Those last two images are completely blank on my screen.
Those last two images are completely blank on my screen.
How far can Wanders go ? Very far, I think in marathon, but on track, don't think he'll ever be a Mo Farah. I would love to be proved wrong on that.
Big work ethic, Wanders, and he does everything right, including the weights. Looked like 25kg fastish reps, correct me if wrong.
Ghost in France
traitor wrote:
Why would he wear a Kenya jersey? Seems pretentious.
Weird comment.
Ghost1 wrote:
on track, don't think he'll ever be a Mo Farah.
Wanders is a far better runner, and I like him a lot more.
traitor wrote:
Why would he wear a Kenya jersey? Seems pretentious.
Probably like most people, so he's not going around running half naked.
To claim Wanders is a far better runner compared with Farah is a bizarre statement.
Farah's range is phenomenal, from 3.28/1500 to 2.08/thon.
Doubt that Wanders will ever run faster than around 3.35/3.36 for 1500, but in Wander's favor, he -Wanders- may be better, long term, in the endurance department. He is a real diesel type of runner. Not the fastest in pure leg speed, but the one who might ultimately hold the most intense pace over half marathon to marrathon distances.
Wanders reminds me of Chris Froome, in many ways -his dedication to task, extreme ectomorphism, and -paradoxically -easy going nature.
Ghost in France
I agree with a lot about what you say. And I like your comments. But I don't necessarily agree with the Froome body type comparision. Before he joined Sky, Froome was a bit stockier. Now he says it (weight) came down because of a strictly regimented diet (and possibly some weightloss drugs). Wanders seems much more easy going in terms of nutrition (healthy but plenty). And he likely is more of a naturally skinny guy.
And I hope he doesn't match Froomes drug record.
How good was Farah at age 20/21? He had already been a full time runner since the age of 16 by then.
Surely Bob Tahri has brought at least a few decent French prospects to his camp?
Keniano, Jambo - French distance running is dead, at least at the higher levels. In the key 16-18 age group, there are far fewer runners than before.
This means that there is a smaller talent pool to feed the senior ranks.
Standards have dropped drastically.
Thirty years ago there were plenty of sub. 2.20 runners in France, and quite a few under 2.15. Now, if you run under 2.30 you will be top ten in French National Marathon Championships.
Young people are attracted by more entertaining activities in France, and distance running is not one of them.
Ghost in France
So sad, if true. I'd gotten a different impression from the European under 23s.
In the other hand, french sprinting is in rather good shape, 30 years ago the french record were quite far from 9"86/19"80
Yes, they have a good under 23 team, with Jimmy Gressier, a former soccer player from Boulogne sur Mer, a port town, just across the narrow channel to the UK.
But the depth is not there, if those top guys disappear, there are few subs.
France is not like Japan, where there are hundreds of sub 1.06 half marathon runners, in the university age group -18-22 years. In France, there would be very few -less than 10 guys.
Ghost in France
On the other hand France seems to be able to produce good mid distance runners. Baala not too long ago, Mekhissi, PA Bosse...
Why does France sucks at longer events? The "high mileage" culture does not seem to have penetrated there. Weekly mileage is barely evoked in the discussions of the main French running forum... People seem to be more obsessed with hitting certain interval splits.
You are right, most French coaches push quality over quantity, these days.
Hassan Chahdi, 2.10 marathoner and 61 half only runs 80km per week, with peak of 120km before marathons.
Back around the time of Chauvelier, 2.11 marathoner, and a bunch of others sub. 2.15, people like Faure, Itsweire, Lefrand, etc...in the 80's and early 90's, those guys were on 30km per day, and it paid off.
These days, it is all about quality, gym work and low mileage, and they miss the one important key...the long fast run....over 30-40km.
Ghost in France
So he went straight home, to Iten, after the Barcelona half? This picture proves he’s really becoming Kenyan ?
El Keniano wrote:
So he went straight home, to Iten, after the Barcelona half? This picture proves he’s really becoming Kenyan ?
https://instagram.com/p/BfG6mdphhQu/
Rumor has it he’s considering getting Kenyan citizenship. Would be hilarious considering that whole debate about Kenyans in team USA and the WCAP...
Kenya allows for dual citizenship now so no biggie. But Kenyan distance running will never want for foreigners to boost its ranks. Said foreigners would not be capable of making the sc
Julien just posted yesterday's training session on Facebook. Sounds brutal.
AM: 2 x 7k tempo at 4:51 pace with 1k jog recovery in 3:50
PM: 3 x 1600 w/3min (4:34, 4:37, 4:35) / 4 x 1000 w/3min (2:48, 2:47, 2:47, 2:48) / 5x500 w/80s (1:21, 1:19, 1:20, 1:18, 1:14)
Looks like a Cameron Levins clone.