....BFD!
Is he a national class 5k/8k road runner? No....he is a WORLD CLASS 8/15/5 track athlete.
Who cares if he bombs in these things?!?!? Look at Lagat's season 12 months ago - he was totally written off.
there are very few events that matter (for AW), and Carlsbad, or some 8k in Central Park is not at the top of that list.
If he struggles to make the team at the Trials...worry. But that is a +2 months away.