FAM steeple RIP

The steeplechase is the only event in Distance running where being an athlete is an advantage.....any goof can run a fast 5k

Fam has been so fit at times and can still only run a PR just under 8:20. Meanwhile, he has run 3:35/13:11; I believe those two times are way, way more impressive than 8:18 (his PR). Guys like Slats run the steeplechase because they can't break 13:35 or 3:40!

Setakuaket, i agree completely and have beensaying the same sentiments for years. A more rounded athlete will fair much better in the steeple. Pure runners (and by this i mean individuals whom are suited only for running b/c or bad coordination, etc.) and athletes whom become runners are two totally different things. The steeple may even the field for the latter competing against the former.

Setauket415 wrote:

The steeplechase is the only event in Distance running where being an athlete is an advantage.....any goof can run a fast 5k

Actually very few goofs can. The steeple is the event they put you in when you aren't fast enough to compete in the 5k

Did anyone consider that maybe his hurdle/form drills help develop his great footspeed?

Also, Fam loves the steeple, so he should stick with what makes him happy.

So...who's left to win steeple at USATF? Lincoln's still AWOL. At this rate, it could be Josh McAdams vs. steve Slattery.

just because they (goofs, as someone has identified these athletes as) in the steeple does not mean that they do well in the event. I've seen plently of goofs run 14:10-14:15 5k's--individuals who could not kick a ball into a soccer net from 15 yards away if there life depended on it. Come on, its the truth.

What's going on with Jordan Desilets??

If Fam can run 3:35/13:11 and can steeple pretty well, it'd make sense to focus on the steeple. That kind of fitness combined with good hurdling skill would give him a much better chance at doing well internationally than a 13:11.

Driller wrote:

Did anyone consider that maybe his hurdle/form drills help develop his great footspeed?

considered and rejected.

Also, Fam loves the steeple, so he should stick with what makes him happy.

very true

wish I was his coach wrote:

Fam has been so fit at times and can still only run a PR just under 8:20. Meanwhile, he has run 3:35/13:11; I believe those two times are way, way more impressive than 8:18 (his PR). Guys like Slats run the steeplechase because they can't break 13:35 or 3:40!

When Fam ran 8:18 he hadn't run 13:11 for a 5000m yet. Since he has been able to improve his times in the 1500m/5000m it seems likely that he will also improve his 3000m Steeple time. I predict he can run 8:07 right now.

Fam told us at the Kip Kieno mile that he will be racing the Steeple at outdoor nationals...so I would plan to see him unless something goes wrong.

I think Famiglietti could give Tegenkamp a run for his money in the 5000m. I wonder if Lagat will run the 5000m again at USATF's this year. It could potentially be one hot race if we see Bernard Lagat, Matt Tegenkamp, Adam Goucher, Anthony Famiglietti, and a few other runners in it who probably wouldn't be able to close with those guys, but could make the race interesting. I'm thinking of Ed Moran(13:20 at SAC), Ryan Kirkpatrick(13:19 at SAC), Josh McDougal(13:20 at SAC), Seth Summerside(13:30, 7:43), Chris Solinsky(13:27), Josh Rohatinsky(13:25), Ian Dobson(13:15 PR). I would kind of like to see Ritzenhein in the 5000 again, but what's the point if he's more likely to put on a better performance at 10000m.