Sorry Rupp fans, Black Cactus is about to bring you back to reality!

More than what Walter Dix got?????!!!!! You are on crack fool. Dix got 7 figures BASE salary. Wow Rupp went to the Olympics and got 10th, big fuggin deal, Dix went to the Olympics and came back with TWO Medals in the 2 biggest events in track and field, and should've been a third in the 4x100m, but the B-team chumped it up for him. Nobody in America cares what XXXXXX distance runner ran in the 10,000m, they care about the 1, 2 and 400 meter events.

Let's also not forget, Dix has multiple sponsors, he's making BANK! Oakley and Nike are paying him nicely. Lift your head up off of Rupp's lap and get back in the classroom son.

I would be very suprised if Rupp does not win; however, I think Adbi will do better in Berlin. Rupp is race sharp, and Adbi will need a couple of races to remind him of what it feel like to run a 27:20x pace. I don't think this is Rupp's year to run fast; he gave it up for the team this year. Starting next year, he will probably stand alone as the US best 5k and 10k athlete. Don't count out Meb and Dathan if they show up and are serious; Meb ran a couple of road races last year that shows he can still lay some pipe and Dathan's 2:09 marathon says that at the least anything in the 27:30 ran he will be in the mix.

USAF_run wrote:

More than what Walter Dix got?????!!!!! You are on crack fool. Dix got 7 figures BASE salary. Wow Rupp went to the Olympics and got 10th, big fuggin deal, Dix went to the Olympics and came back with TWO Medals in the 2 biggest events in track and field, and should've been a third in the 4x100m, but the B-team chumped it up for him. Nobody in America cares what XXXXXX distance runner ran in the 10,000m, they care about the 1, 2 and 400 meter events.

Let's also not forget, Dix has multiple sponsors, he's making BANK! Oakley and Nike are paying him nicely. Lift your head up off of Rupp's lap and get back in the classroom son.

Not saying he will get more than Dix, but you are forgetting a couple factors which have some pretty big interest to the biggest of the big wigs at Nike.

1) Rupp shows potential to have a bigger impact on American distance running than Dix does in American sprinting. The impact of Rupp going under 27:00 or getting an international medal for distance running in this country would far exceed the impact of Dix getting a distant silver or bronze like American sprinters have and always will do.

2) Rupp has already been a huge marketing tool for Oregon track. There has been a massive build up of running in Oregon from the University to post collegiate, and Rupp has been a component of this by drawing attention and results.

Again, I'm not saying that Rupp gets what Dix does, but you pay Rupp for different reasons than you pay Dix. It's not apples to apples.

KevinM wrote:

SMART ALEX wrote:

Havent read the whole thread. I may not be saying anything new. But Galen is wearing the Oregon Jersy to get the Collegiate Record.

Rupp had his last chance at the "CR" as Track and Field News considers it, at NCAAs. They do keep a separate list for post-NCAA performances.

As far as Rupp wearing a UO jersey versus a Nike kit -- is there really a difference? I don't say this to be a smartass, but don't most people consider Nike and Oregon to be so intertwined that 1) it was a forefone conclusion that Rupp would be offered a Nike contract (indeed, the offer was likely made as long as 5 years ago), and 2) the UO jersey is as much a part of the Nike running brand as any other symbol other than the Swoosh itself.

Amazingly enough, because of the falling out between Dellinger and Bowerman, for most of the last 40 years Oregon and Blue Ribbon/Nike were very seperate.

Too much history to go into, but at times Oregon was outfitted by several different companies. At one point in the late 70's, once comapny provided the athletes with sweats, another company rain suits, uniforms were made by a privte citizen (Mrs. McChesney), gear bags were provided by yet another company, and shoes were provided by several companies. The score board at the time was also sporting the name of a non Nike running shoe company, that was based in Eugene. ("Osaga")

Nike has only in recent history, gotten associate with Oregon Track on a full basis.

It would seem otherwise, seeing as Nike's roots are in the Oregon track program etc.

But for large pieces of the Dellinger years, there was tons of seperation and diverse vendors providing equipment to the Ducks.

Contrary to what some might think, Nike doesn't "buy" Oregon. It is a privilege for Nike to give back to one of the two schools that gave inspiration to its birth. (Stanford is the other school).

Phill went undergrad to Oregon, and got his MBA at Stanford.

log wrote:

Black Cactus is a racial slur.

Tall, skinny, black guy and white kids love to call him Back Cactus. I've never liked that kind of "acceptable" race based humor/slur. Abdi might not understand how dehumanizing the name is (or he is just going with it for marketing purposes). Either way it is racially charge and belittles him as a person.

You might believe it is okay but labeling Abdi on color is never acceptable in any public circles. Don't use it.

Go Abdi!!!

I never understood how noticing that someone is a different color is racist. That's like saying that when you see a cat, you can't state whether it is black, white, calico, etc. I know this is a poor example, but noticing someone is different is not the same as treating them differently based on this difference. Otherwise, celebrating Black History Month is racist as well.

