We merged two threads on the same topic and combined the thread titles although the first thread wasn't posed as a question. It was posted as statement: "Put a fork in Joe Klecker"
15 years ago 61 minutes was top end world class. Times have improved where now 59-60 minutes isn’t regarded as top tier. I quite like Klecker but even on a fast course he is finishing up to a kilometre behind the winner.
So what time did you run? If 1:01 isn't anything special these days, surely you're running faster than that, right?
This logic is so bad. “What are you saying about yourself?” No one is paying him to run, genius. And he also didn’t claim to be gunning for the American record in the half. We are all allowed to discuss and criticize professional athletes. They are paid to run for our entertainment. Part of that entertainment is discussion and criticism. Do we always know what we are talking about? Of course not. But there’s no reason for you to make a half-arsed dig at the poster who never claimed to be a notable runner himself. We get it, you like Klecker. Try not to get too emotional about it.
Who is getting emotional? I didn't even know who this Klecker guy was before opening this thread. I now know that he's faster than I ever was or ever will be.
I'm not good enough to get paid to run. He evidently is.
Your criticism of others says more about you than it does about them.
Honestly though, the fact that you didn’t know who Joe Klecker was before opening this thread says a lot about the kind of running fan you are. And I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being the kind of fan you are, but you have to understand that LetsRun is the place where people for whom guys like Klecker are big name celebrities come to have frank, fickle and overblown discussions about pro runners’ performances, like happens all over the place every day in regard to football, basketball, soccer etc. It’s pretty silly to stand on a soapbox and lecture people for being too critical in their sports fandom because “Well, could you do that?”
Sick of these arrogant OAC people constantly promoting themselves and their workouts. Where do they get their inflated egos from? Oh yeah- Ritz who thinks his s doesn’t stink either. At this point you just have to laugh at their narcissism
Sick of people who follow OAC and watch their narcissistic workouts despite hating them, and then complain about it even thought they are free not to watch or follow OAC.
He’s only 28. He should go back to running 10k on the track.
He needs to stick to the roads. His training got derailed from hamstring issues after doing 200s. He needs to keep at it and do more sessions all at half marathon pace or faster like: 6-8 mile tempos, 15 x 1k 6 x 1 mile, 4 x 2 mile, 3 x 5k, 2 x 4 mile
the kind of stuff mantz does all the time and Klecker really hasn’t done at all
ritz gets too cute with it. Ritz needs to think less about cute sh*t like neuromuscular development and aerobic development etc and more about: he’s trying to get Klecker to run 4:3x pace for 13.1 miles.
Now I think they were getting to that this time around but shoulda got there earlier and he doesn’t need to do 200s at that pace.
Ritz had Klecker to one workout where it was like 6 mile tempos on the dirt roads at 5+ pace, then a 2 mile on the track in 9:10ish and then one mile in 4:2x pace.
that workout should’ve been: 4 mile tempo at 4:44 or faster followed by fast 2 mile then fast mile.
Or when’s the last time Klecker has done anything like this?
It looks like Klecker needs to copy Rupp and not share anything... actually, based on the comments, in general all pros should not share anything.
He needs to stick to the roads. His training got derailed from hamstring issues after doing 200s. He needs to keep at it and do more sessions all at half marathon pace or faster like: 6-8 mile tempos, 15 x 1k 6 x 1 mile, 4 x 2 mile, 3 x 5k, 2 x 4 mile
the kind of stuff mantz does all the time and Klecker really hasn’t done at all
ritz gets too cute with it. Ritz needs to think less about cute sh*t like neuromuscular development and aerobic development etc and more about: he’s trying to get Klecker to run 4:3x pace for 13.1 miles.
Now I think they were getting to that this time around but shoulda got there earlier and he doesn’t need to do 200s at that pace.
Ritz had Klecker to one workout where it was like 6 mile tempos on the dirt roads at 5+ pace, then a 2 mile on the track in 9:10ish and then one mile in 4:2x pace.
that workout should’ve been: 4 mile tempo at 4:44 or faster followed by fast 2 mile then fast mile.
Or when’s the last time Klecker has done anything like this?
Even if Klecker transitioned to 10k training 75% of the time with the occasional long workout at half marathon pace that would be better than what he’s doing now
Not sure he can deal with Grant Fisher, Nico Young or Graham Blanks in the 10k. I say go roads
idk these two results make me nervous... some are saying he will do better when he moves up to the full distance but I can't see it after today if nothing changes, especially on a technical course like NYC or even Boston. I had high hopes for Houston but then quite low hopes for Atlanta (from personal experience on that course and I was obviously right about the latter). So I'm not sure how doubling the race distance is magically going to solve things.
Maybe a concerted training change from Ritz rather than scrapping the plan and going back to the 10k though is best. I agree that Joe doesn't have a long future there though and I do applaud him for attempting to get ahead of the age curve in the move to the roads before his prime years are used up.
He's apparently a workhouse from what everyone says so let him do the grinder thing but in longer, hillier runs rather than in faster stuff on the track/ flat loops. and if you're running enough volume at altitude with long run workouts to be a great marathoner you shouldn't WANT (or really be able) to do easy runs all at fast "Klecker mile" pace...
Klecker actually wrote on IG that he was more happy with the USATF than his previous half?? Even though it was slower? Was the route worse? Why would he be happier? 8th is not enough bro.
Klecker 8th place in 1:01:34 at the USATF half marathon champs. There’s no way you can spin this result. Absolutely terrible outcome. What does he do now? Given his size, I’d predict he’ll only be worse in the Marathon. Doesn’t have the kick or ability to be a contender on the track. Where does he go from here? Or I guess the better question is, how much are sponsors willing to pay him on his next contract? Luckily for him, I’m guessing he has a few years left. I wouldn’t give him more than $80k/year when his contract is up
Can we drop this narrative? He is 6'0 maybe 155. I'd be surprised if he's that heavy, he just looks bigger compared to guys like Mantz et al.
