So I was texting with a buddy about the Hocker injury and this dawned on me. I don't want to say what Ray said is false, but seems weird to me that you would be hurt then go out and lead a heat for guys just to key right off you. That just doesn't make a lot of sense tactically. Like all you need to be is top 3 - none of those guys ahead of him closed out faster than 40, if I am hurt and running compromised the last thing I would do is take the race out from the front. Or am I crazy for questioning that logic? Furthermore, you were injured enough that you couldn't finish top 3 in the heat of your nationals in a field you should have walked in to the final with - and now it's like "I'll be back for the 5000?" Yeah - not adding up here.
Hocker will be fine! What about Kessler! Guys headed in the wrong direction! Should have went to college!
Are you kidding? Kessler's flameout this year is why most would argue "He had to take the millions" when he was offered them as who knows if he's going to be a top pro.
And I'm always arguing, "College is the way to go."
If I was a collegian, I'd try to go go pro in track and run xc for the NCAA. See if the NCAA bans me. There's nothing like the college xc team though
Hocker will be fine! What about Kessler! Guys headed in the wrong direction! Should have went to college!
Are you kidding? Kessler's flameout this year is why most would argue "He had to take the millions" when he was offered them as who knows if he's going to be a top pro.
And I'm always arguing, "College is the way to go."
If I was a collegian, I'd try to go go pro in track and run xc for the NCAA. See if the NCAA bans me. There's nothing like the college xc team though
So I was texting with a buddy about the Hocker injury and this dawned on me. I don't want to say what Ray said is false, but seems weird to me that you would be hurt then go out and lead a heat for guys just to key right off you. That just doesn't make a lot of sense tactically. Like all you need to be is top 3 - none of those guys ahead of him closed out faster than 40, if I am hurt and running compromised the last thing I would do is take the race out from the front. Or am I crazy for questioning that logic? Furthermore, you were injured enough that you couldn't finish top 3 in the heat of your nationals in a field you should have walked in to the final with - and now it's like "I'll be back for the 5000?" Yeah - not adding up here.
I think just the opposite.
First of all, I don't know how they did the heats but his heat had 3 of the 5 fasstest 1500 guys in the country for 2022 - Yared Nuguse #2, Vincen Ciattei (#3) and Hocker #5 (using his Pre Classic 1500 split0. If he slips up at all, he's kind of Fd.
With the three heats, they should seed it 1-2-3-3-2-1. You shouldn't have more than 2 of hte top 6 in his heat and his had 3 of the top 5. I think it's because Hocker's 1500 time from this year may not have counted as it was at Pre or maybe they use overall qualfying window times. I think they should see it on this year's times in the 1500.
Anyways, he may have been thinking, "I'ma littl rusty. My leg is bothering me (if he's got a hamstring or calf problem) and I'm not sure how much I can sprint but I know i'm aerobically way fitter than most of these guys so I'll make it honest and if I get nipped at the line, I'll still make it on time."
IT pretty much almost worked exactly like that except it was unfortunate so many guys were right there and he may have panicked at the end flailing for the line.
So I was texting with a buddy about the Hocker injury and this dawned on me. I don't want to say what Ray said is false, but seems weird to me that you would be hurt then go out and lead a heat for guys just to key right off you. That just doesn't make a lot of sense tactically. Like all you need to be is top 3 - none of those guys ahead of him closed out faster than 40, if I am hurt and running compromised the last thing I would do is take the race out from the front. Or am I crazy for questioning that logic? Furthermore, you were injured enough that you couldn't finish top 3 in the heat of your nationals in a field you should have walked in to the final with - and now it's like "I'll be back for the 5000?" Yeah - not adding up here.
I think just the opposite.
First of all, I don't know how they did the heats but his heat had 3 of the 5 fasstest 1500 guys in the country for 2022 - Yared Nuguse #2, Vincen Ciattei (#3) and Hocker #5 (using his Pre Classic 1500 split0. If he slips up at all, he's kind of Fd.
With the three heats, they should seed it 1-2-3-3-2-1. You shouldn't have more than 2 of hte top 6 in his heat and his had 3 of the top 5. I think it's because Hocker's 1500 time from this year may not have counted as it was at Pre or maybe they use overall qualfying window times. I think they should see it on this year's times in the 1500.
