Ben True --- The next U.S. sub 13?

I don't think Ben True will be running sub 13 ever. I do think he's got a good shot at sub 13:10 though. He reminds me of Tim Broe (who ironically used to coach Ben). Broe was capable of, I think, 13:0x and the same holds true for True. It's still going to take a very good race to do it though.

True's best 1500 is around 3.40, which is around 3.58 mile. I think he could go around 3.37 at best in 1500 (3.55 mile).

To run a sub 13/5000 you need wheels which give around 3.33 - 3.34 for 1500, which would be out of True's range. I see him more as a 10,000/half marathon/marathon future specialist, with times of 27.00/60"/2.06-2:07 potential.

Haven't seen him run much - how are his biomechanics? He looked good in world cross, in tough conditions, where many of the Africans had problems.

Ghost in Saudi,

www.kfupm.edu.sa

, apply today

i kind of forgot about ritz 1256.

he's got to be the slowest guy to go that fast.

still it proves you don't need the 350 mile to go sub13.

now i think about it, ritz really should threaten the ar in the 10k.

really what the calculator say for a 54 sec 400m with a 1256 5k? for 10k?

Is he self-coached? Dude is a stud either way.

longjack wrote:

i kind of forgot about ritz 1256.

he's got to be the slowest guy to go that fast.

still it proves you don't need the 350 mile to go sub13.

now i think about it, ritz really should threaten the ar in the 10k.

really what the calculator say for a 54 sec 400m with a 1256 5k? for 10k?

Ritz can run faster than 54. His endurance isn't THAT good.

jdjjd wrote:

longjack wrote:

i kind of forgot about ritz 1256.

he's got to be the slowest guy to go that fast.

still it proves you don't need the 350 mile to go sub13.

now i think about it, ritz really should threaten the ar in the 10k.

really what the calculator say for a 54 sec 400m with a 1256 5k? for 10k?

Ritz can run faster than 54. His endurance isn't THAT good.

I wouldn't count on it.

Isn't it eight as Moukheld Al-Outaibi was born in Saudi Arabia? So Baumann, Solinsky, Mottram, Ritzenheim, Kennedy, Tegenkamp, Al-Outaibi, and Rupp.

True has run great this year and looks very confident of his abilities in that interview. However, with colder/windy conditions, he excels, as at World XC (he is a NE runner), whereas African runners typically come back a ways. So, I do not in any way think that a 7 sec gap to Geb-W means very much. Jeilan's on his way back and Chepkok didn't have it. True has a shot at sub 13 this year and is probably worth 13:05 or so right now, still a solid drop from his pr.

- wrote:

jdjjd wrote:

Ritz can run faster than 54. His endurance isn't THAT good.

I wouldn't count on it.

Based on what? If Ritz can run 12:56 off of a 54 then he should have been well under 27 min for 10k.

I think that is a good take. Another observation is that most of the East Africans look a little less intimidating these days because (1) noone is near WR times, (2) US and other runners are starting to get under 13 and 27, (3) the depth is all at 12:52-13, 26:45-27:00 and 59:00 halfs - odds of winning are still low but if our guys reach those times, they know they won't still get blown out.HG, Koech,DG and Farah are a cut above at 5000 but the more that guys like True hang with them, the better for everyone.

jjjjjjjjj wrote:

True has run great this year and looks very confident of his abilities in that interview. However, with colder/windy conditions, he excels, as at World XC (he is a NE runner), whereas African runners typically come back a ways. So, I do not in any way think that a 7 sec gap to Geb-W means very much. Jeilan's on his way back and Chepkok didn't have it. True has a shot at sub 13 this year and is probably worth 13:05 or so right now, still a solid drop from his pr.

Sloop John B wrote:

I don't think Ben True will be running sub 13 ever. I do think he's got a good shot at sub 13:10 though. He reminds me of Tim Broe (who ironically used to coach Ben). Broe was capable of, I think, 13:0x and the same holds true for True. It's still going to take a very good race to do it though.

Running 13:14 in April definitely sets up 13:0x be the end of this season. But if you believe that then you must concede that in the right race True can notch a 12:58 like Rupp did.

