German Fernandez... 13:47....

When did he join NBSV? Is he living in Palo Alto now?

I was really disappointed that he didn't even attempt to bridge the initial gap that was madr. I felt like it wasn't absolutely terrible, but I would have rather seen him try to compete more than just let himself get dropped without a response.

Tough to see. He is still only 23 but jeez. Dude just can't seem to catch a break.

This is his first major attempt at 5,000m in the past year. Give the guy a break. He's finally healthy, training well and tonight in Portland was a good first foot forward.

uphill run wrote:

This is his first major attempt at 5,000m in the past year. Give the guy a break. He's finally healthy, training well and tonight in Portland was a good first foot forward.

Yup, Remember he gets in racing shape fast. If stays healthy he'll be close to 13:10 by the end of the year, but he has to stay healthy.

I think he has to be happy to have run the race. I think he lost a lot in the last 1000 and probably hope for 10-12 seconds faster. I hope he gets in a few more races in. If so, he could get back to PR range. Then, if maintains health he can set himself up for long term improvement next year, He has the talent and look at what guys like Ben True or Hassan Mead are doing now.

Washed up

ksk wrote:

When did he join NBSV? Is he living in Palo Alto now?

Bueller???

dude needs to spend less time gelling his faux hawk and run like a man

Haters are going to hate. The bottom line is that there are a lot of unrealistic idiots on here. This was German's first real race attempt on the track in a long time. It's just great that he had the courage to step out there and race, despite not being in top fitness yet. If we're constantly waiting for the perfect fitness that the trolls are talking about, then we may never see him race again. Now he has a defined start place, and he's got some practice at pain management and tactics. Great job German, it's great seeing you back and I hope health continues to get better!

I wonder if he's still looking to run the 1500. 13:47 ain't a terrible opener if so.

OK, 13:47 is about 7 seconds per 1500 slower than his PR pace for 5k (13:25)

Wheating just ran 8 seconds slower than his 1500 PR and is "Back".

Proportionally, German is closer to PR shape than Wheating.

What does this mean? I don't know. It would be nice to see him back up there again. I coached against this guys team in HS. All my interactions with him were totally positive. I really want to see him do well.

Good run.

I'm impressed.

Something good, is much better than nothing.

Not sure how a 3:30 guy winning a low key 1500 in 3:39 is back? I guess it's a confidence boost to win a race but still.

It's a start I guess.

I agree. This is not a bad result. German has not run a competitive 5k in 5 years.. After his first year at OSU all his 5k races were minor races just for points. He has not run a race at all in a year - well except for that XC "race" in the fall, and the 5k road race in NYC. He was clearly not fit for both those.

Clearly, he's still not as fit as 5 years ago, but 13:47 is a step in the right direction. Now, we have no idea where is his with his fitness. Does he have 10+ weeks of base? Has he been doing much 5k work, or was this more of a rust buster lets see where we are at type of race?

I also don't know how the race went. What type of pace was he on? Was he shooting for 13:30 and died the last mile. Was he on 13:40 pace and just slowed a bit? Was it a steady 13:45 pace? Or did he start slow and come on.

The next few races will tell the story.

The key for German is (and always will be) staying healthy. If he can concur whatever it is that causes so many injuries then he still has the talent.

CoachB wrote:

OK, 13:47 is about 7 seconds per 1500 slower than his PR pace for 5k (13:25)

Wheating just ran 8 seconds slower than his 1500 PR and is "Back".

Proportionally, German is closer to PR shape than Wheating.

What does this mean? I don't know. It would be nice to see him back up there again. I coached against this guys team in HS. All my interactions with him were totally positive. I really want to see him do well.

Didn't see the races, but it sounds like Wheating won his with a strong finish, meaning he was not at his limit with 3:38 yesterday. He's probably in 3:35 shape or better in a fast 1500.

Germans was a different result, but I don't think we can read too much into it until he races once or twice more. Hopefully it comes around for him.

Agreed. I wasn't trying to imply that German did better than Wheating or anything of the sort. Just saying, it wasn't a bad effort.

The guy a couple of posts above here nailed it....nobody really knows where he is in the training cycle. Was he trying to get a time for USA's? Was he just busting the rust? Lots of unanswered questions.

What was his fresman/soph/jr high school progression like?

Dr. Steve Brule wrote:

ksk wrote:

When did he join NBSV? Is he living in Palo Alto now?

Bueller???

No. It was an entry error. He is still racing/training with the Bowerman Track Club.