It is doubtful Adbi will go for the home run when his fitness and that of some of the other athletes is not certain. I am sure he does want to risk watching the WC from his living room; no matter what Adbi says, his coaches and agent will tell him that getting on 2nd based s/b the goal in this situation.

eojtlc wrote:

I can't believe it took so long for someone to mention Ritz this thread either. I was thinking it the whole time like I was going to be making a breakthrough but someone got to it first. Remember, he's got marathon strength, that Galen does not, he's got a similar 5k pr, that 8:11 two mile is better than Galen has run for a similar race, and while he hasn't done it, you'd be to think he can't run 3:39.

Rupp's 13:18i AR is head and shoulders above Ritz's 13:16, which is why it is the AR, then you have to factor in that Rupp could have run much faster than that and how fast he closed it. Ritz (3:42.99) could never run a 3:39.14 after a 3:45.93 prelim and 13:46.41 5k, or a 1:49i, or close in a 52 or 1:55i. Rupp on the other hand, could probably do a 3:34/3:35 in the right race this year.

Yeah I don't think the kids get it.

My take on the 10000 is that the Flying Chalkstick will take it out pretty hard, showing no signs of rust, weakness or 20m hill sprints. He will be closely followed by Tostada Boy. Little O Wigga will be laying off the pace, looking less comfortable than a muffin at a carbo loading party. Black Cactus and Surge Chucker will push the pace between 3 and 5k and keep things honest. Black Cactus will win it by a watermelon slice. Flying Chalkstick takes second and Little O Wigga -- a bit overworked after trying win more of dat Evil Inc money at NC's -- bravely holds on for third over Tosada Boy, who may surprise everybody once again if he's done enough speedwork and hasnt been lazy.

been there done that wrote:

Yes Rup did. I hardly doubt rupp is holding out on a major salary to wear his oregon jersey if he doesn't plan to do something special in the 10K. Abdi said a long time ago that galen was the man to beat. While Abdi has a shot to beat Galen, it would take a perfect race by him and an off race by rupp. That doesn't bode well for abdi given his inconsistency and rupps consistency. In order to beat rupp abdi would need to be able to pr as well as close in 2:25 off slower pace, nad that's just to have a shot at Rupp. As others have said the most important thing is to show up at Berlin, not to rest for USAs.

You're an idiot

Black cactus is a nickname not a descriptive term. This isn't the WWE, "Black Cactus" is in poor taste. "The Cactus" is fine but calling a black man the Black anything is not appropriate. Some people may laugh it off but many will not.

Gelding wrote:

been there done that wrote:

Yes Rup did. I hardly doubt rupp is holding out on a major salary to wear his oregon jersey if he doesn't plan to do something special in the 10K. Abdi said a long time ago that galen was the man to beat. While Abdi has a shot to beat Galen, it would take a perfect race by him and an off race by rupp. That doesn't bode well for abdi given his inconsistency and rupps consistency. In order to beat rupp abdi would need to be able to pr as well as close in 2:25 off slower pace, nad that's just to have a shot at Rupp. As others have said the most important thing is to show up at Berlin, not to rest for USAs.

You're an idiot

Because.....?

At least make a point and try to prove intelligence when calling one an idiot. Where do you disagree and why friend?

I agree 100%, however, didn't Abdi claim "Black Cactus" as his own nickname? You do realize that Kobe's nickname is the Black Mamba, right? Kobe gave himself that nickname and lots of people call him that.

If not, then it is indeed poor taste.

Anyway, go Abdi.

Get ready for some more of this....

10kfan wrote:

Black cactus is a nickname not a descriptive term. This isn't the WWE, "Black Cactus" is in poor taste. "The Cactus" is fine but calling a black man the Black anything is not appropriate. Some people may laugh it off but many will not.

Seem like a bit too much political correctness, considering this is a nickname Abdi uses and promotes himself. I mean, he sells t-shirts with "Black Cactus" on 'em.

That's precisely why it rubs me the wrong way: because HE promotes himself in this manner. If you're x-color and use x-color to define/promote yourself, then you're a shallow tool at best, debatably much worse. Great runner, shallow tool, nonetheless.

speller outter of things wrote:

That's precisely why it rubs me the wrong way: because HE promotes himself in this manner. If you're x-color and use x-color to define/promote yourself, then you're a shallow tool at best, debatably much worse. Great runner, shallow tool, nonetheless.

Ohh settle down. When was the last time you saw a black cactus? They are green. Abdi aint green. He is a desert guy, he is long and thin like a cactus, but he isn't green, he's black. Get it. Now everyone enjoy the humor and the man.

So sensitive.

Black Cactus Super Fan wrote:

Major Puputan wrote:

Didn't Rupp already beat him at the Olympics?

Unlike Rupp, Abdi wasn't racing for 10th.

Last time I checked, 13th was better then 15th (not sure where you got 10th?) and 12 seconds is 12 seconds. So Rupp ran better, period. What was Abdi trying to be Bekele? Please.

Stop Rupp

Give it a rest

speller outter of things wrote:

That\'s precisely why it rubs me the wrong way: because HE promotes himself in this manner. If you\'re x-color and use x-color to define/promote yourself, then you\'re a shallow tool at best, debatably much worse. Great runner, shallow tool, nonetheless.

So he is a tool because you are offended by a nickname he chose for himself?

Someone else sounds like a tool...

Well the Black Cactus is going to stick it to the White Robot, so learn to live with it.