Wheating to change Nike groups

He's younger than Farah was when NOP transformed him, right? If he's willing to do what NOP people do, the sky is the limit.

End of an Era wrote:

Came about this information recently. Am hoping it reignites his career, and that he can maximize his talents. He seems to have the tools, but perhaps didn't fit well with OTC. He seemed to have lots of distractions and self permissible mediocrity in Eugene. Having seen what Andy can do in practice sessions, if he grows up, matures, and really commits tooth and nail, I think the world could see low 3:30's again.

3:30?

I am one of the first to say talent doesn't go away, but what I usually mean by that is when something has been standing in the way of talent resurfacing. In Andy's case, he appears to have had opportunities to reaquite himself and he hasn't come close. Even when he has had a full season of good health, he's fit and excellent racing opportunities, he appears to have leveled off to being a consistent 3:35+ type. Definitely good enough to keep plugging away and get paid for, but all of the projections of greatness are coming to a close. For whatever reason, some athletes have a very narrow window, they do some incredible things for a couple of years and that's it. Sometimes they still have a long term decent career, but unfortunately, their early success ends up being a boat anchor.

asdghj wrote:

He hasn't run under 3:37 since 2012 and hasn't run under 1:46 since 2011.

WOW. I knew he's been struggling, but that is not just struggling. That is over.

1:44.56 / 3:30.9 is pretty great.

Too much racing at UO really cost him.

Without the speed-side he doesn't get back there stamina-side.

Salazar would finish Wheating in two weeks, maybe three.

The Dirty Duck wrote:

He's younger than Farah was when NOP transformed him, right? If he's willing to do what NOP people do, the sky is the limit.

Haha Farah was "transformed" from a guy who was already consistent as a world finalist. Bit better than Wheating.

Salazar is a recruiter, not a developer.

end of an era wrote:

..."self permissible mediocrity"...

Nice turn of phrase. Story of my life :>)

He sure recruited Rupp and didn't help develop Rowbury, Centrowitz, or Farah (sarcasm)...aka half the group. Dumb comment.

worse yet wrote:

The Dirty Duck wrote:

He's younger than Farah was when NOP transformed him, right? If he's willing to do what NOP people do, the sky is the limit.

Haha Farah was "transformed" from a guy who was already consistent as a world finalist. Bit better than Wheating.

Salazar is a recruiter, not a developer.

Where to, Wheating? wrote:

worse yet wrote:

But of course YOU decided the timing was "appropriate" to state on his behalf that he's moving?

Lol.

Hypocritical moron.

Yeah, the "halfway" release is a thinly-veiled ploy to make yourself seem important and in-the-know. This is probably a troll. If not, and you really didn't want to say where he's going, you probably shouldn't have said anything.

You know, looking at it from your aspects outlined, I can certainly see your point. It wasn't meant for self adulation or anything of the sort- only information that I thought pertinent to serious athletics fans here. Though I'll certainly defer the "moron" comment; thinking about it further, I should have probably kept it to myself. I appreciate your opinion.

Yeah... wrote:

He sure recruited Rupp and didn't help develop Rowbury, Centrowitz, or Farah (sarcasm)...aka half the group. Dumb comment.

worse yet wrote:

Haha Farah was "transformed" from a guy who was already consistent as a world finalist. Bit better than Wheating.

Salazar is a recruiter, not a developer.

Compare that to the much, much, much longer list of careers he has destroyed.

Great recruiter. Recruit enough talent, a few will succeed, even if most don't.

pretty obvious wrote:

Yeah... wrote:

He sure recruited Rupp and didn't help develop Rowbury, Centrowitz, or Farah (sarcasm)...aka half the group. Dumb comment.

Compare that to the much, much, much longer list of careers he has destroyed.

Great recruiter. Recruit enough talent, a few will succeed, even if most don't.

Wheating used to run much more upright. Now he seems to be lumbering. Also, being separated from Russell has to hurt.

