What could Jemma Reekie do if she focussed on the 1500?

MatthewXCountry wrote:

Impressive win in the 5th avenue mile in a tactical 4:19.4. She defeted several of the world's top 20 1500m runners (see below list). She occassionally runs the event from time to time but has focussed her last 3 years on the 800m. I'd honestly like to see her give the 1500m her full attention for a few months at some point. I think she would have no problem running a 3:56 with just a bit more specific training. Back in 2020 she ran a 4:17.88 mile indoors for 3rd in a loaded Milrose mile field, and she got her 1500 PB this season at 3:58.

She probably won't do it though, because her chances are better at 800m with only 3 all-time greats around, she can medal if one makes a mistake, where as in the 1500m there is Kipyegon, Tsegay, Hassan, Muir, Macgean, and 3 other ethiopeans all 3:55.x or faster. Still I'd like to see what she could do. If a 1500m ever gets tactical, I think she could potentially beat everyone other than Kipyegon.

Field Jemma defeated included the following runners and their associated PBs

Hull - 3:56 (equiv from a 4:15.34 mile PB)

Hiltz - 3:57 (equiv from a 4:16.35 mile PB)

Courtney-Bryant - 3:57 (equiv from a 4:16.38 mile PB)

Tracey - 3:58

St. Pierre - 3:58

Tanaka - 3:59

Healy - 3:59

MatthewXCountry wrote:

Impressive win in the 5th avenue mile in a tactical 4:19.4. She defeted several of the world's top 20 1500m runners (see below list). She occassionally runs the event from time to time but has focussed her last 3 years on the 800m. I'd honestly like to see her give the 1500m her full attention for a few months at some point. I think she would have no problem running a 3:56 with just a bit more specific training. Back in 2020 she ran a 4:17.88 mile indoors for 3rd in a loaded Milrose mile field, and she got her 1500 PB this season at 3:58.

She probably won't do it though, because her chances are better at 800m with only 3 all-time greats around, she can medal if one makes a mistake, where as in the 1500m there is Kipyegon, Tsegay, Hassan, Muir, Macgean, and 3 other ethiopeans all 3:55.x or faster. Still I'd like to see what she could do. If a 1500m ever gets tactical, I think she could potentially beat everyone other than Kipyegon.

Field Jemma defeated included the following runners and their associated PBs

Hull - 3:56 (equiv from a 4:15.34 mile PB)

Hiltz - 3:57 (equiv from a 4:16.35 mile PB)

Courtney-Bryant - 3:57 (equiv from a 4:16.38 mile PB)

Tracey - 3:58

St. Pierre - 3:58

Tanaka - 3:59

Healy - 3:59

partick wrote:

Reekie was with the same coach from when she was 16 until she left Young and joined Biggs earlier this year. After stagnating last year she has definitely had a bounce back season. It will be interesting to see the long term growth and change in Reekie with her new training group and not working with Muir anymore.

That is the big unknown moving forward.

I can't find the podcast or interview from 2019 which annoys me, but I swear DeBues-Stafford was asked how training was in Glasgow and she said all three of herself, Muir, and Reekie did the exact same training. The difference was just the number of reps and volume of non workout day running depending on who was in what fitness/if someone was coming back from injury. Also said it was a great training group because Reekie was faster, herself (DeBues-Stafford) was aerobically stronger, and Muir was a best of both worlds so they complimented each others strengths and weaknesses.

From that then, that means at least until 2023 Reekie was as much focused on the 1500m as Muir was (and Muir was as much focused on the 800m as Reekie was). So I don't think there is a massive untapped 1500m potential. Not to say she isn't very good but it seems the 800m is more naturally her best event

bigmig19 wrote:

MatthewXCountry wrote:

Impressive win in the 5th avenue mile in a tactical 4:19.4. She defeted several of the world's top 20 1500m runners (see below list). She occassionally runs the event from time to time but has focussed her last 3 years on the 800m. I'd honestly like to see her give the 1500m her full attention for a few months at some point. I think she would have no problem running a 3:56 with just a bit more specific training. Back in 2020 she ran a 4:17.88 mile indoors for 3rd in a loaded Milrose mile field, and she got her 1500 PB this season at 3:58.

She probably won't do it though, because her chances are better at 800m with only 3 all-time greats around, she can medal if one makes a mistake, where as in the 1500m there is Kipyegon, Tsegay, Hassan, Muir, Macgean, and 3 other ethiopeans all 3:55.x or faster. Still I'd like to see what she could do. If a 1500m ever gets tactical, I think she could potentially beat everyone other than Kipyegon.

Field Jemma defeated included the following runners and their associated PBs

Hull - 3:56 (equiv from a 4:15.34 mile PB)

Hiltz - 3:57 (equiv from a 4:16.35 mile PB)

Courtney-Bryant - 3:57 (equiv from a 4:16.38 mile PB)

Tracey - 3:58

St. Pierre - 3:58

Tanaka - 3:59

Healy - 3:59

BTW, Didnt Muir destroy the field in a DL 800 recently? I dont know if she already trains for both but Reekie was an easy prediction for the 5th ave. She is getting better and better this season.