Ryan Hall Out of Chicago

Aghast wrote:

Why is there more pressure racing a marathon then racing a 10k or a 5k or XC? Why do people say that he needs to run these other races to enjoy racing again? Why isn't a marathon enjoyable? The people saying these things are probably 5k/10k runners.

There is more pressure on a marathon because you have way more time to think during a race. And there is no guarantee that you will run a great time no matter how you feel. Plus, as a runner diversifying your race distances can be very beneficial and keep you from going completely stale. As they say, no variation in your training will result in performance plateaus. In Hall's case, I believe he has had too much time to think about 3-4 races a year, when keeping him busy in shorter races can help not dwell too much on expectations on his half- and full-marathon performances.

coach bigfoot wrote:

For such a religious guy, he sure pulls out a lot.

That joke might be funny if Hall was catholic, but he's not.

Ryan Halls Tweet just a few minutes ago

@ryanhall3 - "Sometimes when you're painting a masterpiece it gets messy. When I show up on the starting line in Chicago I want to make it special."

Sounds like he is running chicago, or just posting a reply to why he is not wanting to run..

Ulrich wrote:

Ulrich wrote:

Flagstaff group has access to good facilities and support.

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But they have to pay Greg to piss in the woods. This group is a 100% revenue source for Greg.

Ummm, you think Mahon isn't paid by his athletes??? I am willing to bet the farm that Mahon gets a lot more than McMillan from each team member.

Not Alberto, he was being paid by Nike long before he ever coached an athlete. Not Hansons, they get paid from their stores. Not Pete and Zika Rea, they make their cash from their camps.

Terrence and Greg are both living off of their athletes.

Rickey Henderson,

There is no need to be disrespectful. I try to avoid the letsrun message board cause its always a bunch of BS talk. But, Ryan is a friend of mine, and I find it very disrespectful to make a statement like the one you made. How come when someone does something great, everyone is on their side? But, as soon as a person slips up or has a bad race, everyone is against him? Ryan's faith in God is what keeps him so humble. He praises God in everything he does..not just in his running. Although running is what he does for a living...I gurantee you that running does not define who he is as a person! Yea, I'm sure he is bummed that he will not be racing in Chicago, but God has a greater plan than running fast at the Chicago Marathon. If your going to make statements like that...just keep it to yourself!

-JC

i heard mcmillan makes $200K from his athletes and online coaching, adidas, etc...

I initially reacted with skepticism, thinking Ryan is just meeting the disappointingly low standards of his skeptics.

Now I'm thinking this is actually the best thing that could have happened for his improvement. With another barely top-5 finish against a shallow field Ryan would have continued to focus on the sunshine reflecting off the steaming pile of sh*t. After almost a full training cycle he realizes what he's doing isn't working. I'm excited to hear what he's going to do to mix up his approach.

I agree that Mahon's a hack, though. If Ryan's going to stick with him he needs to recognize his shortcomings as a coach and bring in other people to fill those gaps for Ryan.

And....Rickey Henderson gets a lecture from James Carney. Take that!

Aghast wrote:

Why is there more pressure racing a marathon then racing a 10k or a 5k or XC? Why do people say that he needs to run these other races to enjoy racing again? Why isn't a marathon enjoyable? The people saying these things are probably 5k/10k runners.

First, I wasn't a 5k/10k guy. I was a marathoner who raced at the Olympic and WC level. Second, you clearly don't understand the distance and the pressures involved.

The marathon is a one race season, unlike shorter races where you can race every couple of weeks (or more). If I do a season of shorter races, there is not the same pressure that I will have to perform on one single day for which I have invested months of preparation. What other sport/event is there where your whole competitive year comprises two events?

Racing shorter distances is an enjoyable change because you can run a bunch of them without beating yourself up. If you have a cold or a bad day, then you can regroup and race again in a fortnight. Try that with the marathon. You can track your progress in races over a couple of months, and it is quite motivating. Think how Webb feels these days.

Also, training for a marathon involves significantly more mileage than training for shorter races. This extra volume takes a toll on the body. Believe it or not, it can get to be a drag being tired all the time. You generally feel sharper and fresher when you are training for shorter races.

HC wrote:

Now I'm thinking this is actually the best thing that could have happened for his improvement. With another barely top-5 finish against a shallow field Ryan would have continued to focus on the sunshine reflecting off the steaming pile of sh*t. After almost a full training cycle he realizes what he's doing isn't working. I'm excited to hear what he's going to do to mix up his approach.

Seconded. I much prefer this to continuing attempts to put annoyingly positive spins. He's noting that there's an issue, which is the first step to fixing it.

Don't know if this was already posted, but there is a press

release up on the Chicago Marathon site now:

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/CMS400Min/uploadedFiles/Chicago_Marathon/Press_Center/Hall%20Withdraws%20from%20BACCM%20FINAL.pdf

atheists wrote:

And....Rickey Henderson gets a lecture from James Carney. Take that!

...... Josh Cox

Second, this motion

Agree..Hall believing in God has nothing to do with his performance. I have said negative things about Mahon, but I believe Hall has much more in him left. I wish he could only find what he needs to succeed. I am a fan of American distance running and have seen great improvement and wish nothing but the best for all those competing whether they fall short or succeed. They all bleed the same.

or..... wrote:

...... Josh Cox

Nope. It's Carney. His twitter is @jamescarney24

coincidence? I think not.

How old was Jesus Christ when he was crucified? 24?

So Hall just wasted half of a year. An elite marathoner with several years healthy should never run 63:55. It should take him a few solid months of training to run much faster than that.

Now let's talk about a superelite guy as talented as Hall. You may say Mahon is a good coach with whom Ryan should stay, but Mahon put Hall in this position. Rackzo did some great things with Webb, but I think we can agree that he was not the best coach for Alan.

If Hall left Mahon for a while and came back, he may do okay. Mahon clearly cannot guide Hall to realise his maximum potential. Mahon messed up very badly to think that 6 weeks of speed work - probably 8-10 workouts - could suffice for Hall after three years in strength work.

Perhaps Terrance can step back and reevaluate the situation and give Hall what he needs. We know he can coach the MD guys. It looks like he's making the same mistake as Hudson in keeping Hall close to marathon work all the time, as if Hall needs three years of aerobic buildup to handle the marathon.

Hall can possibly take some of the blame here, but only a minority of it. In no way should a man of his talent run at the level of a 64-minute half marathoner at the end of a fast marathon buildup.

ugh, those first two paragraphs don't make sense together. I meant that any normal elite guy should run significantly faster than 64 after a much more modest buildup than Hall has undergone. Hall should be aeons ahead of that.

cryptologist wrote:

How old was Jesus Christ when he was crucified? 24?

he was 33.