The quality of the fields was watered-down and mud became an equalizer. The Buffalo Ranch course probably would've been faster than that golf course. Indoor legs are not the same as mud and altitude legs, Deena is much stronger and more efficient than any of the competition she faced today. Remember that Deena holds the AR in the marathon? Culpepper stalked his way to the win, he let Ritz go out and hammer himself into the mud.
chuck d wrote:
1 Alan Culpepper Nike Lafayette CO 34 37:09 4:59
2 Adam Goucher Nike Portland OR 31 37:35 5:03
3 Dathan Ritzenhein Nike Boulder CO 24 37:47 5:04
4 Jorge Torres Reebok Boulder CO 26 38:07 5:07
wow, talk about "home course" advantage.
Glad to see the two old Buff teammates Alan and Adam place one-two. As for the women, it shows that when it comes to her stature among Americans, Deena's still Deena at everything (and everywhere) 5000 meters and higher.
What do you mean? A sealevel guy from Oregon got 2nd (lol)!
not sure wrote:
chuck d wrote:1 Alan Culpepper Nike Lafayette CO 34 37:09 4:59
2 Adam Goucher Nike Portland OR 31 37:35 5:03
3 Dathan Ritzenhein Nike Boulder CO 24 37:47 5:04
4 Jorge Torres Reebok Boulder CO 26 38:07 5:07
wow, talk about "home course" advantage.
But he's at altitude when he sleeps at night.
Not quite wrote:
But he's at altitude when he sleeps at night.
Even higher when Alberto gives him an oil change.
Sabatino... 23rd last year at NCAA XC and now runs to 6th at the USA championships in his first real race at altitude (with no prior training at altitude)... huge breakthrough for him
the course was a mess, super muddy, probably the muddiest race i have ever ran in my life. from what i heard ritz took it out and had 15-20 meters on the chase pack around 1k or so. he continued to lead and was pounding out a pretty good pace and had 10+ seconds at one point? by 8k the gap was closing and goucher was 2nd culp in 3rd. by 10k the race was over i guess. culp just ran steady the whole way and ran away with it. ritz went out too hard and paid for it. goucher caught him as well.
women's race: didn't see much of it but heard the announcer. deena and shalane came through 2k together in 620 just blazing. by 4k the race was over. i think deena opened up 25 seconds on the second 2k loop and it continued to widen the whole race.
the race obviously favored marathoners today. strength and efficiency beat track speed easily.
9 Griff Graves Abingdon VA 16 26:35 5:21
Awesome name.
Who is he and how does a 16 year old guy get 9th?
he was footlocker finalist and currently runs with virginia intermont college guys under scott simmons
Griff is the son of Tom Graves former Illinois HS stud who had a very decorated career at Auburn.
Great run by Spence out there. After a decorated career at Princeton in the late 90's, he had been struggling with injuries for a couple of years after college... he has obviously been rounding back into shape, and looks to be ready to do some solid racing this year. Nice job, Mike.
MikeM wrote:
I wouldn't say that people are morons, but we should all remember it is XC, it is at altitude, and they may have different goals. SF may be just trying to make the team, who knows? I hope both run well at worlds. The team for women looks pretty strong.
I was at the race, SF was not trying to "just make the team." She got worked.
How could you tell, did you see her flinging her shoes and punching her bag after the race?
quit cryin' wrote:
What do you mean? A sealevel guy from Oregon got 2nd (lol)!
Who's cryin'?
I think it's funny. It doesn't matter to me who wins these races, I don't know any of these guys personally.
Way to go Zach Sabatino!!! WVU runner when the men's program got cut then went to Tenn. to finish his collegiate career. Now he is back at WVU to train under Coach Sean Cleary.
Sean Cleary is the f***ing man! I ran with under Cleary as a Freshman the year before they cut the program and he knows his shit! WAY TO GO ZACH!!!
sjc wrote:
the race obviously favored marathoners today. strength and efficiency beat track speed easily.
I saw that trend as well in a lot of fall races. There are exceptions - I though Abdirahman would have run better - but marathoners tend to be pretty good mudders.
I knew Sabatino would be able to do it - had a prediction in a pre-race thread earlier. The guy has an excellent work ethic, a good head on his shoulders, knows how to train, and a heck of a lotta natural talent to go with it. He has been busting his butt off to do this. A breakthrough like this couldn't happen to a nicer guy who deserves it more - way to go Zach, this is just the beginning!