Torres Quote/US Attitudes

Let's see- Jorge has never broken 13:20. Some guy just ran 12:57 for the 2nd 5k of a 10k and he's in his race. Jorge has 0 shot at a medal. What's he supposed to do, all of a sudden overnight miracuosly drop 30 seconds off his time?

And if the Kenyans are so fearless how come they just didn't just keep with the Ethiopians in the 10k? or at least run with them as long as possible until dropping out of exhaustion. they didn't because they couldn't. They did there best hoping for a medal.

What is he supposed to say? "I am going to whoop everyone's ass" Then everyone would call him cocky. Maybe he is going to let his feet do the talking on the track. Cut him some slack. Everyone has to put down every runner in this board.

So, in summary:

If you don?t bluster about how you?re going to win it, and have a somewhat realistic assessment of your chances, you have a defeatist attitude.

If you do bluster that you?re going to win it all, like Mo Greene, you?re a generally despised idiot.

And if you keep your mouth shut and just work hard and do your best, a la Kennedy, you?re dull and disappointing.

Message boards suck.

This is unbelievable. Slamming a guy for being realistic; honest and having a plan.

If you don't like his attitude why don't you tell us how you are going to kick butt and better represent the U.S.

Have a fine day.

For someone at Jorge's stage of his career (three months post-collegiate, just now getting international experience) I think he's right on. He raced in Europe some, stuck his nose in and tried to compete even after a collegiate season and now will go through an international championship for the first time. He's following the script and doing exactly what he should. He'll come home smarter, more experienced, more worldly and maybe even faster.

Because he doesn't have a 10,000 Trials qualifer as far as I know, I would imagine he'll spend next year at 5,000 then start to move up. I think we could see some good things from him at 10,000/marathon in the next few years if he does it right.

At least Gabe Jennings was ballsy (crazy) enough to say stuff like El Guerrouj was afraid of him.

Wejo,

Then why even bring up the Olympics at all. Does he stand a better shot at a medal in a year? Of course not.

In fact given even a decent improval rate, hes no threat to medalling for quite a while.

Now given those facts, and given that Torres, Meb et al are our best, what does that say about the current state of distance running in the US?

DO you see any of these guys, including Goucher, medalling next year? I dont. Not even at 1500.

My point is this. Maybe we shouldnt place as high a value on the World Champs, because in all honesty, we just arent up to it.

If US runners are serious about improving and gaining some experience, do it during the regular Golden League races, or some other B level meets.

That way, they have run against the best repeatedly, and can then decide whether they are ready to race or just there for the experience.

Koech wrote:

If US runners are serious about improving and gaining some experience, do it during the regular Golden League races, or some other B level meets.

As everyone continually points out, (rabbitted) Golden League races (and other B-level meets on the circuit) are very different from (tactical) championship races.

He can take as much as possible from being at Worlds this year, and look towards next year hoping he'll be ready to compete with the best.

Or, he can take your advice, and:

a) claim that he's going to win this year; or

b) realize he'll never be competitive, and retire.

Or maybe we could just abstain from trying to read the entrails of every little comment a runner makes in the press. Too positive (Jennings)? Too negative (Drossin)? Both simultaneously (Torres)? Good grief.

Jorge is a winner, period. He will find a way to maximize

his talents and potential on the World scene just as he has

done domestically since the inception of his running career.

This guy is just plain mentally tough.

There are many East Africans who are much younger the Jorge that can blow him away right now. How does Jorge make up for this and how does he deal with the younger runners who will rise up on a superior training program in the future?

Jorge did start relatively young, especially compared to

other US kids. His progression has been very close or right on

the recommended model. With patience, health and good guidance

he will be around and knocking on the door for awhile. (particularily at the longer events a few yrs out). Just my

opinion, of course.

Even though Torres may eventually run faster than Prefontaine, his mentality is THE BIGGEST F^CKING DIFFERENCE in the world.

Yes, Chad, he should say he's gonna kick the sh!t out of everyone. That's what Pre used to say, and you know what? Pre got 4th in the Olympics and competed with the very best.

Attitude is everything. Why do you think so many people hate Jason, thought Pre was cocky, and despise American sprinters. But you know what? They have the right mindset.

Torres should be like Goucher used to be: "I'm gonna mix it up with those Africans and we'll see what happens."

Go for it.

observer wrote:

Jorge did start relatively young, especially compared to

other US kids. His progression has been very close or right on

the recommended model. With patience, health and good guidance

he will be around and knocking on the door for awhile. (particularily at the longer events a few yrs out). Just my

opinion, of course.

WHAT RECOMMENDED MODEL????? What American runner has previously succeeded on the "recommended model" and is whooping it up with the Kenyans and Ethiopians of today?

Get outta here!

All the attitude in the world will not make a 13:20 5000m runner get round the track faster than one who runs 12:50.

It's that simple.

Pre may have said he was going to "kick the shit" out of everyone, but that didn't make it true. Last time I checked, there were no medals for fourth place.

Don't fall for this modern psychological nonsense that preaches that desire is the only qualification for success it?s peddled by the same people who tell us all marathon finishers are ?winners? and it's meaningless.

As so, so many on this board are want to point out: there are no short cuts and there are no secrets in track and field.

Intelligent training and unwavering commitment to the cause are the only prerequisites to running fast - not pumped up historians lifted from one of Hulk Hogan's post-match interviews.

Simply put, Torres is not ready to "mix it up" with the best in the world - yet - no matter how many times he repeats that he is.

His comments - and commitment to a longer-term plan - at this stage in his career, are perfectly reasonable and demonstrate a maturity not often found in American distance runners.

Go for it, yes, but shut up about it while you're doing so.

Martin

--What American runner has previously succeeded--

NONE. just think JT was the closest during the 12-21 yrs.,

both with "Fed" and Mark. Not saying perfect. Just a bit

better then most all.

TELL THAT TO BILLY MILLS, PUNK!

Torres said that he's getting more experience so he can make the olympic team and hopefully be able to medal. That's neither cocky or defeatist. And as for torres not being a world beater, so what, he's doing the best with the talent he's been given, we need more like him.

Martin wrote:

pumped up historians lifted from one of Hulk Hogan's post-match interviews.

I know what you were trying to say, even if your keyboard didn?t cooperate.

But I loved the picture this brought to mind. Thanks for the laugh.

This is the problem with US running. Its not good enough that he been selected to the Championships, now its that hes there for the experience and whatever happens happens

Actually, Koech, you are what is wrong with US Running. A backroom hack who criticizes anyone we actually do manage to send to championship meets. Again and again people like you post this garbage. "We need a new attitude". "We need a sense of fearlessness". Blah blah blah.

There is no amount of 'attitude' or 'fearlessness' that's going to make a 13:24 guy like Torres instantly able to run with guys who can pop off a 12:57 in the back end of a 10k. Hell, even Geb couldn't have done that when he was 23. I think even Jorge would tell you he's no Geb. Bekele is in another universe

So Torres is going to go out and run as hard as he can. But that's not good enough for you, eh? He's supposed to stand up like an idiot and tell the world how Bekele (or El G) is "afraid" of him, is that it? I wonder if Gabe thinks that actually did him any good. All it really did was make him a laughingstock.

I sincerely hope that Jorge does not give a damn what any one on LetsRun thinks about him or his attitude. That attitude has taken him a long way so far.