Lagat 3rd in Ostrava

this is a terrific performance for him in late May, first race off the plane from the states after the 2k TT. He does not historically have the dynamic kick until July/August. At this time of year, he can be outkicked by, e.g., Alan Webb, as happened several times in June in Webb's Wunderjahre. Give Lagat a month or two and you will see him bang out that last lap in 55 or faster, and there goes BK's American record. This also indicates that he is well on his way to being in shape to beat Ritz's AR at 5000m. He is not there right now, but 7:32 already?? The way he periodizes, that indicates some very fast times on the way if he stays healthy this year.

Let's not forget his indoor season either. Record Wannamaker mile win against Kiprop, AR at 5000, and 3000m World Champion...and they all looked virtually effortless for him. He might never break 3:32 again, but that doesn't make him dead.

Lagat in a 3000m with 13 Kenyans.....

Think he got bumped or clipped at all?

If a guy runs an even race to set a PR, then I really don't think there's any room to criticize his performance. BL ran hard from line to line, so good for him.

Is there video of this online?

ventolin, do you really think that a 12:59 5000 is intrinsically superior than a 7:32 3000? The 5k was more impressive when you take into account his closing lap, but when you just compare the two times, I see the 3k as being slightly better.

By using your own commonly pulled on Jundo predictor, a 4:57 2k and a 7:32 3k point to a 12:48 5k. By putting in a more reasonable 3:35 1500 for him at this time of year, it points to a 13:00 5k.

epopians wrote:

I think age is finally catching up with him, though it's still early season.

Too funny.

Lagat puts in a rock-solid effort early in the season, but the number of Kenyans ahead of him, or the final-lap split, or what shoes he wears, upset fans, who declare that he is too old and will have a horrible season. Every. Single. Year. And then he has great results when in counts. Every. Single. Year.

How many times do Lagat and Li have to get it right before people accept that there is a plan, and it works?

epopians wrote:

Just watched the 3000m about half an hour ago on Eurosport 2. Everything seemed tailor made for Lagat to kick past the 2 kenyans on the home straight after pretty good, economical pacing, but he had nothing left. Ran 7:33 and about 58-59 for the last 400m. Haven't looked at the precise splits on the video yet.

I think age is finally catching up with him, though it's still early season.

Just a reminder that Webb beat Lagat in Ostrava in '04. Lagat is always at his best when the big races roll around. Probably a different outcome in August.

ventolin^3 wrote:

bernie 4y ago ran 12'59, which is superior to a 7'32, & he won that with a 51, crushing kennster !!!

if all he coud muster was a meagre 58/59 today, then the speed certainly wasn't there today - whether it's gone for good or not, only more races will tell

on his indoor win earlier, i'd have expected no slower than a 55 today at the end, so 58/59 is poor

Perhaps he couda wouda shouda run faster if he had had wabbits in the race, moron!

asdfasdfasdf wrote:

ventolin, do you really think that a 12:59 5000 is intrinsically superior than a 7:32 3000? The 5k was more impressive when you take into account his closing lap, but when you just compare the two times, I see the 3k as being slightly better.

By using your own commonly pulled on Jundo predictor, a 4:57 2k and a 7:32 3k point to a 12:48 5k. By putting in a more reasonable 3:35 1500 for him at this time of year, it points to a 13:00 5k.

4'57 is a training run with ?no wabbits in that run

it really is a monumental task to get anywhere close to an idea of where he is now - that 4'57 is not a realistic race representation - i think it was more a publicity stunt than anything else

however, trying just a quick combo on

with most intrinsic times for an athlete ( their current 400/800 ability which is what it boils down to & what distance their endurance lasts to )

50.0/1'47.0

gives some ballpark times with which to work from :

->3'32.6 , 4'50.7 , 7'31.4 , 13'04.5

( fiddle the 50.0 by increments of 0.1s up/down & similar for the 1'47.0 & you'll get hopefully, something that's acceptable )