Shalane says her legs are too long to win Boston

She didn't say she had to work harder.

Actually, looking at the clip on Letsrun, I think she is onto something. No, not about her longer legs, differences in body shape are minor. What I am talking about is that Desi looks particularly fluid, full of energy and ready to run faster.

Slalane isn't in the clip as long but her defeatist comments indicate she wasn't feeling that way. My guess is that Shalane is training to win the race. Doing as much as she dares and isn't changing anything if it starts to grind her down and just hoping that she bounces back during her taper. Desi might be doing more or less but her training load is a better fit to what she can handle, leaving her ready to fly.

Shalane's form comes from a lot of track racing. Her career is really a track career with road racing coming very late. She is a perfect forefoot striker and has perfect form for the track. Desi has made her career on the road. Her foot strike is more midfoot. Desi's form lends better to absorbing the shock of the road than Shalane. On downhills, Desi will not load her quads as hard as Shalane will.
I do not think the difference is that significant and it can certainly be overcome. I do think Shalane prefers flat fast courses after running Berlin and may be thinking about doing Chicago/London instead of NY/Boston.

One has a marathon coach and one has a track coach.

Shalane will not be paid as much at London or Chicago.

On the Universal Sports Pre-race show Frank Shorter said she over strides.

I would say that Desi had better marathon fitness than Shalane. Sounds like maybe it got into Shalane's head a bit.

I don't know if her legs are too long, but her mouth is too big and her heart is too small.

Her form was a lot better when she was in 2:20 shape.

She was not in 2:20 form on Monday morning.

I had read this quote yesterday, and immediately agreed with Shalane. In my view, body type does make a difference--just look at the ladies who win or place at marathons--not many 5'5", 113 pound women with long legs. I think Shalane is in excellent shape, and should not try to drop weight. However, as has been pointed out above, she is a track runner, and there is a reason why she has done very, very well on the track: she looks like a track runner. Desi and Shalane make for a perfect comparison...Desi is short (5'1") and lean (97 pounds). Simply put: she is little. She looks remarkably similar to her E. African competitors...those who win at 26.2. The gals who go 94, 95, 97 pounds would seem to have an advantage over 26.2.

I would enjoy seeing Shalane win her hometown marathon, but she does not seem to have the body type for it. She would be better on a flat course, but she is not a little lady. Thin, lean, and incredibly fit, but not "little." Yes, there are exceptions, but being little does seem to help in a marathon.

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outsiderunner wrote:

I had read this quote yesterday, and immediately agreed with Shalane. In my view, body type does make a difference--just look at the ladies who win or place at marathons--not many 5'5", 113 pound women with long legs. I think Shalane is in excellent shape, and should not try to drop weight. However, as has been pointed out above, she is a track runner, and there is a reason why she has done very, very well on the track: she looks like a track runner. Desi and Shalane make for a perfect comparison...Desi is short (5'1") and lean (97 pounds). Simply put: she is little. She looks remarkably similar to her E. African competitors...those who win at 26.2. The gals who go 94, 95, 97 pounds would seem to have an advantage over 26.2.

I would enjoy seeing Shalane win her hometown marathon, but she does not seem to have the body type for it. She would be better on a flat course, but she is not a little lady. Thin, lean, and incredibly fit, but not "little." Yes, there are exceptions, but being little does seem to help in a marathon.

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It's not the Boston course that beats Shalane up, it's her demeanor of racing when she is in shape to actually win.

She lacks the patience and composure needed to beat slightly more fit runners. The tactic of pulling out an Uzi and yelling to everyone, "say hello to my little friend!" rarely works. Better to be calm, calculating and then strike like a sniper.

Neither her or her coach have figured this out. It's quite elementary.

This year - her lack of long runs/prep runs are what hurt her. She was not as prepared.

Last year - she went out too hard and her form was that of a track race and not a downhill road race.

Two years ago - she tried to sit and kick. Admitted she is not a great downhill runner in a Runner's World interview.

I wish she weren't tied to her coach. Schumacher is great - but imagine if she went to Hansons. They always seem to prep their runners well for the grind. Brian Sell and now Desi - I mean they create a 26.2K route that mirrors the course.

for a woman with no lips Shalane sure talks a lot

I'd never seen either run in video before and was surprised at how much Shalene bounds along. Desi on the other hand seemed so smooth.

Deba
Dibaba
Keitany (93 pounds!)
Cherop...

all tiny ladies.

Yes, Paula is the exception...she is very, very lean though (under 110).

Last year it was because she was too aggressive and led for too much of the race.

Then it was because Jeptoo was on drugs

NO MENTION OF SIZE FOR THE COURSE.

This year she needed something new so we are now told that she doesn't have the right body type for success on the course. Even though Rotich has a similar body to Shalane and she won.

The truth is that Shalane thought she needed more closing speed this year and they trained accordingly. She was ill prepared for the course. Closing speed is only important if you are in position to use it.

Good points...yes, Rotich has a body similar to that of Shalane...but that little lady battled her all the way to the end. To be honest, when I saw the two of them coming to the line in that last 200m, I thought: Rotich is the winner. In that situation, as long as there is something left in the tank, the runner with the longer legs/stride has the upper hand. Overall, Rotich simply "had it" on that day--enough to hang well with those carrying less weight, and then out-kick a smaller runner at the very end.

I thought Shalane weighed around ~105? I am 5'4-5'5 and I weigh around 115 and I look much heavier than her. I doubt she weighs over 110.