Pathetic Men's 1500!

Now that the Final is over, I'm a little bit worried about the team members going into the World Championships. Now, if Lagat doesn't go, that leaves us Matt Centrowitz, Leonel Manzano, and Andrew Wheating. Call me crazy, but I think some of them need to hit the A Standard; hell, Centrowitz and Manzano haven't even hit the B Standard yet. Now I know all three of them are perfectly capable of hitting the A Standard by the time the World Championships come around, but I'm mostly worried about Centrowitz. I know he's hit 3:36.9 two years ago, but I don't recall him even dipping under 3:40 since then. He's looked as though he is in fine shape, so I hope he can alleviate my concerns very soon and get that standard.

A lot of people are talking about how it was exciting to watch that last 400m of the mens race because it was so close. Personally it was exciting to watch, however I think it was a lot more exciting seeing if Wurth-Thomas would be able to hold everyone off. I think the people in the stand would agree too, compared to how loud they were during the womens 1500 versus the mens.

Jaycee Are wrote:

The Men's NCAA basketball final was close this year but both teams shot worse than their female counterparts. Did you find that exciting as well?

The guys that were ready to roll (Torrence) let guys that were not yet in peak form (Manzano, Ulrey) off the hook and into the race.

No -- that was a terrible game and everyone I knew complained about it.

not winning wrote:

..... in 3:47, a slow college time, yes he won.

Are you referring to the potential argument that a race like that (3:47), is not likely to occur in Daegu?

I am only upset by the posters who believe that this was a "pathetic" 1500.

I do not believe that this was a pathetic 1500. I would be very surprised if anybody who WATCHED the race thought it anything less than exciting. If you didn't think it was exciting, please email me some videos of more exciting races(I cannot wait!). Thus, it is hard for me to comprehend a race that is both exciting and pathetic.

A 3:47 even split race would be pathetic. Hell, for the men of this field, I'd reckon a 3:40 even split race is pathetic.

But, this was a race. And I enjoyed it thoroughly!

More evidence that a whole load of people on this forum have never been involved in a race in their lives.

agreed, i was pissed off after seeng the results...but mostly at the prospect of having to suffer through idiotic posts about how the race was "pathetic" for 3-4 days

obama yo mama wrote:

Hey fag, lets see what your hubby centro does at worlds. Enjoy the 15min of fame while it last. hahahaha

You are in many ways correct. I do not doubt the haters that believe Centro will not be impressive at Worlds.

Not even considering the fact that he's had an incredibly long season, the racing tactics at Worlds in general (both prelims and championship heats) has for the past two decades not fared WELL for most Americans (most notably webb).

Again, I was only responding to the posters who believe the race was "pathetic".

And I'm straight if you were wondering obama. You've got my email.

I guess you can argue what's a better race, tactical or a time trial, but letting the race go tactical is just handing it to Lagat. If anyone had taken it out hard, I don't think Lagat would have been there in the end. So, a guy like Wheating, who has run 3:30, has to rely on a 200 meter sprint. I can see letting the race go out slow for the first 700 meters, but not 1100.

Im from Md. and root for Centro- he made a great choice going to Oregon . NCAA 1500 CHAMP and then out kicking Legat for National championship-

On good authority I've heard thru the grapevine that USATF and all the men's 1500m finalist have heard the experts here on LR and the race will be re-run tomorrow afternoon w/one athlete rabbiting the field. USATF and the finalists are all embarrassed how the race went and gaurantee final times to appease LR faithful. On top of this, USATF is considering a rule that would require races to be re-run if they don't meet certain standards and/or please LR mavens.

laxmack117 wrote:

A lot of people are talking about how it was exciting to watch that last 400m of the mens race because it was so close. Personally it was exciting to watch, however I think it was a lot more exciting seeing if Wurth-Thomas would be able to hold everyone off. I think the people in the stand would agree too, compared to how loud they were during the womens 1500 versus the mens.

I liked the female 1500m but only because I was rooting for the girl that took it out hard to get kicked on. I didn't want her to win at all. I was shouting for the others to catch her.

Though I wish someone had the balls to take it our faster, is anyone *really* that surprised that the pace dawdled so much? This has absolutely been the trend the past few years in U.S. championship racing, and shows no sign of changing. Though there is plenty of depth and skill in American middle distance, there isn't any male counterpart of Christine Wurth-Thomas to make more honest pacing, but that's just how it is.

The problem is always the guys who really have no (or very little anyway) shot at winning a sprint race, not giving a better effort during the "meat" of the race, other than MacNamara. Then these guys are disappointed when they are back in the field in a slow race if one looks at the times. But at this level, everyone thinks they can kick.

But Wurth-Thomas isn't the way to go either, although she was close, as she just needed to go after the first lap to have done damage to that field and likely have secured a spot. The men can't get away with that (although Webb did one year) normally, so no one even tries.

2:12 at 800--that says it all. What is this, the Big Ten?

Wheating ran the same race as Webb did in the 2008 Olympic trials. Webb was outleaned by a fast finishing Lear for 4th. Wheating might have studied that race to avoid today's performance. Manzano and Lagat top 3 both times.

Time for Wheating to go to C'ville and train with Webb?

Keep in mind that at the 1992 Olympics, the 800 split in the 1500 final was the same for the men and women: 2:08.

So yes, this sort of thing happens even at the highest levels.

They need to offer financial incentive for going through each lap 1st...

post awards interview and Solinsky mentions that he didn't want to leave the 5k to a crap shoot. That is exactly what happened in the 10k and the 1500. Bauhs and Centro??? Good guys and talented but no way near the depth of others in their respective fields. It made no sense whatsoever. They go fast and Centro woulda dropped. A slow pace only keeps the lesser racers in the race.

Weak.