long dong silver wrote:
I don't know what the best tactic to beat him in a 5k wouldve been.
Renato Canova has an idea:
"I remember very well Ostrava 2003, when Stephen Cherono beated him during his first attempt in 5000m.
I told to Stephen, before the race : "Hicham is already in good shape, because one week ago won in Turin running 7:30 with 3:49 + 3:41, practically alone in the last 1500m. So, I think that he can try to beat the World Record, because the requested split at 3000m is 7:37. But I'm sure that, at that time, he thinks to be alone. So, he must not to be alone, but you must to stay with him. If you are able to be with him till 4k, he is no more sure about himself, reducing his pace. If you have yet some energy, try to overtake him only for 100m, after this stay back him, and we see what can happen".
When Stephen, 700m to go, overtook Hicham, he was very much confused, and was not able to maintain the same speed.
In all his career, Hicham thought to be not very fast in a short sprint, and always preferred to have a very strong progression during last 500m. But, if he was not able to have a break of 20-30m, in this case could become the best rabbit for the other runners.
After winning 1500m, he was really very much more relaxed, and for the first time in his life decided, in 5000m, to follow during the last lap instead of to attack.
So, he discovered to be able to finish in 12.0 last 100m, faster than every other runner (like it's logical, being the World Record Holder of 1500m).
This can show how much a different psychological approach can influence the tactical behavior.
After winning 1500m, Hicham was another athlete, and this happened only few days after the first event."