Just rewatched the race. What a great race -- all three of the medalists spent significant time leading, which you love to see.
Does beg the question, though -- what was El G thinking when he took the lead with 800 to go? I know he needed to do that in the 1500 generally, because everyone would just sit on him otherwise and there were some speedsters, but did he think he was going to get outkicked? He's only getting outkicked in the 12:50-low race he made it, not a 12:55+ race. Should have left it with 300 to go. In 2004, a year wiser, he cruised away with 100 to go.
History lesson for you. Steeplechaser Shaheen blew out ElGuerrouj in 2003.
"Ostrava 2003 was one of the two 5000m Stephen ran in his career, at the top of his shape (he ran yet 13' in 2010 after the surgery, with 2 months of training only). One week before Ostrava, El Guerrouj competed in Torino, winning 3000m in 7'30" in spite of a bad job of the pacers (3'49" the first 1500m). Hicham went alone in the second half, running 3'41", and I could see he was in very good shape.
In Ostrava, Stephen could have a good appearance for starting in 3000m steeple, and nothing for running 5000m. His manager, Ricky Simms, explained him the situation, but Stephen replied "I don't want money, I want El Guerrouj".
Looking at the training of the last month, he was in good shape, and I told him he could run under 12'50". However, when during the technical meeting we knew the request of Hicham about the rabbit (Paul Biwott), a passage in 7'37" at 3000m, for me was clear he had in his mind the idea to attack the WR of Haile (12'39").
After the technical meeting, I discussed with Stephen the tactic for the race. I knew Hicham was ready to run against time, but not against another athlete after so fast splits. This was the reasom because he lost 1500m in Sydney, because was not mentally ready to fight with Noah Ngeny in the last 100m.
So, I told Stephen : "Hicham wants to be alone after 3 km, you need to put pressure on him remaining with him. In my opinion, he can run 12'40", but if you are with him thye fourth km becomes slow, because he fears to lose the race and doesn't know you as runner of the distance. This can allow you to recover a little, but during the last 800m you have to show him that you are still fresh, so if you have energy, go to his side and look at him, and after go again behind him, waiting the final furlong".
Stephen was a real "killer" : with 700m to go, He went on the side of Hicham, but not only looked at him : he laughed telling him "I go to win", and after went behind him again. El Guerrouj felt the pressure, and in the last 100m the difference was almost of 3 seconds. One of the regrets I have about the career of Stephen, who practically was no more able to train with continuity after 2006 (when was 24 only), is that never had the opportunity to run a race of 5000m at top level, apart the Golden Gala in Rome 2006. I'm sure he could have the chance for running under 12'40", since in 2006 he was very much stronger than in 2003.
If somebody is able to find in youtube the full competition, it's possible to see his psychological action starting 100m before the start of the current film published here. This is another of the "crazy" shows of Stephen, that we can put immediately after the WCh 2003 in Paris."
"Ostrava 2003 was one of the two 5000m Stephen ran in his career, at the top of his shape (he ran yet 13' in 2010 after the surgery, with 2 months of training only). One week before Ostrava, El Guerrouj competed in Torino, winning 3000m in 7'30" in spite of a bad job of the pacers (3'49" the first 1500m). Hicham went alone in the second half, running 3'41", and I could see he was in very good shape.
In Ostrava, Stephen could have a good appearance for starting in 3000m steeple, and nothing for running 5000m. His manager, Ricky Simms, explained him the situation, but Stephen replied "I don't want money, I want El Guerrouj".
Looking at the training of the last month, he was in good shape, and I told him he could run under 12'50". However, when during the technical meeting we knew the request of Hicham about the rabbit (Paul Biwott), a passage in 7'37" at 3000m, for me was clear he had in his mind the idea to attack the WR of Haile (12'39").
After the technical meeting, I discussed with Stephen the tactic for the race. I knew Hicham was ready to run against time, but not against another athlete after so fast splits. This was the reasom because he lost 1500m in Sydney, because was not mentally ready to fight with Noah Ngeny in the last 100m.
So, I told Stephen : "Hicham wants to be alone after 3 km, you need to put pressure on him remaining with him. In my opinion, he can run 12'40", but if you are with him thye fourth km becomes slow, because he fears to lose the race and doesn't know you as runner of the distance. This can allow you to recover a little, but during the last 800m you have to show him that you are still fresh, so if you have energy, go to his side and look at him, and after go again behind him, waiting the final furlong".
Stephen was a real "killer" : with 700m to go, He went on the side of Hicham, but not only looked at him : he laughed telling him "I go to win", and after went behind him again. El Guerrouj felt the pressure, and in the last 100m the difference was almost of 3 seconds. One of the regrets I have about the career of Stephen, who practically was no more able to train with continuity after 2006 (when was 24 only), is that never had the opportunity to run a race of 5000m at top level, apart the Golden Gala in Rome 2006. I'm sure he could have the chance for running under 12'40", since in 2006 he was very much stronger than in 2003.
If somebody is able to find in youtube the full competition, it's possible to see his psychological action starting 100m before the start of the current film published here. This is another of the "crazy" shows of Stephen, that we can put immediately after the WCh 2003 in Paris."
Thank you for the great post -- and one of the best quotes of all-time.
"I don't want money. I want El Guerrouj." -- Stephen Cherono
This post was edited 40 seconds after it was posted.
Just rewatched the race. What a great race -- all three of the medalists spent significant time leading, which you love to see.
Does beg the question, though -- what was El G thinking when he took the lead with 800 to go? I know he needed to do that in the 1500 generally, because everyone would just sit on him otherwise and there were some speedsters, but did he think he was going to get outkicked? He's only getting outkicked in the 12:50-low race he made it, not a 12:55+ race. Should have left it with 300 to go. In 2004, a year wiser, he cruised away with 100 to go.
History lesson for you. Steeplechaser Shaheen blew out ElGuerrouj in 2003.
Not sure the point you think you are making here, because just as in Paris, in the race he lost to Shaheen, he also led way too long to take advantage of his 1500 speed.
It's amazing to think he's still so good 20 years later. I'm sure at the time people were thinking, "No way someone that young can be that good" and were questioning his age.
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