For those of you predicting a stellar marathon debut for "the greatest endurance athlete ever", I was wondering:
How will Lance post a sub 2:50 running 7:00 minute miles? How does the math work? Is Nike going to help him pull a Chandra Bozeko or something?
Here is the thread where predictions were called out.
http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=965863&page=0
Dudes, like where are you at?
You will notice that they just announced that El G will bring him in the final 6 miles. Alberto and Joanie will get him to 20 at 2:20 (7:00 pace). Then "The Plan" kicks in: the final 10K is in 27:30 for a stunning photo-op of Lance and Hicham flying by hundereds of struggling competitors to finish in 2:47:30. One of the most brilliant finishes in marathon history, and yes, under 2:50.
This is the most likely scenario yet. We knew he had an ace up his sleeve, who knew that it was a lanky Morroccan miler?
Latest story...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061103/ap_on_sp_ot/run_nyc_marathon_armstrong
Most telling line:
He's still feeling the effects of a 16-mile run a couple of weeks ago near his home in Austin...
Man, where are all the guys who were talking trash in that thread?
Especially the guy who said 2:15:00!!!!!
I did like his statement, "If I can make it up L'Alpe d'Huez with a million people there and death threats, I think I can make it in New York," Armstrong said at the news conference. "It's not about being competitive or winning, it's a personal goal. I needed something to keep me going.", from the article...It shows that he knows he's in for an "aerobic treat".
If he's still got "aches and pains" and shin splints from a 16 mile run of 2 weeks ago.....bad sign, I'm afraid. To me, this means that his legs are far from ready for the final 8 miles or so....
I hope he runs under 3:00. He is the only highly visable endurance athlete that is currently expounding on the joys and benifits of endurance sports. Yes he's rich and can afford to spend his time and money as he likes. I for one am quite glad that he has chosen to continue to speak.