Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead?

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  • bobby e.
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    9 years ago 12/16/2010 8:56pm CST
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    In the run-up to NYCM, I read that Ritz wanted a 2:08-2:10 to show him that he was ready to run 2:06 or faster in London. I believe he mentioned the London marathon specifically, by name. But he's not in the men's elite field.

    Prior to this, I didn't think it was especially significant that he (and Rupp) will be running an XC race in Scotland next month - it's a separate race from the "proper" Edinburgh XC featuring top Kenyans, and sounded more like an obligatory appearance (apparently Salazar helped organize or promote the "team challenge") than a serious step towards the WXC championships in Spain.

    Now I'm not so sure. Is Ritz reconsidering whether he wants to be, or is cut out to be, a full-time marathoner? Or will both he and Meb be in the Boston field, along with Hall? Alternatively, he could look for a fast spring marathon elsewhere - Rotterdam? - but surely London and Boston pay better.

    Which is most likely - a spring marathon, an XC season culminating at worlds, or neither?
  • Python
    registered
    9 years ago 12/16/2010 10:26pm CST
    re: bobby e.
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    Has Ritz released any statement whatsoever since NY? We didn't even here comments on the race.
  • My take on it
    9 years ago 12/16/2010 10:44pm CST
    re: bobby e.
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    If he doesn't go for the World XC title at least once in his prime he will always regret it.
  • asdefjh
    9 years ago 12/16/2010 10:45pm CST
    re: bobby e.
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    bobby e. wrote:

    In the run-up to NYCM, I read that Ritz wanted a 2:08-2:10 to show him that he was ready to run 2:06 or faster in London. I believe he mentioned the London marathon specifically, by name. But he's not in the men's elite field.

    Prior to this, I didn't think it was especially significant that he (and Rupp) will be running an XC race in Scotland next month - it's a separate race from the "proper" Edinburgh XC featuring top Kenyans, and sounded more like an obligatory appearance (apparently Salazar helped organize or promote the "team challenge") than a serious step towards the WXC championships in Spain.

    Now I'm not so sure. Is Ritz reconsidering whether he wants to be, or is cut out to be, a full-time marathoner? Or will both he and Meb be in the Boston field, along with Hall? Alternatively, he could look for a fast spring marathon elsewhere - Rotterdam? - but surely London and Boston pay better.

    Which is most likely - a spring marathon, an XC season culminating at worlds, or neither?

    They've added people to the field before after the initial field was announced. Meb wasn't announced for the London field in 2009 until March I believe. So perhaps, Ritz is still considering London and just hasn't committed yet.
  • UsedToBeKnowItAll
    9 years ago 12/16/2010 11:23pm CST
    re: asdefjh
    Forum Index
    I watched the NYC Marathon live, and his last name is clearly Ritzenheim. The announcer said it over and over. Get it right!
  • Its the MONEY, stupid !
    9 years ago 12/16/2010 11:29pm CST
    re: bobby e.
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    WXC is not a major. W1/2 is not a major. London mara IS a major.
  • London Calling
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 3:56pm CST
    re: Its the MONEY, stupid !
    Forum Index
    There are often athletes added to the field after the initial announcement. Note that Meb hasn't been announced for Boston or London yet either...
  • Dingler
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 4:04pm CST
    re: bobby e.
    Forum Index
    He might be skiping a spring marathon to feel a bit fresher going into the trials in the fall.
  • Drop one in your street.
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 5:05pm CST
    re: bobby e.
    Forum Index
    Could be a 2:10-2:12 is not competitive enough for London.
  • bobby e.
    registered
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 5:11pm CST
    re: Drop one in your street.
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    Drop one in your street. wrote:

    Could be a 2:10-2:12 is not competitive enough for London.

    Tell that to the three Canadians and Lemoncello.
  • Some Coked Up Brit
    registered
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 5:56pm CST
    re: bobby e.
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    bobby e. wrote:

    In the run-up to NYCM, I read that Ritz wanted a 2:08-2:10 to show him that he was ready to run 2:06 or faster in London. I believe he mentioned the London marathon specifically, by name. But he's not in the men's elite field.


    I guess he was talking 'bout the London Olympics rather than the London marathon.
  • Jaycee Are
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 7:28pm CST
    re: Python
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    Python wrote:

    Has Ritz released any statement whatsoever since NY? We didn't even here comments on the race.


    I'm going to take you off subject a bit and suggest this as just another example of why our sport just doesn't match up. If you are part of the pre-race press conference we need to hear from you after the race. It's supposed to be professional. Maybe this can be added into these appearance fee bonus contracts. LeBron James was fined in '09 when he refused to speak to the press after losing the Orlando series.
  • ecin
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 10:48pm CST
    re: Python
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    Python wrote:

    Has Ritz released any statement whatsoever since NY? We didn't even here comments on the race.


    I noticed this too. His blog and twitter have remained silent too. Plenty of people talk after a bad performance. Such as Hall. Wonder what's up with him.
  • lenny stotch
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 11:23pm CST
    re: ecin
    Forum Index
    ecin wrote:

    [quote]Python wrote:
    His blog and twitter have remained silent too. Plenty of people talk after a bad performance. Such as Hall. Wonder what's up with him.


    HE'S TRAINING. HARD-CORE. THE OLD RITZ IS COMING BACK. BETTER WATCH THE FCK OUT.
  • aeriplane
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 11:35pm CST
    re: lenny stotch
    Forum Index
    lenny stotch wrote:

    ecin wrote:

    [quote]Python wrote:
    His blog and twitter have remained silent too. Plenty of people talk after a bad performance. Such as Hall. Wonder what's up with him.


    HE'S TRAINING. HARD-CORE. THE OLD RITZ IS COMING BACK. BETTER WATCH THE FCK OUT.

    What, is he training so hard that he doesn't have the 2 minutes it takes to update his twitter?
  • RuKiddingMe!!
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 11:39pm CST
    re: bobby e.
    Forum Index
    I hope Ritz doesn't say a word, usually he talks to much prior to races anyway! Go Ritz..just run
  • lenny stotch
    9 years ago 12/17/2010 11:43pm CST
    re: RuKiddingMe!!
    Forum Index
    RuKiddingMe!! wrote:

    I hope Ritz doesn't say a word, usually he talks to much prior to races anyway! Go Ritz..just run

    i hope he deletes his blog and twitter. i love him and i read his blog posts, but he needs to go quenton cassidy style and run crazy miles and win World XC.
  • chip clubs
    9 years ago 12/18/2010 12:10am CST
    re: lenny stotch
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    he is good but you have to run feb 5 2011 before worlds.Everyone is going to be there.
  • gfdgd
    9 years ago 12/18/2010 12:39am CST
    re: chip clubs
    Forum Index
    It may not be a "major," but winning World Cross would be much, much more prestigious than winning London.
  • tony reali
    9 years ago 12/18/2010 5:29am CST
    re: gfdgd
    Forum Index
    gfdgd wrote:

    It may not be a "major," but winning World Cross would be much, much more prestigious than winning London.

    Agreed - He also has a better chance at WXC. Think Gebremariam will run WXC? That would be unfortunate for Ritz, and he isn't listed for London.