lets talk Ryan Hall, Alan Webb, Dathan Ritzenhein, & World X-Country Championships

"ryan could have challenged and probably beaten any American on 19 Feb 06".

what about any canadian? do you think he would have won over bairu?

Ryan Hall is the truth he proved that yesterday. I still don't see how he was considered an underdog. The guy has run 13:6 for crying out loud. Last year was 3rd at USA's I think that should have sealed the deal as far as contention is concerned. I think that not only would he have beaten Bairu but he would have worked him too. Anyone who was at the race yesterday knows the race was won before 6k. Coming off of the back of the loop he already had a gap on Max King and Torres. The guy looks over his shoulder and begins to shut it and cruise the whole race. Had he have been pushed, Hall could have easily run 45sec-1min faster than what he did. He was without a doubt the clss of the field. I think that our team is in good hands at in Japan. Top 5 is definately a possibility in the 4k.

I don't think you get to say 'he could have easily run 45 sec faster.' He ran what he ran. DO you think results might have been different if Timmy Broe had been there?

IMO Broe wouldn't have stayed with Hall for a 12K. That's a bit long for him. It would've been interesting though if Goucher was racing and feeling good. Webb would've given a good race. But I think Hall's reported last 2K surge would've either dropped Webb or left him with nothing at the end.

In any 5K/10K track or XC event, I don't think any U.S. runner can outpace Hall.

How quickly everyone abandons Ritz after one race. When he was apparently sick.

Jack of Speed wrote:

How quickly everyone abandons Ritz after one race. When he was apparently sick.

Actually, you're right.

Even if Ritz was sick I fail to see how the talk can be "do you think ritz/hall can finish top 20 etc at world cross". Ritz was only 4th in this race 45 seconds behind someone who was running comfortable and will not finish higher than 15th at world cross.

I dont think Hall should think about the 10k. yes maybe he could run sub 27.45 but that is only 4 seconds inside olympic qualifier whereas given he ran 13.16 last year and appears to be in infinitely better condition this year a time around 13.05 is a realistic goal.

Could be a good year for 5k running with Lagat, Webb, Goucher, Broe, Hall and Dobson all running under 13.10 and at least 5 more under 13.20.

Back to Hall i know he indicated he wants to do the 12k but i think he would finish higher in the 4k.

Racing while sick can cost you more than 45 seconds.

zzzzz wrote:

Back to Hall i know he indicated he wants to do the 12k but i think he would finish higher in the 4k.

The 4K depth is diluted down so much that it's not a big deal (relatively) to place high. Torres has placed 11th & 13th, but placing 25th in the 12K would've been a bigger deal. Also, Hall showed to be much better in the longer distance. I'd love to see how he stacks up if he's feeling good.

If he was sick then why did he race. if as people keep saying here then he has much more to lose by racing and making himself worse than not racing having a few days off/easy days and then jumping back into it in the middle of the week. by the sounds of it he took a lot out of himself and will need a week or more to resume hard training. and if anyone comes on here and says did not want to disappoint people by not racing etc then thats rubbish coz the crowd at the race was pitiful and i think about 10 people would have noticed if ritz was not there

Do you think maybe he wanted to make the World team?????

zzzzz wrote:

If he was sick then why did he race. if as people keep saying here then he has much more to lose by racing and making himself worse than not racing having a few days off/easy days and then jumping back into it in the middle of the week. by the sounds of it he took a lot out of himself and will need a week or more to resume hard training. and if anyone comes on here and says did not want to disappoint people by not racing etc then thats rubbish coz the crowd at the race was pitiful and i think about 10 people would have noticed if ritz was not there

I will be the first person ever to stand up on letsrun and admit i was wrong. completely forgot about the US first 6 and thats it rule.

I guess then maybe ustaf should do something so that situations like this dont develop. I mean i understand the first three and thats it in sprinting where the us probably has 10 of the top 20 in teh world but in distance running where the difference in depth is so much more maybe there should be a top 4 and 2 picks or somethng

"I think Hall is getting major inspiration from his wife. He is the biggest surprise to me in the last year, after his NCAA disappearing act for 3.5 years"

-where were you? 2nd at ncaa cross and ncaa champion at 5km is hardly a disappearing act.

Ritzenhein never said he was sick in the supplied link below; however, he did state he wasn\'t feeling good (something most runners have experienced in their careers without being sick).

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_3527449?source=rss

The funny thing is right after the race he was quoted saying to the effect, \"his training hadn\'t been going smoothly for 1 1/2 mnths.\" Now the twist is that right after his X-Country races overseas he came back and said his training was going good and he expected to be better at Worlds. Now wasn\'t those races less than 1 1/2 month ago, so whats the deal. The training was good then but since he didn\'t run well its easier to blame not training for his self claimed subpar performance?

I agree. I saw Ritz right after NCAA in Iowa few years ago. Freezing out! I would not have let my dog go out in that weather. After the race Ritz was grey, purple lips (hour later)still appeared to be in trouble as far as balance and he looked very pale. I think Ritz hates the single digit wind chill factor thing. He will be back. Ya know, I love CC and love the water and mud etc. I predict that one of these days, America is going to run our top handful of elite runners, in this kind of weather, and we are going to lose one or two. They are going to run 12k out there and wham, someone is going to get Pneumonia. I have had two friends die in 72 hours cause they thought they had a flu. It just worries me...the ladies also. Ill bet the African coachs would not even let their runners come and watch that Vancortland race. Some old coach would be dragging a Bekele off that snow into a warm SUV sceaming "This is pneumonia weather you fool!". Just some thoughts ...now you can all call me every name in the book and threaten my children etc. :)

Where did Brandon Moen finish???

So if Hall doesn't run both. What will he choose,12k or 4k. Also, saw in an interview that Lincoln said he might not know about running at Worlds since he is in med school and didn't plan on making that trip, but not too sure. Goucher said if everyone that made the 4k team ran, they could get a medal, well, doesn't look like that will happen. I say Torres and Hall should run the 12k, that makes,a hall, torres, ritz, with one more guy stepping up that can be close to a medal.

Joe Vigil thinks Hall may run the 4K. They have until Thursday to decide. Team wise, the 4K is stronger and could medal. Webb should be named to the 4K team, I know the USA is not interested in running the best team, you gotta follow the top 6 rule. I had two injured girls on my HS team, #'s 2&3. They missed 1/2 of the season- "running" on eliptical trainers. I told the girls who moved up that those two were not going to lose their spots. We went to the State Champiomnships because of them.

Webb was sick and could be ready for worlds. He should be named to the team and they should make it financially difficult for him to say no- offer him $$$$$ (Nike, USATF).

For somebody in their 30's Goucher performance is in uncharted terrority for an American distance runner. Has their ever been an American that has run 13:10 for the 5000 at 30. I know Jim Spivey posted a 13:20 5000 in his early 30s.