Centro is the greatest American distance runner of all time.
he's slowly improving, which is all he needs to do at this point. just avoid injury and steadily improve.
Agreed! Centro stated after the race he was super happy to have steadily improved his fitness during his time in Australia. Considering 8 months ago he was laid up in a hospital bed from major knee surgery he’s doing incredibly well. Here’s to a great outdoor track season ahead for him!
Of course it might be, that his best days are over, but looking at his momentum, he looks very good. 4:06 mile couple weeks ago, now a 7:53 3000. Heading in a good direction. He might be able to get into that 13:00 range come summer for a 5k, as well as low 3:30s 1500 again.
With the 4:06 mile you probably had a 8:10ish equivalent. Now 7:53. If he does one more step like this he's in 7:3x shape. Not too bad. Only thing is that he has a massive amount of younger, hungry competitors. But for sure everybody saying after the 4:06 that he's done called it way too early. Excited for him!
Centro is the greatest American distance runner of all time.
But has some way to catch a 16 year-old Australian at present. The accolade for "the greatest American distance runner of all time" has a pretty low bar.
I believe Centto has done well in the sport and his gold medal is something not everyone can obtain. But you have to know when to move up in distance or move on. His competitive spirit should be utilized on the roads.
I believe his gold medal is something not everyone can obtain
This made me laugh lmao
I wonder why he didn't start targeting the 5k after he ran 13:00 in 2019. Maybe he started transitioning, and that's what led to his 2020 season being full of injuries? But I feel like someone with 3:49 speed and 12:5x fitness would be far more competitive in the 5k than the 1500. I really wonder why he hasn't switched now, but maybe the 1500 just really drives him to be his best.
The way I see it, Centro is a perfect 5k candidate if Jakob is in a championship 5k. If 5ks are gonna be run with a super fast last 1k-mile, it seems like it would be perfect for a miler moving up in distance. The 5k at Worlds went through 3500 at 13:30 pace, but had a 2:23 last k, with 53/1:51 last 4/800. Really, it doesn't seem like much of a stretch to say 2019 Centro could've beaten Grijalva in the Worlds 5k. I don't know if he'd ever manage to beat Jakob, but given the tactical ability he has, and his background both in championships and fast races, I think he'd have a good shot at silver and as good a chance as anyone else to grab gold.
I agree with - I would want to be a miler moving up to try and handle Jakob's 5K tactics. Here is the odd thing I was thinking watching Jakob race indoors - he is the "slowest" world class miler I can recall seeing. Instead of shifting ot an insane turnover, he goes to his strength to open up his stride rather that simply upping his turnover. Its no wonder he's running 5K and XC, something that Aouita and El G certainly didn't do that often. And when El G moved up to the 5K, it was clearly to cruise for as long as possible and then kick. Jakob puts on the gas, opens the stride and powers away as opposed ot sprinting away. It would be interesting to see an in shape Centro in the same race and see if he could cover the tactic
Superb run by Myers and great to see Centro’s form improving somewhat (translates to approx a 3:39 1500m for Centro)https://results.nswathletics.org.au/2023/stc/ShowResults.php?eventName=230311F008.htm
Glad to see him improving, but we need to keep perspective. What was his placing in the race? Who beat him and who did he beat? This is equivalent to 8:00+ pre super shoes. Those 4, 8, 13, 27 "barriers" have much less meaning now.
Decent run for Centro. I'm Australian, I don't understand the hate for him and the belittling of his Olympic gold. To me he is a very fine runner. I often think this of Engels as well - what have they done to infuriate posters on a running forum?