One of the jobs of a coach/manager in any sport is to provide perspective for an athlete who has their emotions wrapped up in their performance.
A good coach would have said "Hey, Fiona, you are clearly injured. You earned this position and you have a lot to be proud of, but you can set yourself back big-time if you try to hobble through this race. And besides, both you and I know you are talented and hard-working enough to make this happen again in 4 years."
Agree in full with what was written by NERunner about that Q/A. I’m glad people on the message board are at least accurately calling it a press release. LetsRun pinning it at the top of this thread saying she “explains everything” lacks so much context is bonkers. This wasn’t an interview, or anything close. And even what was carefully printed there is full of vague statements. Between this and her Instagram (and then her responses to comments she’d be better off ignoring…), Fiona comes off like a defensive high schooler not a Stanford-educated professional. Goes back to surrounding yourself with immature people. Work with the Craggs long enough and you’re sure to regress, in many a way.
What was he booted for? It’s alarming that both her and Rose Harvey ran in unhealthy states.
This is horrible and about as immoral as possible. Alistair was living with his fiancé in her place. She left in the summer to race in Europe. While she was gone Alistair moved another teammate (Amy) into the house (that his fiancé owned). Just before she returned from Europe his fling (Amy) moved out of the house. Alistair and the fling (Amy) denied that anything was going on. Everyone knew better and the Coach sent Alistair packing. Amy denied everything but shortly left the group and moved in with Alistair. Stand up people huh.
Yikes!😳 All this on top of being bad coaches who put their athletes health at risk. Fiona should be looking for a new set up ASAP. Also hilarious that Amy’s tagline on Twitter is, “whatever it takes!” Geez🙄
I am astounded that LRC had boots in Paris for two weeks and couldn't be bothered to publish any real reporting (the nightly recap/hot take show is not sports journalism) but then the allow themselves to be used as a PR vehicle by an athlete desperate to salvage their image.
I am astounded that LRC had boots in Paris for two weeks and couldn't be bothered to publish any real reporting (the nightly recap/hot take show is not sports journalism) but then the allow themselves to be used as a PR vehicle by an athlete desperate to salvage their image.
I’m actually okay with that. I don’t have an instagram so I wouldn’t have read their press release if LRC didn’t publish it.
Yeah I think you're onto something. In general shorter runners have more success in the marathon. I know some people deny this, but lighter is better in distance running, as long as you have enough muscle mass to be strong and enough fat stores to be healthy.
Really petite athletes like Helen Obiri and Peres Jepchirchir while lean, aren't extremely thin yet still have low body weights since they are so short. East Africans tend to be shorter on average than Caucasians, so you see more taller marathoners from the U.S. and Europe. I think these taller runners try to compensate from the added bodyweight to to height by being too thin, which introduces a ton of health and injury risks. While shorter U.S. runners like Dakota Lindwurm and Emily Sisson skirt these risks similar to East African runners, taller runners like Fiona O'Keeffe and Molly Seidel are 5'7" and constantly injured. Eilish McColgan is another example. She's 5'11", 117 lbs, and constantly injured.
One exception is Sifan Hassan, who is also 5'7". The difference with her is that she naturally has a very narrow frame, which is common among Ethiopians. While she is thin and light, she has enough body fat to be healthy do to her genetics, unlike the Caucasian runners who are a similar height and weight.
You mentioned Emma Bates as well, who is 5'4". She's a bit taller than Sisson and Lindwurm, but she seems pretty healthy by maintaining a lot of lean muscle mass. It seems like she relies on having a big engine and fueling more frequently during marathons (I think she says she fuels every 5K). It's probably also why she has more success on hilly courses like Boston, where she uses her strength and energy help her drive up the hills instead of trying to be in an extremely energy efficient rhythm on a flat course. This is probably the best formula for taller Caucasian runners in the marathon
Also, environmental conditions can play a huge role. Having a taller, muscular built can give you an advantage running in cold enviornmental conditions. Just look Boston marathon 2018. Taller runners should also select races in cold weather.
Yeah I think you're onto something. In general shorter runners have more success in the marathon. I know some people deny this, but lighter is better in distance running, as long as you have enough muscle mass to be strong and enough fat stores to be healthy.
