Deena --PLEASE RETIRE

keep in mind she ran a 109 solo half earlier this year...would not say she is completely out-of-shape for 2010. My guess is she'll be motivated one last time, and go out and win NYC outright, and also win the US Women's Champs in the process. Many were saying the same things about Meb not that long ago as well...

Road races need to do away with appearance fees and make it open money that you have to earn. That was shameful when she hobby jogged the NYC Mini 10K last summer for her appearance fee. Was she contracted with London? If so, she probably HAD TO finish to get her $$$$.

Not quite done yet... wrote:

My guess is she'll be motivated one last time, and go out and win NYC outright, and also win the US Women's Champs in the process. Many were saying the same things about Meb not that long ago as well...

Thank you. You prove my point 100%. There are many Anericans that are hanging on to the same ideas. That is why she will continue to be paid in the USA. However, they will not be able to pull that game overseas. That is why the tears at the finish line. Deena knows the gig is up.

As far as winning the US championship. Who cares? Ilsa Paulsen won the 2009 US Championship. I don't see any major marathon opening up the checkbook for her appearance. Deena will not win if Davila or Goucher are entered.

Exactly.

She's not running London (or any race) unless she's paid. That's how it works. I can't believe some on here are saying she made no money in London. She made a boat load. Minimum $50,000.

No wonder she tied up NYC before running London.

Mary Wittenberg is feeling burned right about now.

ukathleticscoach wrote:

I bet she still ran faster than you could!

I just knew that someone had to bring up the retarded "you can´t critisize someone who is better than you" argument. Go f4ck yourself.

Not quite done yet... wrote:

keep in mind she ran a 109 solo half earlier this year...would not say she is completely out-of-shape for 2010. My guess is she'll be motivated one last time, and go out and win NYC outright, and also win the US Women's Champs in the process. Many were saying the same things about Meb not that long ago as well...

Good point. Go get 'em Deena!!! Get 'em like Meb did.

She should retire when she no longer wants to race.

Maybe your displeasure should be directed at race directors who pay her to race. But she should continue run and race as long as she wants.

She is still one of the top Americans and speaks well when interviewed. When she is in a race, I am interested in seeing how she does.

Mike Rowe wrote:

Fact of the matter is that today she was the top male or female American.

You should learn your facts before you go around spouting stuff like "fact of the matter is." She wasn't top American, male or female. Only female.

frozen north wrote:

Good point. Go get 'em Deena!!! Get 'em like Meb did.

There is a major difference between Meb and Deena. Deena is older and has not run within 9 minutes of her pb in the past 5 marathons over a 4 year period.

I don't blame her for continuing to ride the gravy train. I just find it funny when the sheep think she has a fighting chance of winning.

Plus, Meb's comeback was remarkable because it was unexpected. It was unexpected because it rarely happens for runners that age who have been running that long and who have been racing marathons that long. Believing that Meb accomplishing something rare indicates that Deena could have as good of a chance of accomplishing that same rare feat is foolish, at best.

In the sports of running, I don't blame anyone who tries to milk the (money)cow as long as (s)he can.

Deena knows what's going on and that she is not going to run another 2:19. But admitting so would lower her appearance fees etc.

She could still make the 2012 Olympic team, the US women's field is so weak, Dean Karnazes could just about make it.

She will probably still get appearance money in international marathons for some time yet, because she is American - an American with an Olympic medal and a sub 2:20 - and having an American in the race helps with US TV ratings and advertising income.

Mind you, those appearance fees could drop when Kara makes a return to competition.

So in NYC...here is how it will play out

Deena--sub 220, will run a solid road race or two, and be ready for a great NYC marathon

Desire Davila--perhaps 228 at NYC?

Shalane--debut. Run conservative cuz its your first one.

Kara--with child, won't start

Katie--always good for a 230ish marathon. She just does not like the event.

Anyone else??? Ilsa? Colleen?

International Field?

Paula--with child, won't start

Deratu--returning champ, and still probably good for a 225 to 228 if she gets back to top form.

Then??? A few African athletes, but will be the big hitters go to Berlin, Chicago, etc.

As mentioned, this could be a heck of a chance for Deena to win NYC Marathon outright, and double dip like Meb in the process.

OK- who doesn't get it? I go to work every day because they pay me. I'm sure she'll keep getting paid because she is a Rogers, Shorter, Benoit...

I would love to meet her and talk to her.

This is one of the most obnoxious and cruel and ignorant threads in letsrun history.

Deena won the 2008 Trials quite handily. Even with some digestive distress in Chicago last year, she was well under 2:30, something that, alas, is still a notable distinction for American female marathoners.

So she had a bad race in London today. And she's not going to run 2:19 again.

She's still probably American's best woman marathoner.

She WAS the best. She is no longer the best.

Numbers don't lie.

Within the last 12 months Kara, Magda, Davila all ran faster than she has.

Yes, yes, Oly medal, 2:19 etc. But that's the past. Athletes can't rely on reputation and past performance to be the best. And nobody knows that better than the athlete themself. Deena knows she won't be in contention for a medal in 2012. She'll be exceedingly fortunate to even make the marathon team. Two years is a long time....

Deena knows full well that she'll never see anything under 2:26 - 2:28 again. She's marathon'ed out. Her body won't let her run like that anymore. She's done.

The Los Angeles haters are ready to pounce on any faint fart from our Los Angeles kids: Deena, Ryan, Meb. Jealous is what they are.

Deena was great at the New York half. A 2:36 is still respectable. I say keep right on running and who doesn't want to get paid to do something they love? Good for her.