OFFICIAL: Ritz Chicago prediction thread

2:11:03.

Goes out hard and blows up.

2:10:25 but his superior fitness level indicated a 2:07:00

2:07:45

Dang, I wish I was running this race now. The temps look awesome! Had to cancel because I don't feel prepared.

2:07:54

PR 2:08:30

2:08.14. Goes through 13.1 in 63 and fades badly after trying to keep up with surges that Kebede and company throw down @ mi 16-18. Ends up top five and announces within weeks that he is going to London in April.

He has this funny knack of hittig times right on the button so I say 2:09:00. An improvement but still disappointing. Same story with cramps etc., problem with a lack of muscular endurance still has not been addressed in training. Will be the fastest US marathon time in 2012 so he sticks with the marathon.

he will at minimum better bob kempainens 2:08.47 and become the 3rd fastest USA performer all time.

2:06.40

Probably 2:09:low.

But hopefully 2:04:high for the win!

I'll go with 2:08:30. He's said he's going to compete rather than run for time, which is consistent with what he's always done. If he's right that this build-up is better than the ones in the past, he'll blow up a little less and get a PR.

But I just don't think he has the fitness to run with the big dogs at 2:05 or 2:06 pace, and he doesn't have the mentality to sit off the pace and run to his potential like Desi Davila.

2:08:57 off a 1:03:55 opening half.

Perfect weather...

2:07:00

Because everyone has played this game before, and Ritz has always managed to disappoint. Sad but true.

VF Runner wrote:

How does this not exist yet???

mcflounder wrote:

Because everyone has played this game before, and Ritz has always managed to disappoint. Sad but true.

VF Runner wrote:

How does this not exist yet???

Fair enough point I suppose. I sure hope he changes that. He's still one of the best American born runners ever.

2:07:55--a two minute PR, but it will give him the confidence to run in the 2:06s next time.

2:08:30

He will go through 1:03 high and fade slightly the last 7 miles. It will still be a solid performance and a huge pr. The top guys will be well ahead though.

VF Runner wrote:

How does this not exist yet???

There is a small (very small) part of me that thinks Ritz will be better off long term if he has another mediocre to poor showing and therefore decides to go completely back to 5k/10k...

Meb has a 27:13 PR- much better than Ritz'.

Meb has a 2:09 PR, like Ritz.

Meb's best Olympic finish is @ 26.2, like Ritz.

Everyone points to PR's. But 2 of our most recent Olympic Medalists, Meb & Manzano, lacked PR's. Ritz is an ideal Olympic Marathon racer. He is not so @ 5K/10K.

I will go with 2:07:50. I think he is primed to bust one.

2:05:32 Ritz will live up to the potential.