What if Ritz runs a 2:08 at Chicago

What is with the mentality that if you aren't at the absolute top or an Olympic medalist, you have somehow failed?

This guy has a great running resume. XC champ in high school and college. Great at world XC. Sub 13 5000m. Three time Olympian. Battled back from big injuries numerous times.

Yet, if he only set at PR in a race it isn't impressive? Everything doesn't have to be a means to world domination you know.

str8 klownin wrote:

Will everyone here be excited if he runs a 2:08? If you'd be excited, why would you be? What does a 2:08 get you these days? Or even a 2:06? There are so many Kenyans and Ethiopians who have run sub 2:06 now it's ridiculous.

If the race is won in 2:04:30 and Ritz runs 2:08:59, no I wouldn't be excited by that. If it's won in 2:06:30 and he runs 2:08:10, yes I'd be excited by that.

He hasn't had a very long buildup for Chicago and he's still trying to figure out the marathon (unfortunately). So I could see this as a step toward Ritz improving in the marathon.

Mojo, agreed. I'd personally love to see Ritz become the second or third fastest American marathoner ever. I'd like to see him beat Ryan Hall's times, but not sure if that will be possible.

Still, for whatever reason (maybe just because I haven't raced a marathon before), I'm one of those who longs to see Ritz keep trying on the track in the 5 and 10K.

Ritz will beat Hall's 2:08:04 from last year and I will be excited...especially if he's close enough to the front that he actually gets camera time!

If he runs 2:08:00, or roughly a 2 minute PR, I'll be excited for him.

1st of all, 2:06 isn't pedestrian even compared to the recent 2:04s / 2:05s. A 2:06 guy still has the potential to win any marathon of which he toes the line.

If Ritz runs 2:08, my immediate thought would be, "Wow, Ryan Hall ran 2:08 last year in Chicago, this means Ritz is now on the same level as Hall in explicit terms" However, I would remember that last year was a hot day for Chicago. I don't know what the race temperature was at the start at 7am, but weather underground has October 9, 2011 listed with a minimum temperature of 57 degrees and a high of 80 degrees.

Predictions for Chicago (up until the 27th of september using weather.com's monthly forecast) show a high of 73 degrees. It does appear that it could be cooler for Ritz's Chicago. So, if race day temperatures peak at 55 degrees and cloudy, Ritz's 2:08 becomes less impressive than Hall's 2:08. That said, with good weather in the forecast, I think Ritz can run 2:06 and it is an honest prediction for his capabilities at the time.

i predict under 2:08, i would be very happy to see him go 2:06, if he does not run at least better than kempainens time 2:08.47 as a fan i would be disappointed, and i think ritz and salazar would be the same.

2:06.59 or under = very happy

2:07.00 -2:08.46 = happy

2:08.47 or slower = disappointed.

that is my thoughts as a fan and i am guessing ritz and salazar would be thinking APPROXIMATELY the same way.

If Ritz runs sub 2:08 and is in the top 5, great performance.

Simple as that. If he runs sub 2:07, doesn't matter where he comes in, it will be a great performance.

If he finished slower than 2:08, I hope he's contending for the win, and if so, great performance.

Then he will match the feet of Deek from the '60s

For right now, Ritz should stop this talk of running 2:06. His PR is 2:09:55. Something around 2:07:30 or 2:07:40 would be a remarkable improvement. He can work his way up from there.

Then the misses will not provide oral gratification anymore.

asdgfh wrote:

If the race is won in 2:04:30 and Ritz runs 2:08:59, no I wouldn't be excited by that. If it's won in 2:06:30 and he runs 2:08:10, yes I'd be excited by that.

He hasn't had a very long buildup for Chicago and he's still trying to figure out the marathon (unfortunately). So I could see this as a step toward Ritz improving in the marathon.

Pretty much this.

For the most part a 2:08 would be a step in the right direction. Not his ultimate potential but a good sign compared to his past marathons.

I think a podium finish should be a better goal than going after an arbitrary time. He currently isn't a theat to the AR, or even American born AR, so going for a good finish (in terms of place) should be the goal.

Heck, look at Meb. His PR sucks compared the legions of fast young men from ETH, KEN, etc., but he has a NY win and an Olympic medal on his resume.

Alberto has found the right medical mixture for a successful 5k to half marathon. However, he has not found the proper elixer for the marathon. Give him time he is still experimenting. Ritz is pathing the way for Rupp.

bangalangadanga wrote:

1st of all, 2:06 isn't pedestrian even compared to the recent 2:04s / 2:05s. A 2:06 guy still has the potential to win any marathon of which he toes the line.

I didn't say that it was pedestrian. I said that the younger east Africans running really fast marathons at young ages have made a 2:06 seem almost pedestrian. Obviously a 2:06 is a great time and should put you in contention in most races, but realistically we are talking about a 2:10 guy here. If he ran a 2:08 that would be great for him but apart from getting him appearance fees at American marathons, it doesn't make him a threat to win much. Yes Meb has a crappy PR and has had some good luck, that's undeniable. But I don't remember and 2:10 guys winning Berlin or London or Rotterdam lately. Ritz really belongs on the track. HIs 12:58 is pretty decent and he should stick with that. I'm no Salazar basher but I'm not sure that he's a great marathon coach.

You're debating his point about a 2:06 marathoner by talking about a 2:10 marathoner. There's a big difference. You did say that 2:06 almost seemed pedestrian and that it probably wouldn't matter if Ritz ran 2:06. That's the point of disagreement, not whether a 2:10 marathoner is a contender.

Stephen Kiprotich is a 2:07 marathon runner and he has Olympic gold.

I wouldn't get excited if Ritz ran a 2:08, but I'd be happy to see it and damn happy for him. I think that would mean a lot.

frig gig i'd like to see him win one

The photo of Ritz on Toni Reavis' blog about the Philly half shows Ritz wearing compression socks, which I think is the first time he's ever raced in them. My guess is that he'll wear them in Chicago, also.