Willis calls out Rupp

big honest nerd wrote:

Let's review Rupp's DNS/DNF record:

2010 Stockholm DL 5,000 - DNF

2011 Eugene DL 10,000 - DNS (warmed up, checked in!)- His coach took him out because of allergies. Not Rupp's fault

2011 Monaco DL 5,000 - DNF - He was shoved to the ground

2012 Lausanne DL 1500 - DNF

2013 Occidental 5,000 - DNF He was a rabbit and meant to drop out

2014 NB Indoor Games mile - DNF - Felt a sharp pain and worried about injury

(There are probably more. Add to the list and repost if you know others.)

It is only reasonable to conclude two things:

1. Rupp DNFs fairly frequently. (Do you think Willis, Lagat, Farah or any African runner has a DNF list like this?)

2. Rupp DNFs more frequently against legitimate competition than he does in time trials set up for him against college guys (the definition of Rupp-certified).

Fixed.

TAA wrote:

2011 Monaco DL 5,000 - DNF - He was shoved to the ground

Here's a video to disprove one of your lies:

The others are too obviously BS to waste time with.

Asthma! Thyroid! Cuboid!

Tell us, why does "DNF Galen" just seem to have more excuses to drop out than any of his peers?

big honest nerd wrote:

TAA wrote:

2011 Monaco DL 5,000 - DNF - He was shoved to the ground

Here's a video to disprove one of your lies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j93Ooo6DOnc

The others are too obviously BS to waste time with.

Asthma! Thyroid! Cuboid!

Tell us, why does "DNF Galen" just seem to have more excuses to drop out than any of his peers?

Ok fair, but it was still bad enough to justify DNF'ing.

The others are not BS. I also forgot to mention that he DNF'ed in Stockholm because he tripped on the rail.

TAA wrote:

Ok fair, but it was still bad enough to justify DNF'ing.

The others are not BS. I also forgot to mention that he DNF'ed in Stockholm because he tripped on the rail.

Oh, so you told a complete and total lie, and are now backpedaling? Alright.

People fall. People with heart finish. Everyone else involved with the same fall got up. Farah has fallen much harder and got up.

Tripped on the rail, pollen, tripped over someone else, asthma, thyroid, cuboid. Of course there are "reasons" provided.

But the point remains: for someone with such scientific preparation, Rupp seems to have more trouble FINISHING RACES than his peers do.

Show me Lagat, Willis or Farah's DNF record and tell me otherwise.

Candian miler wrote:

marshfield high wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fws3wgj7les&list=PL1665BD1468C52BA3

Enjoy

There's a reason they call it an "exception to the rule."

Seriously, let's start the list of people's positive DIRECT personal experiences with Willis vs Rupp. Even on an American board, the Willis thread could go for pages. The Rupp thread will end with "He got an Olympic silver, so STFU, brah."

And I also posted my first hand DIRECT experience(s) with Rupp and how he handles himself with a group of high school students. Very gracious and humble. Others have also done the same over time on his board, but there is nothing that can change his perception with the haters. Nothing. Maybe with the exception of Webb, but no American has been under the microscope more than Rupp. Should there be some scrutiny with Rupp and Salazar? Yes, certainly, but it's over the top. Regardless of what he does, he's going to get slammed on this board and much of it is really petty.

The bottom line is he doesn't have the personality of a Willis or Jager or ____, but it doesn't mean he's a jerk or an a**hole. Hell, in the setting I've observed him, he's far more articulate and effective than many of the Nike athletes that everyone here thinks are "cool" and "badass."

TAA wrote:

2013 Occidental 5,000 - DNF He was a rabbit and meant to drop out

(Also a lie.)

big honest nerd wrote: People fall. People with heart finish. ... Tripped on the rail, pollen, tripped over someone else, asthma, thyroid, cuboid. Of course there are "reasons" provided.

Rupp's DNF issue is entirely a mental one.

dead on wrote:

I think you nailed it. The problem is that most of us can not relate to Galen and this is another example. Galen handled this situation in a fashion that most of us would be embarrassed by. Whether his decision was right or wrong is irrelevant. Most of us would be embarrassed with a DNF followed by a workout. Most of us can not relate to Galen Rupp. This means that when Galen does something special an AR or an Olympic Medal we do not give him the credit he deserves because he acts different than the way we would. He is a great runner and the worst ambassador for American Distance Running.

This ^ is really well said.

Well done, sir!

I honestly feel sorry for Rupp. He can't win no matter what he does simply because of his face and his personality. Amazing runner though. And I wish him only the best.

big honest nerd wrote:

TAA wrote:

Ok fair, but it was still bad enough to justify DNF'ing.

