Laura Muir hasn't raced to par in her last two women's only races, including a runner-up finish to Katie Snowden in the UK Championships. I thought the Stockholm DL might have been a one-off, but she's been somewhat off since her mixed race 1:57.30 (BMC Watford).
With her coaching change this year, do you think Muir's had her final hurrah, or is there still something left in the tank for a minor medal in Budapest?
Done?? What are you on about? Do you expect her to run 1:55 every race to be considered not done? Ridiculous take.
Nope, but certainly not a 4:10.24. It was a Q into Budapest, but she's seemed rather underwhelming over the past two races in this stretch of training/racing.
Laura has been a genuine medal contender since 2016. Eight years is a long time for anyone. Ovett lasted 77 to 84; Coe 78 to 86, Cram 82 to 88. The clock's kicking on what has been a fantastic career.
Also, older athletes tend to take longer in a season to peak and their peak lasts a shorter time (think Nick Willis). If the young Ethiopians mess up their tactics in Budapest she has a long shot to win a medal (I'm sure she can run 3:56 again) but I can see someone like Welteji running faster than Laura ever has.
Done?? What are you on about? Do you expect her to run 1:55 every race to be considered not done? Ridiculous take.
Nope, but certainly not a 4:10.24. It was a Q into Budapest, but she's seemed rather underwhelming over the past two races in this stretch of training/racing.
At WCs last year, everyone was talking about how she'd had a so-so year. In the 100 finals, Kipyegon, Tsegay and Muir left everyone in the dust, and left it clear who was #1, #2, and #3 in the world.
Every year there's new talent, and the old talent is one year older. We'll see what happens. I suspect that she knows how to close, and that's what she'll do.
Tbh, I was thinking she would struggle last year as she didn't run sub-4 before World's. Then, when the gun went in the final, three women embarrassed the rest of the field within 200m. I still think Muir can do that again but she looks vulnerable in slower races. In Budapest, Kipyegon will make it hard, Muir will go with her, and no one else has any idea what it feels like to run 3:55 unless Tsegay and Hassan are running, which is looking doubtful. She showed in Florence what she can do in a hard race. Only Jess Hull could get near her at that that sort of pace
Laura mentioned that she has a lot going on. She was happy with the win in Monaco, but confessed that she set the race up for everyone else not named Kipyegon.
Last night in Lausanne, she broke her pb for the mile by 3s and the British record. She has tried several times before at the mile record and failed. Her 800m a few weeks ago suggests her speed is still there so it seems that a little speed endurance is lacking. The 5000m would indicate that too. She's actually failed to break 4 minutes in a number of early season diamond League 1500m races in past years but still won due to lack of competition l. I think she is an athlete who thrives on hard racing and training and I'm more concerned about her scheduled break from racing before the worlds than her lack of speed/age.
Championship races are more unpredictable than league races and the women's competition has moved on. Never mind the Ethiopian talent, Ciara Mageean has gone from an also ran to an absolute unit in 9 months in a late twenties improvenent almost reminiscent of the Irish swimmer Michelle Smith, and Melissa Courtney Bryant is fulfilling her potential now injury free. Muir has less potential for improvement as she's already at her max, but I think she needs to race to be at her sharpest and retain her speed endurance.And she needs the big races to motivate her now.
Last night in Lausanne, she broke her pb for the mile by 3s and the British record. She has tried several times before at the mile record and failed. Her 800m a few weeks ago suggests her speed is still there so it seems that a little speed endurance is lacking. The 5000m would indicate that too. She's actually failed to break 4 minutes in a number of early season diamond League 1500m races in past years but still won due to lack of competition l. I think she is an athlete who thrives on hard racing and training and I'm more concerned about her scheduled break from racing before the worlds than her lack of speed/age.
Championship races are more unpredictable than league races and the women's competition has moved on. Never mind the Ethiopian talent, Ciara Mageean has gone from an also ran to an absolute unit in 9 months in a late twenties improvenent almost reminiscent of the Irish swimmer Michelle Smith, and Melissa Courtney Bryant is fulfilling her potential now injury free. Muir has less potential for improvement as she's already at her max, but I think she needs to race to be at her sharpest and retain her speed endurance.And she needs the big races to motivate her now.
Mageean is good, but very inconsistent. I could see her flaming out before the final in Budapest. Same for MCB. Muir let Hailu go in Monaco. In a World final, I think she goes with her, just as she did in Eugene. Will it be enough? I'm not sure, much depends on who Ethiopia selects and whether Hassan will be in the field
Last night in Lausanne, she broke her pb for the mile by 3s and the British record. She has tried several times before at the mile record and failed. Her 800m a few weeks ago suggests her speed is still there so it seems that a little speed endurance is lacking. The 5000m would indicate that too. She's actually failed to break 4 minutes in a number of early season diamond League 1500m races in past years but still won due to lack of competition l. I think she is an athlete who thrives on hard racing and training and I'm more concerned about her scheduled break from racing before the worlds than her lack of speed/age.
Championship races are more unpredictable than league races and the women's competition has moved on. Never mind the Ethiopian talent, Ciara Mageean has gone from an also ran to an absolute unit in 9 months in a late twenties improvenent almost reminiscent of the Irish swimmer Michelle Smith, and Melissa Courtney Bryant is fulfilling her potential now injury free. Muir has less potential for improvement as she's already at her max, but I think she needs to race to be at her sharpest and retain her speed endurance.And she needs the big races to motivate her now.
Laura Muir ran 4:15 yesterday. Solid run but not as good as her 1500m PR of 3:54.50. She just turned 30 and is not done yet. I always root for the Irish athlete (well, maybe not Connor McGregor) -- unless Laura is running.
No, the vets with a side hustle running is not done. The real career hasn't even started yet since she put it on hold to run circles for a little while.
She will be fine Even if she never wins another race.
She ran 3:57 in Florence when she tried to stick with Kipyegon. I figure that both she and Hull could have finished a second or two faster if they had been running a pace geared towards 3:55 from the start. It's not unreasonable to think she could be running 3:54 again in a few weeks, especially if she is training quite hard at the moment.
Who is coaching Muir now? Does she have a coach after leaving her last one? Does Reekie still train with her? Reekie is coming back this year happy to see.
She’s self coached which I feel is a bit of a problem. She said she didn’t want to rush finding a new coach and will wait until after the Worlds. I think she needs a coach fast.
Jemma is now training in Brighton with Ellie Baker. She seems to be doing well. Not sure of the coach's name
She’s self coached which I feel is a bit of a problem. She said she didn’t want to rush finding a new coach and will wait until after the Worlds. I think she needs a coach fast.
Jemma is now training in Brighton with Ellie Baker. She seems to be doing well. Not sure of the coach's name