What was his 5K split? Yeah- thought so. When the top 6-8 went out fast, who hung back? Yeah- thought so.
they opened up with 64's and 65's for the first mile, settled into 67's as a chase pack then 2 laps after he and the chase pack reattached his splits were 69, 68, 71, 67, 71 and then he closed the last 4 laps in 66, 63, 62, 57. That is far from even paced
13:55-13:59 is a very even paced race.
4:21-4:27-4:32-4:34-4:38-4:22-:58 going to the well. (Remember- you’re supposed to finish that way- that’s literally what you train to do.)
Minor surges in a 28:00 duration race is part of racing. It’s not like he went out in 4:10, or had to start dropping 62s mid race to maintain contact. It was a very steady pace throughout. If anything, those 71 second laps helped his performance.
I texted him last night that for me personally, this was one of the greatest performances I have ever seen in trials history. And sure, he didn't win the race or even make the team but it's not the point. We know Drew has had a tough time of it physically over the years with injury after injury but it's difficult to comprehend how difficult it's been for him emotionally and mentally - pressure from his sponsors, reading what people write about you on message boards (guys say they don't read but they do) etc, and to show up like that and just hold on as guy after guy dropped off (and really good guys too) - just sensational. I mean he made Nico Young - a 12.57/26.52 guy push it to his absolute max just to hold him off and I personally was convinced Drew was going to roll him in the final 120.
Just everything about it was great - even down to the optics that he even looked laboured (emblematic of his injury history) as he just trucked around lap after lap - and yet he just couldn't be broken until the final 60m.
That is what the Olympic trials and the sport is all about. I'll never forget that run.
I actually think this is a great post. It’s obvious from the interview what a relief for Drew this is, almost a breakthrough and a confidence booster that he absolutely belongs, after a career plagued by injuries. If he really does have his training figured out, then I agree, sub-13 and sub-27 and some American teams could be in the cards.
He’s not young anymore but he’s not old. I get that some people resent him for what he got right out of high school and has failed to live up to the billing, but he’s just now coming into his peak years. Perhaps he will yet fulfill all that promise. Gutsy performance last night. Right there with three sub-27 dudes. With his 1500 speed and obvious aerobic machine, maybe the 5000 actually could be his best event?
I'm very calm. I just don't look at races and performances purely on times or places - because at the end of the day it's just running. So stories like this mean more to me.
Translation:
“Facts and reality mean nothing to me. I’m going to spread my fantasy with the world whether they asked for it or not.”
4:21-4:27-4:32-4:34-4:38-4:22-:58 going to the well. (Remember- you’re supposed to finish that way- that’s literally what you train to do.)
Minor surges in a 28:00 duration race is part of racing. It’s not like he went out in 4:10, or had to start dropping 62s mid race to maintain contact. It was a very steady pace throughout. If anything, those 71 second laps helped his performance.
Stop being obtuse.
What are you guys really arguing about anyway…It was a championship race in 80-degree temps. He’s run 13:08 and 27:36 (win) in the buildup, so he’s fit and hanging with Nico Young so long indicates that 10K PB is going to come down too.
they opened up with 64's and 65's for the first mile, settled into 67's as a chase pack then 2 laps after he and the chase pack reattached his splits were 69, 68, 71, 67, 71 and then he closed the last 4 laps in 66, 63, 62, 57. That is far from even paced
13:55-13:59 is a very even paced race.
4:21-4:27-4:32-4:34-4:38-4:22-:58 going to the well. (Remember- you’re supposed to finish that way- that’s literally what you train to do.)
Minor surges in a 28:00 duration race is part of racing. It’s not like he went out in 4:10, or had to start dropping 62s mid race to maintain contact. It was a very steady pace throughout. If anything, those 71 second laps helped his performance.
Stop being obtuse.
My guy, if you don’t understand racing that’s fine. Just stop making a fool of yourself on a running website 😂
This wasn't as impressive as you all think. He didn't beat anyone good, you are just celebrating the fact that he finished CLOSE TO Nico young who is 5 years younger than him. Nico is clearly also not in 12:57 and sub 27 fitness right now. Nico obviously peaked for the Ten to hit the standard and he's running on fumes now (sub 13 Nico would have destroyed Wolfe).
Here's who Drew Hunter beat:
Casey Clinger coming off of a massive injury
Connor Mantz who is training exclusively for the marathon and who also ran like an idiot.
Sam Chelanga who is 39 years old coming back from retirement.
Andrew Colley who is 33
Ryan Ford who nobody ever heard of before
Paul Chelimo who is out of shape and also ran like a moron.
Aside from the top 3 this was an extremely weak 10k field.
4:21-4:27-4:32-4:34-4:38-4:22-:58 going to the well. (Remember- you’re supposed to finish that way- that’s literally what you train to do.)
Minor surges in a 28:00 duration race is part of racing. It’s not like he went out in 4:10, or had to start dropping 62s mid race to maintain contact. It was a very steady pace throughout. If anything, those 71 second laps helped his performance.
Stop being obtuse.
My guy, if you don’t understand racing that’s fine. Just stop making a fool of yourself on a running website 😂
Yeah- cause going from 69 to 71 and then all the way back to 69 can really destroy you if you’re in 27:30 shape! LOL
Aside from the top 3 this was an extremely weak 10k field.
My guy, it was the final of a national championship and an Olympics qualifier. It's literally the absolute best the USA has to offer right now.
The best guys are in the 5k because the 10k world standard is so insane. Drew is still about 40 seconds away from qualifying for the Olympic 10k, and 40 seconds is HUGE in the 10k.
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