Peruvian runners - the new rivals to Kenya/Ethiopia and Japan

---

Ghost1 wrote:

Rodolfo Gomez is, arguably, one of the best - if not the best - marathon coaches in the world. If he had the resources of a Salazar setup, he would have athletes challenging at a higher level still.

Ghost in China,
http://www.omeida.com

---

---

jjjjj wrote:

Incidentally, I am not sure that the same altitude advantages hold for East African and South American and Himalayan-born peoples. The adaptations take a long time to arise, they may differ, and South American peoples have probably not been at altitude for more than 15,000 years, maybe a good deal less (those tracing back to pre-Columbian peoples), whereas it may be the case that East Africans trace back a good deal further than that, although I recall Malmo saying that present-day Kenyans don't go back in the Rift Valley that far because they stem from nomadic Bantu people.

---

The day Salazar trains runners specifically for the marathon, you will see Americans running in the lower 2:05 - 2:06 range or better. No reason this should not be so. The knowledge is there, as are the facilities. These future runners, would have to be developed at an earlier age, for the marathon, and spend less of their apprenticeship on the track, which although excellent (Keflezhigi) may compromise young potential in the marathon. There is more specificity in the marathon these days, with the new methods put into place with Canova and others. Many of these runners in the low 2:04 - 2:06 pay lip service to track, not necessarily to their detriment. The previous logic (serve a long apprenticeship on the track and in cross country) is being re thought now.

Ritzenheim was atypical, in the sense that he usually somewhat bonked in his marathons, and/or had injury issues, or other problems, otherwise - Ritz, with better biomechanics, and fueling would have been down at around 2:04 - 2:05, instead of his pb - high 2:07.

Ghost in China,
www.omeida,com
Teach English, volunteer,
learn Chinese, apply today.

Had always wondered why the indigenous population found in the mountains and altitude were not exposed to endurance running. If you spend any time hiking to the ancient landmarks and come across the hundreds or porters you realize how easily they move at high altitude, carrying lots of lbs. on thei backs. I will try to believe that they are clean, like Quintana in cycling.

---

jjjjj wrote:

I can summarize his logorrhea: he is telling us about the running scene in Peru and Mexico, and a bit about the culture as well, and I am thankful for the information that I could not get anywhere else, even if I am skeptical about the Polish coach of top Mexican runners in the 1970s and 1980s and the current Peruvian coach.

---

I'm also a Peruvian runner and have lived in the States for a while (Div III college runner):
A few points:
- It's stupid to make blanket statements about people from different countries or different regions within countries.
- Yes I would agree that Highlands people are on average more honest (less corrupted by the negative aspects of capitalism if you will) ... and also much less educated. For some of them Spanish is not even their native language (their knowledge of English being null needless to say).
-In the specific case of Tejeda, I do think she did not willingly cheat.
-The Peruvian federation might be making Investments but they still have few resources, are understaffed and are not very organized
-Track infrastructure is almost non-existent, and track as a sport is not promoted
-Most of these runners come from poor backgrounds so they jump into the marathon because that's where the money is
-There has been a running boom in Peru in the last 10 years. When I started running in college, people would look at me a little weirdly when I went out and pounded a tempo run during holidays in Lima. Now EVERYONE and their mother runs.... i suspect we will also see non-highland Peruvian runners also make it to at least the sub-elite level.
Cheers!

i think if the peruvians continue to improve,theyll be a threat to east african dominance,in years to come,assuming more east africans get caught,and exposed as the cheats they are.not all of course,but i believe many top kenyans ,ethiopians,and others are on the sauce,and if they are exposed,their performances will slip,somewhat.i do not believe even for a minute,that a human being can run a 2.02-2.03 marathon without chemical help,or even sub 2.06.
in peru the numbers will grow,the depth will be there,and i wouldnt be suprised if just as many women and girls will end up running,as men,and theyll be comparitively just as good.african women arent quite as numerous,or as dominant as the men,but theyre getting there.with peru,it might be a very different story.so yeah,if the peruvians improve,which they will,and the africans slide just a little,which they might,theyll be evenly matched.itll be interesting if the ecuadorians,bolivians and colombians improve.

