Gutted for Leah Falland

Just finished watching the race. Coburn is a total class act. She's so confident but also looks out for the other athletes - she seemed really pleased for Constien.

I agree with some other people, Falland would have been lucky not to be caught even without the fall. When she got up she was still running 3rd/4th but didn't have enough over the last 150m. It's not like we saw with McGorty where his shoe problem pushed him to the back of the field, she was still in the race and got out-kicked, then gave up 10m before the line. That also seems like a mistake, it's not ideal, but being first alternate at least gives you a slim hope of going to the Olympics

You cannot be and could never have been a quality runner to say she wasn't close at all!! With 2 laps to go she looked in complete control. She would have hung right with Coburn, most likely would have ended up second. Don't post ridiculous statements if you are clueless to running yourself!

grumpyoldman wrote:

She can just go back to taking about "chicken noogies" on $hitty track meet broadcasts.

I can't believe we paid money for that broadcast

Snapshot wrote:

4thYearFreshman wrote:

Wow it's like the steeplechaser focuses on PRs in the steeplechase and uses other distances to tune-up for the steeplechase. I remember a few years back Coburn or Frerichs being discussed as never being able to beat the Africans since their 3k PRs weren't significantly faster then their steeplechase PRs. Heck several top Kenyans had faster steeplechase times then 3k times since they focused on the steeplechase

At some level over a longer career this is bullshlt. She is not a world class runner and it matters. It matters a lot.

It amazes me that people on this board can be this clueless.

This board typically praises runners who go for it, but for some reason Falland is getting flack for trying to secure third place. The move she made was a little risky, but it definitely was a calculated risk.

Also, if you're ripping her for having weak PRs...she's been injured for the better part of 4 years. When what she supposed to run faster? Are you people just that stupid or are you just not paying attention to the sport?

I have to agree. My wife and I were talking about how her form was falling apart right before she fell. Should have stayed back in the second pack and raced for third.

With that said, still a gutsy race and I really respect and like her!!

Another vote saying she would not have been top 3 even if the fall didn’t happen. Perhaps, that makes it even more heartbreaking.

That guy, I guess one of three, that fell in the 400h, then almost successfully recovered, was pretty tough to see. How cool if rolled through it and made the final/team!

zikes wrote:

She wasn't close at all. She was in over her head going with Coburn and Frereichs. She was out of control on every hurdle, a fall was imminent. She ran a dumb race and paid the price.

Totally agree.... she may have been able to make the team if she kept her head. She's got 3 years to think about it ;-)

Yes!!! Thank you

zikes wrote:

She wasn't close at all. She was in over her head going with Coburn and Frereichs. She was out of control on every hurdle, a fall was imminent. She ran a dumb race and paid the price.

This is close to true. She wasn't guaranteed to make top three if she stayed on her feet. I wouldn't say she ran a dumb race though. She did what she needed to do to give herself a chance to make the team.

Roflcopter wrote:

zikes wrote:

Why is it more heartbreaking for her than other people that got 4th?

O'Connor made a IDIOTIC decision to try running with two of the fastest runners ever. She was safely in third, she should have known she couldn't keep up with Courtney and Emma.

She bit off more than she could chew. Her form and her fitness were not strong enough to hurdle running 70 second laps. It wasn't bad luck that she fell, it was her own damn fault for being STUPID.

You're part of the reason why people think this place is a toilet.

What do you mean? This place IS a toilet.

you're silly! she had that third spot locked but i could tell right before she jumped that hurdle she completely lost focus and that's all that was. almost looked like she didnt even know where she was for a split second. she would of easily been in that top 3 if that did not happen.

Flagpole wrote:

zikes wrote:

She wasn't close at all. She was in over her head going with Coburn and Frereichs. She was out of control on every hurdle, a fall was imminent. She ran a dumb race and paid the price.

This is close to true. She wasn't guaranteed to make top three if she stayed on her feet. I wouldn't say she ran a dumb race though. She did what she needed to do to give herself a chance to make the team.

Trying to run with the World Championship Gold and Silver medalists is DUMB. They have 18 second faster personal bests. Did she think she was going to beat them?

She was guaranteed to fall at that pace. A bunch of people fell in the 400h after going out way too fast. That's what happens in a hurdle race if you run like an idiot. There's only one way for it to end.

sub sub elite local hobby jogger wrote:

juvie wrote:

Val Constein gave a really good post race interview. She’s very personable and well spoken. She’d represent any potential sponsor(s) really well

I can understand her not having had a sponsor to-date, having only had a 9;44 pb but hopefully she’ll get one now.

She is running for Tracksmith but not sure how much they are throwing in her direction.

According to her Tracksmith gives her clothing, but no other gear or compensation.

Jump higher next time.

zikes wrote:

Flagpole wrote:

This is close to true. She wasn't guaranteed to make top three if she stayed on her feet. I wouldn't say she ran a dumb race though. She did what she needed to do to give herself a chance to make the team.

Trying to run with the World Championship Gold and Silver medalists is DUMB. They have 18 second faster personal bests. Did she think she was going to beat them?

She was guaranteed to fall at that pace. A bunch of people fell in the 400h after going out way too fast. That's what happens in a hurdle race if you run like an idiot. There's only one way for it to end.

Nope. Not dumb. There were two laps left. She was not guaranteed to fall. She could have held back and guaranteed to get kicked down by a better sprinter. She did what she had to do to give herself a chance. Just didn't work out. She wasn't trying to beat them. She was trying to make the team. Also, they weren't on their PR pace. You're wrong here.

Agreed.

Here's a thought for everyone commenting here:

If you are not (or were not) a steepler you have no idea and should not be commenting on what she should or should not have done. Nor should you be commenting on if she would or would not have made it.

anti.marxist wrote:

Jump higher next time.

Did you watch the race? She didn't hit the barrier.

She got a bit too excited with the early pace because she was doing it for Shelby.

WinnytheBish wrote:

Snapshot wrote:

At some level over a longer career this is bullshlt. She is not a world class runner and it matters. It matters a lot.

It amazes me that people on this board can be this clueless.

This board typically praises runners who go for it, but for some reason Falland is getting flack for trying to secure third place. The move she made was a little risky, but it definitely was a calculated risk.

Also, if you're ripping her for having weak PRs...she's been injured for the better part of 4 years. When what she supposed to run faster? Are you people just that stupid or are you just not paying attention to the sport?

CORRECT! She wasn't the best sprinter in the field, so with 2 laps left, to give herself a chance, she did what was necessary. I think she gets caught if she doesn't fall, but really that's just based on where she ended up, and that's perhaps not fair as the wind is out of her sails once she realizes she's not getting third.