Konstanze Klosterhalfen to NOP!!

Jo72 wrote:

Kipchoge is King wrote:

yeah, because for girls training with boys is verboten in Germany....

Of course it is not and it is done all the time. But this does not at all change the basic fact that regardless of co-ed training there is no running club/group in Germany even remotely in the league of NOP or Bowerman or probably the best groups in the UK. Almost all the top distance (and most middle distance) runners are training separately, sometimes virtually alone (I think this is true of Reh), sometimes in temporary or tiny groups.

I just wanted to point out that having better training partners is no strong argument for the change. There are scores of boys in the 3:55-4:00 range in Leverkusen that could challenge her in training.

To me this looks like the hotheaded decision of a 21 year old who just had a major falling out with her longtime coach.

We will see if the NOP guys can get along with her. There are some rumors circling around that she has difficulties following coaches advice on training. But maybe it is just an issue of different philosophies which will be resolved under Pete Julians guidance.

There are also other less innocent rumours floating around which would make her an perfect fit with NOPs philosophy of testing out gray zones.

I have never encountered such rumours, so I am loath so spread them by replying but she could hardly test out grey zones without support from her coach, could she?

So this would be another reason to stay with him. FWIW he would clearly risk his career as a federal coach with rumour-worthy grey zones.

You're sadly mistaken, if you think the DLV isn' t turning a blind eye on some shady practices of its more succesful athletes. Homiyu Tesfaye didn't end up on the IAAF suspicious list by accident.

Sure, but with Tesfaye there were many red lamps (starting with justified doubts about his age) for a long time. Nothing remotely similar with Klosterhalfen and her coach.

TBH I'd suspect any number of German decathletes and throwers before turning to Klosterhalfen and Weiss.

Kipchoge is King wrote:

There are scores of boys in the 3:55-4:00 range in Leverkusen that could challenge her in training.

Bullshit

rhinetalrunner wrote:

Nah keep posting PHP, your posts are entertaining.

No they’re not. They’re annoying and dumb.

Kipchoge is King wrote:

Jo72 wrote:

Of course it is not and it is done all the time. But this does not at all change the basic fact that regardless of co-ed training there is no running club/group in Germany even remotely in the league of NOP or Bowerman or probably the best groups in the UK. Almost all the top distance (and most middle distance) runners are training separately, sometimes virtually alone (I think this is true of Reh), sometimes in temporary or tiny groups.

I just wanted to point out that having better training partners is no strong argument for the change. There are scores of boys in the 3:55-4:00 range in Leverkusen that could challenge her in training.

To me this looks like the hotheaded decision of a 21 year old who just had a major falling out with her longtime coach.

Always good to see people chiming in with their opinion on something they know nothing about. Konstanze has been with her coach since she started running, but there have been some issues for quite a while with how she's been getting along with her coach. What it looks like to you doesn't matter, this isn't a hotheaded decision but has been thought through long and hard about what she thinks will be best for her future.

I agree that she and her (now former) coach had different approaches to training and development. For me her behaviour is more indicative of an all-in approach for the next 1-2 years until the Olympics, rather than long-term development. You have to respect that decision. Given the limited possibility to earn money as an athlete and the alternatives for young people in Germany it may be better to follow such an all-in approach before turning on to new adventures in life.

Yes, all - in. She's put her studies on hold and is off to take a well-supported gamble with her sponsor. Agree that this is a rare chance for most athletes in Europe. It isn't hot-headed, but her jumping at the chance of finding a better training group. Good for her!

MrGambinus wrote:

I agree that she and her (now former) coach had different approaches to training and development. For me her behaviour is more indicative of an all-in approach for the next 1-2 years until the Olympics, rather than long-term development. You have to respect that decision. Given the limited possibility to earn money as an athlete and the alternatives for young people in Germany it may be better to follow such an all-in approach before turning on to new adventures in life.

Yes I agree. I think that she's got a set up that seems to be working but is maybe unlikely to take her to the real top of the sport. With her talent and progression, it's worth taking every risk to get that medal, as oppose to being content with remaining in the top 5-10 bracket at all major champs like she has been for the last 2 years

another German wrote:

Konstanze has been with her coach since she started running, but there have been some issues for quite a while with how she's been getting along with her coach. What it looks like to you doesn't matter, this isn't a hotheaded decision but has been thought through long and hard about what she thinks will be best for her future.

These issues were rather inside information, though. For the public ( i.e. myself) everything looked quite smooth even during/after her injury and the European CS and therefore this move comes quite unexpectedly. So while Klosterhalfen's public persona is anything but hot-headed, this decision can appear so.

Unique talent. She's at the critical point in her career, recovering from injury. Entrusting her to NOP is a move of desperation.

her low weight is a serious issue

Goodness! She's just going to end up with a load of stress fractures like Hasay.

I hanged out with KK at St Moritz track this summer. I was wearing Team USA gear and could tell she wanted to live The American Dream.

The problem with Alina Reh is that she is so shy and thus basically unknown. She has no social media accounts and does barely give interviews. And then she is not even running full time. She still works for her parents super market business. I just wish she would get a bit more well known.

Having no social media accounts might be an advantage for her! She can better focus on her training. This is the upcomimg trend folks. Alina Reh is beond future!