There have been plenty of successful guys at this size 5k to marathon throughout history. He is not that big.
Average weight of Olympic Marathon Gold Medalists: 125lbs. It’s a little man’s sport.
Klecker actually wrote on IG that he was more happy with the USATF than his previous half?? Even though it was slower? Was the route worse? Why would he be happier? 8th is not enough bro.
It’s a hilly course compared to flat Houston. Try and keep up.
idk these two results make me nervous... some are saying he will do better when he moves up to the full distance but I can't see it after today if nothing changes, especially on a technical course like NYC or even Boston. I had high hopes for Houston but then quite low hopes for Atlanta (from personal experience on that course and I was obviously right about the latter). So I'm not sure how doubling the race distance is magically going to solve things.
Maybe a concerted training change from Ritz rather than scrapping the plan and going back to the 10k though is best. I agree that Joe doesn't have a long future there though and I do applaud him for attempting to get ahead of the age curve in the move to the roads before his prime years are used up.
He's apparently a workhouse from what everyone says so let him do the grinder thing but in longer, hillier runs rather than in faster stuff on the track/ flat loops. and if you're running enough volume at altitude with long run workouts to be a great marathoner you shouldn't WANT (or really be able) to do easy runs all at fast "Klecker mile" pace...
Klecker hurt his hamstring in this last buildup and almost pulled out of the race. Go look at his Strava. So that’s one.
Two, I do think less tempos and 200s and more work at half marathon pace
Klecker actually wrote on IG that he was more happy with the USATF than his previous half?? Even though it was slower? Was the route worse? Why would he be happier? 8th is not enough bro.
It’s a hilly course compared to flat Houston. Try and keep up.
Hi little fellow, did you not see that I actually asked about the route? There is more to life than mediocre usatf half marathon champ routes.
Joe is totally fine. As the great Rodgers said before he went off the deep end: R E L A X
complete overreaction by every race... LR classic..... his second race after being out for almost a year and it's a big transition. He will be just fine.
It must suck to be a Pro runner and read these boards.
Your life gets picked apart by people you don't know (to the point of looking up what names are on your mortgage deed) but you get none of the financial security that other high-profile athletes get.
lol wow his parents really bought him a 640k house?…must be nice to be so priviledged to run pro and not have to worry about the major life expenses. Basically doesn’t matter what his running salary contract is if his parents are supporting his lifestyle in his late 20s anyways. most people aren’t that lucky
this makes me wonder how tf people like the athlete special are continuing to make YouTube videos all day and have no real job lol. Does that guy just have his parents paying for everything and literally has zero responsibilities. or does he make bank from YouTube? At least klecker is clearly on a decent contract so you know he’s making money to cover expenses and pay for things - though I’m sure he couldn’t have bought a nice home in Colorado without his parents help as the other poster identified
It must suck to be a Pro runner and read these boards.
Your life gets picked apart by people you don't know (to the point of looking up what names are on your mortgage deed) but you get none of the financial security that other high-profile athletes get.
Except that if you’re LeBron James you’re being talked about absolutely everywhere all the time (Reddit, YouTube, twitter, Facebook, instagram etc etc) and if you’re Joe Klecker there is an occasional thread started about you in one place (here)
Sick of these arrogant OAC people constantly promoting themselves and their workouts. Where do they get their inflated egos from? Oh yeah- Ritz who thinks his s doesn’t stink either. At this point you just have to laugh at their narcissism
Man, the europeans on this board are right: the level of hate and vitriol that American "fans" throw at their runners is just off the hook nasty. What did Joe ever do to you? Take your lunch money? Did Ritz spit in your latte? What the hell.
idk these two results make me nervous... some are saying he will do better when he moves up to the full distance but I can't see it after today if nothing changes, especially on a technical course like NYC or even Boston. I had high hopes for Houston but then quite low hopes for Atlanta (from personal experience on that course and I was obviously right about the latter). So I'm not sure how doubling the race distance is magically going to solve things.
Maybe a concerted training change from Ritz rather than scrapping the plan and going back to the 10k though is best. I agree that Joe doesn't have a long future there though and I do applaud him for attempting to get ahead of the age curve in the move to the roads before his prime years are used up.
He's apparently a workhouse from what everyone says so let him do the grinder thing but in longer, hillier runs rather than in faster stuff on the track/ flat loops. and if you're running enough volume at altitude with long run workouts to be a great marathoner you shouldn't WANT (or really be able) to do easy runs all at fast "Klecker mile" pace...
Yes, I like Joe, but these HM results are concerning.
The main problem is that it seems that the idea that he will get better as the race gets longer is just not true. Someone mentioned he's big...that may be it, but really the reason is irrelevant.
The facts are that in a 5k time trial he ran 12:54, and despite a slew of people doing it in the last few years, he could not break 27 in the 10k. His 10,000m was 27:07, yet he could not break 61 minutes in the half. When you compare with peers with similar times, he underperforms in longer distance.
I think people have assumed that because he likes to run his easy runs (too?) fast, he will be better as the race get longer. But based on his results, he gets worse as the race distance increases beyond 5k. This may be a case of thinking that moving up is the answer when you aren't fast enough to compete at the shorter distance, but in reality that is your best distance.
Finally, I just don't buy the "this was the first one, I need to figure out the distance". It's running. You just find a pace you can hold and run as fast as you can. You are either fit enough or you aren't.