This is why folks. We get to watch the guy race an average of every 10 days during the June, July, August. The “other guys” racing 1-2 times.
One problem with a lot of runners (especially Americans) is that they don't race enough.
They have to be in the public eye more often (this is to boost the popularity of the sport and of the individual runners).
Imagine of the KC Chiefs only played 3-4 games before the playoffs? Or if A star QB sat out as often as possible?
In the 1970's and 80's this sport was VERY popular. Runners were out there running (especially when the road race scene opened up in the late 70's and into the 80's).
They were racing often, very often, to maximize money and because that's what they were training for- to race!
Now, it's a race here or there just to get ready for the trials where they're not going to make the national team.
Our top runners skipping cross country nationals and worlds because the trials are in 4 months does not increase their chances of doing well and is bad for the sport.
Blame coaches too. Many think it’s more about their “program” and workouts than it is about their athletes showing up to compete. Makes many pro runners soft and less able to deal with adverse situations that come up in big races. You learn more racing than you do training.
Coming back from an injury and in the Olympic year I’m not sure that’s the most sensible idea. Plus all the travelling- airplanes are germ pits. He’ll run himself down.
Even those that like to race lots (Keely, Femke) are being a little more cautious. Have we seen Faith Kipyegon? No and she’s not down to run any of the Diamond League events.
I have a little more respect and understanding for those that have a more cautious schedule this year. Olympics are every 4 years. It’s not something you want to mess up by racing every week in the lead up…there’s a fine balance between being race sharp and overdoing it..
Relax, he's racing himself into shape. If he is about to finish base training, he needs speed work now and what is better if not 1500m races?
How can we even be sure that “racing into shape” is a thing if David Roche hasn’t published a trailrunnermag article about it yet?
Liking or disliking someone based on how often they race is stupid. I like or dislike someone based on that person’s personality, character, and how that person treats others. It is for these reasons I dislike Jakob.
Usually, his racing schedule is compatible with health. Exceptions have been his Norwegian champs triples and quadruples and his Prefontaine double last year. However, the Norwegian champs races were well below his capacity. The Prefontaine double likely got him injured. Running a 7:23 and falling at the end the day after a 3:43 mile was not a good idea, though great for the fans.
It's important to note he uses these races as his race pace, high-end vo2max-styled workouts. Outside of thi,s his paces are generally much slower than his race pace. So, in theory, he's actually not burning himself out by racing too much anymore than you doing hardcore 400m repeats once week.
This is why folks. We get to watch the guy race an average of every 10 days during the June, July, August. The “other guys” racing 1-2 times.
Ollie Hoare raced a fraction of Jakob's 2023 and ended up with athletic pubalgia and missed the world champs. bet he'd trade all that indoor crap, maurie plant and world cross for what Kerr was able to peak for in Budapest. is he less or more of a runner in your eyes than Jakob? does he get to say he would have won the world champs if he was healthy? what he was able to do at the commonwealth games did more for his country and fans of the sport than his attendance at (insert diamond league event here).
Is Jakob's stubborn racing schedule good for a fan short term? absolutely.
Good for Jakob long term? probably not.
The man has now once raced himself into injury (2023). father time is undefeated in the great race of getting old. Jakob will learn the hard way. the frustrating part for his fans will be the missed opportunities. The frustrating part for everyone else will be his god damn ignorant lack of self awareness to admit his own mistakes.
"If I'm healthy and don't get injured in the next two months I will win Olympic gold". yeah no shi t, and if my grandmother had wheels she'd be a bicycle. There is no universe where every runner is allowed to train limitlessly without worrying about illness or injury. if you screw that up, it's on you, not the universe.
Injured lion, still lion. Cannot change past, only learn. Jakob's spirit strong, like bamboo in storm.
Fans... they like fireworks, yes? Bright, loud, but gone in blink. Wise fan, they know true beauty in slow burn, like embers, warm long after flames gone.
So, young friend, remember: every runner, every person, has own path. Some twist, some straight. But important thing is to run with heart open, eyes clear. Then, even stumble can be lesson, and every finish line, a new beginning.
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