Ezekiel Kemboi is superhuman. What he does in the last 300m is INSANE! Pity he and Kipruto seem to have a bit of a grudge going ( or is it just me?) because 1-2-3-4 is a great day for Kenya. Poor Birech, for all his talent, gets run out of a major title for the second straight year. Kipruto's kick is almost as good but his technique is awful: loses so much time stuttering before barriers.
Kemboi's kick was unbelievable and with his set of titles, six world or Olympic titles in one event, plus at least three silvers dating back 12 years, plus a time within a couple seconds of the world record, he's got to be the greatest of all time in the steeple. The way he finishes and comes up for the big races, you have to think that he's bored with the circuit races a bit and could dominate if he cared. He doesn't seem to care about the wr either. If he gets that his legacy is secure. It was obvious that Jager was not going to be able to hang with the Kenyans on the last lap of a slower race. He still ran 8:14 but he needed to push and even then it might have done little because he looked sapped by the heat and humidity. When people say that because he ran 3:32.97 1500m, therefore he can kick with anyone in this event, they are confusing acceleration and finishing speed with speed endurance. He does not and never has shown the ability to accelerate rapidly with the top guys. He can stick a hard pace forever and that is his strength, which almost took him to about 7:56-7 in Paris. He had to at the very least go hard the last kilometer, maybe two, and then he might have burned off some of the four Kenyans.Huddle made four or five rookie mistakes despite a gutsy and compelling race from her, running on the outside the whole way of a 10000m, moving up and back unnecessarily throughout the race, letting up the last 30m, leaving a lane open for Infeld to pass on her inside at the end, and celebrating early. I really rooted for Huddle but she cannot give away distance and energy in these ways next year to medal. By a once in a lifetime shot, she meant for Infeld as well as herself--it is rare to get a world or Olympic race with a slow enough pace to stick with the Kenyans and Ethiopians. She might also have tried pushing harder from 3 laps out or instead of running a 70 with two to go, running 67-68. Still a great year from her and I give it up to her for trying to win this thing rather than just sitting back for the kick.
just_some_idiot wrote:
Old Man Winter wrote:But wait! He's only the 6th fastest all-time, and he didn't run close to the world record in this race! How could he possibly be the best all-time?
The all-time list doesn't mean nearly as much as championships when it comes to all-time greats. Kemboi has medalled in every world championships since 2003 (gold '09,'11,'13,'15 and silver '03,'05,'07) and has two olympic golds ('04,'12). He is also only two seconds from the WR - not too shabby.
Leirbag wrote:
Jager watches the big screen too much when he races. He's not all-in.
Jager was just wiped out today. No different strategy could have changed the outcome.
Lack of Commitment wrote:
Jager should have trusted his fitness and committed to a fast pace. His hesitation cost him a spot on the podium. Even if he had to lead, the kenyans would be watered down and unable to close that fast. The slow pace just played into the hands of the kenyans just like how it does for mo (with this 10k one of the exceptions). I think his strength lies on the speed endurance side but the kenyans just have that raw speed.
Hopefully he isn't too emotionally devastated and can learn from this and do something special in Rio 2016.
Sound analysis.
Montesquieu wrote:
Here's wherein Farah's greatness lies, and every great runner: he can control the pace of the race so that it suits his talent, and not the talent of the others. Does Jager have this ability? We'll find out next year. Sometimes it takes time (and failures) for it to develop.
Woodstock wrote:He didn't run with confidence. He spent the entire race running wide including a few laps outside of Kipruto when he could have more easily run in the front and controlled it.
Do you think Farah controlled the pace of the 10k this weekend? I don't think so. He would rather have run slow and kicked hard with 250 to go.
Farah's greatness is that he's a great runner who can't be dropped off a fast pace and has the best acceleration of anybody in the last 100m. That combination makes him pretty much impossible to beat in a 5k/10k.
It has nothing to do with some magical ability to "control the race".
Meanwhile what's with Shalane acting like Infeld's mom? It's not like Infeld is 14 and Shalane has nothing to compete for individually any more.[/quote]
True. However, it is nice to see Shalane, who has a reputation as being kind of frosty and sharp-edged, obviously so genuinely happy for and supportive of Infeld.
