Anyone else shocked by Kara only nine seconds off Desi?

I really do wonder how she would have done if she had a 'normal' year.

I'm on the kara goucher bandwagon as of today.

Always have been. Feeling good about it now.

I was a bit surprised. She's got heart that's for sure.

Terranus wrote:

Considering her last year and a half...dayum. Could she be our #2 by London?

Oh, and what happened to all those who thought Jerry couldn't coach the marathon?

When he starts getting guys under 2h05 and women under 2h20 then he has has done something for the marathon (like 2 guys under 13.00 and one under 27.00). Americans have to stop revelling in mediocrity if people are to be impressed. Certainly Canova isn't impressed, nor should he be impressed at this point. This isn't the 1970's where 2h09-10 was great, and the best women were running low 2h20's over 25 years ago. Please catch up if you want any "props" from serious fans of the sport.

Name a guy Jerry has coached to a top level marathon? - no one really cares about the women unless they are hot anyway. If Bairu runs under 2h10 tomorrow, then that is the beginning of Jerry's hype as a marathon coach.

I think even SHE was surprised at how well she did.

Are people serious? Goucher is a world champs 10k medalist, ncaa champ, Nike athlete, and has won US championships. Devila is a Hansons runner that ran great at the Boston marathon. Why the f are people surprised Kara goucher made another Olympic team and wasn't far from getting the win.

the woman ran negative splits indicating in a time trial race rotterdam, london, dubai, chicago etc, they could likely go faster. i could see flanagan challenging kastors american record if weather is ideal, and the top 4-5 in this race can go sub 2:24 (i know davila already has, but most here dont accept her boston time) goucher, hastings, cheboron all capable.

I wouldn't say "shocked", but I'm very impressed. And, (despite not being a #1 fan of Kara in the past), I am very happy for her.

She impressed me a lot this week:

1. Today's result. She got it done. No excuses... just results. Great job, Kara.

2. Reading the interview about why she switched coaches. She is seeking out ways to get better, and not being complacent in a situation, with a coach that I imagine others might not have left.

I will be rooting for her in London.

I hope she gets hungry for a chance at a medal, and future medals, and is able to use that hunger to keep elevating her training. She obviously has the talent, competitiveness, and race saviness to do great things.

Great job, Kara.

Have you even paid attention to her having a baby, getting injured, changing coaches and recently running a mediocre half marathon while struggling to keep up with Flanagan and Uhl in training?

Akkadjsjjsdk wrote:

Are people serious? Goucher is a world champs 10k medalist, ncaa champ, Nike athlete, and has won US championships. Devila is a Hansons runner that ran great at the Boston marathon. Why the f are people surprised Kara goucher made another Olympic team and wasn't far from getting the win.

oblik wrote:

Have you even paid attention to her having a baby, getting injured, changing coaches and recently running a mediocre half marathon while struggling to keep up with Flanagan and Uhl in training?

]

No, I didn't pay any attention to that stuff. I did pay attention when she marathon paced a half marathon last month in 1:12:59. That would be about a 2:26. What did she run today?

For the last time people, stop bringing up that Miami half-marathon. If Boston was aided by hurricane-force winds Miami was impeded by Hell's moist breezes. I was a victim too.

mr. Toad RIP wrote:

For the last time people, stop bringing up that Miami half-marathon. If Boston was aided by hurricane-force winds Miami was impeded by Hell's moist breezes. I was a victim too.

So you are saying that half was even harder than normal? That makes the run she did even more impressive that she held right to her splits when everybody else was getting blown off course. (metaphorically speaking of course of course)

oblik wrote:

Have you even paid attention to her having a baby, getting injured, changing coaches and recently running a mediocre half marathon while struggling to keep up with Flanagan and Uhl in training?

Akkadjsjjsdk wrote:

Are people serious? Goucher is a world champs 10k medalist, ncaa champ, Nike athlete, and has won US championships. Devila is a Hansons runner that ran great at the Boston marathon. Why the f are people surprised Kara goucher made another Olympic team and wasn't far from getting the win.

Many world class endurance athletes have babies and bounce back immediately. I´m no Goucher, but at least I´ve run 2,39. I ran until 2 weeks before birth and then I started running 10 days after.

runner chic wrote:

Many world class endurance athletes have babies and bounce back immediately. I´m no Goucher, but at least I´ve run 2,39. I ran until 2 weeks before birth and then I started running 10 days after.

In some countries they just pop those babies out in the bushes and go back to collecting berries. I never saw the big deal either.

The same half marathon that teammate Shalane "paced" three minutes faster, yet finished only 28 seconds ahead today. Yeah, that didn't factor into the surprise at all....

have to read between the lines wrote:

]

No, I didn't pay any attention to that stuff. I did pay attention when she marathon paced a half marathon last month in 1:12:59. That would be about a 2:26. What did she run today?[/quote]

If I were Desi's coach, after the race, the first thing I would do, is ask here for $20. Because, if she wants to give away money, he should be the first one getting some.

When you let them hang aroung without their tongues hanging out, they gonna get brave on you at the end of the race. Desi ran to make the team, not win the race, and that's why I would kick her ass, if I were her coach.

At the big show this summer, she will be the best American though, because she has to ability to hang closer to the big girls which includes a very dangerous Russian who does well in hot conditions. Also hot weather running is different, Desi has the smaller body that does well in the heat.

Captain (corporal) and me - No one cares about your opinion. You couldn't be her waterboy. Hate women?? Can't get a date?

I actually excepted her to win so minor disappointment here.