DONT FORGET RITZ's 8:11

But he doesn't have to go out with the leaders.

Don't forget Teg's 8:07.07 (just a bit better than 8:11.78)

As good as Ritz ran(very impressive) he still has a ways to go to beat Teg (in my opinion, even in a 10k, but the jury is out on that one). I hope that they can stay healthy (along with Hall, Webb,Symmonds, etc.) so that the U.S. can shine in the upcoming seasons. Fam, Lincoln, Goucher, Torres, Solinsky, Rupp, McD, Luk and many others are ready to conbtribute also.

Ritz is a 5000/10000 runner, with more emphasis on the 10000. An 8:11 2mile for him is probably better than 13:07 for 5000. Same goes for Teg, although less so. 8:07 for two miles is probably worth right around 13:00. Keep in mind Teg ran 8:15 at Pre last year. Sheesh. If he can stay on track and continue to improve over the summer, a new AR in the 5000 will happen.

Amazing to think these guys are running so well with a full three months of racing left. I hope they know what they're doing.

mica wrote:

Don't forget Teg's 8:07.07 (just a bit better than 8:11.78)

As good as Ritz ran(very impressive) he still has a ways to go to beat Teg (in my opinion, even in a 10k, but the jury is out on that one). I hope that they can stay healthy (along with Hall, Webb, Symmonds, etc.) so that the U.S. can shine in the upcoming seasons. Fam, Lincoln, Goucher, Torres, Solinsky, Rupp, McD, Luk and many others are ready to contribute also.

I pretty much agree with this.

As for comparing times, There is virtually universal agreement about using and 8% factor between the 1500 and the mile. Since the energy systems are the same (and there was not a limiting heat factor) the same adjustment works for the 2-mile and the 3000. Thus, Teg's time is 7:31.00 and Ritz's is about 7:35.5.

To extrapolate to other distances you need a couple of things: accurate tables and an understanding about the relative strength of the athlete at the two distances (e.g., 3000 and 5000). For Teg it is not clear that he is a lot better at 5000 than 3000, but I think it is a good assumption for Ritz. Note that Ritz lost a lot of ground in the last 500m or so as Teg upped the pace to a level that was outside Ritz's zone.

I was very pleased with Teg's time (am a known Wisconsin fan) and rather surprised with Ritz's. I think that it means he can lower that 5000 time and the 10,000 mark as well. No guarantees that he will, of course.

grover wrote:

Totally agree. Amazing performance by Dathan. The range this kid has is incredible, and I would venture to say that almost NO ONE ever thought he was capable of a 8:11.

I'm sure they are posted somewhere, but for my benefit- what were the 3k splits for Ritz and Teg?

Whats the 5k equivalent performance on 8:07 and 8:11?

Now only 2 questions - who will be the first to go under 13 in the 5k and who breaks the American 10K record first? Teg, Ritz, Fam, Hall?

lagat.