Anyways, he may have been thinking, "I'ma littl rusty. My leg is bothering me (if he's got a hamstring or calf problem) and I'm not sure how much I can sprint but I know i'm aerobically way fitter than most of these guys so I'll make it honest and if I get nipped at the line, I'll still make it on time."
IT pretty much almost worked exactly like that except it was unfortunate so many guys were right there and he may have panicked at the end flailing for the line.
Okay we can agree to disagree on that - I'm fine with difference of opinion, no offense taken.
For me, I see a guy who has made his living off rolling guys in the last 200m and while I so get your logic, I just don't buy making a fundamental change of tactics because of "injury". But that's just me and my experience. I would think it's easier to run 26.5 for the last 200 rather than expending more energy both physically and mentally taking it out which appeared to happen - but that's just me and my experience.
Either way it was poorly executed - if you are aerobically way fitter then you need to be considerably faster than 58,1.58 and 2.58 because well over half that field can easily handle that pace.
Hocker will be fine! What about Kessler! Guys headed in the wrong direction! Should have went to college!
If I was a collegian, I'd try to go go pro in track and run xc for the NCAA. See if the NCAA bans me.
They would. See the Jeremy Bloom case. He was one of the best freestyle skiers in the world when he was at Colorado and tried to play football. The NCAA ruled that even though he was a professional in a completely different sport he was ineligible to participate in any NCAA sport.
Hocker will be fine! What about Kessler! Guys headed in the wrong direction! Should have went to college!
Are you kidding? Kessler's flameout this year is why most would argue "He had to take the millions" when he was offered them as who knows if he's going to be a top pro.
And I'm always arguing, "College is the way to go."
If I was a collegian, I'd try to go go pro in track and run xc for the NCAA. See if the NCAA bans me. There's nothing like the college xc team though
What millions? Anyone really look at his contract? He's not getting more than 5 years at Stanford or Notre Dame would have been worth... Probably an incentive contract where he's getting peanuts... There are guys in high school right now faster than him. Hocker will be back an he at least has an Olympic finals on his resume...
Remember the advice Archie Manning gave to both Peyton and Eli before their first N.F.L. games: Talk to the press after every game, win or lose. It is as important to talk to the press after a 3 interception game as it after a 3 touchdown game.
Well they were contractually obligated to talk to the press or get fined.
That was not an official n.f.l. policy during regular season back in early 1990's when Manning brothers and Ryan Leaf were rookies.
First of all, I don't know how they did the heats but his heat had 3 of the 5 fasstest 1500 guys in the country for 2022 - Yared Nuguse #2, Vincen Ciattei (#3) and Hocker #5 (using his Pre Classic 1500 split0. If he slips up at all, he's kind of Fd.
With the three heats, they should seed it 1-2-3-3-2-1. You shouldn't have more than 2 of hte top 6 in his heat and his had 3 of the top 5. I think it's because Hocker's 1500 time from this year may not have counted as it was at Pre or maybe they use overall qualfying window times. I think they should see it on this year's times in the 1500.
Anyways, he may have been thinking, "I'ma littl rusty. My leg is bothering me (if he's got a hamstring or calf problem) and I'm not sure how much I can sprint but I know i'm aerobically way fitter than most of these guys so I'll make it honest and if I get nipped at the line, I'll still make it on time."
IT pretty much almost worked exactly like that except it was unfortunate so many guys were right there and he may have panicked at the end flailing for the line.
Okay we can agree to disagree on that - I'm fine with difference of opinion, no offense taken.
For me, I see a guy who has made his living off rolling guys in the last 200m and while I so get your logic, I just don't buy making a fundamental change of tactics because of "injury". But that's just me and my experience. I would think it's easier to run 26.5 for the last 200 rather than expending more energy both physically and mentally taking it out which appeared to happen - but that's just me and my experience.
Either way it was poorly executed - if you are aerobically way fitter then you need to be considerably faster than 58,1.58 and 2.58 because well over half that field can easily handle that pace.
His problem in the race was the obvious depth of talent who were incentivised to outkick the famous kicker.
His problem before the race was the stupid training that got him injured.
Since the mods don't want to see the elephant in the room, is it only injury that explains Hocker's dramatic decline from 2020? He is simply not the same runner.