Hobbs Kessler fired his dad as one of his coaches, then he promptly set a 2k world record

The most interesting quote though may be his at the end of the article. He thinks the obsession with future potential isn't healthy.

I just think it's human nature. It used to bother me that we are more interested in the young 9th placer than the actual 2nd placer but it doesn't any more.

Poor Hobbs. He has thrown away his entire support system for a con man.

I’m probably way behind the curve here, but what happened to Warhurst/Nick Willis?

From this forum it seems like americans especially are victims of this. Once someone has succeeded it seems like much of the conversation shifts to the one with potential who have not succeeded on the biggest stage. You saw it with Cole Hocker once he medaled, with Grant Fisher etc.

The American fascination with kids who achieve physical maturity early. The Epstein files, but for track & field.

Pretty sure Ronnie got out of the picture post Paris bc he was living in Flag full time by that point and it made more sense to have Henner take the reins as he was already in Flag. Plus Ronnie is super old and probably not in a position to be coaching to that degree anymore.

My understanding is it was a team approach even after he went out west and trained with Bryce. RW still trains a whole pro group in ann arbor.

Way behind indeed

I understand being interested in up and coming talent but, with all due respect, sometimes the attention given it on letsrun seems a little obsessive.

This sport is huge and there is action almost every weekend of the year and often during the week.

There really is no off season. But it seems that a lot of elite, pro action is being ignored and the high school results take prominence.

This could be personal taste. I'd love to see more road race and cross country (from around the world and here) coverage than high school.

This was more like it.

on the comment about Ron being too old?

I will say this Ron has more energy than 4-20 year olds of today lol

Hobbs has a blueprint of what works and what components he needs to integrate by now

I would say that unlike many young prodigys , he has done some pretty good things

The guys who are jealous of people who enjoy early success always chime in. Sure, some are roundabout in their remarks to try and hide their envy, like this guy, but they just can’t help themselves.

Other note of that article is Hobbs’ indoor season is over. Not too surprising for anyone who’s dealt with a calf strain

Kessler is right. Rojo, of course, is wrong

That means this thread title could have just as easily been: Hobbs Kessler fired his dad as one of his coaches, then he promptly failed to complete an indoor season due to injury.

Leo Manzano won Olympic silver and then couldn’t get a contract renewal from Nike in the same year.

Potential pays way more than actual results.

Absolutely true

Without knowing the numbers each side was asking for you can say much. Leo might have wanted an extra 100k/year for his Olympic medal for all we know.

It’s definitely human nature to always be more excited by potential rather than current results. In my own running I would always be more excited by a season opener 2 seconds off my PR than a championship race 2 seconds under my PR. After the end of the season there is no more dreaming, even if it was a great season, that’s that, it’s over. While a mediocre race at the beginning of the season opens endless possibilities, you can stay up thinking about how you’ll be world champ with just a little speed work.