Hocker only got 3rd but said some of his focus was on making sure he got top 3, he got boxed in, and thought it was a tactical race but it was 3:30. All-in-all he sounded very confident for Worlds.
Obviously from our couches we can say that it should be all about trying to win, particularly if you are the Olympic champion.
But at the same time, these guys are under a lot of pressure (external and self-imposed) to make the team, which is binary. You make the team or you do not. In that light, I can see running in such a way that you could win, but also that the odds of finishing in the top three are maximized (based on whatever strength you have). Then I can see feeling great relief about being on the team, even in third.
Obviously from our couches we can say that it should be all about trying to win, particularly if you are the Olympic champion.
But at the same time, these guys are under a lot of pressure (external and self-imposed) to make the team, which is binary. You make the team or you do not. In that light, I can see running in such a way that you could win, but also that the odds of finishing in the top three are maximized (based on whatever strength you have). Then I can see feeling great relief about being on the team, even in third.
I believe it. He ran more conservatively this year than last, and the last 180 was honestly a debacle for him. Both Strand and Koech beat him to the kicking position and he had to check up after Strand in particular. He kept calm, but then had to run even wider to get a clear run to kick. His 12.5 was competitive with the top 2, but the gap was too big despite the fact that he clearly had more zip today than his GST/Pre race. He just had nearly everything go wrong on that turn.
I believe it. He ran more conservatively this year than last, and the last 180 was honestly a debacle for him. Both Strand and Koech beat him to the kicking position and he had to check up after Strand in particular. He kept calm, but then had to run even wider to get a clear run to kick. His 12.5 was competitive with the top 2, but the gap was too big despite the fact that he clearly had more zip today than his GST/Pre race. He just had nearly everything go wrong on that turn.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
Weird for him to call it the easiest race of the season though. He got run by. He seems a little defensive in interviews this year trying to live up to the Olympic champion title whilst not winning much. It was weird how much he downplayed winning, and didn't give props to Jonah and Ethan
I believe it. He ran more conservatively this year than last, and the last 180 was honestly a debacle for him. Both Strand and Koech beat him to the kicking position and he had to check up after Strand in particular. He kept calm, but then had to run even wider to get a clear run to kick. His 12.5 was competitive with the top 2, but the gap was too big despite the fact that he clearly had more zip today . than his GST/Pre race. He just had nearly everything go wrong on that turn.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
Weird for him to call it the easiest race of the season though. He got run by. He seems a little defensive in interviews this year trying to live up to the Olympic champion title whilst not winning much. It was weird how much he downplayed winning, and didn't give props to Jonah and Ethan
it's not weird. he hasn't really had a good race all year. it'd be weird if he'd won a d league race in something like 3:28, and called this easier. obviously that's not the case.
He's lucky Martin doesn't have a real kick and Green doesn't have the 5k strength yet. They would've ripped that 3rd place spot from his soul. Somebody else is probably going to come soon other than Strand and Koech who is gonna give him a hard time.
He's lucky Martin doesn't have a real kick and Green doesn't have the 5k strength yet. They would've ripped that 3rd place spot from his soul. Somebody else is probably going to come soon other than Strand and Koech who is gonna give him a hard time.
He’s not lucky at all, he is more talented than those 2 and in better shape. They weren’t even close to beating him let’s be honest.
Obviously from our couches we can say that it should be all about trying to win, particularly if you are the Olympic champion.
But at the same time, these guys are under a lot of pressure (external and self-imposed) to make the team, which is binary. You make the team or you do not. In that light, I can see running in such a way that you could win, but also that the odds of finishing in the top three are maximized (based on whatever strength you have). Then I can see feeling great relief about being on the team, even in third.
Or maybe he just wasn’t good enough today?
Did I suggest otherwise?
Of course he wasn't good enough today. That is self evident.
But look at his overall strategy and where he was (or tried to be) positioned. As I'm saying, he ran in a way that he COULD have won (if he had been good enough down the stretch), but also in a way that maximized his chances to be third, at worst.
Making this team was not a foregone conclusion for him, or anyone. Posters were predicting that he would be an odd man out. I'm sure he's relieved to be on the team.
