Desi officially out of the Olympic marathon

I did not realize that Amy was still the alternate. My bad. That said the Usatf sent out an email a month ago for the ladies that finished in the 7-12 spots to fill out the paperwork to be listed as potential alternates for the marathon. I have no idea who actually filled out the paperwork or who might be hurt. I do know that Desi hurt would in no way beat some of the ladies in the 6-12 spots.

Again, this is Desi's spot. Nif she can run. She should run. If she try's to run and cannot. Well, props for trying.

To Double Standards wrote:

I did not realize that Amy was still the alternate. My bad. That said the Usatf sent out an email a month ago for the ladies that finished in the 7-12 spots to fill out the paperwork to be listed as potential alternates for the marathon. I have no idea who actually filled out the paperwork or who might be hurt. I do know that Desi hurt would in no way beat some of the ladies in the 6-12 spots.

Again, this is Desi's spot. Nif she can run. She should run. If she try's to run and cannot. Well, props for trying.

That's a good question. Why did USATF send out paperwork for finishers 6-12, after the track trials, if they were not to be considered as alternates? Seems in poor taste on behalf of USATF to have people on standby and promising to be in the best shape of their life, etc. if they weren't really being considered as alternates.

What are you on? Fastest alternate time is by Hastings (2:27) - the only alternate officially named by USATF, with Janet being the next legit one. Numbers six, seven and onwards not considered so stop dreaming, plus one is injured, another half marathon champs dnf last month, and the next one 11th in 10k at the trials - with none of them on marathon specific training for the past few months. Desi running with an injured leg is still better. Dream along...

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How are you so certain no one has been doing marathon specific training for the past several months? Seems odd that so many professional marathoners wouldn't be training for marathons.

Again, it doesn't matter if Desi runs or if they nominate a substitue. The US currently only has two female world class marathoners and that's Goucher and Flanagan. Desi had one heck of a run in Boston but let's be real - the only reason why she was able to beat Kara is because the latter was coming back from a pregnancy.

That said, I don't think those two will have a say in London either. It's going to be a Kenya/Ethiopia/Russia podium.

You are the expert of nothing.

She had PLENTY of time after her pregnancy (by her own admission too), more than Paula and she won NY in 2:23! Desi is getting better and Kara is running the same time race in and race out. Get a clue and you are the one who needs to get real as you know nothing about running. Desi has her number and Kara knows it. Of course beating her in the trials means nothing either, right?

Sure, nice try but.... wrote:

You are the expert of nothing.

She had PLENTY of time after her pregnancy (by her own admission too), more than Paula and she won NY in 2:23! Desi is getting better and Kara is running the same time race in and race out. Get a clue and you are the one who needs to get real as you know nothing about running. Desi has her number and Kara knows it. Of course beating her in the trials means nothing either, right?

Well actually it doesn't mean anything seeing as they both qualified for London. It matters what they do in the Olympics. Like if Lagat were to say win silver at the Olympics and Rupp gets 5th in the 5k no one cares that Rupp beat Lagat at the trials.

How much of a payday/bonus does Desi get if she starts the race? Is it more if she finishes?

[/quote]

The first priority for any coach should be to keep their athlete's healthy, if you don't you can't work with them.[/quote]

Athlete's what?

teepee wrote:

How much of a payday/bonus does Desi get if she starts the race? Is it more if she finishes?

I don't think Desi is the kind of person driven by money and selfish pursuits that only benefit her and her alone. Do you? She's an Olympian for crying out loud.

I think Des has rent to pay like everyone else

$20k to toe the line. I'd be toeing if it i was injured.

All about the $$ wrote:

$20k to toe the line. I'd be toeing if it i was injured.

Prove it. This seems much deeper and more complex than simply a money issue.

Please. Attitude schmatitude. If I have the opportunity to get 20K by just starting a race, I'll crawl to the line if need be. The Olympics are only every 4 years, and there's no guarantee she'll even make another Olympic team, or for that matter have a sponsor to pay the bills. Get to the line and get paid. She earned it.

I say toe the line, start the race and pull out if the pain becomes too much to bear. It could be the last time she is ever in 2:20 shape again if this injury is career ending.

teepee wrote:

Please. Attitude schmatitude. If I have the opportunity to get 20K by just starting a race, I'll crawl to the line if need be. The Olympics are only every 4 years, and there's no guarantee she'll even make another Olympic team, or for that matter have a sponsor to pay the bills. Get to the line and get paid. She earned it.

knower of knowledge wrote:

I think Des has rent to pay like everyone else

<- This.

Ace in the Troll wrote:

I say toe the line, start the race and pull out if the pain becomes too much to bear.

I've already stated this is what will happen - her bonus from Brooks for starting is worth running a half mile in pain.

Nutella1 wrote:

runn wrote:

I agree with you. It would be different if we had another 2:22 marathoner waiting to run. We don't, so she should give it a try.

Desi is a 2:22 runner just as Ryan Hall is a 2:04 runner. As in "is NOT".

Is TO.

double standards wrote:

Kevin Hanson has taken a huge blow in this situation and he deserves it. He is a coach and needs to keep his pie hole closed when it comes to anything outside of coaching.

Well that settles that...

...except he just happens to be a team owner and can say anything he wants, good or bad.

You? Your just another reason that most elite runners, coaches and other knowledgeable good people stay far away from here.

Lots of judgmental, snide jerks on this thread. The running community really is full of jealousy and ignorance. So easy to criticize an athlete or coach, especially in the middle of a heartbreaking situation.

Hey Kevin you don't flat out own the team. You can't just say anything you want to the press about an athlete without consulting the athlete first. Gosh it would be horrible to lose control of an athlete like Desi.

Kevin52 wrote:

Well that settles that...

...except he just happens to be a team owner and can say anything he wants, good or bad.

You? Your just another reason that most elite runners, coaches and other knowledgeable good people stay far away from here.