I don't think it was Kara's decision to leave.

This is interesting. That, along with their alleged real estate situation (highlighted by another poster on another thread) makes more sense than Kara deciding this course on her own. Sounds like the Gouchers may have been blindsided by Nike.

common wrote:

.. along with their alleged real estate situation (highlighted by another poster on another thread)

Which thread?

Gouchers Moving to Colorado - page 5, post by googlymoogly

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4254178&page=4

BFD. Coaches are dime a dozen. Many elites will be making the move to Co Sps to work with JH and to L.A. after the incredible medal haul from Daegu.

As a matter of fact, AlterGs are a dime a dozen. There's one at a strip mall across the street from me. It's not like the super duper technology is making more than 0.01% of a difference anyways.

I've got a feeling the decision to leave came from the Gouchers' infant. The fact is, that Alberto simply isn't a good coach for young children. Salazar's methods would not be entirely applicable until the child reached at least middle school age.

All this speculation about Nike "dumping" Kara ... it's a bit hard for me to believe. A gorgeous girl that gives a great interview and that the press love, why on earth would they want to get rid of her? She is a marketing dream! She is still on the road back from her pregnancy and if, just if, she manages to pull out a big time win in the next year or two I'm sure they would want her to be wearing the swoosh. And if she doesn't? Meh. Her contract is a drop in the bucket for them.

Who said anything about Nike dropping Kara? Kara and Alberto are no longer working together. PERIOD.

Kara had a kid and yet is still performing well. She may not have been part of the sprint to the finish in Boston this year - but she was still up there. Even coming into the OT marathon, she's a favorite to make the marathon team. Kara also has the potential to contend in future major marathons/distance races.

I'd be shocked if Nike decided to cut off (or significantly reduce) her funding unless she completely fails to qualify for the Olympics in any of the events. Then they may seek a reduction, but right now she should still be classified as one of Nike's top distance runners, with Shalane, and maybe no one else.

And public sentiment wise - Shalane may have the faster times, but I think the public likes/relates to Kara more so than Shalane. I'd be curious to see which of the two is more popular amongst common track and field fans.

The move to Colorado so close to the olympic trials is a curious one, but I'm sure it's one she had been considering for a while. I don't think this will absolutely have a devastating effect on her performance (negatively, that is), based on Shalane's transfer to the OTC and subsequent 5K/10K domination in 2008/2009.....

I predict we will hear a sponsorship change in the near future...have to do what's best for the family.

The fact that she has left Alberto's guidance isn't totally shocking. Alberto has been known to be suspicious with substances. I am not saying this is entirely true but I have heard stories where Al has offered an individual an unknown substance. Just stories but still saying. And I could see Kara not wanting to deal with that.

Read in an article on LR on Ciaran joining OTC that AlSal made him install high altitude technology in his new apartment that he had to pay for himself. Seems that AlSal has a pretty firm grip on his athletes. It doesn't seem like he'd be down for Kara saying "I think I'm gonna live in CO", despite it being high altitude.

LMJ wrote:

All this speculation about Nike "dumping" Kara ... it's a bit hard for me to believe. A gorgeous girl that gives a great interview and that the press love, why on earth would they want to get rid of her? She is a marketing dream! She is still on the road back from her pregnancy and if, just if, she manages to pull out a big time win in the next year or two I'm sure they would want her to be wearing the swoosh. And if she doesn't? Meh. Her contract is a drop in the bucket for them.

In fact, Kara is so marketable that she may have been offered a great deal by another company. The kind of deal that you can't say no to.

I believe Nike pays Alberto to coach for athletes that they sponsor. She obviously can't stay with him if she's sponsored by someone else.

The initial poster on this thread!

Yes, this certainly seems more likely!

LMJ wrote:

Yes, this certainly seems more likely!

exactly my point...read above...most likely a move that was best for their family...money would make that happen

Kara probably sees the OT as a lock with her, Desi and Shalane making the team. Kara's pr on a hard NY course in a tactical race is minutes ahead of the rest of the field's PRs on easier courses, except for Deena Kastor. Kara is really looking for a coach that can get her on the medal podium at the Olympics. She probably wants a coach that will be with her full-time, 100%, as this is probably her best shot at her age. AlSal has a quickly growing stable of Olympians and cannot give Kara all his time. Also, I have heard that AlSal could be very harsh with Kara. That style of coaching can be effective for only so long.

And Nike would never dump a potential Olympian who is as photogenic as Kara is. Even if Kara gets stomped on by Desi at the trials, she will still be a Nike runner and Desi will still be Brooks.

All this is just speculation, but this post seems the most likely to me. It seems like it is her decision because she is making a reasonable comeback in time for the olympics after having a kid and seems just as good in front of the camera as before.

Also why this thread is being billed on the front page as "Superhot on Letsrun" is beyond me... any facts?