Rupp is the only American-born runner capable of winning a WMM, and AlSal won't let him run one. That's a problem.

hjdgjkloi wrote:

fisky wrote:

^This.

^This

What is this fanboy obsession with elite athletes avoiding running marathons?

MarathonHate wrote:

hjdgjkloi wrote:

^This

What is this fanboy obsession with elite athletes avoiding running marathons?

^This.

Jenkins ran 13:18 two years ago and is much better now.

Ummmm? wrote:

Can someone please explain why he couldn't do a fall marathon like New York . If he needs downtime skip indoor season, indoor track and field is to me the stupidest thing in our sport(I'm not counting racewalking as part of our sport).

Yes, he's not a hobby jogger.

frisky wrote:

MarathonHate wrote:

What is this fanboy obsession with elite athletes avoiding running marathons?

^This.

^This.

Desi Linden has shown herself capable of winning a WMM.

Randy Oldman wrote:

Ummmm? wrote:

Can someone please explain why he couldn't do a fall marathon like New York . If he needs downtime skip indoor season, indoor track and field is to me the stupidest thing in our sport(I'm not counting racewalking as part of our sport).

Yes, he's not a hobby jogger.

I think you're the one lacking in knowledge here Mr. Oldman. New York would be several months after track season. That would be plenty of time for buildup and way more than enough time to be completely recovered well before outdoor season. If he thinks the time frame for New York is to short for a buildup do a spring marathon like Mo did a couple of years ago in London. Mo seemed to do fine on the track that season.

anacondarunner wrote:

Are there any other American-born runners capable of winning a major marathon? Maybe Eric Jenkins, I'd like to see him become a marathoner relatively early in his career like the Africans are doing now but that seems doubtful. I'm sick of pretending like Ritz/Teg/whoever can actually win these things, because they CAN'T.

There is no marathon course that is "Rupp Certified." AlSal know that Rupp isn't tough enough for the marathon.

The impression, the gut instinct I get, is that AlSal IS grooming Rupp for the marathon. That event was his signature during his prime, and I think it has always stuck with him that he didn't have a longer career, that he couldn't translate his success at Boston and New York into a World Champ or Olympic medal.

I think he wants that for Rupp. I think he wants his protege on the podium for an Olympic or a World medal in the marathon, or WMM or some kind of major win.

I think he's learned from his experience, and he wants to bring Rupp up slowly. And i think the model he's looking at is Carlos Lopes, the man who won gold the year AlSal was the favorite (1984). Recall that Lopes won silver in '76 in the 10,000, and didn't concentrate on the marathon until '82. And Lopes was much older during his peak years than Rupp has been, enduring injuries along the way, but managing to overcome them.

I think AlSal is looking to this career as an example, namely bringing Rupp up slowly, and recognizing that there IS time for Rupp to grow as a marathoner.

I had once thought that Rupp was being primed for a marathon attempt in the 2016 games. Now I'm not so sure. I think he may likely go for the 10,000, to medal again, perhaps even get gold, depending on Mo's shape. Then after 2016 I wouldn't be surprised if we see Rupp turn toward the marathon in a serious way, with the goal of winning a major marathon - New York, Boston or Chicago, thereby setting the stage for a big push for the Olympic marathon in 2020.

sub3over40 wrote:

There is no marathon course that is "Rupp Certified." AlSal know that Rupp isn't tough enough for the marathon.

The marathon is out of control, environmentally. Pollen could float around almost anywhere on a course. Much too dangerous for a sickly, asthmatic, with too many allergies to count.

Last I checked Rupp was a 5K / 10K specialist.

Dude is not a marathoner.

You want good USA marathoners, then kids from late teens on gotta go for it.

Then why has the "specialist" run the 1500, mile, 3000, 2 mile, and 1/2 marathon?

Then don't pretend that they can. There, that's solved.

It only seems like it's a problem for you, but I'm sure you have AlSal on speed dial, so why don't you call him up and ask him why he won't let Rupp run one?

Why don't we just let Rupp decide for himself when he wants to run the marathon? And if he takes into account his coach's plan, well, then that seems like a smart move on his part.

Probably alot of American born distance runners could win a major marathon if they could change their mentality about the competition. Meaning, the media as well as everyone else puts to much speculation into these races before the event takes place. And folks are putting to much pressure on some of Americas best. Just run!

pathfinder wrote:

Why don't we just let Rupp decide for himself....

LOL! Do you have any idea who Rupp's coach is?

Ummmm? wrote:

I think you're the one lacking in knowledge here Mr. Oldman. New York would be several months after track season. That would be plenty of time for buildup and way more than enough time to be completely recovered well before outdoor season. If he thinks the time frame for New York is to short for a buildup do a spring marathon like Mo did a couple of years ago in London. Mo seemed to do fine on the track that season.

His 2014 season consisted of collapsing in New York, missing the British record in London, avoiding the Kenyans in Scotland, out-jogging some Turks in Zurich and narrowly beating his pacemaker in Gateshead.

MarathonHate wrote:

hjdgjkloi wrote:

^This

What is this fanboy obsession with elite athletes avoiding running marathons?

I feel like some of our better distance runners get a taste of success then jump to try the marathon. I think the majority of people on LRC are still track-focused and would like to see guys like Bumbi, Curtis, Bauhs, Vail, Braun let alone Teg, Sol, Goucher, etc. dig into the track a bit longer before "moving on up."

It's not particularly entertaining to follow the American men on the half/marathon scene. Hall, Ritz and Meb only race on occasion, with mixed results. The second tier guys still float in the 2:11-2:14 range on 2-3 races per year. Compare that to a few years back when they were lighting up the track in the NCAA or still racing 3k/5k/10k on the track over the summer and I'm not exactly stoked to wait 5mo till Ritz & Co. "try for it again."

[quote]Salt Water Sound wrote:

Hall, Ritz and Meb only race on occasion, with mixed results. The second tier guys still float in the 2:11-2:14 range on 2-3 races per year./quote]

Sounds like you described the 10k, except for different athletes and time ranges, but same disappointing results, and that real 10ks are not run as often Hall, Ritz and Meb run.

anacondarunner wrote:

Are there any other American-born runners capable of winning a major marathon? Maybe Eric Jenkins, I'd like to see him become a marathoner relatively early in his career like the Africans are doing now but that seems doubtful. I'm sick of pretending like Ritz/Teg/whoever can actually win these things, because they CAN'T.

You should feel sick of the pretending, the being lied to. You deserve better. and YES - it's a real PROBLEM that Rupp doesn't run a marathon, per your wishes.