In his book, an autobiography called "On the Run", he claims to have never gone to the movies for fear of injury by keeping his legs in a cramped position. He never went to his high school prom for fear that a late night would ruin his season. There were lots of other extremes described in the book that display his belief that "the most insane person will win the race". Interesting that he constrasts sharply to Steve Prefontaine who went out partying and drinking like any other person.
Don't sell Liquori short. He had a damn good career - outlasted many of his contemporaries. After moving on from the mile, he stepped up to the 5000 and was ranked #1 in the world in '77 an PRed @ 13:15. That was damn fast for that era and would compare to a 12:50 today.
I also recall him being a fun presence in the ABC booth as a commentator.
dead duckling wrote:
There is no comparison between Liquori and Pre. Liquori actually made an impact on the world scene. Pre was a poseur.
__________________________________________________________
Pre had the lead on the last lap of an Olympic final.
Marty did not.
Salute both all-time greats with no drugs usage.
Liquori outkicked Ryun, quite a feat. His form was textbook, in contrast to Ryun's tilted head. And from what I understand, Liquori's quite the jazz musician as well.
Middle Distance Analyst wrote:
Don't sell Liquori short. He had a damn good career - outlasted many of his contemporaries. After moving on from the mile, he stepped up to the 5000 and was ranked #1 in the world in '77 an PRed @ 13:15. That was damn fast for that era and would compare to a 12:50 today.
I agree that Liquori was a great runner. He was a little older than me, so he was one of my favorite runners. But a 13:15 in 1977 compares to a 13:15 today, not a 12:50. It's still 5000 meters.
Wisenheimer wrote:
Middle Distance Analyst wrote:Don't sell Liquori short. He had a damn good career - outlasted many of his contemporaries. After moving on from the mile, he stepped up to the 5000 and was ranked #1 in the world in '77 an PRed @ 13:15. That was damn fast for that era and would compare to a 12:50 today.
I agree that Liquori was a great runner. He was a little older than me, so he was one of my favorite runners. But a 13:15 in 1977 compares to a 13:15 today, not a 12:50. It's still 5000 meters.
In 1977 the 5000 world record was 13:13.
"The most insane person will win the race." Is not this just a sharper way of what we now call attention to detail?
I like this quote, although it seems to apply to training and preparation more.
There is another great quote using the same praise of pushing the envelope. Bill Rodgers was once quoted as saying, "You know, to win sometimes, you gotta' go a little crazy in the race." That is a great quote, too.
Middle Distance Analyst wrote:
Don't sell Liquori short. He had a damn good career - outlasted many of his contemporaries. After moving on from the mile, he stepped up to the 5000 and was ranked #1 in the world in '77 an PRed @ 13:15. That was damn fast for that era and would compare to a 12:50 today.
Learn more about Marty the Miler here:
http://bringbackthemile.com/athletes/detail/marty_liquorijointblazer wrote:
Wisenheimer wrote:I agree that Liquori was a great runner. He was a little older than me, so he was one of my favorite runners. But a 13:15 in 1977 compares to a 13:15 today, not a 12:50. It's still 5000 meters.
In 1977 the 5000 world record was 13:13.
Ah, someone actually uses their brain on this forum.
"The most insane person will win the race." Is not this just a sharper way of what we now call attention to detail?
I like this quote, although it seems to apply to training and preparation more.
There is another great quote using the same praise of pushing the envelope. Bill Rodgers was once quoted as saying, "You know, to win sometimes, you gotta' go a little crazy in the race." That is a great quote, too.
jointblazer wrote:
Wisenheimer wrote:I agree that Liquori was a great runner. He was a little older than me, so he was one of my favorite runners. But a 13:15 in 1977 compares to a 13:15 today, not a 12:50. It's still 5000 meters.
In 1977 the 5000 world record was 13:13.
Liquori also beat both the WR holder (Dick Quax) and Miruts Yifter in that race. Liquori was ranked #1 in the world at 1500 a few times and also #1 in the world at 5000.
A heads up comparison of Liquori vs Pre and its not even close.
"On the Run" is the greatest distance runner sports biograraphy ever published. Read it if you can find it.
Liquori was so close to being the best in the world. Actually he was ranked number one in the mile at least once in 1970 or 71. He was probably the best middle distance runner in the world other than Bayi, Walker, and Yifter from 1500-5000 from 1971-1977.
His commentating on ABC in LA Olympics in 1984 and Oslo in 1985 when Cram broke the mile World Record is spectacular. Always messed up a lot but compare Craig Masback calling a world record or Olympic 1500 final to Marty's calls and you will know he was what our sport needs.
Didn't he comment on the 1500 and 5000 and Athens? Two of my favorite races to watch in part because of him
ashdsjd wrote:
In his book, an autobiography called "On the Run", he claims to have never gone to the movies for fear of injury by keeping his legs in a cramped position. He never went to his high school prom for fear that a late night would ruin his season. There were lots of other extremes described in the book that display his belief that "the most insane person will win the race". Interesting that he constrasts sharply to Steve Prefontaine who went out partying and drinking like any other person.
Well, having actually partied with Liquori, more than once, let me just say you're full of ish.
A Duck wrote:
ashdsjd wrote:In his book, an autobiography called "On the Run", he claims to have never gone to the movies for fear of injury by keeping his legs in a cramped position. He never went to his high school prom for fear that a late night would ruin his season. There were lots of other extremes described in the book that display his belief that "the most insane person will win the race". Interesting that he constrasts sharply to Steve Prefontaine who went out partying and drinking like any other person.
Well, having actually partied with Liquori, more than once, let me just say you're full of ish.
Yea, later on in his career he loosened up and let his hair down. But during his HS years, he was really obsessed with the sport and his career and did go to extremes to prepare for races. So, the account is true
but just from his early years.
break it up wrote:
"On the Run" is the greatest distance runner sports biograraphy ever published. Read it if you can find it.
Definitely one of the best running books ever. Young runners can learn a lot from it.
break it up wrote:
"On the Run" is the greatest distance runner sports biograraphy ever published. Read it if you can find it.
Liquori was so close to being the best in the world. Actually he was ranked number one in the mile at least once in 1970 or 71. He was probably the best middle distance runner in the world other than Bayi, Walker, and Yifter from 1500-5000 from 1971-1977.
Comparison
World Rankings 5000 meters
1978 2nd Liquori
1977 1st Liquori
1975 3rd Liquori, 9th Prefontaine
1974 6th Prefontaine
1973 5th Prefontaine
1972 4th Prefontaine
1971 10th Prefontaine
World Rankings 1500 meters
1975 5th Liquori
1971 1st Liquori
1970 7th Liquori
1969 1st Liquori
IF......Pre had held on for a bronze in the 72 Games
5,000 we would not be having this discussion. Turns out he
got 4th. However, that performance still puts Pre slightly
ahead of Liquori. Forever.
And I am a bigger Villanova fan than
Oregon fan so I give my opinion with complete honesty.
Wild Cat wrote:
IF......Pre had held on for a bronze in the 72 Games 5,000 we would not be having this discussion. Turns out he got 4th. However, that performance still puts Pre slightly ahead of Liquori.
Liquori has a World Cup silver medal in the 5000.