ACC Indoors Discussion 2023

That was then, she is now, prepare to be surprised!

She’s been on a steep progression in speed and fitness since. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s now in 8:25/14:30 fitness levels. Time will tell but I believe she’s ready to capture 2 indoor national titles, even at altitude. She may have to settle for 8:45/14:59 because of the altitude effect but I can’t see anyone in the NCAA’s challenging her for the titles.

You get it, welcome aboard!👍

If she does 5/3 double, which I agree is probably best chance for 2 titles, I would think run the 5000 to win on a kick, and maybe think about time in 3000 on night 2 - but still respect the altitude.

Thanks, but I’ve been tracking the Tuohy phenomenon for 4 years. I even attended her last race in PA against pro runners in person to witness this diminutive youngster beat every one of them except 1, just before the pandemic turned the remainder of the track HS season into a slow shutdown. Ironically, I was on my way to China the following week, lol…

This comment didn’t age well

I had an interesting afternoon. As a Canes season ticket holder I watched them blow a 25 point home lead to Florida State and lose via long 3 pointer at the buzzer. Then I came home to watch ACC indoors replay, while switching allegiance to Duke because I wanted Maatoug to be rewarded.

I'm not sure which one was more unlikely. But it has to be the relay. That was like the final round of a fight in which you've won every round. Just stay away and get to the final bell. It drives me nuts when these athletes are oblivious to the situational aspects.

But Duke had earlier chances to put the team title away. They expected first or second from Wakefield at 60 hurdles. She ran a full tenth slower than during yesterday's heat and finished 4th. Maatoug got the tactics exactly right at 3000. Ignore Touhy. They were seldom showing the trailers but once I saw Maatoug patiently tucked into close 4th I knew she would outkick the others and finish a gutsy second. Those were bonus points, given the fatigue.

However Maatoug ran a poor tactical race at 800. She went from the outside and tried to mirror yesterday's heat scenario of tucking 4-5 meters behind her teammate Lauren Tolbert after one lap. But Maatoug didn't realize the others wouldn't be as casual as yesterday. The runners to her inside charged forward and cut off Maatoug, leaving her next to last after 200. I've watched her enough times in Netherlands races to know that she was finished at that point, in terms of victory. Too much to do. By her own admission her kick is very good at 1500+ but nothing special at 800.

It was unfortunate because that was a very winnable race. She had nobody anywhere near the caliber of Tuohy to overcome. Maatoug has lots of high finishes and has earned many fans who had never heard of her until recently, but this was opportunity to actually win something of significance. Since her U18 years she hasn't won much other than Dutch indoor 800 championship last year. She is considerably better at indoor 800 than outdoors.

Actually, I think it aged perfectly.