Rajmajahl wrote:
Rojo, let me ask you this: did you foresee or predict Kerr outclassing Ches last year? I'm pretty sure you didn't. Now this year, with Kerr in position as a heavy favorite, similar to 2k17 Ches, you automatically rule out anyone else'a chances entirely? ("yes, he's going to win") That isn't genius factor, that is dismissiveness, and saying that a man who just ran 3:49 with the last several laps solo should not be favored against an athlete whose indoor mile pr is 10 seconds slower just because on one day he was better isn't genius either. You say your job is to entertain, and in the forums that may be true, but rationality should be a component of that. If you're saying this stuff to be sensationalist and attract eyes, fair enough, but don't be quite so brazen about unsupported, unprovable comparisons. If you actually believe that in a race today, Kerr should be favored against Cheserek, quite simply, I'm disappointed.
No I'm not trying to be like some jackass on some Skip Bayless show. I never said I thought he should be favored, I just said I might pick him to win. And the fact that so many people don't think it's possible shows they don't understand running.
I do think it's possible that Cheserek was forcing everything last year. I heard some gossip his workouts were unreal. But that may have been as he wanted to be a monster, get a contract, etc. If you race your workouts, you end up stale for races - hence the loss at NCAA xc, NCAA indoors and no outdoor season. No wonder Nike didn't pay him. They probably thought, "We used him up good for free. He's on the downside."
I'm happy King Che is running well. I'm still not happy he was overaged at a minimum by a year and allowed to break the HS records.
PS. 1) Why do I care that someone has an indoor PB 10 seconds slower? For starters, his indoor pb is 5 seconds slower (kerr ran 3:54 this year) but I don't care what their indoor pbs are any more than I care about what one's New Mexico or ORegon state pbs are. I care about absolute talent level.