Look I like Kiprop, and he is extremely talented. But what is up with his racing tactics?
Look I like Kiprop, and he is extremely talented. But what is up with his racing tactics?
If you're referring to him always lagging in the back, then trying to pick it up and almost never be able to make up enough ground, then that's because he claims that he likes to be in the back so he can watch all the other runners and their actions and when they start to kick and all that good stuff. Doesn't seem to be working most of the time... I noticed something about Kiprop: he either races superbly, or absolutely sucks. He's had so many good opportunities to place high or win a race, and comes up short. Good example: Pre Classic Mile - beaten by Haron Keitany. He had that race in the bag, but when everyone else started to move he didn't pick it up as nearly as much, and just barely managed to catch several runners in the last 10 or 20 meters. He could have easily won that, but got 2nd due to a tactical error. He should realize by now that his tactics aren't the greatest. If that's what's costing him races, he should do the obvious thing: change them.
Well, I can understand him staying in the back due to his 1:42 800 speed. But I seriously don't understand how with I think 300meters to go, he started lagging back several places, and then surges all the way to the front. It is kind of a waste of energy, especially in the first round. And I agree with your point about Kiprop either racing superbly or just sucking.
Agreed with both of you.
Komen was today scared. He raced like his life depended on it.
I can't wait fo r his semi final. He might bomb out like Alan WEbb.
NativeSon wrote:
Agreed with both of you.
Komen was today scared. He raced like his life depended on it.
I can't wait fo r his semi final. He might bomb out like Alan WEbb.
Well you never know, he is a 3:29 guy and maybe it really was just a speed workout for him. Not like there is a shortage of kenyans, with kiprop(if he doesn't run stupidly) and kiplagat almost guaranteed to make the final.
kiprop fan wrote:
NativeSon wrote:Agreed with both of you.
Komen was today scared. He raced like his life depended on it.
I can't wait fo r his semi final. He might bomb out like Alan WEbb.
Well you never know, he is a 3:29 guy and maybe it really was just a speed workout for him. Not like there is a shortage of kenyans, with kiprop(if he doesn't run stupidly) and kiplagat almost guaranteed to make the final.
True.
In my books, kiprop should win if he uses his brains.
Kiplagat will definitely medal. He is a smart racer. He is always in the lead pack.
I can't comment about komen. I just hope he makes it to the finals.
Laloou is threatening. Gebremehdin looks good. I am not too sure about Derese Mekonen.
I feel for Baala. I wish the'd have given hima chance.
NativeSon wrote:
kiprop fan wrote:Well you never know, he is a 3:29 guy and maybe it really was just a speed workout for him. Not like there is a shortage of kenyans, with kiprop(if he doesn't run stupidly) and kiplagat almost guaranteed to make the final.
True.
In my books, kiprop should win if he uses his brains.
Kiplagat will definitely medal. He is a smart racer. He is always in the lead pack.
I can't comment about komen. I just hope he makes it to the finals.
Laloou is threatening. Gebremehdin looks good. I am not too sure about Derese Mekonen.
I feel for Baala. I wish the'd have given hima chance.
Totally agree about kiprop, I still don't get how he is unable to break 3:30. This guy was the world jr cross champ, and has a 1:42 800 under his belt. He really needs to race smart and not take his talent for granted.
I am not too sure about Kiplagat, he looked very uncomfortable in third. Maybe I am just spoiled by his kenyan trials and diamond league victories.
Now, Laloou, that is some guy to watch out for. He is my pick for the gold if kiprop races like an idiot again. Gebremehdin, I don't know enough to comment about him, but yes he looked relatively comfortable qualifying.
And I don't know about mekonen either. He is a superb indoors guy, and yes I know he has a silver from berlin. But I still can't imagine him medaling in the finals.
And we already know that Baala isn't making it to semis already?
kiprop fan wrote:
Well you never know, he is a 3:29 guy and maybe it really was just a speed workout for him.
Yeah, Komen WAS a 3:29 guy 5 years ago, and Alan Webb WAS a 3:30 guy 4 years ago...I'd say Komen is more like a 3:32 guy now.
chet wrote:
kiprop fan wrote:Well you never know, he is a 3:29 guy and maybe it really was just a speed workout for him.
Yeah, Komen WAS a 3:29 guy 5 years ago, and Alan Webb WAS a 3:30 guy 4 years ago...I'd say Komen is more like a 3:32 guy now.
Yeah, sorry about that. I don't think he is going to do much in the final anyway.
kiprop fan wrote:
chet wrote:Yeah, Komen WAS a 3:29 guy 5 years ago, and Alan Webb WAS a 3:30 guy 4 years ago...I'd say Komen is more like a 3:32 guy now.
Yeah, sorry about that. I don't think he is going to do much in the final anyway.
My take is that he's probably in reasonably good shape.
He beat Nixon Chepseba in the trials and Chepseba was in good shape.
That said, the medals, barring any idiotic move from Kiprop will be among Laalou, willis, Kiplagat and Kiprop.
NativeSon wrote:
That said, the medals, barring any idiotic move from Kiprop will be among Laalou, willis, Kiplagat and Kiprop.
I know he has been injured, but I really think Kamel has a chance to medal. Kamel is so talented and even though he is defending champion, nobody is talking about him, so I doubt he is feeling undue pressure.
chet wrote:
NativeSon wrote:That said, the medals, barring any idiotic move from Kiprop will be among Laalou, willis, Kiplagat and Kiprop.
I know he has been injured, but I really think Kamel has a chance to medal. Kamel is so talented and even though he is defending champion, nobody is talking about him, so I doubt he is feeling undue pressure.
I beg your pardon.
I had totally forgotten about Yusuf Saad Kamel. HE looked good too.
I just heard Kamel, Komen, Kiprop and the rest of the 1500 guys. Our recap will be up in a few, but here are the videos I got (including most of the guys you're asking about)
Kamel talks about his injured foot and 2010 car accident.
I agree that Komen's running was bizarre. I think his heat win was his first of the year.
Kiprop has a great quote at the end of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/letsrundotcom?feature=mhee#p/u/10/ueLkBs_3vG8
Lewis Johnson asks him if he will run hard in the semifinal and Kiprop says... well I won't ruin it for you :)
Kiprop has unusual style but he's an eccentric guy. Get used to it!