Houlihan racing 5k Saturday in Heusden, Shalane Flanagan Pacing

I agree 14:45 - 14:50 would be the book on this race. But I look at what Sifan Hassan just ran (14:22.34, dropped her PR by nearly 19 seconds), and Shelby looks to be as fit or more fit than Hassan. So I still wouldn't rule out a new AR.

I'm predicting sub 15 for Schweizer.

After Huddle's sub-par 5000 the other week it will be interesting to see if she goes with a hot place (i.e. 14:40) from the gun or plays it more conservatively. My guess is she goes for it.

notrump wrote:

Shelby looks to be as fit or more fit than Hassan.

Hassan has always been faster than Houlihan.

It'll be interesting to see what Huddle can do. She ran one of her worst 5k's last week. Usually, once people move up to the marathon they lose their track wheels, but Huddle appears to be doing both.

huh?1 wrote:

notrump wrote:

Shelby looks to be as fit or more fit than Hassan.

Hassan has always been faster than Houlihan.

Maybe you haven't been keeping up with current events, but Hassan just got her ass kicked:

Trump2020OP-the real one... wrote:

... Will Switzerland pass a law banning French bread to be eaten in their country?

They could, but it wouldn't stop her eating French bread in Belgium. ;)

UltraDude wrote:

yeahbut wrote:

Flanagan seems like an odd choice for a pacer.

I agree, but remember that Flanagan had this record before Huddle took it from her. So, I'm thinking Shalane's motivation here might not just be out of the goodness of her heart to help Houlihan, but as payback to Huddle if she can facilitate Huddle losing the record. It adds some additional drama that Huddle will be in this race.

Too bad Huddle isn't even the american record holder anymore and Shannon Rowbury has the american record at 14:38 from 2016. Also, Huddle is the one who took Flanagan's 10k record in 2016 so Huddle already has the edge.

It would be nice (but unlikely) if Hall, Huddle, Sisson, Schweizer and Houlihan (and Shalane!) all broke 15 in the same race. I expect three.

UltraDude wrote:

yeahbut wrote:

Flanagan seems like an odd choice for a pacer.

I'm thinking Shalane's motivation here might not just be out of the goodness of her heart to help Houlihan...

As others have said, Flanagan does seem to genuinely enjoy helping her younger teammates succeed. She has spent a lot of time recently pacing Infeld in the 10000 and 5000. That said, I doubt she is doing this just out of the goodness of her heart. BTC and Nike undoubtedly make it worth her while to be a good teammate.

Let’s get one thing clear... Flanagan still has wheels. Schumacher is great at keeping the speed on the legs of his athletes so they’re not too far off of their 15/5k speed while marathon training. High volume, some marathon specifics, and lots of 5k/10k work through build ups

Shalane can easily pace a 14:30 5k through 3-4K, she would fall apart going to 5k but not badly I would be Flanagan can go 14:45 right now.

Make no mistake, huddle will be in the thick of it as well. Huddle can close out a 5k fairly well but idk about in a AR race like this. Shelby will out kick her if it comes down to the last 100m

Current American Record for 5000 m 14:38.92 Shannon Rowbury September 9, 2016 Memorial Van Damme, Belgium Brussels, Belgium

Will it fall in Heusden?

Will Shannon Rowbury's new baby be crying or sleeping?

Will Shelby have Belgian Waffles as a pre-race breakfast?

Interesting Wikipedia fact(?) Belgian Waffles place of origin is listed a France. Shelby Houlihan likes French Bread.

Definition of hoolihan

hoolihanned; hoolihanned; hoolihanning; hoolihans

West

: to bring down (a steer) in bulldogging by leaping well forward on the horns rather than by twisting

Will Shelby bring down the record ?

Will she be wearing a red streak in her hair?

Shannon Rowbury likes red lipstick.

I'll be wearing my red hat.

What does it say?

M.A.G.A...

Shelby is definitely in 5000m AR shape; however, the pacing by Shalane and the competition/pace of the top two African could easily sideline her attempt. Shelby is on another level than any American in recent years and if everythings perfect and she go 100% (leave it all on the track) then 14:28-14:34 wouldnt surprise me.

VIPAM wrote:

Shelby is definitely in 5000m AR shape; however, the pacing by Shalane and the competition/pace of the top two African could easily sideline her attempt. Shelby is on another level than any American in recent years and if everythings perfect and she go 100% (leave it all on the track) then 14:28-14:34 wouldnt surprise me.

That kind of time would put the doping accusers into overdrive. But I'm sure the Africa-haters will be love it!

VIPAM wrote:

the pacing by Shalane and the competition/pace of the top two African could easily sideline her attempt.

Who are the "two top Africans"? I only see one African on the start list, and she hardly seems like she'll be in the mix.

What am I missing wrote:

VIPAM wrote:

the pacing by Shalane and the competition/pace of the top two African could easily sideline her attempt.

Who are the "two top Africans"? I only see one African on the start list, and she hardly seems like she'll be in the mix.

Yeah, the start list does not suggest this will be a fast race, unless Shalane can push the pace for a while. It's a bunch of white girls who have never broken 15.

Excellent work, a quantum leap forward.

Trump2020OP-the real one... wrote:

Current American Record for 5000 m 14:38.92 Shannon Rowbury September 9, 2016 Memorial Van Damme, Belgium Brussels, Belgium

Will it fall in Heusden?

Will Shannon Rowbury's new baby be crying or sleeping?

Will Shelby have Belgian Waffles as a pre-race breakfast?

Interesting Wikipedia fact(?) Belgian Waffles place of origin is listed a France. Shelby Houlihan likes French Bread.

Definition of hoolihan

hoolihanned; hoolihanned; hoolihanning; hoolihans

West

: to bring down (a steer) in bulldogging by leaping well forward on the horns rather than by twisting

Will Shelby bring down the record ?

Will she be wearing a red streak in her hair?

Shannon Rowbury likes red lipstick.

I'll be wearing my red hat.

What does it say?

M.A.G.A...

Wake up folks wrote:

Let’s get one thing clear... Flanagan still has wheels....I would bet Flanagan can go 14:45 right now.

Really??? That's be amazing. 14:45 is basically her PB (14:44.80) which she set 11 years ago, when she was 25. Her next fastest time is 14:45.20 set seven years ago (on her 30th birthday!) She didn't break 15:00 again until last year, when she ran 14:58.99 at this meet. We all thought that was very impressive for a 36 year old marathoner. I guess not.

notrump wrote:

After watching that field in Cork City smash 9 minutes in the 3k, there might be something in the air this week. At Rabat Hassan and Obiri made the AR look really soft - I really think Houlihan has a good shot at crushing it since she easily looks as fit as Hassan (and can get the AR with a run that is about 18 seconds slower). If Flanagan is going to pace her, though, she may have to go a long way into the race to make that possible. I have no doubt Houlihan could do it in a more competitive event.

Can Flanagan go that pace for very long? 1500?