Discuss.
Discuss.
I imagine that he feels like he's in WR form, that he had bad luck in Berlin, and that he doesn't want to let too much more time go by before another serious effort.
this is what he did after Amsterdam last year and went on a tear. the guy is incredible.
I would imagine that he knows what he's doing.
Of course he knows what he's doing. He's cashing in towards what many thought was the end of his career. The roads are there for him to make a lot money.
how fast is fukuoka?
dwigt wrote:
how fast is fukuoka?
A better question is how much money are the Japanese are paying him.
I wonder if he made an emotional kneejerk decision after his stellar run in Berlin. Running a marathon already causes giddiness, never mind when you run one of the best races ever - heat, running solo etc....
I wonder if he really can run another sub 2:06/7/8 so soon?
At his level, Gawd only knows.
Maybe he will, but maybe that'll be it for him??? It seems like the very top-of-the-heep level of runners only run 1 - 3 superstellar performances in the marathon.
And yeah, totally surprised.
I'm surprised too, mostly because Olympics 2008 must be a huge goal, and he'll be 35 there, so he needs to tread carefully, so to speak...
He did do some amazing things after the 2:06:20...was that in October? By January he had a WR Half, among other things. After London, he stated that he wanted to do this and that, then backed off, trained quietly through the summer, and now this epic run.
Anyway, I believe he can WR, maybe even in 10 weeks from now. But London-Berlin-Fukuoka-London, all within a year, must have a price somewhere? I imagine he'll do just one Marathon in 2008, and maybe just 2 in 2007???
Fascinating that 12 years after Geb's first WR, we are still in awe of what he is doing.
I have run it. It can be fast, but a lot of it depends on the weather. Loop course like almost all major Japanese marathons. Very flat. Great organization. Good competition with solid pacemakers. Usually, the wind is in your face the first 5km, at your side for another 5km, at your back for 10km, at your side another 5km, at your back for 7km and in your face for the last bit (or something like that).
Beikoku Tamashi wrote:
I have run it. It can be fast, but a lot of it depends on the weather. Loop course like almost all major Japanese marathons. Very flat. Great organization. Good competition with solid pacemakers. Usually, the wind is in your face the first 5km, at your side for another 5km, at your back for 10km, at your side another 5km, at your back for 7km and in your face for the last bit (or something like that).
Mr Tamashi - very interesting that you have run Fukuoka, and one assumes that you are an elite Japanese runner, because Fukuoka is an elite runners for fast runners (no slower than 2:30 for males).
Perhaps we could learn something about your training and diet on this forum. It would be of great interest.
35 in 2008. Look at him. He is at least 35 already - he would acknowledge this. Most of them are around 3-4 years older than reported.
No I am not an elite Japanese runner. From my name "beikoku" meaning America and "tamashi" meaning spirit. Once had the moniker "Nippon Marathon", but after hearing how the corporate team from Mazda screwed Sheriff and learning of the plight of other non-Japanese (or caucasian) runners on corporate teams, I didn't want the name Nippon associated with me.
I lived there for 6 years, running 3 of those. My PR is under 2:20. Actually, Fukuoka now has an open race that has a different start. Faster runners start on the track, while open runners start at Ohori Park, I believe. They start at the same time and merge together at the 5km point.
My training and diet wouldn't be of interest to most of you. I am sure. I just eat what my wife puts before me most of the time and train with high volume and not much speed.
However, American races and marathons specifically would have a lot to learn from (most of) the Japanese marathon organizers.
He hasn't explicitly stated he's targetting the WR in F'oka. Perhaps he wants 1 marathon race pre- OG 2008 that isn't a paced WR attempt, but may have an opp to mimic how OG races are often run, with something ferocious in the last 10k. It's sad if anyone thinks another healthy pay cheque is the key factor for him now.
Good point!
As for money, Geb is no....oh God, I was going to mention a famous American! :) Money does not dictate Geb's plans, surely.
Geb is a stud. If the weather is good at Fukuoka, he will run 2:06something. Won't break the world record, but it will be good enough for first. I'm sure the Japanese (sponsor Asahi?) will be paying big money for him to come there.
are you stupid. its not just fast, but wicked fast. Out and back. A TON of 207s have been run there by fellas that didn't have half the talent of Geb. Yes, I was very surprised he was deciding to run it. No, he's not overdoing it. He is very clued into his body...more than most.
groove machine, It is NOT out and back. The old course used to be out and back. Please look at the course map I provided below. The start and finish are at the track. It is flat though.
Skuj,
Unfortunately most runners can't understand the efficiency and ease with which ones body can recover when there is running technique and optimal training. This is something I am only truly beginning to understand over the course of the last 2 years, something I did not realize before even though I had run elite times in the 800 to 1 mile distances. The average runner CAN'T understand how exeptionally gifted a runner Geb is and has been over the years. His running form and training program is fined tuned to allow him to do what few can even imagine. Great question none the less!