I think this is the point though. I was under the impression that "actual running" was planned to have started much more than a month ago.
Hey I picked him to win the 1500 in Tokyo this season and I'm still sticking with that so I can be exaggerating too much. But I do think big picture the injury stuff which is a) becoming a consistent issue and b) the recovery time getting longer is worth a little concern, that's all.
Oh yeah definitely. The injury timeline to me seems like
Mid to late April: Injured in Sierra Nevada, flies back to Norway.
May 26: Posts his “first” alter G running session on a treadmill
June 8: Does a mini threshold session on treadmill while still cross training
June 20: Says that he is on his last cross training session
July 3: Filip says Jakob will join him at altitude.
This seems like a pretty obvious schedule for opening in Silesia or maybe later. This injury was in the other leg apparently, but it definitely took less time to rehab. He is running 100% within a month and a half which is decent and way better than his 3 month off injury last year.
How to prevent it? Well he trains to be pretty much fit year round, he would need to slow the progression down drastically and probably drop all the European XC and indoor meets he does. Seems like the only way to me. He uses that Coros training hub thing so he should have no problem slowing that loading curve down.
I'm not discouraged by this pull out at all.
The post above -amazing by the way - summarizes it perfectly. Do we really think someone who was still cross training on June 20th would be ready to take on Kerr on July 19th?
As a side note, the more I see Kerr and Hocker content and headlines with titles such as these:
"The Best 1500m Runner in the World: Josh Kerr on Training, Strategy & Staying on Top"
"There's nothing up for debate. Olympic record, Olympic gold. I don't even care how people view me"
"Best racer in the world"
The more I think it is not such a bad thing - for Jakob - that he is flying under the radar...for now. The same applies to a few other younger talents. I've literally never seen any of those type of headlines or quotes associated with Jakob.
With Jakob out of London, Kerr has all of the expectation to win that race.
"Incredibly lame" might be a bit harsh TL. As of today Mo Farah is the only man to win the world 5000m three times and he did those consecutively - Jakob obviously has the chance to join him in September.
The question is obvious, if you aren't quite fully fit (and this doesn't just mean injury free and training, it means some period of concentrated racing), does he sacrifice winning the 5000m when winning the 1500m after a severely interrupted season (injury, emotional baggage with the family, being a young father) might simply not happen?
If it's me and I risk not winning both, I'll take the 5000m and see if I can pull a late career El G moment in Beijing in the 1500. I agree that Paris is begging for redemption (and 4 months ago he was 100% my pick to win the 1500m in Tokyo because of that) - but 4 months on from that and he's still dropping out of races and not apparently fully fit? That prediction is hanging on by a thread.
Agree with almost all of this, but I think he will be capable of doubling this summer. I think the biggest thing for him is dropping doubling at all these European Championships. I mean, in March he won 4 gold medals with a ton of heats and finals. That definitely contributed to his achilles issue. Going forward, no way he continues doubling at these lower tier championships or even running Europeans at all.
To the downvoters...what else does he have to accomplish on the European Championship side of things? He is already the most successful gold medal winner at the Outdoor European Championships and is tied for first indoors. European XC doesn't really matter. He should really just be focusing on World Indoors and that is it. Enough with the European Champs, his achilles clearly cannot handle it.
all Norwegian papers (nrk, vg etc.) are reporting that he is dropping London. According to his press advisor he needs more time to recover properly. No info on any setbacks or anything concrete about his progress
I think a few of us here were anticipating Silesia might be his opener anyway, so the London news aligns with that.
For sure Kerr will be in London… because Jakob is out.
Agree with almost all of this, but I think he will be capable of doubling this summer. I think the biggest thing for him is dropping doubling at all these European Championships. I mean, in March he won 4 gold medals with a ton of heats and finals. That definitely contributed to his achilles issue. Going forward, no way he continues doubling at these lower tier championships or even running Europeans at all.
To the downvoters...what else does he have to accomplish on the European Championship side of things? He is already the most successful gold medal winner at the Outdoor European Championships and is tied for first indoors. European XC doesn't really matter. He should really just be focusing on World Indoors and that is it. Enough with the European Champs, his achilles clearly cannot handle it.
I don't know if you're from Europe, but the European competitions matter over here. The athletes care about them and so do the fans. And it's ridiculous to say Euro Cross doesn't matter, it's more important over here than World XC. Jakob should be praised for turning up to important competitions, his presence, as one of the best athletes of all time, helps to increase the prestige of the event. My biggest criticism of Kerr is that he doesn't turn up to Euros. I don't care that he's missed Pre a couple of times, but he should be turning up to represent his country when it matters. Jakob gets that.
all Norwegian papers (nrk, vg etc.) are reporting that he is dropping London. According to his press advisor he needs more time to recover properly. No info on any setbacks or anything concrete about his progress
It makes sense. He’s stated via social media that he’s only just in the last few days resumed full training. It would make sense he would want at least 4-6 weeks to sharpen up off of this. I would expect his first race of the outdoor season to be early August.
Agree with almost all of this, but I think he will be capable of doubling this summer. I think the biggest thing for him is dropping doubling at all these European Championships. I mean, in March he won 4 gold medals with a ton of heats and finals. That definitely contributed to his achilles issue. Going forward, no way he continues doubling at these lower tier championships or even running Europeans at all.
