Flanagans chances in Boston

Flanagan is so elite. It's kind of ridiculous she's not the best in the world. If she gets beat it's because others are doping. I have no evidence for such a claim but whatever.

She needs to have the confidence that she can win at her level. Chances are someone else will win it, but if it's within the realm of possibility that she could win, which it is, she should go in with that mentality.

I don't think it will look like a disappointment if she doesn't, she'll just look like someone who went for it and didn't quite have enough. But until then why not be optimistic and hype up the chances? It's fun to have someone to get behind.

douglas burke wrote:

her credentials are the best in the field, world xc bronze, olypic 10000 bronze, fast 10000 best of 30:22 just ran 31:04 solo.

she has as good a chance as anybody in the race.

i pick her to win.

Unfortunately for Shalane, marathons are more than 4 times the length of a 10k. The truth is that she is currently a 2:25 runner when the best women are running 2:20. Would you ever pick a 2:10 marathoner to win the men's race? She has only run 3 marathons, and it doesn't look like her prowess at 10k has translated well. Hopefully she can figure it out.

As long as she drinks enough Gatorade Endurance, which is designed to meet the needs of athletes during their long-distance trainings and competitions when fluid and electrolyte losses become substantial, she will win easily.

dude, she just ran 31 flat by herself, leading from the front, and called it a tempo. you need to get a clue. she's gonna run way faster than 2:25. i'm thinking 2:21-2:22.

I would say she has as good of a chance as any American has in the last 20 years (if not singularly the best chance), media hype makes sense. I haven't found anything she's said overconfident, makes sense for her to factor herself into the race for the W

agreed.

oatmeal + water wrote:

dude, she just ran 31 flat by herself, leading from the front, and called it a tempo. you need to get a clue. she's gonna run way faster than 2:25. i'm thinking 2:21-2:22.

Perhaps you need a clue. She has always been good at 10k. I am not debating her ability at 10k. The 10k is not the marathon. Look at arguably the best half marathoner in history, Z. Tadese. Each one of his marathon attempts has been a disaster. I would love to see her rip a 2:20 and take home a W, but I just don't see it happening.

Also, I don't put a lot of stock into her calling the 10k a tempo. Is she running 31's each week in practice? I doubt it.

the womens field is rather weak so yes, she has a chance. I wish Boston would move their Marathon to January so it doesn't compete with London.

Shalane was a teammate of mine in college, so I feel as though I can speak with some authority on her personality. What you people need to understand about her is that she honestly believes that she can win. She is a different breed that is tough to describe on a message board. I saw her win races in college as a freshman and sophomore that she had no business winning. She can do superhuman things because she refuses to back down. She is human, of course, but I learned long ago never to count her out. I truly believe that she can run low 2:20s and win it.

fghrunner wrote:

I would say she has as good of a chance as any American has in the last 20 years (if not singularly the best chance), media hype makes sense. I haven't found anything she's said overconfident, makes sense for her to factor herself into the race for the W

i absolutely agree with this. im not expecting her to win but i think she has a realistic chance. i'll be rooting for her on monday

oatmeal + water wrote:

dude, she just ran 31 flat by herself, leading from the front, and called it a tempo. you need to get a clue. she's gonna run way faster than 2:25. i'm thinking 2:21-2:22.

Yep. Also consider Boston is downhill while the track was mostly flat. I wouldn't be surprised if she ran sub2:20.

she ran 2:25:51 in london after feeling burnt from 8 weeks of 120 mile weeks. the fact that she trained smarter and boston is net downhill will significantly help her to run a much faster time than 2:25.

see the picture yet?

Boston celtics wrote:

the womens field is rather weak so yes, she has a chance. I wish Boston would move their Marathon to January so it doesn't compete with London.

Ever been to Boston in January?

Shalane ran a 68:31 half in New Orleans. She is definitely fit.

The women's field is not weak. London got all the sub 2:20 women, but has about the same number of sub 2:23 women as Boston.

If the pace is not too aggressive, I think Shalane has a chance. She is fit and has been in the lead group late in a marathon before. She is hungry for a big win too. But I do not see Shalane doing well if the pace is extremely fast (2:22-23). I do not see Shalane as being able to run a flat out fast race. She was in great shape for the trials, but was just hanging on to get the win in 2:25.

I personally like how Desi handles pre race stuff. She doesn't talk big in the press at all. However, she has more confidence in herself than anyone. With that being said, maybe talking big motivates Shalane. Plus, any press running can get in this country is a great thing.

Shalane has said she did less this build up than before the Olympics. It was obvious Shalane and Kara were over-trained for that.

Also,I think Kara might be the dangerous too. I think it's good for her to be a bit under the radar. I think she'll run a pr on Monday.

We'll just have to see what happens. I think that if the pace is honest then Shalane will not be within two minutes of the winner. If the race plays out like her debut, then I think she will contend and could make top 3 but still won't win.

might be wejo wrote:

Unfortunately for Shalane, marathons are more than 4 times the length of a 10k. The truth is that she is currently a 2:25 runner when the best women are running 2:20. Would you ever pick a 2:10 marathoner to win the men's race? She has only run 3 marathons, and it doesn't look like her prowess at 10k has translated well. Hopefully she can figure it out.

Boston was won by the men last year in 2:12

Yes there was heat, but don't discount anyone in a marathon.

I think her 10k prowess has translated extremely well. 2nd in New York, won marathon trials in 2:25. Ran gutsy in the Olympics to pay for it late and still get a 2:25 and 10th place.

So where exactly does she not translate? 2/3 of the marathons have been really good and the last one was a disaster by her standards, but honestly wasn't the tragedy that everyone makes it out to be. (it was okay, not great, not terrible...just okay)

DIS BROTHA KNOWS WHAT HES TALKING ABOUT!

listen to him might be wejo

Female POV wrote:

Shalane was a teammate of mine in college, so I feel as though I can speak with some authority on her personality. What you people need to understand about her is that she honestly believes that she can win. She is a different breed that is tough to describe on a message board. I saw her win races in college as a freshman and sophomore that she had no business winning. She can do superhuman things because she refuses to back down. She is human, of course, but I learned long ago never to count her out. I truly believe that she can run low 2:20s and win it.

Thanks, that's what I wanted to hear!