Tribute thread? Did he die on the track earlier today?
Tribute thread? Did he die on the track earlier today?
michiganrunner55 wrote:
thank you sir wrote:
Every athlete comes to a point when they aren't what they once were.
I felt some sadness today for Matthew the final 100m. I thought he was ready. He said he was ready. His future is the 5000.
I wish I had appreciated his greatness more when he was at the top.
Thank you Matthew!
Wow a bad race and you have him moving up
In distance. I do agree he is not one of the best anymore but he is young enough to still get some of it back
Nah. He spent the last 5 years on an exit tour. Disappeared, didn't kick on.
He may keep running. But he isn't going anywhere. He peaked in 2016
no love for doping apologists actually wrote:
One fluke gold medal.
Never ran a time that was more than mediocre on the world level.
Probably the weakest athlete in a distance event to pick up a gold. I can’t think of weaker.
Would love to hear about your accolades.
run with the wom wrote:It doesn't matter about how the race went down in Rio... he won. First American in 108 years to do it. Centro did the job when it counted. For that, he can be congratulated and celebrated for the rest of his life. Thank you Matthew!
Exactly. Centro ran a great race. Everyone else ran a terrible race.
Kind of like the 800m final that was run just a day ago. Korir ran a great race. Everyone else ran a terrible race.
thank you sir wrote:
His future is the 5000.
Great runner, but his future is retirement not the 5k.
Racing strategy wrote:
run with the wom wrote:It doesn't matter about how the race went down in Rio... he won. First American in 108 years to do it. Centro did the job when it counted. For that, he can be congratulated and celebrated for the rest of his life. Thank you Matthew!
Exactly. Centro ran a great race. Everyone else ran a terrible race.
Kind of like the 800m final that was run just a day ago. Korir ran a great race. Everyone else ran a terrible race.
No. One favorite ran a terrible race. Centro controlled the rail and ran a great last 500. Plenty of guys were positioned to outkick him and none could.
no love for doping apologists actually wrote:
One fluke gold medal.
Never ran a time that was more than mediocre on the world level.
Probably the weakest athlete in a distance event to pick up a gold. I can’t think of weaker.
Man I wish people paid attention to the sport better.
I am still waiting for the "Your move!" Post.
I too enjoyed watching him. Great career so far Centro! Almost always in the mix and a gutsy racer. Incredible achievements throughout his career so far. I do hope he keeps on running competitively, that said, I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs the shoes up in a year (and if he does, good for him), I hope not though as it would be neat to see him give the 5k a shot in 2024.
American icon, thanks Centro
elledrice wrote:
Centrowitz ran faster than a lot of the qualifiers from the first heat. It sucks he didn't make it, but I'm not confident saying it's because he's no longer at the top of his game or that it was just poor luck being in the faster semi.
I'm confused as to how he didn't make the final. He ran a 3:33 compared to 3:34 for Hoare and Fontes. I thought it was time over place?
5+5+2=12. That is simple math.
Certainly our greatest 1500/mile runner ever if we're considering Lagat's major 1500 accomplishments were in another uniform. Centro is shoulder to shoulder with Jim Ryun. His 3:30 equates to just a few tenths off Alan Webb's record.
Salute to Centro. I wish he would've learned to ignore the critics -- he has some thin skin -- but he was one of the savviest racers on the circuit the last 10 years and I'd love to see him mix in some 3000s and 5000s in the years to come and try to make the 5000 team for Paris.
Oregon Best Team Ever wrote:
5+5+2=12. That is simple math.
Could have done without the last sentence, but thanks for answering. Sucks he ran faster than the other two, and didn't make the final.
It's not Centro, it's Jerry. GDS in the women's 1500m will be very telling on whether he can actually coach the mid-distances or not. Andy Young, her old coach and coach of Muir/Reekie emphasizes speed a lot, Jerry works on it like once a week and it's really just strides or speed endurance. Also, look what he did with Kate Grace? Then she goes to Boss and drops back to back 1:57's. His program is very strength oriented and they spend a lot of time at altitude which can hinder your speed if you're not working on it enough. I have no doubt Centro can run 12:50-12:55 in the 5k right now, but it doesn't matter if he can't run faster than 3:32 consecutively. None of the BTC upper distance guys can drop down and run fast 1500's. Jager ran 3:32.9 once, that's it. Shelby has natural speed, but he can't even get her to the starting line.
shut up snowflake
Father Time wins again. I salute all you did, Centro. For a full decade, you were the face of American middle distance, and you filled that role very well. Now it's Cole Hocker's era.
JohnR wrote:
Father Time wins again. I salute all you did, Centro. For a full decade, you were the face of American middle distance, and you filled that role very well. Now it's Cole Hocker's era.
+1
I agree with previous posters that this is likely more indicative of Jerry's coaching than anything else. Jerry is a strength guy and Centro is probably in sub 13 shape as it stands. When you overemphasize strength it is possible you might lack that final gear that Salazar cultivated in all his top-flight runners so well. Centro has always been an injury-prone runner with good instincts and great top-end speed who rounds into shape quickly. His getting outkicked wasn't age (see Nick Willis 2nd in Rio @ 33), it's likely a lack of that final gear due to improper training focus. If the rumors are true and Centro got $1M for his last gold in Rio that then rolled over into subsequent years, there is probably some aspect of him that just isn't very hungry anymore. The guy potentially made $5M+ over the last few years, what is that per appearance? I hope he keeps running, he probably has more in him.
Gonna miss seeing Centro in 1500….feel like a lot of people took his time for granted and never praised him like they do Hocker or Engles. Even though I highly doubt they both will ever have the same medals and world championship medals that Centro has. I hope we see him for another year or 2 in different events before retiring. Lets see when one of “America favorites” will ever pull out a Olympic medal or world championship for the US. I’ll be waiting.