As far as Tim Broe goes, I think you're wrong. Broe's arc of improvement was outstanding. Five years post collegiate running led to 2005 when he ran 13:11, 13:12, and set a new AR for 3000m indoor. Then he had foot surgery in 2006 and never raced again.

Broe was in the best shape of his life and I do believe he was going to join Mottram's sub 13 trend of that time. The problem was a twice-broken foot that spelled his end way before he had realized his true potential. Let's hope that doesn't hold true for True.

random Villager wrote:the depth is all at 12:52-13, 26:45-27:00 and 59:00 halfs

eh ???

were you asleep when the paris race was on last year ???

6 guys went 12'46.8 - 12'49.5

& that still had only a semi-competent 4th km

the level is now 12'45 - 12'50 for top guys

as for 10k, we didn't actually have a paced race last year with the fastest guys

1 fast 10k last year with 26'51/26'52 from 3rd string african 10k guys - emmanuel bett ( who ? ), chepkok - a 5k guy running his 1st serious 10k ( 28'23pb ), kipkemoi ( another who ? )

these guys are long way behind 2nd string africans like wilson kiprop, komon ( not at his peak last year ), masai, gebremarian, shinester, rotich

& then 1st tier guys like mo, rupp, the 2 bekeles, jeilan

as for 1/2M - 4 guys have gone 58'47 - 59'00 since start '12 & there is lot of road running to come

longjack wrote:

i kind of forgot about ritz 1256.

he's got to be the slowest guy to go that fast.

still it proves you don't need the 350 mile to go sub13.

now i think about it, ritz really should threaten the ar in the 10k.

really what the calculator say for a 54 sec 400m with a 1256 5k? for 10k?

ritz ran 12'56 & 27'22 in a championship, tactical race

obviously he was helluva lot faster than 27'22 that day in a circuit race

the prelim lines of fit for him that peak, range i reckon between

52.5 / 1'50.2 ->

3'35.5

4'52.7

7'30.5

12'54.7

26'54.4 !

to

53.0 / 1'50.9 ->

3'36.3

4'53.5

7'31.0

12'54.1

26'49.5 !!!

i don't think he ran his best possible race, even for a tactical one in berlin '09 & still finished 6th - the pace was only 13'40 at 1/2 way & kennster went 13'06 for 2nd 5k !!!

ritz was certainly capable of long way below 27 that day but pretty much plodded on at same slow pace from the gun

i'm starting to think those lines woudn't be a bad fit for ben, although i don't know if he's just a pure 5k guy or an = strong 5k/10k one

Even though he is not necessarily young, Ben's upside is obvious to anyone with a brain. He ran his school record 3:59 mile back when he was still primarily a skiier.

Between him, Andy Wheating, and Donn Cabral, New England will be repped well at many distances for years to come.

part of the line looks ok

here's his 3'40-flat

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250619-2013-Mt-Sac-Relays/video/706477-M-1500-H01-Oly-Dev-True-fastest-time-of-the-day

he jogged along at 60+/1'46-flat ( 3'47 pace )/2'01+ ( 3'46 pace ) & then kicked a finish of

54.7 !!!

i have little doubt he couda gone 3'36 or even 3'35 at even pace

Somebody asked who is his coach , that will have much to do with all the fast times being talked about here. Without question he has shown the physical capability and good racing skills in international fields. Sub 13 takes another level of prep beyond the talent.

Lets hope he gets in a non tactical fast 5k in Europe and gets pulled through to the sub 13 , I believe is completely capable of running sub 13 but also to compete head to head with the best.

True was really confident in all his flotrack interviews since 2011 that he would get to the level of making World teams in track. I used to think it was ridiculous that he wasn't happy being top 10/top 5 at USA's but obviously he had bigger goals.

The guy is a great racer and an aerobic beast. He has the kick to win races. I think he could still improve a lot.

It is still going to be incredibly hard to make the 10k World Team. True hasn't been tested in the event as much as the 5k. Ritz and Rupp have a lot of 10k experience. True and Derrick will have their hands full. Tegenkamp could also be a factor although he's been quiet this season.

maybe so wrote:

Somebody asked who is his coach , that will have much to do with all the fast times being talked about here. Without question he has shown the physical capability and good racing skills in international fields. Sub 13 takes another level of prep beyond the talent.

Isn't he being coached by Mark Coogan?