BEKELE is DONE

Wu Ming wrote:

Guppy wrote:

I think even Geb DNFed half a dozen or more times before he ran his marathon WR. Today's performance form Kenny B means nothing.

Here is Gebrselassie's progression up to his lifetime best (not including the 2:40-something he is understood to have run as a teenager):

2002

2:06:35 (London, 3rd)

2005

2:06:20 (Amsterdam, 1st)

2006

2:09:05 (London, 9th)

2:05:56 (Berlin, 1st)

2:06:52 (Fukuoka, 1st)

2007

DNF (London)

2:04:26 (Berlin, WR)

2008

2:04:53 (Dubai, 1st)

2:03:59 (Berlin, WR)

No, no, no! Just just provided us with something LR hates: facts. It would have been much more fun to agree that Geb DNF´d half a dozen times before his WR.

well,. wrote:

Wu Ming wrote:

Here is Gebrselassie's progression up to his lifetime best (not including the 2:40-something he is understood to have run as a teenager):

2002

2:06:35 (London, 3rd)

2005

2:06:20 (Amsterdam, 1st)

2006

2:09:05 (London, 9th)

2:05:56 (Berlin, 1st)

2:06:52 (Fukuoka, 1st)

2007

DNF (London)

2:04:26 (Berlin, WR)

2008

2:04:53 (Dubai, 1st)

2:03:59 (Berlin, WR)

No, no, no! Just just provided us with something LR hates: facts. It would have been much more fun to agree that Geb DNF´d half a dozen times before his WR.

"You just..."

Wu Ming wrote:

Guppy wrote:

I think even Geb DNFed half a dozen or more times before he ran his marathon WR. Today's performance form Kenny B means nothing.

Here is Gebrselassie's progression up to his lifetime best (not including the 2:40-something he is understood to have run as a teenager):

2002

2:06:35 (London, 3rd)

2005

2:06:20 (Amsterdam, 1st)

2006

2:09:05 (London, 9th)

And even though Geb's third marathon was one of his worst, it came just three months after he set the half marathon world record. The progression is not looking great for Bekele.

The Marathon itself has changed, as the runners coming into the Marathon.

Marathon-Only Specialist - Kimetto, Kipsang, Mutai, and a slew of other guys who never could touch 26:20s/12:40s. Efficient and smooth the whole distance.

Aging-Track Specialist: Kipchoge, Bekele, Geb, Tergat, soon Farah & Rupp. Big engines, need to earn to be efficient

Geb and Tergat showed that it takes time to figure out the Marathon, but once they had it figured out, they fit right in. Kipchoge has been the most successful as of recently, and obviously Bekele has its stuggle. In 2013, Kipchoge was beat by nearly 90 seconds in a HM by Bernard Kipeyego in RnRSD, but then figured out the Marathon. Haile broke the WR in the HM, but then stuggled in London (2:09). What I'm meaning is that track speed ultimately helps the Marathon, but it takes time to figure out how to use it successfully. The engine needs to change to become more efficient, yet powerful.

With that being said, Bekele was struggling due to injury. It happens. IF he becomes healthy, I don't doubt Bekele against anyone, including Kimetto and Kipsang. Of course, you are only as good as your last performance, so Bekele is done! (sarcasm)

Ryan Hall Fan wrote:

Dropped off the back of the pack of the 2015 Dubai Marathon. He is DONE.

For today.

Discus.

Egggsactly, well uh, you know?

bekele has been chasing geb's legacy but geb had a WR in the half and full. Without this piece he can't achieve that.

Ryan Hall Fan wrote:

Dropped off the back of the pack of the 2015 Dubai Marathon. He is DONE.

For today.

Discus.

I don't think he is big enough to throw the discus.

Based on what I have read from his manager and coach, Bekele has become a little lazy in his training, looking for ways to do less and still run the marathon. He also has been susceptible to various injury problems, which may be the reason why he doesn't want to put in the volume necessary to get marathon WR results.

I think he'll run a few more marathons, like London, to cash in on his name, but he won't ever become the top marathoner we all know he could be. Perhaps he trained so hard the last decade, he just doesn't have the self-motivation to take himself into deep waters on a day-to-day basis anymore?

He'll go down as the GOAT in XC, maybe long distance on the track as well, but the roads will be his achilles heal, just like XC was for HG.

It wasn't Bernard Kiprop Koech and not Bernard Kipyego who beat Kipchoge by nearly 90 seconds. Koech ran 58'41" that day, even though the course is not record eligible. As for the argument that Kenenisa will finally figure this out, I completely disagree. Here is why: Between 2003 and 2009 Bekele was on another level. He had "the most powerful engine in the world" using Canova's own words after 2015 Dubai marathon. He had this FIRE in him that kept him going year after year. Then he got injured and disappeared for almost two years. He came back in 2011. From 2011 until now, its been more than three years and to tell you the truth, he has struggled all this time. He has looked a shadow of his former self! That FIRE is no longer there! Tell me of one athlete who has dominated the world for even five years then slumped for four years before bouncing back to the top. None! The marathon requires a lot of mental strength especially if you have to compete at the highest level. KB himself has mentioned that he is bored with a three hour run! How will you succeed if you already talking of boredom? This guy has done much and deserves a lot of respect but the marathon is not his area of specialty. He can still run well but like I once said, he will be good for 2:04 - 2:05 at his best, still a good performance if you ask me. But as far as competing against the very best, he will be disappointed.

Amerikano wrote:

In 2013, Kipchoge was beat by nearly 90 seconds in a HM by Bernard Kipeyego in RnRSD, but then figured out the Marathon.

Gronk wrote:

Wu Ming wrote:

Here is Gebrselassie's progression up to his lifetime best (not including the 2:40-something he is understood to have run as a teenager):

2002

2:06:35 (London, 3rd)

2005

2:06:20 (Amsterdam, 1st)

2006

2:09:05 (London, 9th)

And even though Geb's third marathon was one of his worst, it came just three months after he set the half marathon world record. The progression is not looking great for Bekele.

Don't overlook the amount of *time* it took Geb to excel at the marathon. KB is attempting 4 marathons in 12 months time (Paris, Chicago, Dubai, London). Excelling at the half and excelling at the marathon are two different things for many.

Sasha K wrote:

Ryan Hall Fan wrote:

Dropped off the back of the pack of the 2015 Dubai Marathon. He is DONE.

For today.

Discus.

I don't think he is big enough to throw the discus.

The field event is spelled "discuss".

or this wrote:

Gronk wrote:

And even though Geb's third marathon was one of his worst, it came just three months after he set the half marathon world record. The progression is not looking great for Bekele.

Don't overlook the amount of *time* it took Geb to excel at the marathon. KB is attempting 4 marathons in 12 months time (Paris, Chicago, Dubai, London). Excelling at the half and excelling at the marathon are two different things for many.

If you ran 2.06,35 back in 2002 you were already excelling. It was the world´s fastest debut at the time. KK set a WR record in that race with 2.05,38.

New on LetsRun? wrote:

Sasha K wrote:

I don't think he is big enough to throw the discus.

The field event is spelled "discuss".

I was going to correct him but I see you already have. Thank you.