Just read his interview over at RW Online....he sounds like a man who's mentally just really tired going into Chicago, and that it's more of an "obligation to show up" than he'd really like. Not the best mindset going into a marathon. I thought he'd possibly win---and I still hope he does---but after this interview I'm leaning towards Tergat (who, while also coming off of London, must be the hungrier of the two). Opinions?
Agreed.
Tough call. His tune-up races have been less than impressive. On the other hand, didn't Ali call this the "rope-a-dope"?
I think it just goes to show that good training/running is more than just a physical thing. At least he had the guts to admit that he's pushing his body to the limit. Or is he giving himself an excuse if he doesn't do too well?
Khannouchi is one the most forthcoming runners when it comes to dealing with the press, but as the big marathons approach, he's not as thrilled with the interview process. Yeah, there are signs that point to his defeat, but a couple of times before, when that was the case, he came through. He's a tough guy to vote against. But I might.
It can be misleading to use late summer and early autumn races as indicators of what a guy will do in the marathon. John Kagwe won back to back NYC Marathons in the late '90s. The first year, he'd won absolutely everything coming into the marathon. The second year, he was getting whupped badly in the pre-marathon races. Some guys just know how to be ready on the big day.
Poor bastard has to sit for 10 interveiws a day askign mostly the same body of questions, but with different idiotic outlier questions from each person.
I say it's a ruse and that he's got something planned.
"You never knew. That was his power. The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." ....
Keyser Khannouchi wins.
i agree. it's probably sandbagging. even if Khalid felt like something the cat drug in, do you think he'd admit it to everyone?
it's the same damn thing that everyone else does. "yeah, i haven't run in weeks, been eating wings and drinking beer and doing nothing, i'm gonna jog it in at 7:00 pace, etc etc." this before busting a big pr.
so: i think he'll have a good race, but he probably won't win. i'm saying 2:07's. winner comes in 2:06's.
Khalid said the EXACT same thing in interviews before the 2000 Chicago Marathon, where he won in an American Record time.
He's had some tune-up races where he didn't dominate like we have come to expect from our World Record Holders. But Khalid is too proud to throw in the towel before the race even starts. Chicago is his course, and he knows it. I won't make predictions about who will win in what time, but IMHO, Khalid will be ready to run.
samo out.
interesting--i did not know that he said the same thing.
that throws my thoughts on the race off in a big way.
I like Khannouchi's chances. I used to be in a barber shop courtet with him in skokie, illinois. He is a tough son of a bitch!
I don't think it's unheard of for someone to make excuses and downplay their chances. Perhaps he is just feeling nervous and possibly is sick of thinking about the race. I truly expect him to do well, but in the end the marathon is a crap shoot. You can prepare perfectly and suck, or not prepare as well as you think you could have and yet do really, really well. Can't wait to see what happens!
Monty
what a coincidence!
back when i was pickin beans in guatemala, khalid used to spank me daily on morning runs.
but you shoulda seen who he was dating then. she was fat -- i mean orca fat.
Regardless of what Khannouchi said to the press he is ready to run. The chance for him to break his WR is small; however, he will post a VERY good time (sub 2:07:10).
Note if Khannouch places in the top three and run under 2:07:10 he will be ranked No.1 in the world in the 2002 Marathon rankings (even if Paul Tergat wins and don't set a WR, if Paul wins and set WR different story).