http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/commonwealth-games/athletics/4229204/Injury-free-Willis-eyes-move-to-5000m
Sub 13 has gotta be one of his goals. I think he can dip under that quite comfortably.
Sub 13 has gotta be one of his goals. I think he can dip under that quite comfortably.
No one just goes 13 minutes comfortably.
He'll soon move back down again
ukathleticscoach wrote:
He'll soon move back down again
"told NZPA he intended to "dip my toes" into the 5000m, but did not plan to move up in distance until after the 2012 London Olympics."
Just like John Walker said any 1500 runner could break 2:12 for the marathon, then he got lapped in the 5k in LA.
Hey Smartass,
Willis ran 13:27 for 5000m back in 2005 at the NCAA Championships (after a semi-final). I think he has a bit more in the tank.
John Walker got lapped in 1984 huh? Maybe you should do your homework. And three of the guys in front of him where on drugs.
Men 5000m Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984 -
Final Team Time
1. Said Aouita MAR 13:05.59
2. Markus Ryffel SUI 13:07.54
3. Antonio Leitao POR 13:09.20
4. Tim Hutchings GBR 13:11.50
5. Paul Kipkoech KEN 13:14.40
6. Charles Cheruiyot KEN 13:18.41
7. Doug Padilla USA 13:23.56
8. John Walker NZL 13:24.46
Up to this point championship 5,000's were all sit and kick races. Walker saw how easily Coghlan won the 1983 WC 5,000 and thought he had a better chance at medaling at the longer distance. Still a really good effort for him at the end of a great career.
Actually Graeme, this was only 2 years after he ran his fastest ever mile (3:49.08) & 3000m (7:37). He didn't actually retire until after the Commonwealth Games (where he attempted the 800 & 1500), in 1990.
When I read the title I thought, "No way can this be serious," but moving up after 2012 makes a little sense. He still has multiple shots at OG and WC medals at 1500m, and the 5000m isn't a very good place to be right now unless you can run <13:00 and close in 52.x off at least a decent pace. Willis has the speed, but I don't see him having any shot at a medal unless he runs <13:00, which is pretty unlikely in all honesty. I'd pick Solinsky over Willis at 5000m any day.
He might get his feet wet at 5000m, but I think Willis will never be as good at 5000m as he is at 1500m.
By the time they retire, I predict Webb will have a 5000 pr at least 10 seconds faster than Willis.
has he run a 5k yet? even in a "non-competitive meet"?
Some people are idiots wrote:
And three of the guys in front of him where on drugs.
Wow only 20 seconds behind.
Surely everyone ahead of him was on drugs.
always strange to me how athletes arrive at the decision to "move up". why not just stick with 1500 and perfect it? he has enough of speed to run 327. more experience, strength and confidence is all willis needs to bring gold home. i think he should just commit to the 1500. sure, run a 5k now and again, but come on willis - you are white and "afflicted" physically as such.
movingupandontheinsdie wrote:
always strange to me how athletes arrive at the decision to "move up". why not just stick with 1500 and perfect it? he has enough of speed to run 327. more experience, strength and confidence is all willis needs to bring gold home. i think he should just commit to the 1500. sure, run a 5k now and again, but come on willis - you are white and "afflicted" physically as such.
Willis will NEVER run 3:27. No effing way. I seriously doubt he'll crack 3:30 (very few runners do). Of course, I still agree he should focus on the 1500 since I don't see him ever being more competitive at 5000m than at 1500m. He could prove me wrong though. Wasn't Webb's PR like 13:30 before he ran 13:10 back in 2005 (2006?)? Regardless, considering Mottram has "only" one medal (a bronze) in his career after running 3:48, 8:03, and 12:55, and the depth of 5000m runners in the world right now (four <13:00 in America alone), I still say he has virtually no shot at a medal until he runs <13:00, and even then he's no shoe-in. Stick with the 1500m.
this strategy makes perfect sense...
Willis is an olympic silver medalist at 1500, he'll be pushing 30 by the time 2012 rolls around, his plan is to take one more shot at gold then move on
hes not going to have the quickness to run the 1500 at 2016 but he may be able to medal in a tacitcal 5000
not sure whay people have such difficulty understanding this
hmmmmmmm wrote:
hes not going to have the quickness to run the 1500 at 2016 but he may be able to medal in a tacitcal 5000
not sure whay people have such difficulty understanding this
Willis will be fat and old by 2016.
He has zero chance in competing in an international 5000m
Hope he can "win" a slow one, aka Lagat? Good luck!
Maybe if it was 15 flat and everyone waited for the stretch.
What is the NZ record, 13:24? Maybe he could go for that then retire.
Adrian Blincoe 13.10.19
'John Walker got lapped in 1984 huh? Maybe you should do your homework. And three of the guys in front of him where on drugs.'
4. Tim Hutchings GBR 13:11.50
8. John Walker NZL 13:24.46
Who would win over 1500m out of those 2?
He's not American
What'chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?
this is why wrote:
Willis will be fat and old by 2016.
He has zero chance in competing in an international 5000m
Hope he can "win" a slow one, aka Lagat? Good luck!
Maybe if it was 15 flat and everyone waited for the stretch.
What is the NZ record, 13:24? Maybe he could go for that then retire.
what are you being a dick for?
willis is an lympic silver medalist at 1500, same color as lagats best medal at the distance
there is nothing to back up your assertions