CJ Albertson had lead at mile 21 in Boston, ends up 3rd American in 2:10:23 as Scott Fauble PRs at 2:08:52!!

You need a little bit of delusion to make the unthinkable happen

i was at mile 21, CJ was battling hard in that group. Love to see that kind of fire. I have to believe he’ll break down the door one day

that said, I don’t follow this guy - did he really go 210 in training during build up? Not sure why you’d do that

It's great to run 2:08 at Boston, and 7th is also great, but you can't WIN by just running even by yourself. You have to put your nose in there to make it happen, which means taking a big risk that things won't work out.

Agreed…we are all at least sometimes a little delusional in our racing, myself included. But for the most part, my goal is always to race my best race, to run my pace, and not someone else’s. Running someone else’s pace, if too fast, will simply put me in oxygen debt and thus result in a slower time and lower placing. Running too slowly will lead to the same type of lesser result. Run your pace. And if that is the pace that wins or puts you on the podium, then so be it. And if it is the pace that puts you in 7th or 13th, then so be it. Extract your best, most efficient effort and accept what you have done. This applies even more if you are a young marathoner. You need to first have what it takes in order to put it to the test, and as today’s results demonstrate, Albertson does not have what it takes…yet.

With 14 other teams to play on the same day, Brady might come off a bit less self-assured.

Just because your idol ran a little slower 30 years ago, it doesn't mean we can't be excited for the best talent we have today. No point in tearing down our up-and-comers every step they make closer to the top.

Who do you think he is listening too?

Are you trying to win or get a sponsor? You are correct, the safe bet is to play for the money (a sponsor). Fauble never had a chance to win, they other two did. What do you want as a competitor?

But are you trying to win? Just collecting a paycheck?

Fauble never tried to win! Is that what we want for American runners? Rupp always goes for the win, he may not succeed but he never runs for a time.

This is good advice for someone like you or me, but CJ's goals require a couple things that ours do not:

1) Making others hurt - Most marathoners are only competing against just ourselves, but at the top level, tactics come into play. CJ said that one of his goals/strategies was to make people hurt, hoping that he could handle it better than they could (especially on the downhills).

2) Taking risks - Very few marathoners can have success at a major by just having a "solid" race. Most have to take a risk. And risks, by definition, often fail.

It's easy to say "should have played it safe" when things don't work out. Today's result was likely, even obvious. But it wasn't set in stone. A common phrase in racing is "put myself in a position to win." Running your own pace is often not putting yourself in a position to win.

Earth to Americans, Boston times don't count!

So it sounds like you think CJ didn't run his race. I disagree, he ran it, thought he could finish the last 5k better than he did, but didn't. Not sure why people don't get that. I don't know what happened the last 5k any more than you do, but I believe CJ does and will use the experience to continue to train and execute his way.

In some committees mind it does not. Know idea why. I have run many marathons all over the USA and Boston is as difficult as it gets. Whoever determined that Boston should not count, needs to get out and run it.

What happened the last 5k is what will happen every time he races like this. He’s gonna fall 10+ places. It’s a very bad strategy

Watch video of October versus April, CJ definitely looks stronger on miles 17-21 in April. Form was good and time was was better. Could he drop a 4:26 on miles 23 and 24 like the winner, no but maintaining pace looked obtainable. Just maintaining pace is top 5. Obviously he believes he should have maintained pace and was at a level to do so. None of us know whether he could/should have maintained pace but he seems as real as it gets and if he says he is fit to do it, why would we not believe him?

Go CJ!

I defer to earlier post, Are you trying to win or just run for a time? Can anyone name who got 2nd and 3rd at any of the top world marathons last year? Realistic racing is boring and not good TV. Hopes and Dreams make America great, hence why Molly is loved. Her day went bad but we applaud the effort because we know to be on the big stage you have to take chances.

I think the counterpoint being made earlier was that from the outset, thinking of being on the podium was totally unrealistic in the first place.

Did he get a PR? I think so. Could he have gotten a bigger PR, and placed higher with a change in race strategy?

I’m not taking a side in that debate. He did make an interesting show.

Further evidence would be the 13:55 final 5k by Chebet. Relatively shorter speed can’t be ignored.