Bekele cheapening his legacy

youth.in.revolt wrote:

Wise Old Man wrote:

And yes, when you are the goat, run with the stated intention of winning and only manage to beat True by 1 sec, it absolutely tarnishes your legacy. It might not be fair, but it’s a fact. The 2nd half of KB’s career has been marked by rare flashes of brilliance and mostly disappointment.

To OP -- has he really even dropped out of that many marathons? I think the general perception is worse than his record actually is.

Prior to Berlin 2021;

He has not finished a marathon since Berlin in 2019. In his past six races over the distance, he's had three DNF's, including Dubai in 2017, where he wanted to attack the world record, and Berlin in the same year.Aug 15, 2021

› sections

*Also add a last minute DNS in London.

I'll take this Bekele any day over the one who was a DNS/DNF machine. He's been showing a lot of heart lately. That's all I have ever wanted from him.

Rupp fan wrote:

I'll take this Bekele any day over the one who was a DNS/DNF machine. He's been showing a lot of heart lately. That's all I have ever wanted from him.

Agreed. 3-4 years ago and Bekele drops out of both Berlin and NY. At least he's going to the line now.

We really need to keep in mind that running marathons is really really hard, and almost nobody runs 2-3 good marathons in a row. Exceptions like Kipchoge, Kosgei in 2019 and Jepchirchir this year really spoil us. But really, we should expect elite marathon runners to have wildly fluctuating performances that's the norm. Bekele has finished third and seventh in two majors six weeks apart, that's pretty solid work. He's proven fitness and I wouldn't be surprised to see him win a major next year

So you're validating your trashing of Bekele because others on here are hyping up his races beforehand? Why not just say what "You think" of Bekele rather than let what others say about him dictate what you write about him post race.

fat kenny wrote:

Pay back the appearance fee, and call it good.

You have no idea what you are talking about… Obviously his legacy is cemented in his Olympic and World Championship golds in the 5000 and 10000m as a marathoner he is the second fastest ever period… leave it at that. I give him kudos for continuing to excel after so many years at such a high level. It just shows you how good he was at his peak get off the guys back

He's only DNF'ed one WMM - Berlin 2017, after taking 2nd in London that year. The DNS in London is a shame but it hardly was a classic race anyway, apart from the last 800m.

4th, 3rd, 1st, 2nd, DNF, 6th, 1st, DNS, 3rd, 6th in his WMMs. I'd take that, personally.

I think he is better concentrating on the WMMs and he clearly can be competitive still. Looking at the last 2 years, he ran 2:01, DNS due to injury, then has come back from that to run 2x WMMs in a short space, being competitive and reaching the podium in one and probably fatigued most recently in NYC. This is not Shalane, this is a guy still competitive for podiums in A-races.

Nothing to see here - just a really good marathoner searching for form, and seemingly getting closer.

As a parallel, look at Federer. Clearly he's not the #1 ranked currently, but he's still top class if he can steer clear of injury, and he can be a winner if it all clicks for him - but prob only at Wimbledon.

In marathons, this is Bekele. Yep 2019 prob was his real last top, top year, but on the right day in Berlin he can still eke out a win and a fast time, and he has every right to turn up, get paid, and race his heart out until he decides - on his terms - to stop for good.

Gardiner's Tshirt wrote:

Looking at the last 2 years, he ran 2:01, DNS due to injury, then has come back from that to run 2x WMMs in a short space, being competitive and reaching the podium in one and probably fatigued most recently in NYC. This is not Shalane, this is a guy still competitive for podiums in A-races.

Nothing to see here - just a really good marathoner searching for form, and seemingly getting closer.

and not to forget that at the age of 39 the scattering of the results is rising. rare (and somewhat surprising) one is amazingly close to the dream shape, mostly not good enough. especially since it becomes increasingly difficult to stay injury-free.

we cling to the picture of someones best years. not fair at age 39.

Wise Old Man wrote:

westsouthrunner wrote:

Have you run 2:01? Can you run 2:12 in NY 6 weeks after running a 2:06?

I think it was alright. He should take a break and just gear up for MAYBE. One more really good marathon. He is older now so we should be reasonable

Wow, let’s just close down these boards. You mean the only person who is allowed to post a critical comment about KB is Kipchoge? No wait, Kipchoge can’t post either because he’s never run NY. Nobody on earth is allowed to say a negative thing about Kenny.

