crame wrote:
You don't consider a 13:02 5K guy to be a distance runner? Thats some logic.
Not when that's his top end and dathan has run 12:56. Jager is a steepler foremost, I don't think anyone would dispute that. Dathan has run 8:11 for two miles but he isn't a mid distance runner. To me, long distance or just "distance" running starts at 5k.
casual commentary wrote:
crame wrote:You don't consider a 13:02 5K guy to be a distance runner? Thats some logic.
Not when that's his top end and dathan has run 12:56. Jager is a steepler foremost, I don't think anyone would dispute that. Dathan has run 8:11 for two miles but he isn't a mid distance runner. To me, long distance or just "distance" running starts at 5k.
The steeple and 2 mile are distance events
To not consider someone a distance runner when that person has run 13:02 for 5k is quite strange
He is good, even great by american standards as a distance runner, but he COMPETES at middle distance events when medals are on the line. This thread isn't about evan jager though. I was only trying to defend dathan, as how many runners since khannouchi have run faster at marathon or half marathon distances? Oh right, only Ryan hall. I'm done w/ this thread, it's useless trying to explain Dathan's relevance if all people see are his injuries. He may be "done" now (no one knows yet) but he sure has made some history for himself as a competitor.
Et tu wrote:
oood wrote:The goal isn't to be good compared to other Americans. It is to be good compared to the test of the world.
So how are you compared to the rest of the world?
Exactly what is the point of this question?
Jager is not a distance runner? Lagat is an AMERICAN distance runner? Lagat's records should have astricks next to them due to his nationality. Also dathan is great.
Dathan's career is not over. He is back home, focused, he has it made for him. He's in the prime of his career age wise, even another 2-3 years before he starts declining. Anyone who doesn't think he'll be on the marathon team come Rio is an idiot
[quote]Bring Back the 880 wrote:
I'll take Martinez, Simpson, Flanagan, ... just off the top of my head[quote]
Ritz is a marathoner and it is unlikely that any of those 3 runners could run an 800m at Ritz's mile race pace. Flannagan, the marathon specialist of those 3, would finish a marathon almost 3 miles behind Ritz if both were racing in PR form. It is difficult to understand how you can list those 3 as having accomplished more, running wise, than Ritz.
Why are we comparing Ritz mile pace to some girls 800 pace? We get it, Ritz is fast. Really fast lol
He is arguably the best HS cross country runner in US history.
He won NCAA cross country.
Has made 3 Olympic teams and has a good shot at another.
All this despite a lot of injuries.
Beyond maybe Meb and Rupp, there is no active runner in the US I'd say has had a better career.
I think people judge him more critically than they should because we'll always wonder what he might have done if he hadn't had the injuries he has dealt with.