An Incredible Amby Burfoot Interview With Alberto Salazar

Is it just me or does AB do a good imitation of the Geico cave man?

rojo wrote:

Here are the 1500 pbs of everyone in history that has run 12:45 or better. Hell, I'll even through in a 12:46 guy.

12:37.35 Kenenisa Bekele - 3:32.35

12:39.36 Haile Gebrselassie - 3:31.76

12:39.74 Daniel Komen - 3:29.46

12:46.53 Eliud Kipchoge - 3:33.20 (3:50.40 mile which )

Galen Rupp - 3:39.14 - 3:56.22

You might want to throw in a 12:46 guy while you are at it.

Is this where Ventonlin calls rojo a moron?

A fine example of "trickle-down" spelling dynamics from web site owners to message board dweebs.

rojo wrote:

I don't give a crap as to what his 800 pr is.

1500 pbs are much more indicate.

>>Implying 1500 time is a better indicator of speed than 800 time

>>what the f@$% am I reading

really? 800 pr shows a lot less about what you can do at the end of a highly aerobic event than a 1500.

It seems to me that eople here believe that if you can run a fast open 400, you can kick fast at the end of a 5k. The two have almost nothing to do with each other.

i never said he coudn't kick

give him a slowish race ( like that 13'06pb where he outkicked merga in an ~ 54 or 55 ) & he can perform

no one said it is "supreme" speed

you shoud keep an eye on some posts

5'34 in & kennster says he has 1'48 speed

rupp with "recent" 1'49i speed is very comparable

it shoud do

nice times by all ( except rupp ) & i saw all of those on satellite except rupp's

apart from rupp. they were all set in top-level meets allowing them to approach their best - rupp's was in a domestic meet & not best pacing

note that mo when he got into a top-level 1500 slashed his 1500 from 3'39 ( 13'09pb ) to 3'33.9 ( 13'07pb )

i'd expect very much that if rupp had luxury of getting into a fast international 1500, woud make mincemeat of his 3'39pb & show something like 3'34 ( you don't run 8'09i without speed )

I’d think asking some questions about PEDs, grey areas and the future of the sport would make the interview “Incredible”. Otherwise it is the editor of a Rodale Publication promoting the next Rodale book. I’d love to read the book actually addresses these issues with details but don’t expect it.

The interviews are excellent indeed. If Al can help Rupp get under 26:30, there will be East African guys there to try to kick. So, it's good that Rupp is working on speed and kicking.

Fact is, in his 26:48, he did not finish fast, BUT HE HAD THE BALLS TO GO WITH THE BREAK! He got 3rd place and a record. Note -- this could be a medal strategy.

As for Alberto, I was fortunate to live near Wayland in High School, one town over, and faced him many times in track and XC. Al was awesome, and sort of scary with his intensity! But man, we loved the guy for the example he set, and once or twice I got a word of encouragement from him -- that was money in the bank!

rojo wrote:

1500 pbs are much more indicate.

LOL!!

But I actually agree with Rojo on the general point that a 1:49 is not as impressive as V. makes it out to be. I think there is a sampling bias; V. assumes that Rupp's 800 speed is superior to the Africans' because he has a better PR on paper (indoors? personally I think the generally stellar mile times in the NCAA every year prove that the indoor tracks are fine for all but top end speed, but I know that opinion is not widely held). The issue, like Rojo says, is that the Africans in the 12:50s rarely run 800s at major meets. Whether or not they COULD is open to debate, but I don't think V. has enough evidence to strongly claim that they certainly could not. I tend to think they could but we can't be sure.

This thread is gold.

mypreviousnameisgone wrote:

rojo wrote:

1500 pbs are much more indicate.

LOL!!

But I actually agree with Rojo on the general point that a 1:49 is not as impressive as V. makes it out to be. I think there is a sampling bias; V. assumes that Rupp's 800 speed is superior to the Africans' because he has a better PR on paper (indoors? personally I think the generally stellar mile times in the NCAA every year prove that the indoor tracks are fine for all but top end speed, but I know that opinion is not widely held). The issue, like Rojo says, is that the Africans in the 12:50s rarely run 800s at major meets. Whether or not they COULD is open to debate, but I don't think V. has enough evidence to strongly claim that they certainly could not. I tend to think they could but we can't be sure.

Didn't Augustine Choge run 1:44 a few years after running 12:53 (when he appeared to be a 5000 guy)? His silver at world indoors might lead him back towards 5000? Let's just say Rupp has nothing on his speed. I think Rupp has zero chance of 12:48.