I believe it. He ran more conservatively this year than last, and the last 180 was honestly a debacle for him. Both Strand and Koech beat him to the kicking position and he had to check up after Strand in particular. He kept calm, but then had to run even wider to get a clear run to kick. His 12.5 was competitive with the top 2, but the gap was too big despite the fact that he clearly had more zip today than his GST/Pre race. He just had nearly everything go wrong on that turn.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
Weird for him to call it the easiest race of the season though. He got run by. He seems a little defensive in interviews this year trying to live up to the Olympic champion title whilst not winning much. It was weird how much he downplayed winning, and didn't give props to Jonah and Ethan
Man. He seems a little off and defensive. I can’t put my finger on it, but something about this guy is starting to become annoying.
He's lucky Martin doesn't have a real kick and Green doesn't have the 5k strength yet. They would've ripped that 3rd place spot from his soul. Somebody else is probably going to come soon other than Strand and Koech who is gonna give him a hard time.
Weird for him to call it the easiest race of the season though. He got run by. He seems a little defensive in interviews this year trying to live up to the Olympic champion title whilst not winning much. It was weird how much he downplayed winning, and didn't give props to Jonah and Ethan
it's not weird. he hasn't really had a good race all year. it'd be weird if he'd won a d league race in something like 3:28, and called this easier. obviously that's not the case.
Yeah, I think he meant that the pace felt easier - that he is now running 3:30 and it's not as hard as how he felt in slower races earlier in season.
Of course he wasn't good enough today. That is self evident.
But look at his overall strategy and where he was (or tried to be) positioned. As I'm saying, he ran in a way that he COULD have won (if he had been good enough down the stretch), but also in a way that maximized his chances to be third, at worst.
Making this team was not a foregone conclusion for him, or anyone. Posters were predicting that he would be an odd man out. I'm sure he's relieved to be on the team.
What's self evident is you making a bucketload of excuses because he is an American runner. Moron.
I believe it. He ran more conservatively this year than last, and the last 180 was honestly a debacle for him. Both Strand and Koech beat him to the kicking position and he had to check up after Strand in particular. He kept calm, but then had to run even wider to get a clear run to kick. His 12.5 was competitive with the top 2, but the gap was too big despite the fact that he clearly had more zip today than his GST/Pre race. He just had nearly everything go wrong on that turn.
I’ll watch the video from Wejo later, but the quote sounds like a 5 year old saying they didn’t try when they lost. It’s weak, and if he was the same level above everyone as last year, he would have won. Either they are better or he’s worse.
Fact is, he’s had a lot of defensive talk since the Olympics and hasn’t been all that impressive on the track.
“That wasn’t hard” after a loss (blowout loss) is weak sauce. Lame, loser mentality.
I believe it. He ran more conservatively this year than last, and the last 180 was honestly a debacle for him. Both Strand and Koech beat him to the kicking position and he had to check up after Strand in particular. He kept calm, but then had to run even wider to get a clear run to kick. His 12.5 was competitive with the top 2, but the gap was too big despite the fact that he clearly had more zip today than his GST/Pre race. He just had nearly everything go wrong on that turn.
I’ll watch the video from Wejo later, but the quote sounds like a 5 year old saying they didn’t try when they lost. It’s weak, and if he was the same level above everyone as last year, he would have won. Either they are better or he’s worse.
Fact is, he’s had a lot of defensive talk since the Olympics and hasn’t been all that impressive on the track.
“That wasn’t hard” after a loss (blowout loss) is weak sauce. Lame, loser mentality.
You're harsher than I would be but I did get the impression he was trying to cope with the loss by making that comment. It's kind of silly to call it the easiest race of the season when he didn't even win, and although he never came out and said it directly, his statements gave the impression that he could've/would've won if he tried harder or took more of a risk.
You're harsher than I would be but I did get the impression he was trying to cope with the loss by making that comment. It's kind of silly to call it the easiest race of the season when he didn't even win, and although he never came out and said it directly, his statements gave the impression that he could've/would've won if he tried harder or took more of a risk.
I think you guys are missing what he's saying. He had a lot left, he says he thought the time could've been 3:37 with how much it felt like a sit-and-kick race. Recall he's looked flat in pretty much every race this season especially in the last 100. Even in Philly, Kerr mowed him down despite a decent gap. He noted he thought he could've gotten to the front a few times in the race, and passed on it because in his mind he cared most about top 3. He spent the next bit praising the "unbelievable" depth of the US, which is respect to his competitors. And then he said he felt "way too good" to not catch 2-3 guys in the last 100 after he got "swallowed up." So, it's the "easiest race" mostly because he's at his fittest, and assuredly training through the least. Even though he fumbled the tactics a bit he admits, he still felt quite good and confident.