There is a lot of talent in the women's 10k. Which 3 of the following 6 is going to go home devastated in the first track final of the 2017 USAs - Huddle, Infeld, Sisson, Rogers, Flanagan, Conley?
And in the 5000, will we get to see another great grudge match between Rowbury and Huddle? Who has the edge?
We break those races down for you here:
I wonder how much the heat will affect things. At least it will be under 90 and dark by that point. Given how much Flanagan focused on her heat problems after the marathon trials last year, and doing well with it in Rio, I wonder if that will help equalize things and offset her relative lack of training. Presumably no one is going to want to push the pace too early, but then that will benefit the better kickers (Conley, Infeld). Flanagan might have to take off with 2-3 miles to go, late enough to not blow up but early enough to do some damage.
Huddle obviously a lock no matter what the scenario is.
Picked Shelby Houlihan in the 5000m and Huddle in the 10000m Going on a guess that Rowbury wants the 1500m spot and the heat will keep her off the line in the 5&10.
Rogers won't do any damage. Also, I just can't see Cragg doing well if it comes down to a close finish.
With the temps' I would expect a slower pace than even the usual slow pace. Obviously the longer the pack stays together --advantage Huddle. She'll likely be able to go pretty hard from from pretty much the last 800m to the line.
reer wrote:
I wonder how much the heat will affect things. At least it will be under 90 and dark by that point. Given how much Flanagan focused on her heat problems after the marathon trials last year, and doing well with it in Rio, I wonder if that will help equalize things and offset her relative lack of training. Presumably no one is going to want to push the pace too early, but then that will benefit the better kickers (Conley, Infeld). Flanagan might have to take off with 2-3 miles to go, late enough to not blow up but early enough to do some damage.
Huddle obviously a lock no matter what the scenario is.
I'm wondering, since Cragg is committed to doing the marathon at WCs, if she'll serve as Flanagan's personal rabbit. I could see a scenario where Amy and Shalane break from the pack early, with Cragg grinding out the pace as long as she can, hoping to drag Flanagan to a big lead.
They seemed to form a strong bond while training for the marathon trials, so I don't see this idea as being that surprising.