Why are 1500/5000+ so slow at the Olympics vs. their respective WR?

Someone could but the whole pack would go with them and they all fear being the one who is torched in the end.

Example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUH0Hp_sv0w

It only works if your PR is so much better than everyone else's (like Rudisha) and you're actually in PR shape.

In Uceny's case she did not have one of the 3 fastest times, so sitting and kicking would be her best chance for a win or medal.

As for the other races, it seems like some of the favorites were nursing minor injuries. And of course there may be better drug testing this Olympics since other than the men's 800, there weren't any superhuman type performances. Even the closing times were really not that impressive compared to Oly and WC of the past 15 years. Just seemed like no one had the confidence to take it out, like someone took away their favorite "vitamin."

The injuries may also be a by product of stricter testing. Well that's what we get for wanting a cleaner sport.

Most others around here are noobs when it comes to Olympic history. The fact is, Olympic 5000's are usually not slow at all. Here's a list of all Oly 5000's and how far they were off the world record for their time.

year/time/time off wr

2012 13:41 wr + 64

2008 12:57 Wr + 20

2004 13:14 Wr + 37

2000 13:35 Wr + 56

1996 13:07 Wr + 30

1992 13:12 Wr + 14

1988 13:11 Wr + 13

1984 13:05 Wr + 5

1980 13:21 Wr + 13

1976 13:24 Wr + 11

1972 13:26 Wr + 10

1968 14:05 Wr + 49

1964 13:48 Wr + 13

1960 13:43 Wr + 8

1956 13:39 Wr + 3

1952 14:06 Wr + 8

1948 14:17 Wr + 19

1936 14:22 Wr + 5

1932 14:30 Wr + 13

1928 14:38 Wr + 10

1924 14:31 Wr + 3

1920 14:55 Wr + 19

1912 14:36 Wr – 23

No Olympic 5000 was more than 20 seconds off the wr until 1968. The 1968 race was at high altitude in Mexico City, not a nice place to run during the summer. Then, nothing worse than +14 until 1996.

Only between 1996 and 2012 has an Olympic 5000 been worse than wr + 20 at low altitude. London was slowest of all time.

What changed? Did the 5000 change? Did tactics change? No, only the runners changed. It's not lack of pacers, not when a 13:41 wins. It's not lack of dope either at those speeds. It's just lack of balls.

Unless a new breed of 5000 runners takes control, it is now just a junk medal that means nothing.

4:10, I haven't looked at the stats yet, but that's wr + 18, which is also pretty pathetic. Yes Uceny could have pushed the pace. Yes she probably should have. Could she have won from the front, maybe. It can be done. It's at least as effective as trying to kick from way out in lane 3 in 10th place.

NO BALLS>> NO BALLS

Go around saying that next time someone runs 12:57.

someone had to do it wrote:

20+ seconds off the WR in a race barely over 3 miles is a lot.

Everyone is running for place ie 1/2/3

kozz wrote:

What changed? Did the 5000 change? .

Yes - the world record is now extremely fast!

good stats. I dunno would you rather place 12th in 13:50 or 12th in 13:15 but knowing you pushed the pace?

there were 10+ in a Diamond league race a month ago all go under 13. For them to run that slow is ridiculous.

No money = no balls

If you run a PR and beat everyone you are the best and will win.

Running tactics either means you are

1) Lazy- You know your better and just want to take it easy

2) Know you suck and the only way you can win is to out kick

2a) You are too lazy to train to run the fastest 5k in the world so you just train how to win the easy sit and kick races.

This track has been loaded for sprinters to run fast times, it's very unforgiving and brutal for distance runners. It doesn't inspire a distance athlete to run fast.

MTB wrote: Why are 1500/5000+ so slow at the Olympics vs. their respective WR?

I've already covered this. The times are slow because the people in the races are gutless. They SHOULD collectively say "let's get after it, and may the best man win." But they don't do that. They collectively THINK "I can't take this thing out on my own, so we'll just see who can jog the best and then go for the 400m WR."

I see a lot of young runners ask training questions on this board to achieve a certain time for XC or track. I suggest you spend time focusing a specific part of your training to practice race tactics that replicate what you saw in these championship events. There is an important distinction between how fast you can run v how fast you can race. All the guts talk is irrelevant. Focus on developing your skills.

Because the time is irrelevant- YOU WANT TO WIN. So everyone get cautious.

If you win a gold with a 15:00 5k it doesn't matter you're still the gold medal winner.

Race Hard wrote:

MTB wrote: Why are 1500/5000+ so slow at the Olympics vs. their respective WR?

I've already covered this. The times are slow because the people in the races are gutless. They SHOULD collectively say "let's get after it, and may the best man win." But they don't do that. They collectively THINK "I can't take this thing out on my own, so we'll just see who can jog the best and then go for the 400m WR."

Yes you have covered it several times with your unwelcome, churlish cynicism.

More parity than ever in distance races. When you're not sure if you're better or worse than your opponents you're less likely to take a chance on exhausting yourself early - better to be the best energy conserver in preparation for the sprint at the end.

Errrrrrmmmmmmmm wrote:Yes you have covered it several times with your unwelcome, churlish cynicism.

Unwelcome? Well, I suppose the old cliche rings true: "The Truth Hurts"

Race Hard wrote:

Errrrrrmmmmmmmm wrote:Yes you have covered it several times with your unwelcome, churlish cynicism.

Unwelcome? Well, I suppose the old cliche rings true: "The Truth Hurts"

Then this is gonna hurt you:

Your are a moron.

"Your are a moron."

Good one.