Official WC Womens' Marathon Thread

She puked and ran herself back to 7th and then faded. I think it was a gutsy run.

Great run by Davila.

Wil Lingren wrote:

Goucher just isn't competitve on the International scene.

her bronze at 10k in 2007 says she is very competitive on the international scene.

Kara has stated in interviews that she's puked in every marathon she's run. THat just might be how her body reacts to the distance. ANd she raced well, despite it, but if I were to believe all the media hype, then I'd be disappointed with her finish today.

What is this, Goucher's 3rd marathon? Even some of the greatest ever have taken longer than that to figure out the distance. Her run today is disappointing, but if she was puking it's obvious that something wasn't entirely right for her. Until the Africans start dominating the women's marathon like they do the men's, this distance is still her best shot at a medal on the world stage.

Great race for Davila. Must have been fun to run people down for the entire second half. Glad to see someone really taking advantage of the WC opportunity and performing well.

please know i actually like Goucher as a runner and follow some of her running, also thanks to this board.

I'm just wondering about the possibility of conflicting scenarios in her coaching.

And I'll edit that to "best shot at a medal in the future" before I get corrected.

I think the stars aligned for her 10k bronze and her odds are still better in the 'thon.

Exactly, this is only Kara's 3rd marathon. Let her figure out the distance and get a big win or run a really fast time, and THEN hype her up to win an international medal.

backwards wrote:

What is this, Goucher's 3rd marathon? Even some of the greatest ever have taken longer than that to figure out the distance. Her run today is disappointing, but if she was puking it's obvious that something wasn't entirely right for her. Until the Africans start dominating the women's marathon like they do the men's, this distance is still her best shot at a medal on the world stage.

Great race for Davila. Must have been fun to run people down for the entire second half. Glad to see someone really taking advantage of the WC opportunity and performing well.

ok, that seems like a god analysis.

Now does anybody know why there were not any fast men in Chicago half where she came absolute first earlier this summer?

But now... according to all prior reports, the Goucher's are looking to start a family. she may come back better than ever... or she may struggle to get herself ready for London 2012...

timing is everthing in the marathon! and that's goes for a single monk-like existence.... not any better with a family life!

Good Luck Kara.... the races are much better when she's in front!

good analysis, corrects

It is hard to understand, when she goes through the half about 6 min slower than her half capability ? No question she was racing well within her means today. But, again she gets sick ? Makes you wonder whats in the Al Sal concoctions she drinks, or maybe its just due to nerves ?

Surely they do not have these issues with fluid intake or sickness during her long training sessions - 10th in 2:28+ must be considered a dissapointing result for Kara

Versus wrote:

Crazy Brits! They were moving pretty good for 26.2... "Maybe they could have run a bit faster?"

Loved how the one shook it real nice...

I wonder if there is a French version of Letsrun where they are currently attacking those French women who appeared to have too much energy left at the end and do they post that those women aren't competitive on the international scene, while others point out their past medal finishes and the heat...

I thought mergia, ethiopia in 3rd showed guts in getting that third medal. looked her up and she is new to the marathon...

this was only her second marathon. she tried to lead eventhough she was dying.

amazing effort to do that and then hang on

In Chicago, three weeks ago, Goucher ran 1 min 30 sec. faster than her coach told her to, her offical PB since her fastest half time was on an excessive downhill course. Running a half PB three weeks before a target marathon is a classic beginner mistake. It really came back to bite her in the a$$.

chapmionship marathons are a whole different ball game. its hard to get them right. even radclife got it wrong. Kara goucher

Adam R. wrote:

In Chicago, three weeks ago, Goucher ran 1 min 30 sec. faster than her coach told her to, her offical PB since her fastest half time was on an excessive downhill course. Running a half PB three weeks before a target marathon is a classic beginner mistake. It really came back to bite her in the a$$.

ich bin ein Berliner wrote:

ok, that seems like a god analysis.

Now does anybody know why there were not any fast men in Chicago half where she came absolute first earlier this summer?

Thought I mentioned this earlier.

1) No prize money. So no fast men.

2) The race closed out very early. Most fast people dont plan and pay for half marathons 4-5 months in advance. They dont know where their training will be.

3) The race used to be the Chicago distance classic. In 2008 it was almost .5mi long and badly organized. My guess is that people did not want to drop the $65 that early for a race that is unorganized.

To its credit RnR was run great! Plenty of bathrooms, water stops, etc. It did get a bit lonely out there for a while though. And most of us in the top 10 ran alone from mile 3-4 till the end.

sorry missed earlier, thanks for info.

Too bad for Kara. At least the US actually had women competing. I really at odds with some of my own competing in about a month at the same distance, in the same city they should have been in today...

thanks for coverage.