Where was the question about thyroid replacement protocol or low dose Sarms?

FLUFF

The shocking fact this article passes as legit instead of Salazar book hype by Rondale just goes to show why the sport is so marginalized while the popularity of hobby jogging has never been higher.

Can't you all envision Ventolin dabbing the froth from the corners of his mouth with a wet nap? Funny to see him so obviously on his best behavior.

A mad dog who knows he's wearing a shock collar.

I too miss the old Ventolin. He must go kick his dog after every post nowadays.

I don't agree that fluff pieces marginalize the sport though. If we look at other sports there is some ratio of fluff to hard hitting journalism pieces. Let's just say, for arguments sake, that the ratio is 100 to 1. Here we have a fine example of a marginal fluff piece that met the needs of hardcore fans by offering insight into one of America's greatest coach/runner and is building anticipation for the upcoming Olympics.

What I believe marginalizes the sport is that we want hard hitting journalism everytime out and that is just not fair to the sport. Especially when it is competing with many others who don't play by that rule.

So, yes, you are right that there is no mention of drugs but I'll wait for the next 99 fluff pieces before I start demanding more indepth articles.

it is impressive

even on an oversized indoor track, a 1'49.8i shoud be worth 1'48+ outdoors because of the tightness of the curves & having to expend more centripetal energy

1'48 is same as kennster claims in that vid

obviously rupp isn't likely in 1'48 shape anymore as the huge endurance work wouda blunted his speed, but i don't think by too much ( i posted a line with 1'49.7/3'34.4, but that's mostly to satisfy guys who woud have a coronary if you suggested rupp had 3'33 speed

personally, i go with :

52.0 / 1'49.2 -> 3'33.6 , 4'50.2 , 7'26.7 , 12'48.5 , 26'41.9

for last year

i think he was only 3+s off the stated career aim of 12'45 )

i tend to go with this line of fit for "generic" 12'50 africans ~

52.5 / 1'50.0 -> 3'34.8 , 4'51.6 , 7'28.3 , 12'50.2 , 26'42.8

apart from kennster/peak kipchoge/merga/isiah, those other guys are likely 1/2s slower over 400 & maybe 3/4 slower over 800 than rupp

that is very useful in a slow race

he shifted focus the year he ran 1'44.8/3'29.4/13'00.7 within short span

he had some superb 3k potential that timeframe

call his 800 about 1'44.5

( it was 1st proper elite one & i don't think he paced it too well - it's on youtube )

the lines of fit for him that time are maybe :

1'44.5 with

48.4 -> 3'29.1 , 4'46.7 , 7'27.0 , 13'00.4

48.5 -> 3'28.7 , 4'46.1 , 7'25.6 , 12'57.1

48.6 -> 3'28.4 , 4'45.4 , 7'24.1 , 12'53.8

the 1st line is almost a perfect fit for what he ran ( 1'44.8/3'29.4/13'00.7 ), but because of non-ideal pacing in races, you have to offer him the 2nd line

he was capable of high-3'28 at the time & wouda had mid-48 speed

this is big change from '06 when he beat buster in that epic race ( 3'32.4 / 12'56.4 ( in beating buster ) ) where line of fit ( they were both capable of 12'50 that day )

50.9 / 1'47.7 -> 3'32.0 , 4'48.8 , 7'26.1 , 12'50.7

he made some incredible lower distance speed improvements from '06 to '09, which shows speed can be trained for when you are young

interestingly, we do get almost perfect fit for choge in '09 with his 1'44.86 / 3'29.47 / 13'00.79

48.65 / 1'44.86 -> 3'29.47 , 4'47.2 , 7'27.3 , 13'00.30

but like i said, uneven pacing has to somewhat negate using that line

Yes agreed. What hard questions were asked...? Isn't Alberto afraid to a certain extent about the people who "know" better, who are now on the sidelines? There is rumor over the years of drug use that would make for a better investigative piece than the warm and fuzzy that Brant produced.

Or just forget about the drug fishing expedition and ask about "legit" supplements he considers essential, maybe a couple nutrition/fueling questions.

Plus, wouldn't you at least like to hear Salazar's take on all the wacky gagets he's tried?

Altitude house anyone?

"Some of the runners in this group live in a specially designed house where filters are used to remove oxygen from the air to simulate that the athlete is living at high elevation."

Hydroworx

AlterG

Cryosauna