To the downvoters...what else does he have to accomplish on the European Championship side of things? He is already the most successful gold medal winner at the Outdoor European Championships and is tied for first indoors. European XC doesn't really matter. He should really just be focusing on World Indoors and that is it. Enough with the European Champs, his achilles clearly cannot handle it.
Yeah I generally agree. I think time to move onto some new challenges.
A shame for those of us attending the London DL, myself included. We don't have a huge number of events to see the world's best compete, and given the men's 1500m is the only "long" distance event scheduled (on the men's side) a bit of a blow to have Ingy not in attendance. Am sure Kerr will make for a good race but was hoping to see some fast times. Our weather forecast looks pretty ace for a fast 1500m, warm and light wind.
As a side note, the more I see Kerr and Hocker content and headlines with titles such as these:
"The Best 1500m Runner in the World: Josh Kerr on Training, Strategy & Staying on Top"
"There's nothing up for debate. Olympic record, Olympic gold. I don't even care how people view me"
"Best racer in the world"
The more I think it is not such a bad thing - for Jakob - that he is flying under the radar...for now. The same applies to a few other younger talents. I've literally never seen any of those type of headlines or quotes associated with Jakob.
With Jakob out of London, Kerr has all of the expectation to win that race.
No, Kerr is but one of 5 contenders now. not ahead really of anyone in the group.
Jakob knows exactly what he is doing Like him or not the dude has an amazing record of showing up at the major champs ready to race seriously. I would not be surprised if he shows an epic late-season charge as others feel burnout. This situation works in his favor by shifting the weight onto Kerr and Nuguse and Hocker etc some of whom will shift weight onto themselves as well. He may be well served by limited racing a late peak and the lower-key buildup.
Jakob knows exactly what he is doing Like him or not the dude has an amazing record of showing up at the major champs ready to race seriously. I would not be surprised if he shows an epic late-season charge as others feel burnout. This situation works in his favor by shifting the weight onto Kerr and Nuguse and Hocker etc some of whom will shift weight onto themselves as well. He may be well served by limited racing a late peak and the lower-key buildup.
Jakob vs Laros FTW.
Actually agree with this logic. Laros could very well win this and Jakob will be a factor as always but different than last years… sneaking below radar.
To the downvoters...what else does he have to accomplish on the European Championship side of things? He is already the most successful gold medal winner at the Outdoor European Championships and is tied for first indoors. European XC doesn't really matter. He should really just be focusing on World Indoors and that is it. Enough with the European Champs, his achilles clearly cannot handle it.
I don't know if you're from Europe, but the European competitions matter over here. The athletes care about them and so do the fans. And it's ridiculous to say Euro Cross doesn't matter, it's more important over here than World XC. Jakob should be praised for turning up to important competitions, his presence, as one of the best athletes of all time, helps to increase the prestige of the event. My biggest criticism of Kerr is that he doesn't turn up to Euros. I don't care that he's missed Pre a couple of times, but he should be turning up to represent his country when it matters. Jakob gets that.
Very well said. He always makes a point to attend the Norwegian Championships as well.
Let’s face it: the man is done. He has a good looking wife, a young kid and has lost the motivation provided by his abusive father / coach. He no longer has true hate in his heart. Without true hate, he will have a hard time winning a local turkey trot, let alone a diamond league race.
A shame for those of us attending the London DL, myself included. We don't have a huge number of events to see the world's best compete, and given the men's 1500m is the only "long" distance event scheduled (on the men's side) a bit of a blow to have Ingy not in attendance. Am sure Kerr will make for a good race but was hoping to see some fast times. Our weather forecast looks pretty ace for a fast 1500m, warm and light wind.
It's annoying that London hasn't announced anymore names for the 1500. Olli Hoare is in but I doubt any Americans will show up with USAs so close. We could still get Laros, Habz, Mills, and Koech. I'd like to see Kerr put under pressure to run fast. I've seen him kick home in 3:35 races this year, what has he got in a 3:29 race?
I forgot to mention the two large dogs as well. No wonder the dude is cooked. He has too many distractions and joy in his life to ever be truly great. He needs hate in his heart.
As a side note, the more I see Kerr and Hocker content and headlines with titles such as these:
"The Best 1500m Runner in the World: Josh Kerr on Training, Strategy & Staying on Top"
"There's nothing up for debate. Olympic record, Olympic gold. I don't even care how people view me"
"Best racer in the world"
The more I think it is not such a bad thing - for Jakob - that he is flying under the radar...for now. The same applies to a few other younger talents. I've literally never seen any of those type of headlines or quotes associated with Jakob.
With Jakob out of London, Kerr has all of the expectation to win that race.
No, Kerr is but one of 5 contenders now. not ahead really of anyone in the group.
It's annoying that London hasn't announced anymore names for the 1500. Olli Hoare is in but I doubt any Americans will show up with USAs so close. We could still get Laros, Habz, Mills, and Koech. I'd like to see Kerr put under pressure to run fast. I've seen him kick home in 3:35 races this year, what has he got in a 3:29 race?
You won’t get any Kenyans as their Trials are now a couple days later. Agree no Americans, either. Laros, Mills, Gourley and Wightman feel like locks. Would expect Habz, Nordas and Nader too. Probably filled out with the tier down of Aussies/Kiwis and Europeans.