Jenny Simpson Tribute Thread

Definitely one of the greatest of all time. Thought it was cool that she went right away to congratulate the younger runners, who have all looked up to her for years.

tgvuioinb wrote:

Definitely one of the greatest of all time. Thought it was cool that she went right away to congratulate the younger runners, who have all looked up to her for years.

I saw that, did she say ‘great team’ or something like that?

She is such a class act.

She didn't need to make this team to cement her legacy. Bow down to one of the greatest to ever do it.

I loved the podcast talk about her chances. On paper she couldn't be seen as a contender, but with her pedigree and past success, she couldn't be discounted completely. I had the same struggle, but took a flier on her finishing 3rd in the contest.

Huge fan of Jenny, one of the greats. Probably one of the harder hit from the pandemic year, age-wise. Sad she won't be going to Tokyo, but probably for the best.

It catches up with everybody, including the great ones. And Simpson is a great one

Dwightarm wrote:

tgvuioinb wrote:

Definitely one of the greatest of all time. Thought it was cool that she went right away to congratulate the younger runners, who have all looked up to her for years.

I saw that, did she say ‘great team’ or something like that?

She is such a class act.

I think I heard her say that she was so proud of them. Class act indeed.

I don't think there is one runner who has given me more joy and pleasure watching her for so many years. Can you remember her from early on her CU days, the steeple reign and then the infamous track season of 08-09? She spent 3 years chasing down Sally Kipyego in the NCAAS who was arguably the best collegiate distance runner ever at the time and in every XC and Track race and it was never enough until the final year at indoor track Jenny broke her with the indoor NCAA mile record and had just a completely different level of talent and prowess than we could have ever imagined. Followed by her incredible indoor 3k, 5k record, 5k outdoor record, and the legendary 3:59 at PRE when she almost hunted down Jamal and almost nipped her at the line. Not to mention the steeple years where we were treated to her and Anna Willard going back and forth in a dual every time they raced.

We then got to see her ramble on for the next 10+years in all the 1500 championships when everyone had counted her out. I wish NBC knew enough to put together a montage of every race that Jenny Simpson was hunting down the world's greatest in the last 150 meters like a lioness and shocking the hell out of everyone with her perfect timing and tactics. Honestly, the most prolific and exciting racer we've seen in my opinion.

Personally I'd love to see her get really fit throughout the summer and surprise us all with a fall half marathon and marathon. I know it would be super unlikely but my only regret for her is that she didn't get to go after the American 10k and road records and I think she was more aerobically inclined but because she was so stellar at the 1500 we never really got to see her move up. I have no doubts she could still run something really solid on the roads if she was fit and healthy.

Rip in peace. Hellooo darkness my old frieeennnd

Her stubbornness prevented her from moving up to the 5k or back to the steeple where she might have had a shot.

Saw her at Potts field, saw her break record at the CU Shootout,saw her training at the Lagerman reservoir....always fun to watch her run.

roller coaster wrote:

Her stubbornness prevented her from moving up to the 5k or back to the steeple where she might have had a shot.

I had always wondered what she would have done in the steeple had she not gotten injured. She definitely could have done damage in the 5000 as well if she moved up a few years earlier. Cannot complain though she is a legend

+1 She's my favorite and always will be. For the fans' sake I hope she continues to race but I'll be happy for her regardless of her next move. Agree with the other posters who have said she'd make a great coach.

A legend and a class act!!

She's not done yet. 5th Ave mile champ 2021!

I got to talk to her for like half an hour on the footlocker bus in san fran or whatever a few years ago. she was super super nice and knowledgeable and had such a friendly persona despite being a titan in the running world. Seemed just as interested in my small running goals as she was when talking about her Olympic ones. Bummed to see her not quite make it.

skalci wrote:

She didn't need to make this team to cement her legacy. Bow down to one of the greatest to ever do it.

I only bow down to Jesus Christ.

hobbyjogger18 wrote:

roller coaster wrote:

Her stubbornness prevented her from moving up to the 5k or back to the steeple where she might have had a shot.

I had always wondered what she would have done in the steeple had she not gotten injured. She definitely could have done damage in the 5000 as well if she moved up a few years earlier. Cannot complain though she is a legend

Maybe. But she never ran a really good 5k. In the end, you have to enjoy what you do. Maybe she never wanted to move up. Bob Kennedy tried to move up at the end of his career - first to the 10k and then the marathon. It didn't work. I really enjoyed watching her run all these years. She got the most out of her ability with such great racing tactics and a killer kick.

I already knew she wouldn't make the team 2 weeks ago watching her run on TV. She's was struggling to get to 4:06. It ain't there anymore, folks. Hasn't been for a few years now.