DMVarea wrote:
jjjjjjjjj wrote:First, even to this day, no one has run as fast as Webb's mile in ten years or more. You have to keep that pace all the way to the end of the mile and both mentally and physically, 1500m is easier for these guys (remember what Makloufi said--he can handle 1500 much easier than the mile). They've had plenty of chances to do it. Pre this year had guys who had already run 3:28/29 earlier in the year. There was Bislett. There were a few others. And every year the same guys run 3:48-50 who run 3:27-30. Willis broke 3:30 after just breaking 3:50 earlier.
Second, Webb was shooting simply for the American record. His entire race was devoted to that and he had no one to push him or reason to push beyond that goal. After the race, he said that he could run faster, but he got injured a bit at the end of his 800m after that and then was sick at world's, and never fit and healthy again in his career.
I agree. Though the 1.08 conversation is standard, it's far and away not the same. When you run a 1500, you are gunning for the finishing line. You wouldn't keep that pace an extra 100+ meters, so you'd have to think if this was the "MYTHICAL MILE," these guys would be coming through the 1500 about 1-2 seconds slower and then closing.
You guys should know this, especially if you patronize us readers in your article by saying: "Now, despite the fact most of you are big-time track and field fans (why else would you be on LetsRun?), we know most of you have no idea that what means. Even die-hard track and field fans can’t really relate to the 1,500."
Agreed that the mile and the 1500 are two different things, and, as you said, most people come through the 1500 in a mile race 1-2 seconds slower than they would've had it been only a 1500 race.
I also agree that the comment that none of us understand how good a 3:30 1,500M is in comparison to a 3:47 mile was very patronizing.
I'm not 100% sure that conversion rate is completely accurate. To be completely honest, I think I'd be more impressed by a 3:44 mile than a 3:27 1500, although it's obviously close. I think El G's 3:43 mile should get more respect than it currently does.