Is Salazar brain washing his athletes (Kara,Rupp) into doing the marathon?

It's half-marathon success already for Kara who is now 29 years old.

You need to learn to read. Salazar is saying a marathon is 6 or 7 years away for Rupp. And for Kara, it's a decision to made after the Olympics. And yes, she is 29 and has already run an excellent half-marathon.

Kara did beat Paula in a half marathon this past fall, with a time of 1:07. Not too much of a leap to think that she could also excel at the marathon distance. So yeah, if that is the kind logic you are using to mean brainwashing, then yes, he is.

Considering Kara ran the best American half marathon ever in her only time out at the distance I don't consider it brain washing.

That's why I was pleased to see her say in the article I put up on the homepage she might run NY this year.

And for the men at least the marathon is most people's best shot at a medal. For the women it is a bit different. Kara did get a bronze but having said that E. Dibaba ran horribly at Worlds. The marathon has a ton of money and a lot of prestige with mainstream American. Nothing wrong with wanting to run a marathon.

A whole world of racing exists between the 10 km and the marathon.

Too bad so much focus these days is on the marathon, but that is what the big races are and where the money is. I suspect the entire sport would better if the big money long distance race was 30 kilometers and we'd all wonder who could break 1:30. But it isn't and Salazar has nothing to do with the obvious consideration of the marathon, its prestige, and its pay.

So I do not think Salazar is brain-washing anyone.

Tom

Let's see, two Americans won Olympic marathon medals in 2004, and how many Americans was it in the 5 and 10,000? Plus, reasonably good American distance talent can make a living from road racing and marathoning for a few years. But can't even get into many European meets. Yeah, that Salazar's got jello for brains. His runners should all switch to Michael Johnson. And please, before it's too late, someone talk Ryan Hall out of doing any more marathons.

He actually sounded as if he wasn't eager to have Rupp run a marathon too soon and saw his own experience as a "cautionary tale."

From what I've read (and I admit that's a more distant perspective than knowing the man up close), he does strike me as pretty intense and driven, but also aware through experience of the need for balance. And he also (again this is from a distance, not knowing him) seems to be someone his athletes will gravitate toward, someone with the kind of magnetism that will bring people into his influence.

Every personality trait has the potential to benefit or harm--someone very intense could help an athlete reach her potential or risk driving the athlete to burn-out if they're not careful. And someone more laid back might have the reverse situation: an athlete might be more comfortable w/ that person, but also not feel the push to achieve as much. All a balancing act, and Salazar seems to be aware of that himself, talking about the need to sometimes take a day off and not redline everything, as he once did.

You need to work on your reading skills.

A rather severe misreading/misinterpretation on your part, I'd say.

So please tell us which event holds the best chance for Galen and Kara to win an Olympic gold medal?

You are right. Salazar the young guy runner is not the same as Salazar the old guy coach. He has learned over time.

Tom

Salazar get a grip. you are the one who needs to get a grip, a grip on reality.

You are clueless. The long and short term plans for Rupp and Kara Goucher are completely sensible. If you were correct, we would have seen Rupp running the Oly. Trials in NYC last November. If you were correct, both Adam and Kara would already have a few marathons under their belts. I happen to believe that Kara Goucher's best event will be the marathon - and obviously I'm not attempting to recapture my glory years through her. Her move to the 10,000 (which Salazar encouraged) has worked out pretty well, don't you think?

If anything, Salazar's approach with Rupp and the marathon may be a bit too conservative. Subject to how quickly Rupp progresses in the next 2-3 years in the 10,000, I would like to see Rupp running a marathon by the time he is 25. Of course, I am the first to admit that Salazar and Rupp are in a much better position to make that decision than I am (or you are).

I am sure the NYRR paycheck is more of an influence than any selfish motivation Salazar might have.

I think it's a great step for Kara and will be a great step for Rupp in a few years. I don't know about waiting for 7 years, if he can run a fast marathon why not go for it sooner. If he does it right he can run the marathon for years, make tons of money and leave a lasting legacy.

It appears you are the one "needing to get a grip".

Please learn to read.

Also, athlete/caoach bashing is really unnecessary.

Kara is 29. As far as Rupp, time will tell.

d.w. wrote:

If you were correct, we would have seen Rupp running the Oly. Trials in NYC last November. If you were correct, both Adam and Kara would already have a few marathons under their belts.

Who is coaching Josh Rohtansky? ALBERTO. He had him in New York running the trials with ZERO marathon experience. Why is it ok for Josh? Is development only important for some of Alberto's athletes? Could this be why the entire original group of young marathoners have all left NOP?

Alberto is a horrible coach when it comes to coaching several athletes. He does a great job with a select few.