Agreed. Morceli and Skylon excellent posts, right on the money. Sad that TV revenues lead to them subjecting the runners to those conditions. One of these times somebody is going to die in one of these races. I wonder if that will have any effect.
Probably not.
Do you think that the Japanese are going to complain about the heat? Naaaaahhhh....they'll mumble something like:.....uuuuhhhhh atsui.....GAMBATTE!!!!!!!
"One of these times somebody is going to die in one of these races. I wonder if that will have any effect."
____________
Effect? NBC's ratings will go thru the roof.
no one is going to die...you guys are just scared. you remind me of most men in the 50s who didnt want women to run a marathon fearing that they are going to die. look at the women marathon today thanks to those women who refused to be put down by people like you.
That's a pretty assinine response. Why not strap 50lb. weights on their backs? They'd all be dealing with the same conditions. For that matter, why rain delay a golf tournament or baseball game? The point is they've intentionally decided the race will be run under horrible conditions. Get a clue, dude.
Cooter wrote:
The point is they've intentionally decided the race will be run under horrible conditions. Get a clue, dude.
No one decided to run the marathon in 100 degree weather on purpose. The average high in Paris during August is 75 degrees, average low is 57 degrees. Based on the "normal" temps, even if the race started at 8am, or 7pm, the temp would likely have been 65-68, only 7-10 degrees below the daily high.
It is NOT THE FAULT of the IAAF that Paris is having a heat wave, folks. No one wanted a 100 degree day, but the IAAF can't control the weather.
Talked to World Class Coach #1 over IM. Although he's only posted advanced training ideology, Letsrun keeps banning World Class Coach #1 and erasing his posts.
You know what? I think Letsrun doesn't like him posting here because his philosophy makes Wejo's coach look like shit and they want people think JK is the best. I don't have anything against JK but he is definitely just an average coach compared to World Class Coach #1.
That's the only thing I can think of because they don't answer his emails on why they keep banning him and taking down his posts.
This makes Letsrun another piece of bullshit in the philosophy of American distance running. The country is well behind the world, and since they can't make an impact themselves they hold others back from gaining knowledge from someone else? Sick.
I've lost all respect for Letsrun.
I always thought logistics were part of the reason for early marathons. Its easier to block off roads and you don't disrupt as much traffic early in the morning. Also in the cities traffic fumes aren't as bad in the a.m. (I don't know how bad the smog is over there).
Don't mean to get off topic here, but it's gonna' be a helluva' race, isn't it?!! Abera's the man and I'd like to see him snatch a second consecutive win. Although I prefer not to run hot weather marathons, I do find them interesting watching at the elite level. To paraphrase your fellow American, Paul Westerberg, I can't hardly wait...
Monty
The last time I checked, the medals were given to the first three runners across the finish despite the conditions. Props to those who suck it up, run smart, and snag a top spot.
By the way, the weather in Athens is likely going to suck also. Should we run the 'thons at 3:00 A.M. so Paula and KK have a better shot at winning? Just so you know where I stand, it also pisses me off when they tweak the schedule to accomodate some sprinter's quest for multiple medals. Lay down the schedule and let the competition take place.
Again, if you want glory for God and country - run at a championship meet. If you want a big payday, go to a well financed, perfect weather marathon. If feeding your family is more important than ego, I personally have no issue with that.
Average_Joe wrote:
One of these times somebody is going to die in one of these races.
send Jason.
Clown your speech proves your ignorance.
#1-- america hates blacks? that is ridiculous! I AM BLACK and i love america. america is good to me and i love this country. just because you have a few biggots as in your own country also doesn't make the whole country racist so your country is the pussy whiners.
We don't hate anyone except terrorist evil greedy warmongers who wanna take us out. your country sold out for money you are a discrace I respect all our troops and i will stick up for their defense we are not war mongers we are a proud compassionate nation who does more for anyone than any country in the world and running is only a small part in this great country(even though its the best sport)so get of your jealous ass and work to make your country great instead of whining and being jealous at america.
i'm glad your punk ass isn't here because i'd kick your ass AMERICAN STYLE BIIOOOTTCHH.
