The Official "Solinsky: Admit you were shocked" thread

he appeared to be pretty lean.

looked like he had the body type of john walker/rod dixon instead of juantorena

i was shocked at how smooth and easy he looked. big things to come from this guy.

Is Solinsky's build the future of distance running ? His build is closer to that of a 400m sprinter than a long distance runner. Maybe distance runners should spend more time lifting and bulking up a little.

I already ate crow. I thought he'd be lucky to be sub 28. Thought he was too large of frame.

maybe up to 10k, beyond that it becomes to hard. not efficient enough, all power. couldn't sustain that for the marathon.

WatchinTrack wrote:

Is Solinsky's build the future of distance running ? His build is closer to that of a 400m sprinter than a long distance runner. Maybe distance runners should spend more time lifting and bulking up a little.

No that's exactly what they shouldn't do, if you watch the video it's clear just how much solinsky has slimmed down. his legs arms everything is just skinnier, as if you wanna tell him to start eating again.

Flagpole wrote:

Ok, major props, but I am shocked. Awesome.

Why should you be shocked or awed? It's just the luck of the genes isn't it? I'm sure that the improvements in training and the focused running culture/climate surrounding him have had little to do with it (sarcasm intended).

Yes i am shocked... i was expecting galen rup to win this race. had he ran 27:05+ i would have been like... i am surprised... but psychologically 26:59 is a huge step forward for the americans/non-africans... but don't forget that there is still 42 seconds to the WR.

This feels like a WR because it is so far behind the real WR and it is based on the standard of African vs. Non African... a meaningless stat that is pushed by letsrun and others that follow running in the west - who have already given up.

Definitely shocked.

I predicted 27:09 for Rupp and figured if Solinksy ran it he'd be in the 27:30 range. I did think that the people who thought Solinsky would struggle to break 28 were crazy though. Solinsky was a very consistent low 13's 5000 runner, so there was no reason to think 28 would be tough for him.

But 26:59 is in a different stratoshpere and I didn't see this coming at all. This is probably the most shocking American performance in my lifetime.

If I was Rupp, I'd still think I'm better than Solinsky, and be aiming at 26:49 now.

And, like if Rupp is thinking that, you'd be fooling yourself.

Solinsky's stride was beautifully under control as Rupp *sprinted* down the backstretch with just over 600m to go trying to close the gap.

lucKY2b wrote:

Why should you be shocked or awed? It's just the luck of the genes isn't it? I'm sure that the improvements in training and the focused running culture/climate surrounding him have had little to do with it (sarcasm intended).

Well, I've always thought Solinsky was great so this isn't about any disrespect, but this was his 10,000 debut, and it's not like he's been running 13:00 5,000s or anything like that. As the old American record in the 10,000 was pretty soft, if asked I would have said Solinsky had the chance to get under it with some focus, but in his first attempt, and dipping under 27:00 too? Nothing but being impressed is what this is for me. Awesome.

is there a video of the entire race out there yet?

There have been so many other phenoms that we forgot a bit just how good Solinsky was in high school and college.

from wiki:

"His winning time of 14:41 at the 2002 Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships gave him a 41-second winning margin, tied for the largest margin in history. He finished his HS career with personal records of 4:03.80 (1600m) and 8:43.24 (3200m)....

(At Wisconsin) As an individual, Solinsky earned ... five individual national titles (2005 & 2006 indoor 3000m, 2007 indoor 5000m, 2006 & 2007 outdoor 5000m)."

His 7:36.9 3k was worth 13:03/27:19 by IAAF tables.

Maybe weight loss was the difference here.

oh no wrote:

And, like if Rupp is thinking that, you'd be fooling yourself.

Solinsky's stride was beautifully under control as Rupp *sprinted* down the backstretch with just over 600m to go trying to close the gap.

Remember Rupp had to run WC, because he knocked Solinsky out of the 3000m, while Solinsky got to rest up. Rupp is just gearing up again, and isn't likely to rabbit Solinsky through a second race.

I don't think anyone saw a sub-27:00 coming last night from anyone. However, those capable of breaking 13:00 for 5k are certainly capable of breaking 27:00 for 10k, given optimal conditions. I think Solinsky always viewed himself in Teg's league and as much said so in his interview.

We have a handful of those guys now and it would make for a pretty solid world cross team. Rupp's 27:10 was also stout, and I'm sure he's planned his peak for later this summer. Rupp broke the AR too, but was outclassed last night. Hard to say Solinsky has peaked, but who knows what his training has been of late? This was his debut. I'd think he'd get faster as he becomes more accustomed to the distance.

WatchinTrack wrote:

Is Solinsky's build the future of distance running ? His build is closer to that of a 400m sprinter than a long distance runner. Maybe distance runners should spend more time lifting and bulking up a little.

I remember reading an interview with him when he was a senior in High School. His coach didn't let him touch weights because he got too big. He is VERY slim compared to where he was even in college.

Flagpole wrote:

lucKY2b wrote:

Why should you be shocked or awed? It's just the luck of the genes isn't it? I'm sure that the improvements in training and the focused running culture/climate surrounding him have had little to do with it (sarcasm intended).

Well, I've always thought Solinsky was great so this isn't about any disrespect, but this was his 10,000 debut, and it's not like he's been running 13:00 5,000s or anything like that. As the old American record in the 10,000 was pretty soft, if asked I would have said Solinsky had the chance to get under it with some focus, but in his first attempt, and dipping under 27:00 too? Nothing but being impressed is what this is for me. Awesome.

Just in case it went over your head the reference of lucKY2b was to your comments on the Bill Rodgers thread. Sorry if that was already obvious to you. Sometimes it is hard for those of average intelligence to tell what you get and what you just don't get.

Cheers

Or perhaps this was a once in a lifetime type of effort. Everything clicked today for Chris. Incredible performance, but don't go looking for a 26:40 in July/August. He might not even run another one this season. If I were him, I'd go for the 5k record and possibly the 3k as well. This is the year to do it.

Also, to Ethio Boy-how many of the sub 27 minute performances were with a 1:56 last 800m? How many have ran sub 27 their FIRST RACE at the distance? How many sub 27 minute performances have been in May? How many sub 27 minute performers finished their races looking fresh as a daisy?

Race and nationality aside, this is a special performance. Throw those in and it is pure magic.