The truly great athletes don't just try to meet the bare minimum of their contractual obligations, they strive to be better
But "better" is a matter of opinion. Is it "better" to race 10 times per year against your biggest competitors and make the fans happy?
Or is it "better" to peak once a year and win a gold medal at the World Championships?
Or is it "better" to peak once a year and set up a time trial race to go for an American or World record?"
Better" means different things to different athletes. And what's "better" for the athletes often isn't the same thing as what's "better" for the fans."
What is the US soil 5000 record? Jakob got the US soil record for the mile (3:47) at Hayward after the Olympics last year. I predict he goes under 13 on May 6 just because he can. Calling 12:57. Oh yeah, and his 800m on June 8 is the indicator that he is definitely aiming for a 1500/mile outdoor WR this summer. Lay down a 1:44 mid PB for the speedwork and 2 second PB, and then a near miss 3:44 at Bislett the following week. Tuned up for successful attempts in July and at least one gold in Eugene.
I assume US soil 5000m record is Grant Fisher's 12:53 indoors earlier this year. Surely Jakob saw that and Grant's 26:33 and wants to show Americans who's boss.
They have a cool setup for $5.99 event coverage with $4 going to the prize purse. Guys like Fisher should jump at the chance to mix it up with someone like Jakob competing in their backyard. Pre really tried to get Viren to come to Oregon and relished the competition, it was his competitive fire that makes him a legend not his talent (compared to the Cheptegei/Bekele/Jakob tier). Good on Jakob and others like Bekele and El G who have trucked it to the PNW and given the locals a glimpse of world-class talent when the homegrown boys won't do the same because it doesn't fit their "plan."
The truly great athletes don't just try to meet the bare minimum of their contractual obligations, they strive to be better
But "better" is a matter of opinion. Is it "better" to race 10 times per year against your biggest competitors and make the fans happy?
Or is it "better" to peak once a year and win a gold medal at the World Championships?
Or is it "better" to peak once a year and set up a time trial race to go for an American or World record?"
Better" means different things to different athletes. And what's "better" for the athletes often isn't the same thing as what's "better" for the fans."
I agree to an extent. If you're an athlete of the calibre if Sydney McGlaughlin, then great, race three times a year and take your global gold and WR. But US distance runners aren't in that league, none are winning global titles. They are peaking to finish 5th-12th. Why not race instead? Test yourself against the very best instead of racing clocks in front of your teammates and a handful of support staff
I assume US soil 5000m record is Grant Fisher's 12:53 indoors earlier this year. Surely Jakob saw that and Grant's 26:33 and wants to show Americans who's boss.
They have a cool setup for $5.99 event coverage with $4 going to the prize purse. Guys like Fisher should jump at the chance to mix it up with someone like Jakob competing in their backyard. Pre really tried to get Viren to come to Oregon and relished the competition, it was his competitive fire that makes him a legend not his talent (compared to the Cheptegei/Bekele/Jakob tier). Good on Jakob and others like Bekele and El G who have trucked it to the PNW and given the locals a glimpse of world-class talent when the homegrown boys won't do the same because it doesn't fit their "plan."
Why is "plan" in quotations? Jakob is only doing this race because it fits his "plan", not for the benefit of PNW mongrels to catch a glimpse of him.
Guys like Fisher should jump at the chance to mix it up with someone like Jakob competing in their backyard. Good on Jakob and others like Bekele and El G who have trucked it to the PNW and given the locals a glimpse of world-class talent when the homegrown boys won't do the same because it doesn't fit their "plan."
Grant Fisher and Mo Ahmed would have raced Jakob at the Sound Running meet that took place on March 6, but Jakob didn't show up. Jakob should have jumped at the chance to mix it up with them, but he didn't.
I guess since Jakob was focused on the indoor world championships that were in mid-March, the Sound Running meet on March 6 didn't fit into Jakob's "plan."
Shame on Jakob for not deviating from his "plan" when Fisher and Ahmed were ready to race him.
Hmmm, maybe different athletes are on different "plans" and often those "plans" don't align.
Guys like Fisher should jump at the chance to mix it up with someone like Jakob competing in their backyard. Good on Jakob and others like Bekele and El G who have trucked it to the PNW and given the locals a glimpse of world-class talent when the homegrown boys won't do the same because it doesn't fit their "plan."
Grant Fisher and Mo Ahmed would have raced Jakob at the Sound Running meet that took place on March 6, but Jakob didn't show up. Jakob should have jumped at the chance to mix it up with them, but he didn't.
I guess since Jakob was focused on the indoor world championships that were in mid-March, the Sound Running meet on March 6 didn't fit into Jakob's "plan."
Shame on Jakob for not deviating from his "plan" when Fisher and Ahmed were ready to race him.
Hmmm, maybe different athletes are on different "plans" and often those "plans" don't align.
What a ridiculous take. Jakob should race at some meet (that I've never heard of that's thousands of miles away with no other reason to go there; I'm American and have been to 50+ countries including Norway but sorry the PNW has never been on my travel list) to "mix it up" with athletes a caliber below him a week before World Indoors?
Jakob is in the very top echelon of distance runners with Cheptegei/Cheruiyot/Kipchoge. Fisher and Ahmed are at or at least knocking on the door of "medalist contenders" (but behind the Kerr/Tefera level) which is commendable but you seem to be confused in thinking that the reigning Olympic champion gets the same benefit racing inferior athletes at a horrible location (requiring a full day each way of travel with no direct flights) a week before World Indoors that guys like Fisher and Ahmed would get to key off of one of the best runners in the world as the outdoor season ramps up at a meet very close to them. I'm a pretty good chess player but I don't expect Magnus Carlsen to check my calendar for the next local tournament I'm playing in. But if I see he's hosting all-comers at a bar an hour away I will be in the next Uber there.
