Hejendo76 wrote:
he ran the 1k in 2:22 instead
2:22.7 is very good, but it's important to remember the 1k is not a commonly-run event and is not run at any high school national championship. This why a guy like Matt Payamps (previously mentioned) can run 2:23 at USAs and "only" run 1:50 and 4:05. In college, generally an early-season 2:22-2:23 is a good indication of sub-4:00 ability. However, someone who runs 2:22 as their best race of the year, at a conference championship or something, is likely to be closer to 4:02-4:03 and maybe a bit under 1:50. Robby Andrews ran 1:49 the same season as his 2:22, for example.
So I think this is a great sign for Rheinhardt's sub-4:00 chances. However, I think right now he's probably in about 1:49 and 4:03 shape. I would love to see him go under 4:00 in the slow heat at Millrose or some Arkansas meet later this season, but if he tried right now I don't think he would do it.