He sounds like the goal is to be running again in a few weeks, which would be the second week of June perhaps. That is enough time to be running well in early August-Worlds. It is probably not enough time to be chasing records/off-events. His “2024 Pre” might be London in this scenario, with about 5-6 weeks of training into it (its hard to imagine Pre this year is realistic). He could be really close to 100% by Silesia and up there by Worlds.
And in a completely unintuitive way, this could actually help him with the world champs being historically late (beaten only by the heat-danger WC's of Doha that were end of September/beginning Oct in 2019).
Last season he was out with the same issue Jan/Feb, back fully training by the end of March and was able to run a 3.45 mile at Pre a little over 8 weeks back. By July the 12th (let's say around 100 days later) he was in sub 3.27 shape. If he can get over this and be back healthy by the middle of June, he will have approximately the same amount of time before the WC's start. I think that this effectively means any legitimate attempts at WR's might be challenging this season - as you said maybe something in Silesia is feasible, but who knows.
When I said it could help him, that's because on the flipside all his main competitors are going to be racing more than they ever have in their careers as they even approach the middle of the season. The GST boys are only halfway through their doubling "delight" (dilemma?) and I would much rather be heading into September slightly underdone and on the way up than the opposite if I had to choose being under-raced or over-raced.
Of course all of this depends on him actually getting healthy and getting healthy soon. I don't think it's curtains yet as long as he can be back close to full health by the middle/end of June. Bigger picture what does suck is that it seems one of his prime years where he seems like he is right in his window for breaking records etc, might be lost or dramatically reduced.
I know he won't do this based on his prior comments, but if he is back fully fit in August, going after the mile WR should be his absolute priority this season. This is the record he can absolutely get and he needs to get it before he truly commits to the going after the 5000m because while his training philosophically won't change, the volume and specifics will (maybe why he's having these issues to begin with). The 1500m now just seems really tough. It was going to be tough for him regardless, but losing these months and his ability to run a 1-2 races under 3.30 to prep himself just seems like it pushes it even further away.
The recurrence of his Achilles issue shouldn't be understated. If he has micro tears again after his bout last year then he's already, by defifinition, in the zone of tendinosis not tendonitis...which is a more chronic situation. It should also be noted that the "pain" indicators that let an athlete know they've suffered an achilles flare up come several days or even weeks after micro tears happen. The nerves that send these indicators are not immediately inflamed but lag behind the actual micro tears. There's a high likelihood that Jakob is only trusting his body to tell him if he's training to hard based on the pains he's feeling. With tendonitis/tendonis those pain indicators come well after the damage is done. It's been mentioned before but Jakob not having a coach and only trusting his body and instincts may not be enough to stop him from over training.
Also, "healing" from past bouts of achilles tendonitis/tendinosis never results in perfect healing as it actually leaves imperfect collagen build up along the tendon in a way that is not parallel with the tendon but perpendicular. This imperfect build up along the tendon makes recurrence of the original injury probable and potentially chronic.
Jakob famously tries to keep himself in racing shape year around. This method might not he ideal as he gets older. Jakob needs more than himself and his brothers to help him train and not hurt himself moving forward.
Excellent post. Achilles issue are very concerning and often times remain with the runner for years. Hoping this does not prematurely end Jakob's thus far spectacular career.
lol! I sometimes turn off the tv when I have high hopes that one of my favorites is in a hotly contested race. So my curse will not reach them. Complete nonsense (but often works.)
The recurrence of his Achilles issue shouldn't be understated. If he has micro tears again after his bout last year then he's already, by defifinition, in the zone of tendinosis not tendonitis...which is a more chronic situation. It should also be noted that the "pain" indicators that let an athlete know they've suffered an achilles flare up come several days or even weeks after micro tears happen. The nerves that send these indicators are not immediately inflamed but lag behind the actual micro tears. There's a high likelihood that Jakob is only trusting his body to tell him if he's training to hard based on the pains he's feeling. With tendonitis/tendonis those pain indicators come well after the damage is done. It's been mentioned before but Jakob not having a coach and only trusting his body and instincts may not be enough to stop him from over training.
Also, "healing" from past bouts of achilles tendonitis/tendinosis never results in perfect healing as it actually leaves imperfect collagen build up along the tendon in a way that is not parallel with the tendon but perpendicular. This imperfect build up along the tendon makes recurrence of the original injury probable and potentially chronic.
Jakob famously tries to keep himself in racing shape year around. This method might not he ideal as he gets older. Jakob needs more than himself and his brothers to help him train and not hurt himself moving forward.
could see him missing the whole season. last time, I think it was something like 7 or 8 months from the time he felt the injury until he entered his first race. Even if you cut that in half, the season is over.
Is he really gonna want to compete at less than his best? I don't know. Maybe he can get back well enough for a couple of big one off performances, but to be ready for the 1500 and 5000 rounds is something different. Perhaps would be worth the risk to jump back into the deep end early, if it was 2028, but is it worth it for 2025?
