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    • bobby e.
      • Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/16/2010 8:56PM
      • bobby e.
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/16/2010 10:26PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • Python
      • Has Ritz released any statement whatsoever since NY? We didn't even here comments on the race.
    • My take on it
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/16/2010 10:44PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • My take on it
      • If he doesn't go for the World XC title at least once in his prime he will always regret it.
    • asdefjh
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/16/2010 10:45PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • asdefjh
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/16/2010 11:23PM - in reply to asdefjh
      • UsedToBeKnowItAll
      • 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 !
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/16/2010 11:29PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • Its the MONEY, stupid !
      • WXC is not a major. W1/2 is not a major. London mara IS a major.
    • London Calling
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 3:56PM - in reply to Its the MONEY, stupid !
      • London Calling
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 4:04PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • Dingler
      • He might be skiping a spring marathon to feel a bit fresher going into the trials in the fall.
    • Drop one in your street.
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 5:05PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • Drop one in your street.
      • Could be a 2:10-2:12 is not competitive enough for London.
    • bobby e.
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 5:11PM - in reply to Drop one in your street.
      • bobby e.
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 5:56PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • Some Coked Up Brit
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 7:28PM - in reply to Python
      • Jaycee Are
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 10:48PM - in reply to Python
      • ecin
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 11:23PM - in reply to ecin
      • lenny stotch
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 11:35PM - in reply to lenny stotch
      • aeriplane
      • 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!!
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 11:39PM - in reply to bobby e.
      • RuKiddingMe!!
      • I hope Ritz doesn't say a word, usually he talks to much prior to races anyway! Go Ritz..just run
    • lenny stotch
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/17/2010 11:43PM - in reply to RuKiddingMe!!
      • lenny stotch
      • 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
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/18/2010 12:10AM - in reply to lenny stotch
      • chip clubs
      • he is good but you have to run feb 5 2011 before worlds.Everyone is going to be there.
    • gfdgd
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/18/2010 12:39AM - in reply to chip clubs
      • gfdgd
      • It may not be a "major," but winning World Cross would be much, much more prestigious than winning London.
    • tony reali
      • RE: Ritzenhein not in London field - targeting World XC instead? 12/18/2010 5:29AM - in reply to gfdgd
      • tony reali
      • 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.