Really petite athletes like Helen Obiri and Peres Jepchirchir while lean, aren't extremely thin yet still have low body weights since they are so short. East Africans tend to be shorter on average than Caucasians, so you see more taller marathoners from the U.S. and Europe. I think these taller runners try to compensate from the added bodyweight to to height by being too thin, which introduces a ton of health and injury risks. While shorter U.S. runners like Dakota Lindwurm and Emily Sisson skirt these risks similar to East African runners, taller runners like Fiona O'Keeffe and Molly Seidel are 5'7" and constantly injured. Eilish McColgan is another example. She's 5'11", 117 lbs, and constantly injured.
One exception is Sifan Hassan, who is also 5'7". The difference with her is that she naturally has a very narrow frame, which is common among Ethiopians. While she is thin and light, she has enough body fat to be healthy do to her genetics, unlike the Caucasian runners who are a similar height and weight.
You mentioned Emma Bates as well, who is 5'4". She's a bit taller than Sisson and Lindwurm, but she seems pretty healthy by maintaining a lot of lean muscle mass. It seems like she relies on having a big engine and fueling more frequently during marathons (I think she says she fuels every 5K). It's probably also why she has more success on hilly courses like Boston, where she uses her strength and energy help her drive up the hills instead of trying to be in an extremely energy efficient rhythm on a flat course. This is probably the best formula for taller Caucasian runners in the marathon
Also, environmental conditions can play a huge role. Having a taller, muscular built can give you an advantage running in cold enviornmental conditions. Just look Boston marathon 2018. Taller runners should also select races in cold weather.
The problem is that the Olympics is the pinnacle of marathoning…..and is always in August, when it’s super hot. Bigger runners are also worse on hills. Sure, Chicago and Berlin are super flat and you can even catch a 40 degree race day in Chicago in early October, but the conditions really do have to be perfect. I’m a bigger runner myself, and I only sign up for half marathons or marathons in November with the exception of the one time I ran Chicago.
Also, environmental conditions can play a huge role. Having a taller, muscular built can give you an advantage running in cold enviornmental conditions. Just look Boston marathon 2018. Taller runners should also select races in cold weather.
The problem is that the Olympics is the pinnacle of marathoning…..and is always in August, when it’s super hot. Bigger runners are also worse on hills. Sure, Chicago and Berlin are super flat and you can even catch a 40 degree race day in Chicago in early October, but the conditions really do have to be perfect. I’m a bigger runner myself, and I only sign up for half marathons or marathons in November with the exception of the one time I ran Chicago.
The problem is that the Olympics is the pinnacle of marathoning…..and is always in August, when it’s super hot. Bigger runners are also worse on hills. Sure, Chicago and Berlin are super flat and you can even catch a 40 degree race day in Chicago in early October, but the conditions really do have to be perfect. I’m a bigger runner myself, and I only sign up for half marathons or marathons in November with the exception of the one time I ran Chicago.
70 miles a week for the marathon at the elite level? It won't happen, as it won't work. Not close.
I recall mcclain saying she didn't exceed 75 miles/week before the trials. Seems to work in some cases at the elite level...
I think women in particular need to be cautious with super high mileage. Yes it’s an individual thing but is it a coincidence that for the British runners, the only one who finished was the sub (who said herself she wasn’t really marathon fit). Whereas I know the others had been hitting 120 miles per week. Rose Harvey ran it with a stress fracture in her femur and is now on crutches. Calli Thackeray couldn’t finish (due to emotional issues but that level of training takes its toll). Charlotte Purdue was out due to an injury and is often injured.
It’s a fine line. And the question is how to be competitive with someone like Hassan if you can’t stay healthy on 120 plus miles a week.
In most places, Fiona’s situation would elicit empathy and support, recognizing the immense pressure she must have faced. Instead, she’s being unfairly labeled as a liar, with all kinds of personal issues. And a straightforward recounting of the events leading up to August 11 is dismissed as a fabricated “press release.” Should Fiona fabricate a story to satisfy the critics and quell the so-called “outrage”? Even then, it would never be enough. Personally, I’m an even bigger fan now. Fiona, if you’re reading this, stay strong and ignore the unjust noise. Many of us support your decision to race and represent your country.
In most places, Fiona’s situation would elicit empathy and support, recognizing the immense pressure she must have faced. Instead, she’s being unfairly labeled as a liar, with all kinds of personal issues. And a straightforward recounting of the events leading up to August 11 is dismissed as a fabricated “press release.” Should Fiona fabricate a story to satisfy the critics and quell the so-called “outrage”? Even then, it would never be enough. Personally, I’m an even bigger fan now. Fiona, if you’re reading this, stay strong and ignore the unjust noise. Many of us support your decision to race and represent your country. In my opinion, this was noble and absolutely the right thing to do.
