Ritz or Rupp--Who will have more success in the next 2 years?

Experience favors Ritz, Speed favors Rupp.

I think both will work together to erase the US 10K mark, but Rupp has more upside on the track.

I say Rupp because he will get injured less and continue to improve.

It's a good move for Ritz. Remember, it wasn't too long ago that he was the anointed one for breaking the AR in the 10k and busting 27:00. Returning to the track and training with his "successor" can only elevate his game. It sounds as though his focus is still on the marathon ultimately, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some big track PRs in the coming couple of years. Sub 13:10, sub 27:20 would be a confidence boost and maybe a platform for that 2:06 marathon Ritz dearly covets.

Rupp - Younger, Faster - More Talent?

Rupp because Salazar will be using Ritz as a sparing partner for Rupp. He is not interested in advancing Ritz's career so much as he is excited to have cannon fodder for Rupp.

No Way wrote:

Rupp because Salazar will be using Ritz as a sparing partner for Rupp. He is not interested in advancing Ritz's career so much as he is excited to have cannon fodder for Rupp.

Kind of like Begley for Kara? Doubtful Rube, highly doubtful. Salazar has proven that he can take both training partners to their best. Dathan will benefit immensely from this and soon there will be threads suggesting Hall seek Salazars guidance.

Galen seems to be more durable than Ritz so I think he will improve more, though if both stay healthy they are going to be fairly evenly matched. I'm sure Salazar is aware of Ritz's past so he will take that into account when training him.

sparing partner for Rupp.......I know how that works in other sports, how does it work in running?

pert wrote:

sparing partner for Rupp.......I know how that works in other sports, how does it work in running?

Negatively, which is exactly why salazar won't incorporate that. I think Rupp and Ritz are going to really help eachother over the next couple of years.

yes, I agree.....Rupp will set the track standard for Ritz to try to attain, Ritz will help with tactics, encouragement and toughness. Salazar knows whats it like not to have a dynamite kick himself, he can help Ritz maximize his potential.

Rupp will continue to have the most success of the two of them.

However, I think Ritz will be close, and the association should be beneficial for both of them.

I guess the point I'm making is that Ritz's track PRs have barely improved since college, and attaining his PRs on the track should help him immensely. Not everyone can apply Hall's training exclusivity toward the marathon and succeed.

There's no way training alongside Rupp with Salazar at the helm and Nike's resources readily available won't pull Ritz to a 27:20 or faster effort, and Salazar helped Goucher overcome his inconsistent training for a period of time. Guys like Ritz and Rupp, our two brightest talents over 10,000, SHOULD be training together with the BEST resources available.

I don't believe Hall will go after Salazar because he is sponsored by Asics and not Nike.

Moog wrote:

I don't believe Hall will go after Salazar because he is sponsored by Asics and not Nike.

That, and moving to Salazar is the running equivalent to selling your soul to the devil.

Well, Rupp's younger and he's faster now, and Ritz breaks a lot. So I gotta go with Rupp.

Why would Hall even consider that? Under Mahon he has gone from being a good but undistinguished collegiate athlete to a sub 60 half marathoner and a legitimate marathon contender who can hang with the africans for all but the last few miles. If he can solve that last 5k of the marathon he will be a threat to win any of the majors. Hall was made to run the longer distances, I don't think he really cares much about the track so unless that changes he is best where he is.

Running Antelope wrote:

I guess the point I'm making is that Ritz's track PRs have barely improved since college, and attaining his PRs on the track should help him immensely. Not everyone can apply Hall's training exclusivity toward the marathon and succeed.

There's no way training alongside Rupp with Salazar at the helm and Nike's resources readily available won't pull Ritz to a 27:20 or faster effort, and Salazar helped Goucher overcome his inconsistent training for a period of time. Guys like Ritz and Rupp, our two brightest talents over 10,000, SHOULD be training together with the BEST resources available.

I do believe Ritz will definitely improve and break the US record... but you are wrong in saying Ritz has barely improved since college... the only track PR of his that hasn't improved has been 10K (only 4 seconds improvement). He has run 8:11 for two full miles, 13:16 (I think) for 5K and I want to say 7:43 for 3K (someone correct me if I'm wrong). So, it's unfair to say that he has barely improved since college.

Isn't Hall's coach, Mahon, a friend and ex-teammate of Salazar's at Oregon?

lohalloran wrote:

Why would Hall even consider that? Under Mahon he has gone from being a good but undistinguished collegiate athlete to a sub 60 half marathoner and a legitimate marathon contender who can hang with the africans for all but the last few miles. If he can solve that last 5k of the marathon he will be a threat to win any of the majors. Hall was made to run the longer distances, I don't think he really cares much about the track so unless that changes he is best where he is.

Didn't Hall run 13:16, win an NCAA title, and make a world team in college. That's pretty distinguishable from most guys, I mean except from the 2, maybe 3 American collegians who have run faster, ever.

Oh, and to help prevent digression, Ritz will, more testosterone.