Vessey breaks 53 in Occidental 400

The 800m for women has been somewhat inconsistent at the world-class level for the last few years. A couple of fast times that aren't replicated (Jelimo, Semenya) or injuries to some (Meadows). If you can run a solid 1.58, you could be in the hunt for a medal - as was BMart last year. With Montano out this year there will be the need for a pacer to take athletes out to fast opening laps (or Price?).

Vessey, if she is truly a 400/800 type, needs to take this on (getting out faster) if she is going to be consistent. Depending on her aerobic strength, she could get out in 57 and come back in 60 = 1.57. She has (as alluded to) run 1.57 before, but being consistent has not been a strength of hers. Even Symmonds learned last year that sitting off the back wasn't always the best strategy - he moved up earlier to greater success.

Part of the inconsistency is the event being far more competitive. Much harder to get to a final now. Also, limits on entries often mean not all worthy will get a chance to participate. Some advantage there to athletes from UK and US particularly as far as medal chance.

With Montano out, that does of course change things on the US side. But Vessey doesn't need to run from the front or the back necessarily in that case. It would be fun to see her run from the front since she hasn't, but a better option for her could be to move to the lead or shoulder of lead just before the bell. This is the one approach that works just about as well for 400/800 type as it does for 800/1500 type but for somewhat different reasons. The added duration in women's 800 slightly diminishes the benefit of front running though I have no doubt that's where the event is heading.

I don't like the term aerobic strength because it does not accurately describe the physiology of this event especially. Speed-side and stamina side capability each supports the other aspect, more like two movers carrying the couch up the stairs, neither makes it alone.

vessey is hot wrote:

vessey is hot wrote:

Someone who can screenshot the runnerspace video, please do it and post a picture. Very curious here.

Please.

Yes someone, let's get a picture here.

I recall Maggie at some point experimenting with a more aggressive first lap (not leading, though), I don't think it led to much of a different result for her. Her most impressive performances of course were very "Wottle-esque"

One of my favorite races ever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okY5FaRt62c

If you want to risk falling in love with her, check out this interview: (she starts at 3:00):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyh1H3r-w7A

i agree wrote:

vessey is hot wrote:

Please.

Yes someone, let's get a picture here.

Come on guys! I really want to see this hot one piece!

Don't let your imagination get the best of you.

Some guy said she was wearing "a one piece thong." I'm guessing his idea of a thong and yours are different.

I've seen two of her (hand made?) outfits and they were both pretty silly. Neither were sexy.

Marcel Marseille wrote:

If you want to risk falling in love with her, check out this interview: (she starts at 3:00):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyh1H3r-w7A

you're joking, right?

old guy 68 wrote:

Don't let your imagination get the best of you.

Some guy said she was wearing "a one piece thong." I'm guessing his idea of a thong and yours are different.

I've seen two of her (hand made?) outfits and they were both pretty silly. Neither were sexy.

What do you care what she's wearing? She blew them away in that 400. She's out there running and doing pretty damn good. If she's doing this w/out a sponsor I'd say she's a fighter and no guessing about it, your idea of sexy and mine are different.

Real old guy wrote:

reply to old guy 68

old guy 68 wrote:

Don't let your imagination get the best of you.

Some guy said she was wearing "a one piece thong." I'm guessing his idea of a thong and yours are different.

I've seen two of her (hand made?) outfits and they were both pretty silly. Neither were sexy.

____________________________________________________________

What do you care what she's wearing? She blew them away in that 400. She's out there running and doing pretty damn good. If she's doing this w/out a sponsor I'd say she's a fighter and no guessing about it, your idea of sexy and mine are different.

____________________________________________________________

To: Real old guy

I don't care what she's wearing.

I was responding to the poster who keeps pleading for pictures. I think he's anticipating something outrageously sexy. He's asked for pictures 3 or 4 times.

I doubt that she was wearing a one piece thong. If she was, there is no denying that that would have be sexy.

I was commenting on the silly outfits she's been wearing recently.

And I agree, she's doing pretty damn good. In fact, I would say she's doing great. Breaking 53 in the 400 is more than pretty good.

I'm hoping she picks up a sponsor soon, she deserves one.

Let's hope she runs a solid 800 at OXY Thursday night.

That would be a possibility, if I wasn't a heterose_xual male.

yarbles wrote:

Marcel Marseille wrote:

If you want to risk falling in love with her, check out this interview: (she starts at 3:00):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyh1H3r-w7A

you're joking, right?

Maggie is in at least 1:58 shape right now, and still no sponsor....