I heard the interview Hocker on the Podium podcast with Hannah England. He came across really well, he's a likable guy. It maybe helped that he was talking to someone he probably knows a little from the circuit as England is the best commentator around right now, and she's a former world medallist herself. He's kind of an awkward guy, a bit nerdy looking, but he's possibly the best racer in the world right now between 1500 and 5000 and he should carry some confidence
I heard the interview Hocker on the Podium podcast with Hannah England. He came across really well, he's a likable guy. It maybe helped that he was talking to someone he probably knows a little from the circuit as England is the best commentator around right now, and she's a former world medallist herself. He's kind of an awkward guy, a bit nerdy looking, but he's possibly the best racer in the world right now between 1500 and 5000 and he should carry some confidence
Exactly, no idea what OP is on about. Watched the interview on the lrc race report. First he wins easy breathing through his nose and just slightly picking up the pace last 50, then a laid back interview, down to earth, no bullsh*t.
I’m not denying for a second that they are intelligent. Of course they are. My point was that they fit the nerd persona more than Hocker does. I was responding to a poster who said Hocker was nerdy. When Strand gets interviewed he gives all these details like he is writing a sports writer play by play of every move in the race and how he was feeling at every point. Every Fisher interview sounds like a deeply thought out campaign speech. Blanks gives a lot of exogenous details about things in his life that are remote from the race. It’s fine. They just sound much more nerdy than Cole who talks like a traditional athlete would speak. That’s all I am saying.
I think they are all honestly just a bit more well spoken than Cole in some settings*... you have a Harvard, a Stanford, and two UNC grads... and a University of Oregon (drop out?). Surely he got his degree on the side though??? He's not an idiot and you can only run for so long.
Though of course they all possess the basic level of intelligence necessary to be a professional runner so it's a moot point really. I'd imagine (as a generalization) younger runners may love listening to Cole's bravado while some older fans may appreciate the more thoughtful nature of some of the others.
Different preferences, all great runners. Only one champion today (and a DNS).
*but he's always impressed me in long form podcast interviews. maybe he just keeps things more tight lipped in the pre nick ff and post race clips.
Don't forget Kerr's injury last fall. He has had to spend half of the time between then and now recovering, so Hocker was just lucky it was a rust buster for Kerr. Kerr will literally blow Hocker's doors off the next time they race.
Don't forget Kerr's injury last fall. He has had to spend half of the time between then and now recovering, so Hocker was just lucky it was a rust buster for Kerr. Kerr will literally blow Hocker's doors off the next time they race.
I think he has been on a continuum between awkward and cringe in every one of his big wins. I guess that is just his personality. He isn't exactly a marketing dream, but I guess as long as his performance is up there he can do whatever he wants.
lol. Hocker is DEFINITELY arrogant. and you can say the same for Kerr and Jakob.
Hocker probably has the least swag about him though. Jakob far above the other two in that category, which makes the arrogance a bit more palatable.
Josh is insufferable. Jakob’s routine is a bit more comical. Hocker is plain funny because he is deadly in a tight race.
ya to all three. i gradually like all 3.
over time all three have a really positive approach, big balls, effective, snd no harm yo copy any one of them.
Hocker over estimates his past slightly in that people set him up by bring brave. but only a bit. for hocker to reach is self image, he needs yo be more than a one trick pony, and do an eg g, a centro, a cram, a viren, a ryun, as in doing some work and dominatibg.
Kerr is racing more and saying smart things, the opposite optics from before.
opposite to hocker completely, he needs a couple of buddys to set him up for a change, and take it from 300m out and see if hocker or anyone else can hang. he will need A game, like at the olympics, i have his losing oerformance as near greatest all time, no, not neat, the greatest. the last sentence recognized is good for downvotes,
I think he has been on a continuum between awkward and cringe in every one of his big wins. I guess that is just his personality. He isn't exactly a marketing dream, but I guess as long as his performance is up there he can do whatever he wants.
Yeah, it occurred to me that the fictional character he's most likely is Napoleon Dynamite. A strange mix of confidence expressed very awkwardly. I'm here for it though, the sport needs all sorts of characters
How about fining NBC for not showing the milers introductions (properly).
NBC coverage of world-class track is truly awful, starting with the normalized ignoring of all but 1 or 2 athletes before every race. Just idiotic. Add in commercials and distractions during events, skipping events entirely, and lack of research before broadcasts leading to ignorant blather and incorrect name pronunciations.
Made a sleep sign after finishing ahead of Kerr, is this bad for the sport?
I don't think it's arrogant, but I do think it's a bit immature. I did a celebration before that I thought was cool in my early 20's and now I look back at it and it's kind of embarrassing to be acting like that. When he matures a bit more he'll probably view it differently. Difference is he's like mid 20's or upper 20's now, and still apparently needs to mature. But same with Kerr, lots of those guys. It probably is tough to mature when you're still just running the whole time and not in a professional environment like most people with work.
Don't forget Kerr's injury last fall. He has had to spend half of the time between then and now recovering, so Hocker was just lucky it was a rust buster for Kerr. Kerr will literally blow Hocker's doors off the next time they race.
Made a sleep sign after finishing ahead of Kerr, is this bad for the sport?
I don't think it's arrogant, but I do think it's a bit immature. I did a celebration before that I thought was cool in my early 20's and now I look back at it and it's kind of embarrassing to be acting like that. When he matures a bit more he'll probably view it differently. Difference is he's like mid 20's or upper 20's now, and still apparently needs to mature. But same with Kerr, lots of those guys. It probably is tough to mature when you're still just running the whole time and not in a professional environment like most people with work.
He’s won Olympic and WC gold medals and doesn’t need to do anything at all. No other American has come even close to winning gold medals in both the 1500m and 5000, yet some people are offended by how he comes across in an interview? Maybe we could find a nice guy American distance runner that doesn’t win gold medals, to root for.
I don't think it's arrogant, but I do think it's a bit immature. I did a celebration before that I thought was cool in my early 20's and now I look back at it and it's kind of embarrassing to be acting like that. When he matures a bit more he'll probably view it differently. Difference is he's like mid 20's or upper 20's now, and still apparently needs to mature. But same with Kerr, lots of those guys. It probably is tough to mature when you're still just running the whole time and not in a professional environment like most people with work.
He’s won Olympic and WC gold medals and doesn’t need to do anything at all. No other American has come even close to winning gold medals in both the 1500m and 5000, yet some people are offended by how he comes across in an interview? Maybe we could find a nice guy American distance runner that doesn’t win gold medals, to root for.
I'm not offended, I just view actions like that as immature. You can be fast while also being a bit immature.
The GOAT of the 1500 m El G was always kind and very respectful to everyone. He won 99% of his races and he only lost like 3-4 races and two of those were Olympic finals. These dudes can just dream about him.