Lack of Commitment wrote:
Jager should have trusted his fitness and committed to a fast pace. His hesitation cost him a spot on the podium. Even if he had to lead, the kenyans would be watered down and unable to close that fast. The slow pace just played into the hands of the kenyans just like how it does for mo (with this 10k one of the exceptions). I think his strength lies on the speed endurance side but the kenyans just have that raw speed.
Hopefully he isn't too emotionally devastated and can learn from this and do something special in Rio 2016.
What is it that you don´t understand? Jagger did not have 8-flat fitness today.
Idiot alert wrote:
What is it that you don´t understand? Jagger did not have 8-flat fitness today.
Obviously not, since he jogged all the way.
admirer of good posts wrote:
Lack of Commitment wrote:Jager should have trusted his fitness and committed to a fast pace. His hesitation cost him a spot on the podium. Even if he had to lead, the kenyans would be watered down and unable to close that fast. The slow pace just played into the hands of the kenyans just like how it does for mo (with this 10k one of the exceptions). I think his strength lies on the speed endurance side but the kenyans just have that raw speed.
Hopefully he isn't too emotionally devastated and can learn from this and do something special in Rio 2016.
Sound analysis.
No it isn't. This analysis is based on Jager being the fastest guy on the track. He wasn't and it was not even close. Earlier in the season when Evan was on his game, this might have been correct but it wasn't today.
Even with the slow pace, Evan still looked tired coming down the back stretch.
Gatlin's QOTD about losing it in the last five meters needs to be recycled tomorrow.
Bubbadeeboo wrote:
It looked like molly raised her arms to celebrate right as Enfield snuck through in the inside...
It's wild how often that pros lose as they celebrate.
Infeld's Mom wrote:
Meanwhile what's with Shalane acting like Infeld's mom? It's not like Infeld is 14 and Shalane has nothing to compete for individually any more.
True. However, it is nice to see Shalane, who has a reputation as being kind of frosty and sharp-edged, obviously so genuinely happy for and supportive of Infeld.[/quote]
Good point.
Bonkers wrote:
Montesquieu wrote:Here's wherein Farah's greatness lies, and every great runner: he can control the pace of the race so that it suits his talent, and not the talent of the others. Does Jager have this ability? We'll find out next year. Sometimes it takes time (and failures) for it to develop.
Do you think Farah controlled the pace of the 10k this weekend? I don't think so. He would rather have run slow and kicked hard with 250 to go.
Farah's greatness is that he's a great runner who can't be dropped off a fast pace and has the best acceleration of anybody in the last 100m. That combination makes him pretty much impossible to beat in a 5k/10k.
It has nothing to do with some magical ability to "control the race".
Mo Farah is not going to win the WC 5000m
I think Shalane has to be psyched to be within spitting distance of the medals at this point in her career. Along with Deena before her, she really is the "Mother" of most of the recent success for US women internationally, she can be rightfully proud. The succession of Deena-Shalane-Molly (and next maybe Infeld?) has been the backbone of US women's distance success.
As for Infeld, what an incredible talent as evidenced by the last year.
cool kid wrote:
You know, I just realized we were basing Jager's entire medal chances off of
ONE RACE
whoops. We were all pretty dumb.
you mean 3:32 and 8:00? and all those other sub 8:10's?
observer of sarcasm wrote:
I think he was kidding, since people were discounting Mo's 10k gold from the other day because he "didn't push the pace enough", even though the winning time was the 3rd fastest championship-winning time ever.
He didn't push the pace enough because he didn't push the pace AT ALL. He had 3 rabbits running an even pace for the whole race. Being the 3rd fastest time of all time is misleading. The previous 10ks were run with massive negative splits like running the second half under 13:00 or by runners who have run fast times (sub 26:30). Not by someone who NEVER gives a 100% effort in an event with almost no competition.
NJ Possible wrote:
Infeld's Mom wrote:Meanwhile what's with Shalane acting like Infeld's mom? It's not like Infeld is 14 and Shalane has nothing to compete for individually any more.
True. However, it is nice to see Shalane, who has a reputation as being kind of frosty and sharp-edged, obviously so genuinely happy for and supportive of Infeld.
Good point.[/quote]
I think Infeld's rise to stardom (she's going to be a quiet but legitimate star now) is amazing and should be celebrated. She joined Jerry's group and has now risen from a great college runner to a world championship medalist, and at a young age. This should absolutely be celebrated.