---

jeff tallon wrote:

i think if the peruvians continue to improve,theyll be a threat to east african dominance,in years to come,assuming more east africans get caught,and exposed as the cheats they are.not all of course,but i believe many top kenyans ,ethiopians,and others are on the sauce,and if they are exposed,their performances will slip,somewhat.i do not believe even for a minute,that a human being can run a 2.02-2.03 marathon without chemical help,or even sub 2.06.
in peru the numbers will grow,the depth will be there,and i wouldnt be suprised if just as many women and girls will end up running,as men,and theyll be comparitively just as good.african women arent quite as numerous,or as dominant as the men,but theyre getting there.with peru,it might be a very different story.so yeah,if the peruvians improve,which they will,and the africans slide just a little,which they might,theyll be evenly matched.itll be interesting if the ecuadorians,bolivians and colombians improve.

---

---

Ghost1 wrote:

The recent results in the Rotterdam marathon (April 10, 2016) showcased the good showings by the high altitude Peruvian marathon runners.

Most of the Peruvian elite runners hail from two cities - Huancayo - located at 3,271m above sea level and Puno, on Lake Titicaca at even higher - 3,830m above sea level. It never gets hot in these areas, because of the altitude. The caveat is that sunlight tends to be intense, so eye protection is necessary. Premature degeneration of the cornea is common in these regions.

Former Mexican great - Rodolfo Gomez - has been doing a great job in Peru for the past two years, re vamping the system and instilling good training conditions in the Huancayo region. He has been well rewarded by the Peru Federation for Athletics.

In Rotterdam, last Sunday - Christian Mendoza, from Huancayo (a mestizo) finished 8th in 2:12:16, and his fellow Huancayo city teammate - R.Huaman, finished 10th in 2:13:26. Huaman is a native Quechua culture person and Quechua first language speaker, which bears absolutely no connection to the Spanish language - the language of their (Peruvian people) Conquistadores.

In the women's race in Rotterdam - Yucra - from the very high city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Tititcaca - finished an excellent 4th in 2;31:34. Yucra is a also an ethnic Quechua person, and uses Quechua as her first language. These are very simple, unassuming people - who will lift mountains for Gomez. Gomez tried training the athletes in Lima, the capital, but the Peruvians there have become too soft. The way to go is to recruit the High Andes natives, preferably Quechua culture people - who have a very good work ethic and morals.

These highland Peruvian runners are not blessed with great speed, but they have superb endurance, of course thanks to living at altitudes of 3500m or above all their lives. These altitudes are considerably higher than Iten (around 2300m) and Addis Abeba, not to mention the lower atlitudes of Ngong Hills, Nairobi, which is situated around 1600m. They tend to be around the same height as Japanese runners, but slightly more chunky, because of the more muscular aspect of their physiques. They typically range in height from 1.60 - 1.65m - men, and 1.50 - 1.60 - women, with weight - 10 - 15kg lower than their heights in centimeters, giving them BMIs in the 19 - 20 range. Gomez can bring a 29:30-30:30 male (10km) runner to the level of 2:10 - 2:12 in the marathon. For women, the base 10km speed of 34:00 can produce times in the 2:26 - 2:30 range.

There are pros and cons to the high altitudes. At the Peruvian elevations, top speed quality work on the track is compromised, by the high altitude, but at the same time, the continuous production of 'globules rouges' is a positive factor for the marathon.

Ghost in China,
http://www.omeida.com,
teach English, volunteer, learn Chinese, apply today.

---

---

Ghost1 wrote:

Mucho gusto hablar con usted, Senor Peruano, y ojala que los corredores Peruanos de largas distancias hacen un buen papel en Rio. Tienen el potencial muy grande.

Ghost in China,
http://www.omeida.com

---

---

artud2000 wrote:

Yes and they are also into doping. Just like some Kenyans, Ethiopians, the Russians and Rupp.

http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-odepa-confirms-gladys-tejeda-tests-positive-for-doping-107353

---

Guessing most will be from Lima. I don't live there anymore but that is where I was born.

The Peruvian track records, up till now, have been modest, because the Federation has not really focused on the track.

Men's Peruvian records include - 800 - 1:49.15 Cesar Barquero (2006)
1500 - 3:43.69 Mario Barzan in 2009, 3000 - 7:57.95 Barzan in 2008, 5000 - 13:54.66 Willy Canchanya last year in Santiago, Chile.
10,000 record this year by Luis Ostos was 28:03.42 at Stanford, which was a huge improvement from his best time last year - 28:43.10, which he had ran in Lima in the month of June, in less than ideal conditions. Marathon best time for men in Peru was from last year's Rotterdam, where Raul Pacheco - a Huancayo (3300m altitude) native, ran 2:11.01. Gomez thinks Pacheco has a potential of 2:08 or better in the marathon. Pacheco has a listed birthdate of (1993) in Peru, but that may be a mistake, because from a physical standpoint, he looks like someone in his mid 30s.

