Ritz's 4th place a blessing in disguise?

Ritz looked too muscular yesterday.

He looked powerful, like an 800 meter runner.

It was not good for the marathon.

I think that was an illusion created by the moving camera. The camera moving with the runners make their form look much worse. They all looked a bit heavy/shuffly on the tape. But if I was standing still watching them run by im sure they would have appeared to float.

bump

yo vipman your thoughs are welcome- although most will dismiss them- on this thread.

rtizksfskl wrote:

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/26/mutai-follows-boston-marathon-win-with-victory-in-10k/

Mutai running 27:19. He took off after the halfway point. Miles 4 and 5 were 4:18 and 4:16. This is a solo victory on the road while in marathon shape!!!!!! He would run 26:30 very very easily. So yeahm maybe the best 10k runner of all time (Bekele) could give him a run for his money, but Mutai could clearly contend for a sub 26:20 10k.

Yeah, only 35 seconds off Leonard Komon; I think he was 3 seconds faster than Mark Nenow ran on the roads for 10k back in the day. Clearly ready to challenge for a gold medal.

Durability has never been one of Ritz's strengths. I would bet the guy is injured about 25% of the time. He has sub 5k speed and should stick with that event. However, who knows what hidden injuries Ritz's collected during this marathon. On a positive note he has got around a 180 days to recover for the 5k trials.

Mutai and Mosop are friggin' beasts right now. It'll be interesting to see what they do this year.

coach d wrote:

If Ritz was to forget about that marathon jogging shit and get serious about his best events, which are 3K/5K, he might have a shot.

The public interest and money are in the marathon. Being a mediocre world class 5k runner makes you very little money. Although being a mediocre world class marathoner puts money in the bank.

I'll say this much: Ritz, Rupp and Farah are going to have some interesting workouts this spring!

The more I think about it, I can easily imagine Ritz finishing 4th in both the 10K and 5K. That really would be a tragedy.

As you all say, he's great at these events. But recall the 2009 USATF 10000M when Ritz had no choice but to push the pace, Rupp sat on him then blew away in the final lap. This year it could be Rupp, Solinsky, and Teg doing that.

Same in the 5000M.

You are only mostly correct-- Ritz can beat Teg and Sol if this race is fast enough. Will be interesting team tactics.

I dont think Ritz will develop a kick by the trials, however I do think he is better suited for those distances than Teg and maybe Sol.

I would be surprised if Ritz does not run sub 26:45; whereas I do not think Sol could run that time.

ryan foreman wrote:

But recall the 2009 USATF 10000M when Ritz had no choice but to push the pace, Rupp sat on him then blew away in the final lap. This year it could be Rupp, Solinsky, and Teg doing that.

Same in the 5000M.

That 2009 race was much like yesterday--Ritz simply wasn't all the way there, yet. He just wasn't quite prepared at that point. The Ritz that ran under 13:00 would have given Rupp a much tougher race that day. And if these trials had been in late Feb or March, then maybe Ritz catches Abdi.

All that being said, I'm happy with our team, and I think we're sending our best three guys right now. And hopefully Ritz makes the team in the 10 or 5 or even both. Who knows?

afp wrote:

IN A DISPLAY OF UTTER JINGOISM THE HOUSTON CROWD ERUPTED WHEN RITZ CLOSED IN ON ABDI.. BUT HE FAILED.

HAAAAAA SUCKAAAA

Cuz it wasn't just that everyone lieks a good race, right?

There is no doubt that this will be good for Ritz. He can now jump into the Rupp/Farah training group for that 10k. Those three together can push each other to big things. If Ritz can recover from the marathon adequately (and barring injuries of course), the Rupp vs. Ritz vs. Solinsky could be EPIC at the Trials. Let the shit talk begin...

humidxc wrote:

...I would be surprised if Ritz does not run sub 26:45...

I'm waiting for you so say, "Just Kidding."

agreed! And, I agree with the guy who said he is not made for the marathon! Ritz! He said that himself!!

Ritz definitely has a better shot in the 10k than the marathon. How competitive the Olympic 10k is will depend on which Bekele shows up, the one who got 11th in Edinburgh or the one who ran a world leader in the 10k in his second race back. Also, whether any of the Kenyans who don't make the marathon team (Mosop and Kispsang/Geoffrey Mutai) move down to the 10k for London. Still, with a 10k team of Ritz, Rupp, and Solinsky, I would think the US has decent odds of at least one Olympic medal in that race (assuming all three stay healthy).

Elessar Telcontar wrote:

Ritz definitely has a better shot in the 10k than the marathon. How competitive the Olympic 10k is will depend on which Bekele shows up, the one who got 11th in Edinburgh or the one who ran a world leader in the 10k in his second race back. Also, whether any of the Kenyans who don't make the marathon team (Mosop and Kispsang/Geoffrey Mutai) move down to the 10k for London. Still, with a 10k team of Ritz, Rupp, and Solinsky, I would think the US has decent odds of at least one Olympic medal in that race (assuming all three stay healthy).

What kind of weak person goes after the least competitive event? Gross.

AC to the rescue wrote:

humidxc wrote:

...I would be surprised if Ritz does not run sub 26:45...

I'm waiting for you so say, "Just Kidding."

Not unrealistic to think considering he gets to train with 26:48 and 26:46 10k runners. Not to mention Ritz is crazy talented, and has the second fastest 5k PR, and the fastest HM PR of the group.

coach d wrote:

Nope, this is what will happen:

Bekele - gold

Farah - silver

Jelian - bronze

Rupp, Solinsky, Ritz...don't get it done when it matters.

If Ritz was to forget about that marathon jogging shit and get serious about his best events, which are 3K/5K, he might have a shot.

Not correct, Bobby Curtis will beat Solinsky at the trials. Bobby finishes races when he's not winning.