The others are not BS. I also forgot to mention that he DNF'ed in Stockholm because he tripped on the rail.

Oh, so you told a complete and total lie, and are now backpedaling? Alright.

People fall. People with heart finish. Everyone else involved with the same fall got up. Farah has fallen much harder and got up.

Tripped on the rail, pollen, tripped over someone else, asthma, thyroid, cuboid. Of course there are "reasons" provided.

But the point remains: for someone with such scientific preparation, Rupp seems to have more trouble FINISHING RACES than his peers do.

Show me Lagat, Willis or Farah's DNF record and tell me otherwise.

I'm not back pedaling. I admitted I was wrong about him being shoved. But he still fell on the ground hard, badly scratched his back, and that justifies a DNF. I highly doubt he did that on purpose so he could DNF. W

I like how you put reasons in quotes like everything I listed aren't legitimate. His DNS at Pre wasn't his decision. 2 others were bad falls where he hurt himself. He was a rabbit and meant to drop out for another. And recently he felt a sharp pain in his foot. It would be stupid to not DNF and risk injury right before nationals. Those are all legitimate reasons to DNF. His "scientific preparation" has nothing to do with it.

It's Mental wrote:

Rupp's DNF issue is entirely a mental one.

You are right.

Rupp fans' inability to recognize that he HAS a DNF issue is also mental.

big honest nerd wrote:

TAA wrote:

2013 Occidental 5,000 - DNF He was a rabbit and meant to drop out

(Also a lie.)

Nope. He was there to pace Ritz to the A standard after his 1500

big honest nerd wrote:

But the point remains: for someone with such scientific preparation, Rupp seems to have more trouble FINISHING RACES than his peers do.

How many 10000's, 5000's and 1/2 marathons has Willis run recently?????? Listening.... (silence) .... that's what I thought. If you want to look for an advance of the race quitter, look no farther than Willis.

big honest nerd wrote:

It's Mental wrote:

Rupp's DNF issue is entirely a mental one.

You are right.

Rupp fans' inability to recognize that he HAS a DNF issue is also mental.

Likewise, the Rupp haters need to realize their obsession with Rupp is also mental.

Personally, I LIKE Galen Rupp, his honesty, openness, and his hard working philosophy, not only of running but also of life.

He has no time for the BS of some lazy runners, like Willis, who's a one trick pony at the mile, and if he was doing post race workouts wouldn't have so much time to waste with BS.

J.R. wrote:

Personally, I LIKE Galen Rupp, his honesty, openness, and his hard working philosophy, not only of running but also of life.

He has no time for the BS of some lazy runners, like Willis, who's a one trick pony at the mile, and if he was doing post race workouts wouldn't have so much time to waste with BS.

You are pathetic for trying to tear down Nick.

I don't think your wrong at all about the shove, at least nothing in that video disprooves a shove. It crops out most of Rupp and all of what is happening behind him prior to going down. If anything it does look like Farah and perhaps another had to push off on Rupp's back.

Regardless he went down hard. Here is the thing most people are struggling with:

Train and race "smart" as opposed to just "hard". People come up on some idea of toughness being the number one rule even if it keeps them out of the game. That is stupid when you think about it. You strike when the iron is hot if you want results. Just striking for the sake of it is a waste of time, effort and may result in injury or negative return.

This guy is not objective in the least, just a Rupp hater to the bone and is blinded by it. He sounds like he's spouting something he read out of a book rather than from real life experience or objective observation of elite athletes over the years.

the double double wrote:

Regardless he went down hard. Here is the thing most people are struggling with:

Train and race "smart" as opposed to just "hard". People come up on some idea of toughness being the number one rule even if it keeps them out of the game. That is stupid when you think about it. You strike when the iron is hot if you want results. Just striking for the sake of it is a waste of time, effort and may result in injury or negative return.

But here's the thing that the Rupp fanboys struggle with:

Running (like life) is not perfect. You cannot expect 100% ideal conditions at all times. You have to be able to adapt, and that's what we see Rupp (although probably more Salazar) struggle with. When there are adverse conditions, he folds, or doesn't even show up.

Of course he's had great success, but I don't think of him as a legend. He has a resume about a mile long, but he just doesn't have those iconic moments that define a runner's career. Think Viren's fall/recovery at Montreal.

You don't get to be a legend by playing it safe. You have to take risks. Even Rupp's greatest triumph at the Olympics was a very conservative effort.

Rupp endured a much bigger A$$ whoopin here and still finished:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo7OUA_SWbA

I think one of the things that makes Willis a more appealing runner than a few of the current fast crop is that he actually seems like a real person, one who seems to exist outside of the sport, what with having a family, getting a master's degree, expressing an opinion now and again, relaxing after a hard race, etc.