Putting Shalane's Marathon Debut in Perspective

This article was written by Roger Robinson who is the smartest marathon journalist on the planet. Smart guy that has been there and understands the sport.

Rotterdam and chicago are timetrial type courses while NYC is a racers course.

Apples/ parsnips type of thing.

most 'experts' give NYC as about 2 to 3 mins slower that Rotterdam at the 2:25 to 2:30 pace.

Measuring the value of disparate marathon races by time alone is akin to scoring football games by first downs.

Chicago was not a time trial this year. It was hot. It became a day of survival. Most years you might be correct but not 2010.

Most people believe that Shalane ran better than she did for one reason. NIKE TOLD THEM SO.

Although Nike invests in many Universities, Everyone knows that Phil Knight graduated from Oregon. This is the reason that many call Oregon, Nike University.

This board thought that Jordan Hasay was going to win yesterday. Why? NIKE TOLD THEM SO.

Much of this board thought that Ritz underachieved at New York when he actually finished better than his seed. Why? NIKE TOLD THEM SO.

There were several on this board that thought that Bairu was going to run sub 2:09 in New York. Why? NIKE TOLD THEM SO.

There were equally as many that thought that Nelson was going to run sub 2:10. Why? NIKE TOLD THEM SO.

Proof will come wrote:

Chicago was not a time trial this year. It was hot. It became a day of survival. Most years you might be correct but not 2010.

For Liliya Shobukahova who finished 3 minutes ahead of the second place finisher and nearly 6 minutes ahead of Davila, recording 2010's fastest time, it sure looked like a time trial.

You mean to tell me that a company that sponsors athletes/athletic teams at universities promotes and advertises those athletes/teams?

Sir, I find that accusation OFFENSIVE and UNFOUNDED!

I think all three of them ran REALLY GREAT!! Yay!

You're all nuts...and stupid to boot. Desi ran a great race in Chicago, no doubt, but it was more along the lines of shooting for a specific time,aka time trial. New York was Shalane's debut and she was running a race with others and going for a specific place, there's a big difference. Yes, she would like to have run faster and WILL. Comparing Chicago to New York, with or without the heat is a novice comparison at best. I've run both and they are completely different animals. If Shalane had been in Chicago, do you think she would have run 2:30? No way, she would have run a nice even pace and most likely come out on top, Ripley's believe it or not.

I like Davila a lot and think that she is probably the no. 3 spot on the US team in the marathon if Kastor is unable to return to form. But, Flanagan's 2nd place debut in NY properly eclipsed Davila's fast time in Chicago. The race in NY was hyper tactical. Shalane ran the second half of the marathon in 1:12.52. That is some serious speed considering the Queensboro bridge, the long climb up 5th ave and the hills in central park (and the fact that she already ran 13.1 miles and the fact that the pace did not really pick up until the last 10k). Shalane's 2:28 was not any indication of the kind of speed she has. Instead, the fact that she was second, was able to come back after Keitany broke away from her and was in her debut race at the distance shows that she was the queen of the US marathoners in 2010. Davila is the princess.

Thank you Mr. Robinson for stepping out of the box and printing what the american public has a tough time accepting. Shalane is not currently the best in the US.

She may become the best, but she has not yet proven it.

I agree with Weldon or Robert or whoever did the report on the NY Marathon. A 21 mile jog and a 5 mile race does not prove anything either way.

There were some great races run in 2010, but a time is a time and Desi is on top for the year. I look forward the next couple of years and know there will be a great showdown for the Olympic spots in 2012. Speculation is fun but we will get to see these incredible athletes battle head to head soon enough. 2010 is all but in the books and Des, enjoy being on top this year! Bring on 2011!!!

David Federczyk wrote:

Thank you Mr. Robinson for stepping out of the box and printing what the american public has a tough time accepting. Shalane is not currently the best in the US.

She may become the best, but she has not yet proven it.

I agree with Weldon or Robert or whoever did the report on the NY Marathon. A 21 mile jog and a 5 mile race does not prove anything either way.

You people didn't seem to care so much about time when you were bashing Gebrselassie!

Although if you had to pick one of them in a race and stake your life on it- who would you pick? I'd go with Shalane.

Shalane FTW- best U.S.performer @ NYCM in 25 years, and as a debutante

Last time I check the fast time wins the race. So with thtat said Desiree is the fastest in the country this year. Shalene ran an ok race, but just like others said they walked 21 and then picked it up for the last few miles. Didnt you listen to Shalene in the videos before NYC and her goal and what she was training for was a 2:26. I have run both course and New York runs a Little slower but for the other who say its 2 min slower than chicago Desiree still beat her even giving her the 2 mins. By the way Shalene had the choice to run new york or chicago and picked New York for its money. Who says Desiree wasnt trying to run 2:24 in Chicago but due to the heat re adjusted to 2:26, just want to keep you thinking there. To bad for Shalene, Desiree is the best in the country and deal with it all of you Nike lovers you just wish she was in your uniform.

Desi still the best on paper,

but Shalane ran a great enough race to make Desi and Brooks Hansons super nervous that she could beat them as NYC => slow course.

now for that running article author to go and say Hansons does the work quietly, that's a bit silly because CHicago is so much faster than NYC.

runn wrote:

Although if you had to pick one of them in a race and stake your life on it- who would you pick? I'd go with Shalane.

I would of went with Rupp over Solinsky in the 10k prior to last year as well. Many of us go with what the media feeds us.

Mit©hM©CoNNeLLTeaB@GNnut©ra©KR wrote:

Shalane ran a great enough race to make Desi and Brooks Hansons super nervous that she could beat them.

You truly have no idea how things work in the Hansons-Brooks Camp. I can guarantee that they are not at all nervous about Kara or Shalane. They realize that Desiree has NEVER run a marathon that has not been faster than her previous marathon. Desiree would have run 2:24 in Chicago if had not been so hot. She will probably be ready to run 2:22 in her next marathon. Shalane will be pleased with a 2:25 and Kara is unlikely to ever run faster than 2:25:53 with Alberto as a coach. Take a close look at the ages of these three athletes.

Not who you are responding to, but YOU truly have no idea how things work in the Hansons-Brooks Camp.

Kara not running faster, regardless of her coach, that I agree with. She is immensely overrated after 3 attempts.

Shalane was semi-jogging 20 miles then racing, give me a break! Do you have any clue what she could run in an evenly paced race on a flat time trial type course?

Desi had no problem with the Chicago weather and you, I, or no one knows if she would have run a minute faster or not. Maybe to her the conditions were more favorable. With all of your inside information on the Hansons, did you ask her? I guess not.

Under ideal conditions, what do you think Desi could do in New York and why did she pick Chicago instead? Ahhhh, now I've hit the golden nugget of knowledge.

Go back to your basement. Everyone knows their ages, pr's, and marathon times.