Grant Fisher and Mo Ahmed would have raced Jakob at the Sound Running meet that took place on March 6, but Jakob didn't show up. Jakob should have jumped at the chance to mix it up with them, but he didn't.
I guess since Jakob was focused on the indoor world championships that were in mid-March, the Sound Running meet on March 6 didn't fit into Jakob's "plan."
Shame on Jakob for not deviating from his "plan" when Fisher and Ahmed were ready to race him.
Hmmm, maybe different athletes are on different "plans" and often those "plans" don't align.
What a ridiculous take. Jakob should race at some meet (that I've never heard of that's thousands of miles away with no other reason to go there; I'm American and have been to 50+ countries including Norway but sorry the PNW has never been on my travel list) to "mix it up" with athletes a caliber below him a week before World Indoors?
Jakob is in the very top echelon of distance runners with Cheptegei/Cheruiyot/Kipchoge. Fisher and Ahmed are at or at least knocking on the door of "medalist contenders" (but behind the Kerr/Tefera level) which is commendable but you seem to be confused in thinking that the reigning Olympic champion gets the same benefit racing inferior athletes at a horrible location (requiring a full day each way of travel with no direct flights) a week before World Indoors that guys like Fisher and Ahmed would get to key off of one of the best runners in the world as the outdoor season ramps up at a meet very close to them. I'm a pretty good chess player but I don't expect Magnus Carlsen to check my calendar for the next local tournament I'm playing in. But if I see he's hosting all-comers at a bar an hour away I will be in the next Uber there.
I'm choosing to believe you missed the blatant sarcasm in the previous post...
What a ridiculous take. Jakob should race at some meet (that I've never heard of that's thousands of miles away with no other reason to go there; I'm American and have been to 50+ countries including Norway but sorry the PNW has never been on my travel list) to "mix it up" with athletes a caliber below him a week before World Indoors?
Jakob is in the very top echelon of distance runners with Cheptegei/Cheruiyot/Kipchoge. Fisher and Ahmed are at or at least knocking on the door of "medalist contenders" (but behind the Kerr/Tefera level) which is commendable but you seem to be confused in thinking that the reigning Olympic champion gets the same benefit racing inferior athletes at a horrible location (requiring a full day each way of travel with no direct flights) a week before World Indoors that guys like Fisher and Ahmed would get to key off of one of the best runners in the world as the outdoor season ramps up at a meet very close to them. I'm a pretty good chess player but I don't expect Magnus Carlsen to check my calendar for the next local tournament I'm playing in. But if I see he's hosting all-comers at a bar an hour away I will be in the next Uber there.
I'm choosing to believe you missed the blatant sarcasm in the previous post...
Well I'm choosing to believe that you do not know the meaning of either "blatant" or "sarcasm."
I assume US soil 5000m record is Grant Fisher's 12:53 indoors earlier this year. Surely Jakob saw that and Grant's 26:33 and wants to show Americans who's boss.
Grant is the boss in 5k and 10k based on his recent races. Until Jakob can show otherwise - Grant is the boss.
I assume US soil 5000m record is Grant Fisher's 12:53 indoors earlier this year. Surely Jakob saw that and Grant's 26:33 and wants to show Americans who's boss.
Grant is the boss in 5k and 10k based on his recent races. Until Jakob can show otherwise - Grant is the boss.
One has an olympic gold medal one have not. The lack of respect in here.
I saw that you weren't the first who brought up the boss stuff, sorry. I believe, and hope, we will see who is the best in the 5000m in this years WC. I think we will have to wait a bit longer for a dedicated 10k race.
I assume US soil 5000m record is Grant Fisher's 12:53 indoors earlier this year. Surely Jakob saw that and Grant's 26:33 and wants to show Americans who's boss.
Grant is the boss in 5k and 10k based on his recent races. Until Jakob can show otherwise - Grant is the boss.
Jakob has run 12:48, grant 12:53, Jakob has beaten the olympic champion at 5000m, Grant hasn’t, jakob placed 5th in the world at 5k when he was 18yo, a 25 yo Grant only placed 9th. Jakob has run the fastest time in the world in 2021, Grant’s time isn’t even top 5.
Grant is the boss in 5k and 10k based on his recent races. Until Jakob can show otherwise - Grant is the boss.
Jakob has run 12:48, grant 12:53, Jakob has beaten the olympic champion at 5000m, Grant hasn’t, jakob placed 5th in the world at 5k when he was 18yo, a 25 yo Grant only placed 9th. Jakob has run the fastest time in the world in 2021, Grant’s time isn’t even top 5.
How is Grant better at 5000 than jakob ?
You are correct.
I never said Grant is better. Jacob has the times and medals that show he has clearly been the better. My hope is Grant becomes better. That is part of being a fan of American track and field athletes. I cheer for them more than I cheer for athletes from other countries. I do admire amazing athletes from other countries.
I did say Grant is the boss (using another posters terminology) because I liked the term and its kind of fun to stir things up. Based on recent times (this year) Grant is the boss. And I qualified what I said by saying Sports is a what have you done lately proposition. Until Jacob runs faster in either the 5k or 10k distance in 2022 - Grant is the boss.