With all the focus on NOP, we should also celebrate both Huddle and Infeld being in the hunt for medals (and Jager too). Assuming Jerry's group is not doing the things Alberto's is alleged to do (TUE abuse, inhaler abuse, thyroid med abuse, testosterone), and is not being unethical in any other major way, then this is a great statement race for the non-sociopathic behavior camp.
Back to Infeld: Her fitness will improve, and her kick is excellent. Injuries will surely get in the way at times, but Infeld taking the reigns from her mentor Shalane is very promising for US distance running.
Glass half empty:
Huddle made a stupid mistake that she'll regret for the rest of her life. What an idiot.
Glass half full:
Huddle runs a great race but by celebrating allows an up-and-coming US star - who ran a great race and was only marginally less fit, if any, than Huddle - to get a global medal. Both walk away with heads held high and continue their seasons. Both look to compete in Rio.
joho wrote:
admirer of good posts wrote:Sound analysis.
No it isn't. This analysis is based on Jager being the fastest guy on the track. He wasn't and it was not even close. Earlier in the season when Evan was on his game, this might have been correct but it wasn't today.
Even with the slow pace, Evan still looked tired coming down the back stretch.
WOW... a couple of days ago everyone was saying how fast and fit Jager was.
Now that he got his doors blown off, everyone KNEW he was not fit.
FACE IT ... MASSIVE CHOKE JOB.
Bonkers wrote:
Montesquieu wrote:Here's wherein Farah's greatness lies, and every great runner: he can control the pace of the race so that it suits his talent, and not the talent of the others. Does Jager have this ability? We'll find out next year. Sometimes it takes time (and failures) for it to develop.
Do you think Farah controlled the pace of the 10k this weekend? I don't think so. He would rather have run slow and kicked hard with 250 to go.
Farah's greatness is that he's a great runner who can't be dropped off a fast pace and has the best acceleration of anybody in the last 100m. That combination makes him pretty much impossible to beat in a 5k/10k.
It has nothing to do with some magical ability to "control the race".
Yes and no. First of all, controlling the race is not "magic." It's just a sound tactic, and one built on confidence. Secondly, yes, Farah usually wins simply because he is the fittest AND has the best pure finishing speed, I agree. However, even in races when others were likely as fit, or could close as hard, his "controlling the race" certainly is an important tactic for him and helps him win those races (where he is capable, purely based on fitness/closing speed, of losing). Why ?
A) He never is backed up in the pack, getting caught up in trouble or having to pass wide at a key juncture in the race. It ain't magic, but it matters. B) Psychologically, he seems to prefer leading the final lap rather than passing late. Many prefer letting others doing that final bit of pacing and then coming from behind them. Not Mo. So he *ALWAYS* does it the way he prefers, and doesn't let someone else dictate to him his final lap or so.
To just give you one example of this mattering, look at OG 5k 2012: Key comment from announcer with 1.5 laps to go: (Farah goes to front early because it is so packed together) "And they're all jostling now to get into the right place at the right time." That costs mental and physical energy. Farah? He's out front, free from the jostling, from lane changes, free from the danger. Gebremeskal, his main rival for gold? At the bell he gives, unbelievably, Farah almost 15 meters! He has to pass SEVEN athletes to catch up to Mo, and zigs and zags, and dodges and stumbles his way on that last lap to get to second. And not surprisingly, doesn't catch him. Now even if Gebremeskal had taken the lead instead of Mo, or been right on Mo's shoulder, Mo still might have won, who knows. But that was an instance where "controlling the race" mattered a lot, and Gebremeskal appeared to have at least equal 5k fitness to Mo (earlier in the year had run 12:46!), and actually ran a faster final lap (or at least final 300), but lost because he ran incredibly stupidly, and got boxed beyond belief. Mo controlled the race and won. Gebremeskal did not and lost.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C93qwVmBseENJ Possible wrote:
Is Kemboi the most dominant any single person has ever been at one event? Two Olympic golds and Four World Championship golds? Alexander Karelin, Kelly Slater, Donald Bradman, Sugar Ray Robinson, Cy Young, Steve Redgrave and a few others are all some usual picks, but honestly, I think Kemboi has to be included in this conversation now.
Edwin Moses
Herb Elliott.