We spoke to Galen Rupp this morning in NYC. Here's what he had to say.

He said his back has been fine for 6 to 7 weeks! That he has only been running "pain free" for that amount of time.

If he breaks 2:08 it will be a solid run.

Galen is starting to look like he is nearing 40. I understand he is 36. Galen is really at a point where he is no longer going to be the top US marathoner. He is going to be fortunate to break 2:10 even in the super shoes.

Signs of a former doper

Rojo and J gault sound like absolute CLOWNS. Let’s run is awful!!!!

Pretty discouraging. Seems like he's in a similar stage of his career to say a Bekele. Lingering injury issues that will come up in nearly every buildup. Unless he finds some sort of fix, it's hard to see him reaching the 2:06 level or better with constant interruptions in his training. Doesn't mean he can't run respectably.

Yeah probably some notes to take from Chris Chavez on how to get solid responses from athletes. I imagine there's some idea of asking "the tough questions", but the letsrun guys just come off as being adversarial and seeming like they're out to get the athletes. Galen was honestly more generous in giving time to the dick-ish letsrun questions than I would have been, but won't be surprised if there are hardly any athletes giving actual answers to letsrun interviewers before long.

If he breaks 2:08, AKA running 2:07 or faster, on the New York course it will be one of his best marathons of his career, arguably his best. Not 'solid'... A 2:07 has a good chance to win at New York. A 2:07 is like a 2:04 or 2:05 on most other courses, especially races like Chicago or Berlin.

Gault is the best journalist in running. Rojo created this kick butt site.

CITRUS MAG is for toddlers...

Don’t get carried away, Jay.

Examples from the interview? The only awkward thing I heard was the woman asking how much he weighed.

Why are you staying and using site then?? That must be so miserable for you, and you're dong that to yourself.

2 of Rupp's best marathons were Boston 2017 and Rio 2016. So, he can run in the heat and he can run on hills. However, it is an open question whether Rupp will be able to cover the massive surge in pace that almost always happens when the pack comes off the Queensboro bridge and hits 1st St. That is where I expect Rupp to loose touch with the leaders.

Rupp is definitely getting old and has been pretty banged up. But Meb had recovered from a pelvic stress fracture and won NYC.

Maybe one day we hear from Mike Smith who Gallen Rupp is.
It was great to hear they have, it seems, such a great relationship.

I thought Jon's question about talking NYC with Alberto was pretty cool.
I really hope the race/experience goes well for Gallen and he has a good build for a spring race to attack AR.

Rupp mentioned that Kipchoge is 40 and still a beast but Kipchoge has been relatively injury free.

Galen has a herniated disc and does not like the surgery option. I agree that we will know a ton by the time he comes off Queensboro bridge.

I still think he is capable of breaking the AR in the next 18 months.

When the message board posters contribute more than the site admin you can’t claim too much credit. Brojos are clowns and a miserable joke plain and simple. Absolutely pathetic how they get fixated on nonissues in the running world and then completely whiff on real stories.

Yeah I don't doubt Rupp may overachieve based on his fitness given the conditions. It seems we're unlikely to see that fitness reach the old levels, though.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think that Galen's career is pretty on the decline. Anything around 2:10 would be a plus, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is a DNF.

Lol so why are you here?

LOL you said dong.