Imagine you ran under 2:20 1 time but never again and you had 3:00 hr marathoners saying your done.

when you guys speak like him running 2:12 somehow diminishes his 2:01 and the rest of his career when the dude is 39 years old and ran a marathon 6 weeks prior to this . Then maybe only kipchoge should be speaking on Bekele's legacy.

It's not like Bekele lives in Flagstaff or Boulder, lives of a trust fund, spends all day posting on instagram and sipping Vente Almond Milk Decaf Lattes and then taking naps for 12 hours straight. He has businesses and family and he not only has to keep them going but protect them from being ruined through a civil war. Clearly that was on his mind as he ran yesterday. He had covid and lost his pops early in the year too. He hasn't been able to train properly and despite being in WR shape for Berlin the stress of his everyday life stopped him from getting the required sleep to run to his potential. Since Berlin was meant to be a WR, New York was just meant to be like a training run to keep him motivated before the next major race in 2022. He should get the WR next year and will race Kipchoge while in full shape

His form still looks pretty good though. He kicks his butt with his heels. My time has improved a lot lately by trying to emulate that stride.

Well said. Very well said.

Banana Bread wrote:

It's not like Bekele lives in Flagstaff or Boulder, lives of a trust fund, spends all day posting on instagram and sipping Vente Almond Milk Decaf Lattes and then taking naps for 12 hours straight.

I heard Bekele trains 60 mpw and does 5 mile tempos(not all out, just staying in control and working through the gears) and finishes with 200s @ 1500 pace for speed.

Everything you stated was fine until last sentence.

Legasee wrote:

I heard Bekele trains 60 mpw and does 5 mile tempos(not all out, just staying in control and working through the gears) and finishes with 200s @ 1500 pace for speed.

no! source at the end:

Week #1 (Total: 158 km):

Mon Jul 29

AM: 1h easy (4:15 min/km > 4:10 min/km), 10x100m (16-17sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Jul 30

AM: 1:50h easy (4:10 min/km > 3:45 min/km)

PM: Rest

Wed Jul 31

AM: 50min easy (4:15 min/km > 4:10 min/km).10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Thu Aug 1

AM: 30min easy. 12x300m hills (times not stated). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: Rest

Fri Aug 2

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sat Aug 3

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sun Aug 4

AM: 2h long run (4:20 min/km > 3:45 min/km)

PM: Rest

Week #2 (Total: 176 km):

Mon Aug 5

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Aug 6

AM: 1:40h long run (4:00 min/km > 3:45 min/km)

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Aug 7

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: Rest

Thu Aug 8

AM: Track. 2 Sets of (3km in 9:30 min, 2km in 6:20 min, 1km in 3:05 min, 500m in 1:15 min). Recovery: 400m jog.

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km)

Fri Aug 9

AM: 1:10h easy (4:15 min/km > 4:10 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sat Aug 10

AM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sun Aug 11

AM: 32km long run (2km easy, 15km @ 3:30 min/km, 8km @ 3:20 min/km, 7km @ 3:15 min/km).

PM: Rest.

Week #3 (Total: 186 km):

Mon Aug 12

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Aug 13

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Aug 14

AM: 2:30h long run (4:10 min/km > 3:50 min/km).

PM: Rest.

Thu Aug 15

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Fri Aug 16

AM: 30min easy. 12x300m hill repeats (times not stated). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km).

Sat Aug 17

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sun Aug 18

AM: Road: 5x5km (16:00, 16:00, 16:00, 15:50, 15:50) with 1km float recovery in 3:30 min.

PM: Rest.

Week #4 (Total: 188 km):

Mon Aug 19

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km)

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Aug 20

AM: 50min easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Aug 21

AM: Track. 2 Sets of (3km in 9:00 min, 2km in 5:55 min, 1km in 2:55 min, 500m in 1:13 min). Recovery: 2:30 min.

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km)

Thu Aug 22

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Fri Aug 23

AM: Fartlek (road): 20x1min (1min jog recovery), 20x30sec (30sec jog recovery), 5min recovery between sets. Reps at 2:40-2:45/km.

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sat Aug 24

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sun Aug 25

AM: 41km long run: 4km easy + 35km Progressive (3:20 min/km > 3:10 min/km) + 2km easy.

