or so.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nEw7riq3TU

Montesquieu wrote:

Thanks. Anyone have the whole race?

Video, please wrote:

Here's the last mile or so.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nEw7riq3TU

Not supported by trackbot or Niccolo Palazzio.

Thanks very much.

The google wrote:

Montesquieu wrote:

Thanks. Anyone have the whole race?

https://youtu.be/No8XcVf0VoY

Not supported by trackbot or Niccolo Palazzio.

I agree, he is easy to root for too, a nice guy and very approachable......look forward to watching him at the NYC marathon.

The problem for ritz is that his best distance appears to be the half marathon - not an olympic distance, and few large paydays for it.

that and he gets hurt all the time.

But great, great to see him running so well, esp in his new situation.

He clearly has his training figured out--and being a student of the sport and having been coached by Wetmore, Hudson, and Salazar this is not a surprise. If only he can stay healthy and figure out his cramping problem, which appears to be neurological, he still has a few great marathons in him. He is already the third fastest American ever.

runn wrote:

Runrincerepeat wrote:

For sure have you read the book "king of the roads" about alsal and frank shorter and bill Rodgers in the late 70s early 80s? They raced all the time and it was amazing for the sport

Actually, I lived through that era. It was amazing.

When Runners World was real it would talk about how our sport was different because the average runner could drink beer with the stars after the race.

We used to just hang out with the great runners.

Yep, it was like that in the UK too - great days. It seemed that you could just up at any medium-sized event and there'd be a whole bunch of top runners in attendance. Steve Jones, Eamon Martin, Tim Hutchings, Dave Clarke, Gary Staines, etc etc etc

Ritz has retired from track but he has definitely not retired from running.

Dragon Runner wrote:

GJK wrote:

I continue to say it, Ritz is simply amazing. What a talent. Training by himself, in Michigan, with a family, pushing himself, motivating himself, lone wolf, just unbelievable. What a stud.

And he's only 32/33.. he still has another great cycle in him.

Agreed. And remember when he failed to qualify at the trials and so many here were saying his career was over? Well it's far from over.

I remember. If I recall correctly, didn't he go home DEVASTATED?

This was the result I figured it would be last night. I figured Ritz figures he's only got so many chances to run a "hey-maker" left in him. Taking a shot at a post-Olympic Mo would be a great gamble.

Great run by Ritz!

UCAN had a little seminar late afternoon the day of the LA Trials. Ritz must have been disappointed and probably not feeling great just a few hrs after having to DNF, but he showed up. I'm sure his contract expected him to, but still a classy move.