Hope im wrong. The achilles is just the worst nagging injury. I hate the idea of a season without Jakob.
The recurrence of his Achilles issue shouldn't be understated. If he has micro tears again after his bout last year then he's already, by defifinition, in the zone of tendinosis not tendonitis...which is a more chronic situation. It should also be noted that the "pain" indicators that let an athlete know they've suffered an achilles flare up come several days or even weeks after micro tears happen. The nerves that send these indicators are not immediately inflamed but lag behind the actual micro tears. There's a high likelihood that Jakob is only trusting his body to tell him if he's training to hard based on the pains he's feeling. With tendonitis/tendonis those pain indicators come well after the damage is done. It's been mentioned before but Jakob not having a coach and only trusting his body and instincts may not be enough to stop him from over training.
Also, "healing" from past bouts of achilles tendonitis/tendinosis never results in perfect healing as it actually leaves imperfect collagen build up along the tendon in a way that is not parallel with the tendon but perpendicular. This imperfect build up along the tendon makes recurrence of the original injury probable and potentially chronic.
Jakob famously tries to keep himself in racing shape year around. This method might not he ideal as he gets older. Jakob needs more than himself and his brothers to help him train and not hurt himself moving forward.
So what's the solution? Would surgery solve it?
you've had issues and consulted with doctors. I would imagine you have as good of a guess as anybody.
I also get the feeling that Jakob hasn't tried to push very much with the injury, so is likely not close to the point that surgery would generally be recommended.
could see him missing the whole season. last time, I think it was something like 7 or 8 months from the time he felt the injury until he entered his first race. Even if you cut that in half, the season is over.
Is he really gonna want to compete at less than his best? I don't know. Maybe he can get back well enough for a couple of big one off performances, but to be ready for the 1500 and 5000 rounds is something different. Perhaps would be worth the risk to jump back into the deep end early, if it was 2028, but is it worth it for 2025?
Hope im wrong. The achilles is just the worst nagging injury. I hate the idea of a season without Jakob.
Hmm I don't really seeing him missing the whole season. The whole point of dealing with this injury niggle now is so he is good come August and September. Luckily for him Worlds is later this year.
Further, most athletes are dealing with some niggle you never hear about. Even Josh Kerr had a tricky hip injury that hasn't derailed his season.
We know Jakob doesn't need a lot of lead up races to build confidence like a lot of other athletes, so he could probably drop back into the circuit anytime and still perform at a relatively high level.
Let's see what happens and wish him the best, because I also hate the idea of a Jakob-less season.
This post was edited 38 seconds after it was posted.
And in a completely unintuitive way, this could actually help him with the world champs being historically late (beaten only by the heat-danger WC's of Doha that were end of September/beginning Oct in 2019).
Last season he was out with the same issue Jan/Feb, back fully training by the end of March and was able to run a 3.45 mile at Pre a little over 8 weeks back. By July the 12th (let's say around 100 days later) he was in sub 3.27 shape. If he can get over this and be back healthy by the middle of June, he will have approximately the same amount of time before the WC's start. I think that this effectively means any legitimate attempts at WR's might be challenging this season - as you said maybe something in Silesia is feasible, but who knows.
When I said it could help him, that's because on the flipside all his main competitors are going to be racing more than they ever have in their careers as they even approach the middle of the season. The GST boys are only halfway through their doubling "delight" (dilemma?) and I would much rather be heading into September slightly underdone and on the way up than the opposite if I had to choose being under-raced or over-raced.
Of course all of this depends on him actually getting healthy and getting healthy soon. I don't think it's curtains yet as long as he can be back close to full health by the middle/end of June. Bigger picture what does suck is that it seems one of his prime years where he seems like he is right in his window for breaking records etc, might be lost or dramatically reduced.
Captain Obvious strikes again.
try not to worry, he is the worst poster on this f**king website
Yeah. I love this guy. I love that he did this. You can sense that it is tough, though. As he said, "it sucks".
I really appreciate his candor and toughness, but I can’t say “I love this guy.“ Some of his behavior is just too douchy for me. Naguse? Kessler? Them I love.
Yeah. I love this guy. I love that he did this. You can sense that it is tough, though. As he said, "it sucks".
I really appreciate his candor and toughness, but I can’t say “I love this guy.“ Some of his behavior is just too douchy for me. Naguse? Kessler? Them I love.
Ok I'll bite. I'm 63 and divorced. What am I doing on a Friday night?
Please, detail just one "douchy thing".
Thanks in advance. (Because I know you'll come up with...er...something.)
His IG Stories today have him doing 70 and 80% on the boost treadmill for the first time. Encouraging sign…more knowledgeable posters on rehab what sort of ballpark is that until running on ground (a week? 2 weeks?)
His IG Stories today have him doing 70 and 80% on the boost treadmill for the first time. Encouraging sign…more knowledgeable posters on rehab what sort of ballpark is that until running on ground (a week? 2 weeks?)