PM: Rest

Week #5 (Total: 186 km):

Mon Aug 26

AM: 1:20h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Aug 27

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Aug 28

AM: 2:30h long run (4:00 min/km > 3:45 min/km)

PM: Rest

Thu Aug 29

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Fri Aug 30

AM: 20min easy. 10x300m hill repeats (times not stated).

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

Sat Aug 31

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sun Sep 1

AM: Road: 7x3km in 8:45 with 1km float recovery in 3:30 min.

Week #6 (Total: 185 km):

Mon Sep 2

AM: 1:10h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Sep 3

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Sep 4

AM: Track: 30x400m in 68-70sec with 80sec recovery.

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

Thu Sep 5

AM: 1:30h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:00 min/km)

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Fri Sep 6

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

Sat Sep 7

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km). 10x100m (16sec).

PM: Rest

Sun Sep 8

AM: 46km long run: 4km easy + 40km @ 3:15 min/km + 2km easy.

Week #7 (Total: 194 km):

Mon Sep 9

AM: 1h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Sep 10

AM: 1:10h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Sep 11

AM: Fartlek (road): 30x1min (1min jog recovery), 30x30sec (30sec jog recovery), 5min recovery between sets. Reps at 2:40-2:45 min/km.

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

Thu Sep 12

AM: 1:10h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Fri Sep 13

AM: 2:40h long run (4:10 min/km > 3:30 min/km)

PM: Rest

Sat Sep 14

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sun Sep 15

AM: Road: 8x2km in 5:55 min with 1km float recovery in 3:40 min.

Week #8 (Total: 155 km):

Mon Sep 16

AM: 1:10h easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Tue Sep 17

AM: 20min easy. 10x300m hill repeats (times not stated).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Sep 18

AM: Track: 20x500m in 1:22-1:24 min with 300m recovery in 90 sec.

PM: 50min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km).

Thu Sep 19

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:15 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Fri Sep 20

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Sat Sep 21

AM: 32km long run: 10km @ 3:40 min/km + 20km @ 3:05 min/km + 2km easy

PM: 10km @ 3:40 min/km. Track: 5x2km in 6:00 with 2min recovery.

Sun Sep 22

Complete rest day.

Week #9

Mon Sep 23

AM: 50min easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

PM: 30min easy (4:10 min/km > 4:00 min/km).

Tue Sep 24

AM: 1:10h @ 3:30 min/km

PM: 6km easy. Gym (general strength, corrective workout).

Wed Sep 25

AM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

PM: 40min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

Thu Sep 26

AM: Fartlek: 12x2min with 90 sec recovery. Reps at 2:50 min/km.

PM: 40min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km). Fly to Berlin.

Fri Sep 27

AM: Rest

PM: 1h easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km).

Sat Sep 28

AM: 40min easy (4:20 min/km > 4:10 min/km)

PM: Rest.

Sun Sep 29

AM: Berlin Marathon. 1st in 2:01:41 h

Monthly Athletics Japan – March 2020 Edition

fat kenny wrote:

Pay back the appearance fee, and call it good.

Why the f*** should he pay back the money? He ran 26.2 miles and finished sixth. That's not exactly a failure to do what he signed up for. He just didn't win. You're not one of the five best at what you do for a living? Should you have to give back your paycheck?

You're an incredibly entitled little brat.

Is it cheapening his legacy? No. Bekele is one of the distance GOATs. He showed up. Finished. Ran 2:12 on a tough course after a recent 2:06. If he drops out, he gets hammered. If he finishes off a tough day for him, he gets hammered. There's no winning for him unless he, you know, wins.

We might be done with sub-2:02's from Bekele & Kipchoge. Aging is a thing.

I don’t believe you ran a 2:16 marathon. If you did, prove it

fat kenny wrote:

Pay back the appearance fee, and call it good.

I wouldn't say he is hurting his legacy. He is a true legend and has earned the G.O.A.T title and with that, he's earned a few "Mulligans". BUT... it's safe to say that his best performances are behind him and if he decides to continue racing it's only for the money. He should take a world major marathon farewell tour and then call it day. He can rake in some good appearance money (not as much if he were running) giving clinics and being an ambassador for the sport.