Sanya Richards goes 11.05 corrected at 2012 Texas Relays!

She can beat Felix at the 2 and the 4!!!

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moop! wrote:

She can beat Felix at the 2 and the 4!!!

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Felix is too weak for the 2 and the 4. She needs to pick one, probably the 4 because of the time between that and the relays.

Recalling the Texas Relays, the best relays in America.

certainly, it's an outstanding meet! just curious, however, have you ever raced in/ attended penn? you might be inclined to rearrange your picks if not...

I never ran at Texas, but I ran at Penn, and absolutely loved it, except for the fact that we drove down in vans, not a nice coach...but we got there a few days early, which gave us enough time to unfold.

I remember there being so many hot chicks at Penn, I felt like a kid in a candy store.

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moop! wrote:

Felix is too weak for the 2 and the 4. She needs to pick one, probably the 4 because of the time between that and the relays.

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I don't think Felix is too weak for the 200, I just think she needs to learn to run the curve better.

The issue is the 2012 schedule. Allyson was absolutely DEAD after the double attempt in Deagu. Didn't do anything (no running at all) for 5 or 6 weeks, then had a hard time getting back into shape. And the London schedule for 2/4 is even tighter than Deagu. So they're going to see if they can get her first 30-50 to where it needs to be to be a threat in the 100. I din't think they will be making any decision for a few weeks. But she had one of the fastest times in the world in what used to be her weakest event, which is a very positive sign.

Sanya has wanted to do the 2/4 double in the past (Beijing), and I wonder if she's going to try this time.

I love Penn Relays too, man. Texas Relays is known for the sprints and hurdles. Penn for Jamaicans and Catholics. Kansas and Drake for the distances. I respect dearly that the six historic relays have produced for the kids, the coaches, and the fans for the past 100 years.

She ran a wind aided 10.89; not an 11.05.

Felix is in decent, but not great, 100m position this year.

Currently, she would get crushed by the top 100m runners, who not only have good starts, but good speed maintenance over 100m...eg. VCB

Felix is svelte, she runs like a 400 runner, not like a short sprinter. In this vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6aOD901_gA&feature=related

you can see how she quite literally stands up out of the blocks, to a vertical position, then starts running. There is no drive phase whatsoever, which is remarkable.

I think that she's got enough power to HAVE a drive phase--maybe not a great one, but one that could easily save .15-.25 IMHO. There are SO many things wrong with that start, that there is nothing right. Improvement could be achieved by changing almost anything--assuming that she has the ability, and assuming that she is coachable.

You can tell she's uncomfortable in anything but a completely upright running posture. Even at speed, I think her arm action is off. Her turnover in "transition", to the extent that she has one, is nowhere near where it needs to be.

Her turnover at top speed is less than the best, but her amazing stride, with that beautiful recovery, makes up for it--but at that, her top speed is only as good as, and likely a bit worse than, the best 100m sprinters--she will sustain well, but she won't peak as high.

IF she gets a start, I could actually see her reeling in the better-starting, weaker finishing sprinters, because she doesn't seem to panic or grip too much (although she does, a bit).

Check out Tianna Madison, though--she's pulling away from VCB after 45m.

Uhhh...

Her legs are too long (and her hip flexors probably too weak) to drive phase correctly.


She has a long way to go in the 100, a very long way. Kersee would have to take her program apart and put it back together again for her to try the open 100, unless they're using it to ensure her spot on the relay and to see how she handles more events maybe?

Are they going to have her racing twice a day during the trials? I'm thinking youre reading to into this SG. I think she's just trying to get speed for the 2 and ensure her spot on the 4x1.

And if you notice VCB was still faster, and VCB will take the curve faster than allyson ever will.

The question in the 2 has always been can allyson run down VCB, because she's not going to be ahead at 100. With a better start and drive, and improved curve running she has a better shot to run her down.

WOW! I agree, Sanya’s 10.89 converts to about 11 flat, which is about were her 100m speed was when she was running 48s.

Allyson has fecklessly strong and balanced calf and hamstring strength, but her gluteus don't match up. In spite of her slight build, she is amazing in the weight room. Her top-end is as fast as the best 100m sprinters, but she doesn’t and never has had great explosive acceleration and in spite of working on her start, she still reacts slowly to the gun. Her 7.1 60m indoors is about the best start she has ever had, even though it was only average by world-class standards. Her drive phase problems is a matter of her physiology, but her reaction is a mental thing. Allyson is an 11 flat 100m sprinter on a good day and is not a consistent top 4 among U.S. 100m sprinters, but she is a monster on the 400m relay. The running start helps her and she hands off at top speed, when the other girls are slowing down. Which is why even if she doesn't not run a credible 100m this year, she will still be placed on the 400m relay and no one will complain about it.

Allyson has always viewed herself as 100/200 sprinters and was sort of pushed into the 400, but she has never liked the 400 and in my mind, is still not 100% committed to it. She still runs the 400m expecting to walk people down and she can't do that because the top 400m sprinters may not have her 100m speed, but are just as strong over the last 50 meters. If Allyson ever gets it right in the 400m, I think she can challenge the U.S. record. With that said, with Sanya returning to form in the 400, VCB does not appear to be slowing down, Jeter will have full season to focus on the 200m and the possibility of Sanya jumping into the 200, the 200/400 double looks very daunting. I think Allyson is capable of winning either the 200 or the 400 if she completely focuses on one, trying to do both, she is probably looking at a silver and bronze at best. If Allyson never ran another race, she will be regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, but she needs an Olympic gold medal to complete her resume and I’m hoping she drops the 200m or the 400m.