So USATF flew out an alternate due to some sudden week of hip tightness? Fiona isn’t deleting Instagram stories of her running with a limp because she just found out about it.
Runners World reported the story wednesday or something, therefore mainstream media knew about it. That includes people that work for NBC who decided not to report or talk about it after it was released.
I’m not making McClain a martyr. Poor decision making and a bad PR team is making her a martyr. If she just said the truth instead of digging herself a hole this would be done by now.
Also, environmental conditions can play a huge role. Having a taller, muscular built can give you an advantage running in cold enviornmental conditions. Just look Boston marathon 2018. Taller runners should also select races in cold weather.
The problem is that the Olympics is the pinnacle of marathoning…..and is always in August, when it’s super hot. Bigger runners are also worse on hills. Sure, Chicago and Berlin are super flat and you can even catch a 40 degree race day in Chicago in early October, but the conditions really do have to be perfect. I’m a bigger runner myself, and I only sign up for half marathons or marathons in November with the exception of the one time I ran Chicago.
When NYT profiled Yuki Kawauchi after his Boston win, he openly stated that he doesn't bother trying to qualify for the Olympics because of exactly this. He knows he's ideally suited to colder races and since the Olympics are always held in midsummer the conditions are not going to ever suit him.
I think most runners who have no chance at an Olympic/WC podium would do well to figure out what environment they run best in and just stick to mainly competing in those conditions. You'll get way more out of your career and find competing more rewarding that way.
So USATF flew out an alternate due to some sudden week of hip tightness? Fiona isn’t deleting Instagram stories of her running with a limp because she just found out about it.
Runners World reported the story wednesday or something, therefore mainstream media knew about it. That includes people that work for NBC who decided not to report or talk about it after it was released.
I’m not making McClain a martyr. Poor decision making and a bad PR team is making her a martyr. If she just said the truth instead of digging herself a hole this would be done by now.
Unsure what, if anything, happens from here. Unsure we could ever expect a statement or additional input from USATF. But maybe all of this will help athletes think twice in the future.
So USATF flew out an alternate due to some sudden week of hip tightness? Fiona isn’t deleting Instagram stories of her running with a limp because she just found out about it.
Runners World reported the story wednesday or something, therefore mainstream media knew about it. That includes people that work for NBC who decided not to report or talk about it after it was released.
I’m not making McClain a martyr. Poor decision making and a bad PR team is making her a martyr. If she just said the truth instead of digging herself a hole this would be done by now.
Unsure what, if anything, happens from here. Unsure we could ever expect a statement or additional input from USATF. But maybe all of this will help athletes think twice in the future.
Both are great athletes and great people. Fiona will get healthy, continue to propel her career forward and will be able to call herself an Olympian. Jess doesn't seem to be bummed to have made the trip. You can't blame either for trying and you feel for both in this situation.
Unsure what, if anything, happens from here. Unsure we could ever expect a statement or additional input from USATF. But maybe all of this will help athletes think twice in the future.
I’m sure USATF will conduct a thorough, transparent, timely, and objective review of this incident in particular and the processes overall and share their findings in a clear, succinct and meaningful statement including relevant next steps and action items.
I'm not reading this whole thread, but why is it only the USA where we have marathoners who can hardly walk start the marathon? I guess it's okay that teammates can elbow Valby when she's near in the track 10K, so you can be an "Olympian" if you limp six inches.
Great Britain's marathoner had almost the exact same situation as Fiona, but she kept going. Limped all the way to the finish and has a femoral head stress fracture. It's definitely not just us.
I'm not reading this whole thread, but why is it only the USA where we have marathoners who can hardly walk start the marathon? I guess it's okay that teammates can elbow Valby when she's near in the track 10K, so you can be an "Olympian" if you limp six inches.
Great Britain's marathoner had almost the exact same situation as Fiona, but she kept going. Limped all the way to the finish and has a femoral head stress fracture. It's definitely not just us.
Even Ethiopia had all three of their men DNF in Tokyo. In Paris, Kipchoge just DNF'd and Bekele crapped the bed. I think the moral of the story is picking only three runners to represent your country in the marathon is a hard task.