Ritz finishing problem - physical or psychological

I guess Bekele has a finishing problem too because he had to drop out of World XC this year?

Bekele has proved his kick time and time again. Your comment is ridiculous and everyone knows it, including yourself. Ritz obviously was not prepared well for this race. Period.

kljdkf wrote:

Bekele has proved his kick time and time again. Your comment is ridiculous and everyone knows it, including yourself. Ritz obviously was not prepared well for this race. Period.

I don't think it was ridiculous, at least Ritz finishes races...

Ritz was prepared for the race. His under distance speed was very fine for the 10.000 - that 8:11 for 2miles indicated a 27:15-27:20 10.000 in good conditions.

Ritz and Hudson knew it was going to be hot, but elected to stay in Eugene, in relatively cool conditions (compared with the hot/humid hotspots in the U.S.).

The conditions must have been too much of a shock for Ritz's system (body), and you have to admire Ritz because he gives over 100% in every race.

Did the guys take in fluids during the race, as had been done in past championships? Yep - running mid 60's pace and drinking is not easy, but it can be done with practice (and light snout type water bottles). The fluid loss must have been phenomenal in those conditions - up to a few litres. Ritz may have simply depleted all fluid and mineral reserves - empty tank syndrome.

Feel sorry for Ritz, and strategies have to be worked on and addressed to combat future races in similar conditions.

Ghost in Korea

coach:

christophe_moulton@yahoo.ca

There's a difference between a time trial and a race. Last night was a race.

Ritz had the same problem during NCAAs in hot humid day in Austin in 2004 when he lost in the 5000m. (Solinsky fainted by the way)

Are you more like a Casper or Beatlejuice? Oh and also stop replying to your own post with different screen names.

I agree with the comments about acclimation to the heat. I have throughout the years felt far worse in May when the first hot days hit when I am not acclimated than I ever do in July or August. I am certain there is some science to back this up.

And a 10k in the heat - not acclimated - and with dehydration - feels indescribably awful. Ritz is a very tough guy.

I agree with the comments about acclimation to the heat. I have throughout the years felt far worse in May when the first hot days hit when I am not acclimated than I ever do in July or August. I am certain there is some science to back this up.

And a 10k in the heat - not acclimated - and with dehydration - feels indescribably awful. Ritz is a very tough guy.

I knew prior to the race that the weather conditions would be a factor. Not sure if Ritz did anything special to prepare. At the very least they should have gone down to Indy a week prior to the meet. I'm just glad he was able to gut it out and still make the team but he was only three seconds from a disaster as Culpper was closing hard. Still, the three best athletes made the team which is the most important thing. I just hope that Ritz and company prepare for the conditions in Osaka and hopefully Bejing correctly.

Ritz faded at the US XC Championships as 2 old d00ds handed him his a$$.

i think abdi is the one who usually has trouble finishing races... he\'s bombed a few races in the last couple years.

Ritz may have a problem with hot/humid conditions, difficult to rectify even with training periods and simulations in the heat.

Vincent Rousseau (Belgium) who posted superb times from 1500-marathon in the 90's also could not race in the heat, and his contract with agent stipulated that he would not race if the temp. and humidity were over a certain level.

Ghost in Korea

christophe_moulton@yahoo.ca

Uhmmm Ritz didn't have the nutz to even start the race that KB DNFed.

dsfafdsf wrote:

kljdkf wrote:

Bekele has proved his kick time and time again. Your comment is ridiculous and everyone knows it, including yourself. Ritz obviously was not prepared well for this race. Period.

I don't think it was ridiculous, at least Ritz finishes races...