Here are some possibilities for reflection to challenge your current mindset:
- Oxygen vector drugs don't improve performance marathons -- which require improved economy and fat burning
- Paula had male escorts/pacemakers. Much easier to run fast with someone than alone -- even if they are not breaking the wind, there is a psychological benefit of not having to maintain the pace.
- Measurably significantly favorable conditions weather and wind from the southeast in London 2003.
- No one tried to run faster. Not many women can/could have run close to 2:15. Those that can are intimidated by the gap.
- Lack of depth/rivalry means not many women can run faster, and those that can aren't forced to -- they can run tactical races and conserve their energy to win.
- Lack of depth means fewer potential pace makers (e.g. 4 women that could bring a group to the half in 67:xx minutes)
- Difficulty to get a fast time getting all the conditions to come together at the same time, combined with lack of depth mean that such attempts have fewer opportunities (compared to the men) meaning longer time between records can be expected.