France sucks at running? What about Jose Perec, Mazzouzi and Baala? Don't they also have a guy of 40+ who has run under 2:11?
The temp has been very hot in past Champs as well and ironically very fast times have been run. Remember Deek in the '82 Commonwealth games, Lopes in LA, Bordin in Seoul, Abera in Edmonton(it looked warm and sunnty there). Anton ran well in the heat of Seville although it was dark at the finish. It can be done with preparation and you do know years in advance where the event will be held. If you have a shot at going, why not prepare for heat? All the winners did.
But it still goes back to the original point? Why have it 2:20pm?! Why go out of their way to put the longest running event of the World Championships at the worst possible part of the day? That's the problem. Certainly, athletes can and will prepare for those conditions, but that doesn't make it any less stupid. And they've done it over and over - often because of TV or opening/closing ceremonies.
It's bad enough that the marathon needs to be contested in the summer (for the Olympics and Worlds) - it's made worse by often having it in areas with warm climates (I know, France doesn't normally have heat waves in August), and made worse yet by having it in the middle of the afternoon. This bad decision was made without a remote concern for the athletes.
BDG
The agruments about "everyone has to deal with it" is stupid. moreceill178 compared a 2:20 start time to putting a mine at the 20 mile mark. Idotic.
i'd personally be more interested if there were multiple DNF's and casualties .
1)americans would have a better chance
2)deaths would make the event more exciting (they can't show all the race anyway, right?)
How the hell will Americans have a better chance if there are mutiple dnf's and casualties? Are they somehow immune to that themselves or will they run in little air cooled bubbles? They seem to have trouble with the heat themselves and I don't remember anyone except Spence actually capitalizing on peparation and good tactics to be in a good position when the top guys fall apart.
clown you are a punk i do hang out at night especially in n.y.c. and i have family members who are cops and i have good relations with police officers. You are a asshole with no brain no matter what you say i love it here so go to hell. period.
Back home in Reno now...
Back to the original topic.
A World Championship or Olympic Marathon SHOULD be in difficult conditions on a difficult course. If the winning time is 2;20, so be it.
There are enough marathons in the world such as Berlin, London, Rotterdam, Chicago, etc that try to create the best possible situation for fast times.
Marathons should sometimes be a very difficult test for all athletes, with hills, heat, wind, cold, etc. This is one reason that I love the Pattaya Marathon in Thailand....conditions are NASTY hot.
As the saying goes "If you can't run with the big dogs, the stay on the porch!" or "If you can't stand the heat, get outta the kitchen."
Jason
Viva La France wrote:
You dumb son of a bitch. Quit your whining you son of a bitch. Americans are so dam bitchy, crying over everything. Why should you worry you son of a bitch, your not running this race you American fool.
Speaking of dumb son of a bitches. If you are going to pretend you are from France and make fun of people, at least practice your f***ing French. It's "Vive la France".
"Viva la France", you are such an idiot. France absolutely sucks at sports, running included. I can't even think of one decent French runner. American records crush French records at every track event, and you know it. The American marathon record crushes the French marathon record, as well.
Americans cry over everything? Your students go on strike practically every week. Your government complained about the war in Iraq and now it wants to help out now that the main danger is out of the way. Forget the fact that your government didn't really WANT Saddam gone because he owed you a lot of oil money. Pathetic, but not surprising. Your country's history is one of pathetic cowardice.
Nice job in WW2, you pussies. Siding with the Nazi's... good move! Good thing we were around to bail your sorry asses out.
Here's one for ya. Why are there trees on the sides of the roads in Paris?
SO THE GERMANS COULD MARCH IN THE SHADE!!!!!
I also saw a great deal on Ebay for a French rifle, NEVER BEEN FIRED, ONLY DROPPED ONCE!
That's all for now, Viva La France, so f*** you and your weak-ass excuse for a country.