Ritz GNR

Watching Ritz and Mo interact before and after the race today, there clearly seems to be a ton of respect there. Ritz trained with Mo for 4 years, and presumably he has no reason to suspect foul play. I would pay good money for an honest interview with Ritz about his experience with NOP.

When I saw the title to this thread, I thought Ritz had joined GnR, and I wondered if he replaced Axel or Slash, or if they created a new position. Thankfully, not the case!

What does Ritz's 60:12 time indicate for the marathon? 2:06ish?

I think Ritz ran 60:10, not 60:12. Great run, Ritz! Will see you in New York.

I see the results posted here at LR and they show 60:12 . I could have sworn I had seen 60:10. Perhaps I saw it elsewhere.

Could Ritz be a doper?

outsiderunner wrote:

I see the results posted here at LR and they show 60:12 . I could have sworn I had seen 60:10. Perhaps I saw it elsewhere.

In the YouTube video they had Mo crossing the line at 60:01/60:02. Official time was 60:04. Seems like the clocks on the road were 1-2 seconds fast.

How well do you reckon Rupp would have done had he not run the Olympics but was in comparable shape? You have to think he would beat Ritz.

The BBC commentary wasn't too great, in my opinion--cluttered with scenery and human interest, and they missed most of the people getting dropped. I think they only drop they caught was when Ritz was dropped, and they missed him clambering back.

But it was great that they had real runners commentating, and I certainly enjoyed the race and the commentary anyway.

I did see one of the red-clad bicyclists cut off the elite woman at a turn tangent--I mean, he prevented them from taking the shortest tangent. Hopefully someone at the race notices and talks to the cyclists, because I bet the race organizers prefer the cyclists not impede the elite racers.

facktcheckdude wrote:

Could Ritz be a doper?

No. He is just finally healthy and has been able to train consistently. Ritz was double Footlooker champ his junior & senior years in high school against guys like Alan Webb and Ryan Hall. Has been a top American runner for many years. Three Olympic teams. And this was not his fastest half marathon.

hvargas wrote:

UCAN had a little seminar late afternoon the day of the LA Trials. Ritz must have been disappointed and probably not feeling great just a few hrs after having to DNF, but he showed up. I'm sure his contract expected him to, but still a classy move.

This. It was such a brutal day; watching Ritz come to a halt at Figueroa and Pico was just heartbreaking. He definitely carried himself with class at that seminar, even expressing appreciation for having a public engagement when he might otherwise just hole up in his hotel room.

He said then that he would definitely continue to compete, and it's fantastic that he's done so in such fine form today. Can't wait to see him in New York, and here's hoping he makes off with the top American prize money. Go Ritz!

Always worth a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rDoJdVz00Q

Ritz killed it! He was less than 10 seconds from his half PR that was back in 09 when he medalled at the World Half Champs. He's been really patient, and I think he's ready for a huge marathon this fall.

Samuel DeChamplain wrote:

Frank Spinner wrote:

Mo wins - 60.01.

Ritz 2nd 60.10

Great to see from Ritz! He's been doing good lately, lots of people counting him out; can't wait to see how he does in NY, hopefully he's ready for the full marathon.

Wow.

How was Ritz able to run as fast as his PR…without an underwater treadmill… and without an outer space alter-gravity treadmill… and without a cryochamber (which almost killed him one time) and without Nike Stupid Duct Tape™…and most importantly…without Alberto Salazar™???!!!

I guess all those stupid ideas (and stupid Alberto) were not really needed at all by Dathan to run... as well as he has ever run in his life.

Who is coaching Dathan now?

He must be a genius coach with the "secret" to training.

Is the genius coach named...Dathan Ritzenhein?

This is absolutely shocking…and it saves a lot of money on coaches at the same time.

My Purdy tables have this 1/2 marathon as equivalent to a 12:58 5K, 27:08 10K, and a 2:06:18 marathon, and he was right behind Mo!!! WOW.

I was not able to watch the race live…because Paula was talking…which gave me a horrible headache (although it was still less severe than a "Tom Hammond Headache™")…and I had to turn the race off at mile 7.

I was able to watch it 13 hours later... with the sound off.

In conclusion:

Go Ritz!!!

Dragon Runner wrote:

GJK wrote:

I continue to say it, Ritz is simply amazing. What a talent. Training by himself, in Michigan, with a family, pushing himself, motivating himself, lone wolf, just unbelievable. What a stud.

And he's only 32/33.. he still has another great cycle in him.

Agreed. And remember when he failed to qualify at the trials and so many here were saying his career was over? Well it's far from over.

...In spite of Androgel Saladbar's best efforts to ruin his career!

Frank Taller wrote:

This was the result I figured it would be last night. I figured Ritz figures he's only got so many chances to run a "hey-maker" left in him. Taking a shot at a post-Olympic Mo would be a great gamble.

Great run by Ritz!

I agree, but by running the NYC marathon, which doesn't lend itself to fast times and where he has cramped up before, I worry about a sub-optimal performance. I wish he was running Chicago again or Berlin.

Anyway, the guy still clearly has some left in the tank.

Colo Runner wrote:

I agree, but by running the NYC marathon, which doesn't lend itself to fast times and where he has cramped up before, I worry about a sub-optimal performance. I wish he was running Chicago again or Berlin.

Anyway, the guy still clearly has some left in the tank.

I see it the other way. Why go to Chicago or Berlin, where it is likely to be a record chase from the gun (which means he would be 2-5 minutes behind the winners) when he could run NYC/Boston and be in contention for a podium finish?

izzystrad wrote:

When I saw the title to this thread, I thought Ritz had joined GnR, and I wondered if he replaced Axel or Slash, or if they created a new position. Thankfully, not the case!

Just that he's a big fan, and he has all their CDs.

teddy_farley wrote:

Colo Runner wrote:

I agree, but by running the NYC marathon, which doesn't lend itself to fast times and where he has cramped up before, I worry about a sub-optimal performance. I wish he was running Chicago again or Berlin.

Anyway, the guy still clearly has some left in the tank.

I see it the other way. Why go to Chicago or Berlin, where it is likely to be a record chase from the gun (which means he would be 2-5 minutes behind the winners) when he could run NYC/Boston and be in contention for a podium finish?

It would be cool to see him get the AR. (Not Hall's course aided 2:04:high. I agree about Berlin where he would be outclassed. But Chicago has gotten away from pacemakers, and I can see him contending there if the pace isn't too hot. And if the weather isn't too hot also, as it has been the last few years