Why is Ritz the "lead" American at London when Meb is in the race?

How do you know it is fuel management?!Even Ritz said he needs to figure out "the problem".In this first marathon, he has fuel problem. In his 4th marathon, he still has fuel problem? If so, he might consider doing something else than marathoning.And he also said the pace felt fine. I am not writing him off at all. But I am saying he is not in 2:06-2:07 shape as he and his coach think he is.

Sagarin wrote:

So what? Hall is irrelevant. Go back and read what I wrote. Ritz has DEMONSTRABLE trouble with fuel management at the marathon distance. A 14:37 opening 5k is suicidal for a guy like that. He should have gone out 40 seconds slower, split the half around 1:04 and then tried to bring it home strong if he was comfortable. That he would lose contact early with the pacers needn't have mattered, because a consistent, manageable early pace would have allowed him to remake contact later in the race and pick off guys who went out too hard, giving him confidence. Let's wait and see what Ritz can do with even splits on a fast course before writing him off as a guy who's not capable of a 2:07.

You need to read more carefully. 14.22 first 5K was in london that Hall ran in 2008 (and eventually his 2:06).Usain Bolt has sub 2hr marathon potential based on his 100 meter performance.

jonesy. wrote:

boston is not the same course as london, so draw your own conclusions.

2:10 flat is a good race and puts ritz up pretty high on the American lists. 1:03:33 and then almost 2:13 mpace in the second half. He'll get just under 2:09 in the next couple of years, but despite the 8:11 two mile a while back, this performance has to temper the enthusiasm that he has 2:06 potential.