Ryan Hall's post-LA facebook statement

Apart from needing income, why does he bother to compete if he's going to be content with that kind of nonperformance? Religious stuff aside, the dude is a joke - not because he's slow (he's faster than I'll ever be) but because he has no heart.

Princess Jasmine wrote:

Apart from needing income, why does he bother to compete if he's going to be content with that kind of nonperformance? Religious stuff aside, the dude is a joke - not because he's slow (he's faster than I'll ever be) but because he has no heart.

Hey knucklehead: He's saying that from now on he's going to start having more heart and doing his best no matter what hand he's dealt in a race. That "has become his goal."

This bodes well. I suspect Ryan's going to be finishing some marathons.

Princess Jasmine wrote:

content

no heart.

Is that what it takes to run the fastest time by an American in the half marathon and the marathon?

Once you get use to DNF's and it doesn't bug you, its over.

hagster wrote:

Once you get use to DNF's and it doesn't bug you, its over.

Yeah, He's said he doesn't compete with anyone else, just himself. Sad to see and he's still going on about running 2.02 for the marathon and winning Olympic gold, he needs to get a grip and look at where he is now and just finishing and putting in solid performances.

He said he wishes every runner got Olympic gold, I just don't get it.

don't be a twit wrote:

Princess Jasmine wrote:

content

no heart.

Is that what it takes to run the fastest time by an American in the half marathon and the marathon?

And how many years ago did he do that?

"content", "no heart"... I agree with that when referring to Hall in 2015. And 2014, 2013...

agc5k wrote:

" one thing you can is doing the best you can with what you've been given.This has become my goal...t"

The quote could just be more standard facebook talk. But I think it is interesting if this statement represents a change in his "philosophy" -- does he see "what he has been given" differently now in a substantive way?

It sounds like he is acknowledging that he has over-estimated his gifts, and hence he didn't use them wisely in this past race, or perhaps in his approach to his preparation for races generally? Who knows... In any case, good luck to him. I hope he can get it together.

Hey gang... Let's go to Ryan Hall's Facebook page, cut and paste his words into a LRC thread, and then bait imbeciles to come forward and ridicule him. Classy.

Yes Illl criticize halls training and inability to get a coach/group...

But Ill definitely NEVER say he has no heart.

If anything he has more heart now than when he ran sub 1 hour half...Running is quite easy when youre PRing left and right and crushing everyone with seemingly no effort...THIS is a lot tougher.

Statements like this won't help.

He needs to analyze his training and what went wrong. Get back to the drawing board and make changes.

Or he is at that point in his life where he has essentially given up but still wants to cash in (Asics, etc). So he keeps going until his income has dried up...

The biggest problem has little to do with Ryan or his performances... it's more to do with the amount of appearance and sponsorship money that he continues to tie up that could go to younger, up-and-comers. His image and marketing programs have allowed him to do very well in this sport, especially considering his racing record over the last several years, and there comes a time when one has to consider whether one is becoming a help or a hindrance to the sport that one loves. It is fair to make an argument that his continued presence in big races that he will not finish, is becoming a hindrance to younger runners and future olympians whose career is ahead of them and who could benefit greatly from a portion of the money that is still being tied up by a runner who is clearly beyond his prime.

vermin finder wrote:

Hey gang... Let's go to Ryan Hall's Facebook page, cut and paste his words into a LRC thread, and then bait imbeciles to come forward and ridicule him. Classy.

Everyone was waiting for Ryan to make a statement after LA, so I thought I'd help and post it so people can share their thoughts. The fact that most people ridicule him, show that largely people have lost faith in him.

Go back and watch some of Josh Cox's videos on youtube of Ryan back when he was in Mammoth Lakes. He was confident and hungry and excited to see what he could do. Now he seems to be resting on his laurels. It used to be he wanted to win Boston and make the Olympic team. Now he's a 2:04 marathoner and American record holder at half marathon. Now its no talk of what he is looking to do, just talk of what he has done.

We don't know if this becoming his philosophy was before the marathon attempt or just after.

Maybe he was running the marathon and thought, "I am just a skinny white guy past his prime, so my best is to run fast for a few miles, collect my money, and then post about how great God is on facebook. This is what I have been given so this is the best I can do."

Nutella1 wrote:

He needs to analyze his training and what went wrong. Get back to the drawing board and make changes.

Thanks, Nutella1! This never once occurred to me! You're a genius. Maybe I'll change coaches again, to YOU. What do you say?

I think Ryan is currently the Job of running.

The guy is a good dude -- he cares about people and the world and is pleasant and humble. But he's got awful race strategy these days and is clearly in denial regarding what he can accomplish right now. That pretty much covers it.

From an ignorant, outsider's perspective....I think he needs to just shut up and nut up. Stop entering the race knowing you have the cushion of God's love to fall upon when you feel uncomfortable and want to quit. If you want to excel in this sport, then you need to be a little more selfish and start to feel some shame when you quit. Stop being satisfied and humble that you are in God's good graces and already have a free ticket to Heaven. Start truly sacrificing again and experience the pain and discomfort of a hard, full race. Jesus was frickin' nailed to a wooden board with a vine of thorns smashed onto his cranium and left to suffer or days. You want to honor your heroes? Do the same. Grind out a hard race, make it hurt, and sacrifice for your God.

I thought he posted.

"These Tacos are excellent"

hagster wrote:

Once you get use to DNF's and it doesn't bug you, its over.

Tell that to Blake Russell.