Rodolfo Gomez coaches both Canchaya and Pacheco as well as Ostos.

In the women, Ines Melchor (30 years old this year) is coached by two South Korean coaches - one for track (Mr Kim) and one for the marathon (Mr K.Sung). Melchor has very good track records of 15:30.63, which she recorded in Trujillo, Peru, back in 2013, and also 31:56.62 for 10,000 last year in Stanford. Her best marathon is a highly respectable 2:26.48, from Berlin in 2014.

Ostos missed the 10,000 qualifying time for Rio by very little, and will seek a waiver to participate, as a developing nation waiver.

Gomez is doing a great job with these athletes, and things can only get better with time, as Peru has great plans to become one of the BRICS.

Ghost in China,
www.omeida.com
Teach English, volunteer,
learn Chinese. Apply today.

Well this looks like a probe to me. I think it looks like a probe to anyone with common sense. If it was intentional or for medical reasons I don't know but the fact is that he was or he is using prohibited substances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLfbqqAEKwo

Interesting, Raul Pacheco usually eats maca root with oats. I think many people uses Peruvian Maca as a "natural" sexual supplement.

Also, he eats a type of guinea pig called "cuy", and rams, beans, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hb_F2YzWHk

Here, a video of altitude training camp in Huancayo, Perú.

Rodolfo Gomez, Adriana Fernandez and Kenyan Boaz Lorupe (20:10 in 10k/ 1:03 HM PBs) are the coaches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqk1rRj4Er8

The first major inroads into the World scene will be made by the women.

Easier to affect performance by doping in women's sports.

The runners in the Andes region of Huancayo, which is the training base for the groups trained by Rodolfo Gomez, follow a simple diet, rich in carbs with moderate protein in addition.

When the runners don't have time to cook, they often buy tameles, which are sold everywhere in Peru. This is boiled corn with meat or cheese and wrapped in a banana leaf. Tamales are also a common food for breakfast, often served with Papa a la huancaina - which are potatoes, served on a bed of lettuce, and sauce.

For lunch, the runners also like 'Papa a la huancaina which are Huancayo style potatoes - basically sliced boiled potatoes, served on a piece of lettuce and adorned with cheese, olives.

Other favorites for the runners include the following.

Tacu-tacu: Mixture of beans and rice, fried, and topped with breaded and pan-fried steak and an onion salsa.

Papa rellena (stuffed potato): mashed potatoes stuffed with ground (minced) meat, eggs, olives and various spices and then deep fried.

When Raul Pacheco runs the marathon, and runs well, he likes to have a classic Peruvian meal after the race. This is roasted chicken, with french fries, a side salad. He will top it off with a few beers and/or cokes.

When the runners are in transit in Lima, before flying out, they often hit a number of Chinese restaurants, which have become popular in Peru (and other South American countries). A simple meal of chicken fried rice, is often the favorite there. Carbs, carbs and more carbs. No worries there.

Peruvian food, overseas is often linked to fish, but in the highland areas of Peru, fish is rarely consumed. The main sources of protein come from a variety of bean dishes and different cheese toppings. For those who can afford it, chicken is the food of choice, with french fries as a side dish, in addition to the ubiquitous piece of lettuce or two, with a salad sauce.

Ghost in China,
www.omeida.com

.

Thanks, Mr. Obvious!

---

jjjjj wrote:

I can summarize his logorrhea: he is telling us about the running scene in Peru and Mexico, and a bit about the culture as well, and I am thankful for the information that I could not get anywhere else, even if I am skeptical about the Polish coach of top Mexican runners in the 1970s and 1980s and the current Peruvian coach. Incidentally, I am not sure that the same altitude advantages hold for East African and South American and Himalayan-born peoples. The adaptations take a long time to arise, they may differ, and South American peoples have probably not been at altitude for more than 15,000 years, maybe a good deal less (those tracing back to pre-Columbian peoples), whereas it may be the case that East Africans trace back a good deal further than that, although I recall Malmo saying that present-day Kenyans don't go back in the Rift Valley that far because they stem from nomadic Bantu people.

---