It was extremely impressive. I don’t think Jakob would have made a move from 3k out or anything; I think he would have been running on Blanks’s shoulder with 1k/800 to go and it would have looked like Blanks was flying and Jakob was running slower, and then despite Blanks going to the well Jakob would have (apparently) eased away in the last 400 and won by a few seconds. Jakob 28:29, Blanks 28:33 or so.
Most posters would assume that Jakob was out for a walk in the park even in the closing stages, because Jakob never looks like he’s running ragged even when he’s losing global championship 1500s. It probably wouldn’t in fact be that easy for him—no “he could win it back to back within an hour” or nonsense like that—but there’s no reasonable doubt he would win.
Correct take. Blanks and Samuel are fringe sub-27 guys, which Jakob can beat in XC (Gressier, Crippa, Scrub). I would love to see him vs Ndikumwenayo who is more in the 26:40 range at Euros. The interesting question is always where Jakob would finish at World XC. I don’t think he’s beating Kiplimo/Aregawi but after that it gets murky with hit/miss Kenyans and the best Ethiopians skipping.
It’s likely that most European runners don’t take a XC race in December all that seriously. The runner up to Ingebrigtsen in both of his wins, have 27:30+ PRs.
Come on man. There's levels to this and they are no where near Jakob's level.
End off.
To be fair, I agree with your statement but if you look at this it’s not as big of a gap as you may think. In the case for Blanks, he’s currently ranked 30th in world ranking in the 5000m and coming off a 9th place finish in Paris. This is a guy that is not a professional and is a full time student at a very difficult university at sea level. His life and race preparations are very different from Jakob. I think that once he does turn professional we will see this gap closing. He’s a very talented guy and is tough as they come mentally. Samuel is two years younger than Graham and is already at altitude but think he has a very bright future as well.
Just because you are "close" doesn't mean you can win. The group with 400 to go in a global championship is big, yet only a couple have a shot to win.
Sure, Blanks isn't that far off in terms of being near Jakob, but that doesn't mean there is a chance in hell he beats him in a 10K XC race. If Jakob was in the race, he would have followed Blanks when he moved with 1K to go, sat on him until 400 to go, and then beat him by 3-4 seconds. This happens 9 out of 10 times.
Come on man. There's levels to this and they are no where near Jakob's level.
End off.
To be fair, I agree with your statement but if you look at this it’s not as big of a gap as you may think. In the case for Blanks, he’s currently ranked 30th in world ranking in the 5000m and coming off a 9th place finish in Paris. This is a guy that is not a professional and is a full time student at a very difficult university at sea level. His life and race preparations are very different from Jakob. I think that once he does turn professional we will see this gap closing. He’s a very talented guy and is tough as they come mentally. Samuel is two years younger than Graham and is already at altitude but think he has a very bright future as well.
Blanks is only 1.5 years younger (April 2002 vs September 2000). And keep in mind he's running 100+ mpw at 6 flat pace.
Just because you are "close" doesn't mean you can win. The group with 400 to go in a global championship is big, yet only a couple have a shot to win.
Sure, Blanks isn't that far off in terms of being near Jakob, but that doesn't mean there is a chance in hell he beats him in a 10K XC race. If Jakob was in the race, he would have followed Blanks when he moved with 1K to go, sat on him until 400 to go, and then beat him by 3-4 seconds. This happens 9 out of 10 times.
It should be clarified that Blanks might not be that far off of Ingebrigtsen only in the context of a 10K XC race. He’ll never approach him in the 1500/5000m range.
To be fair, I agree with your statement but if you look at this it’s not as big of a gap as you may think. In the case for Blanks, he’s currently ranked 30th in world ranking in the 5000m and coming off a 9th place finish in Paris. This is a guy that is not a professional and is a full time student at a very difficult university at sea level. His life and race preparations are very different from Jakob. I think that once he does turn professional we will see this gap closing. He’s a very talented guy and is tough as they come mentally. Samuel is two years younger than Graham and is already at altitude but think he has a very bright future as well.
Blanks is only 1.5 years younger (April 2002 vs September 2000). And keep in mind he's running 100+ mpw at 6 flat pace.
Let’s also keep in mind that he is not a professional. He is studying economics at one the best schools in the world. He can’t just head out to train at altitude whenever he wants. he’s not a 1500 guy. His best event will probably be the 10000. Hes not there yet but, of all the young distance guys im putting my money on Blanks. He’s different
The way Graham finished that 10K cross country at the NCAA final was so impressive and he was absolutely full of running. Monster leg turnover. Personally I think Jakob would have cracked, but I may be wrong - it's all guesswork.
It was extremely impressive. I don’t think Jakob would have made a move from 3k out or anything; I think he would have been running on Blanks’s shoulder with 1k/800 to go and it would have looked like Blanks was flying and Jakob was running slower, and then despite Blanks going to the well Jakob would have (apparently) eased away in the last 400 and won by a few seconds. Jakob 28:29, Blanks 28:33 or so.
Most posters would assume that Jakob was out for a walk in the park even in the closing stages, because Jakob never looks like he’s running ragged even when he’s losing global championship 1500s. It probably wouldn’t in fact be that easy for him—no “he could win it back to back within an hour” or nonsense like that—but there’s no reasonable doubt he would win.
Note to self. It says it right there in the title "(parody thread)".
It was extremely impressive. I don’t think Jakob would have made a move from 3k out or anything; I think he would have been running on Blanks’s shoulder with 1k/800 to go and it would have looked like Blanks was flying and Jakob was running slower, and then despite Blanks going to the well Jakob would have (apparently) eased away in the last 400 and won by a few seconds. Jakob 28:29, Blanks 28:33 or so.
Most posters would assume that Jakob was out for a walk in the park even in the closing stages, because Jakob never looks like he’s running ragged even when he’s losing global championship 1500s. It probably wouldn’t in fact be that easy for him—no “he could win it back to back within an hour” or nonsense like that—but there’s no reasonable doubt he would win.
Note to self. It says it right there in the title "(parody thread)".
not an hour run opening at WR type pace, an item that clouds the thinking
Blanks will be thrilled to be in the conversation however.
NCAA cross country is one of the global highlight meets, spoken as a non american.
can somebody with a bank account sponsor cross country? a small circuit of continental champs, and finals. 4 big races. in theory a cross country winner is a type of best runner on the planet.
Know this is a running joke, but here's my actual answer: Jakob would still win, but it would be relatively close. Blanks and Samuel are probably in sub 27 shape and are more pure 10k XC guys than Jakob.
Not sure that Jakob would have beaten Blanks, or even Samuel. Those 2 are more specialised for 10k. I may be wrong but my prediction would have been 1. Blanks, 2. Jakob, 3. Samuel.
I love me some Graham Blanks and even I can acknowledge the absurdity of this statement.