Destroyed? That just goes to show how much you expect out of him? It's either best in the world or complete failure, to you. With any other coach, the standard is much lower, and it would be common for athletes to just fade away.

pretty obvious wrote:

Yeah... wrote:

He sure recruited Rupp and didn't help develop Rowbury, Centrowitz, or Farah (sarcasm)...aka half the group. Dumb comment.

Compare that to the much, much, much longer list of careers he has destroyed.

Great recruiter. Recruit enough talent, a few will succeed, even if most don't.

Yeah... wrote:

Destroyed? That just goes to show how much you expect out of him.* It's either best in the world or complete failure, to you. With any other coach, the standard is much lower, and it would be common for athletes to just fade away.

pretty obvious wrote:

Compare that to the much, much, much longer list of careers he has destroyed.

Great recruiter. Recruit enough talent, a few will succeed, even if most don't.

So, basically, you proved my point.

So, basically, you proved my point.

End of an Era wrote:

Came about this information recently. Am hoping it reignites his career, and that he can maximize his talents. He seems to have the tools, but perhaps didn't fit well with OTC. He seemed to have lots of distractions and self permissible mediocrity in Eugene. Having seen what Andy can do in practice sessions, if he grows up, matures, and really commits tooth and nail, I think the world could see low 3:30's again.

I am much more ready to believe that his Nike contract is over or will be at the end of 2016. I cannot imagine that even the once-golden Wheating, discovered by Nike Employee No. 1, would keep on getting sponsored after this year.

If I'm wrong, I truly hope he enjoys himself and that he gets good again.

2008 Nation wrote:

End of an Era wrote:

Came about this information recently. Am hoping it reignites his career, and that he can maximize his talents. He seems to have the tools, but perhaps didn't fit well with OTC. He seemed to have lots of distractions and self permissible mediocrity in Eugene. Having seen what Andy can do in practice sessions, if he grows up, matures, and really commits tooth and nail, I think the world could see low 3:30's again.

I am much more ready to believe that his Nike contract is over or will be at the end of 2016. I cannot imagine that even the once-golden Wheating, discovered by Nike Employee No. 1, would keep on getting sponsored after this year.

If I'm wrong, I truly hope he enjoys himself and that he gets good again.

I spoke with Andy this summer. I'm a little disappointed to see this thread as he wanted to keep his plans quiet.

Those of you who believe he is going to Alberto's group are mislead. Also anyone who thinks he is over raced I disagree with. Andy has been at his best in a team situation with regular racing (2008 and 2010). As much as I disagree to a small degree with Vin's methods Andy ran his best in his system. If he can find some fun in running again I believe he can race very well again.

For all the criticism Andy receives on this board he has had a unique career with his arrival on the National scene in 2008 matched by only one other runner I can remember. He has been as kind and generous with his time and stature to the people I have seen him interact with over the years. Too kind to the extent that others have taken advantage of him for their benefit. His running has suffered by being a good guy.

I hope his decision whether to continue to compete or not finds him at peace and successful with the choice. I believe there is still International level running in him.

Best to you my friend.

Because Nic Bideau is having his athletes use PED's. Look at his entire group this year and look at his dirty past. That steepler woman easily PR's 4 times in 2 weeks?! Get your head out of the sand. I hope Wheating does not go to Salazar because the only way he runs well there is going the PED route. But desperate athletes make the best puppets.

typical LRC poster wrote:

ryan gregson found it again this year....so props to wheating for sticking with it. hoping for the best.

Just have nothing to say wrote:

Who? Just retire already

The 2X Olympian & 3:30 guy, who made the Trials finals this year.

ttc wrote:

Just have nothing to say wrote:

Who? Just retire already

The 2X Olympian & 3:30 guy, who made the Trials finals this year.

Ritx is a 3X Olympian and a 12:56 guy and certainly could have been in the Trials final this year.. I don't think anyone would hold out any hope for him being a contender on the track again.