Just wanted to give some props to Will Leer who ran a PB yesterday in the 3k with a solid 7:49. This guy seems to be on the path to a big break through next year if he stays healthy and can take his training to the next level. I hope to see him run 3:34 next year and fighting for a spot again for the world championship team.
no idea
Yawn. He's been an "also ran" for years. A 7:49 3K ain't changin' that.
Awesome time! I would much rather be an "also ran" than a "never ran." Great job!
He tied Galen Rupp's high school PB. Call me when he does something more substantial than growing a gnarly mustache.
good result but... wrote:
He tied Galen Rupp's high school PB. Call me when he does something more substantial than growing a gnarly mustache.
No, that was his AJR as a Oregon freshman, not highschool.
wow, an elite American earns a new PR and gets blasted for it.
Brian Sell was an "also ran" for years, before his training grew and he developed to an Olympic Marathoner. I can't wait til Leer runs 3:33 or so, and the same people who say "yawn" today will be saying tomorrow, "good job ol' chap; i knew he could do it all along."
Way to go Leer--keep up the good work. Thank you to "changing the tide" for informing us of a new PR.
The guy is 25 and still improving, he has a few more years left him in, He is just getting started.
outlaw wrote: I can't wait til Leer runs 3:33 or so, and the same people who say "yawn" today will be saying tomorrow, "good job ol' chap; i knew he could do it all along." .
I think you give the letsrun scum too much credit. If he runs 3:33 down the road, they'll be saying....
"Typical American Attitude, getting excited over a time that 100 Kenyans run each year, this is why we don't win".
7:20
just in case yall forgot
Danny K wrote:
7:20
just in case yall forgot
hahah, good ole' Danny K
Exactly...pretty ridiculous. 7:49 is a good time and as mentioned he is improving. Does anyone recall a few years back that Solinsky had 'plateaued' around 13:14. As lydiard said...it takes years to become a champion. This is not a sport of instant gratification. Nor does it always involve perfect conditions or races...so the fact that many runners are running well is awesome. Sometimes you take giant steps forward...but many times in is babysteps. Glad to see both.
When He runs a 7:30 I'll be impressed. Until then he's just average
Whattttt? I am not going to lie there are a lot of studs coming up that are making his job tougher and his place on a national team less assured but popping off 4:11 mile pace in a 3k is legit. Also, there is nothing to indicate that that is all that he can improve by. We are talking about a dude who came from a DIII program (no athletic scholarships) at one of the most academically competitive colleges in the U.S. - who is still in his first 3 years of serious training. Rupp has been training like a pro since he was in high school. I am willing to bet Leer will do more with the first 5 years of training like a pro than anyone else. I mean who else amongst america's elite distance runners has written a thesis on how to run the most mathematically efficient mile? Nobody. The reappearance of the stache is also a harbinger of good things to come.
The runner wasn't blasted for the PR.
The poster was blasted for getting excited by a time that was fairly mediocre compared to the runner's other PR's.
But I think it was a good post, bringing attention to a solid effort by a guy who is in the mix in the US 1500m scene which is getting very crowded.
The top American 1500m runners need to really be on their game when they show up at the Trials. There are too many able bodies ready to step up and take a spot if someone really good is slightly off.
Will Leer is one of those guys who will be aiming his top peak for the Trials over the next two years. Long shot, yes. But the tactical races give long shots a chance.
Manzano, Lomong and Wheating aren't exactly front runners who will make it a 3:34 paced race.
Problem for Leer is he has the current "Big 3" of Wheating, Lomong, and Manzano plus the young guns who are really coming on (Torrence, Acosta, Ulrey, Centro) plus a Webb comeback to worry about.
Leer is my hero. DIII REPRESENT! Get 'em BOI.
Love it. 7:49 3k and it's considered slow! We've become like yankee fans of running.
Daniel Komen jogs 7:49 3k's like Wheating jogs NCAA prelims. Komen was the first world class professional jogger.
But for a guy like Leer, 7:49 is a good mark but only that - good. German ran 7:47 indoors as an 18 year old, Rupp ran 7:49 for an AJR, German ran 7:51 coming off of injury and Evan Jager ran 7:41 off of 3:54/13:22 range.
Leer has run 3:56 and 3:37 THREE years in a row. 2008, 2009, 2010 and this past year he finally ran 3:55. He's only run 1:47 although MAYBE he could go faster than that now, so without Ventolin lining up 1:47 and 7:49 he seems to be making the most of his 1500 potential. All you aboard the mustache bandwagon need a grip of reality - he might run 3:33 eventually, but it's just as likely he won't because it seems like he's lived up to his ability.
Toro: He might be better than a long shot because of his kick. He took 4th in the 2008 Olympic Trials when he didn't have the A standard and has done well in championship meets that go out slowly. He doesn't have a chance in a European time trial that goes 3:30 at the front but 3:40 or slower he'll be in good position. So who knows, that mustache might carry him into London 2012.
Good lord, we can't celebrate a guy who runs 7:49? Not earth shattering, but it was a PR.