BREAKING: Kate Grace joining BOWERMAN TC -- to by coached by Jerry Schumacher

This is good for Kate, right?

Has Schumacher ever coached an 800/1500 runner?

The Crystal Ball knows ALL wrote:

She will be coached by the only legitimate professional distance coach in America, Jerry Schumacher.

gags, warhurst, vig

Karl Hungus wrote:

This is good for Kate, right?

if she wants to move up in distance

Probably a good move, seems like she needs to tested by a consistently good group to train with. Nothing against her previous training partners, but talent wise this is an improvement.

....

At the intl level, aths hire a coach, and are not as you say "coached by" anyone.

Had he ever coached a steepler before Jager? It's the coach, not the distance.

Les wrote:

Has Schumacher ever coached an 800/1500 runner?

Diggety Dawg wrote:

Had he ever coached a steepler before Jager? It's the coach, not the distance.

Les wrote:

Has Schumacher ever coached an 800/1500 runner?

Jerry raised Evan, who followed Jerry to PDX after his frosh year in college. Kate would be the first pure 800/1500m runner at BTC as a 'transfer' past the mid point of her career, and therefore a gamble for both sides.

On another thread it was mentioned that Kate had made overtures to BTC before leaving her other group. It seems like Nike could reserve the right to steer this the direction that best suits them.

Kate has made two US teams but is also not a young runner. Nike will milk what they can and call it a bonus if she is still relevant in 2020.

She's saving money for her dowry, new house.

Pretty risky move for Grace at 28 (about to turn 29). This could be a career breakthrough or a career-ender. At her age, Grace cannot afford a couple of transition years to get comfortable with Schumacher's approach. If Schumacher tried to raise the quality/quantity of Grace's training and she got injured as a result, that would be really bad for both parties.

Nike has made an investment in Grace and they want to make the most of their investment so I can see them wanting her with one of their top training groups.

Diggety Dawg wrote:

Had he ever coached a steepler before Jager? It's the coach, not the distance.

Les wrote:

Has Schumacher ever coached an 800/1500 runner?

Also coached Isaiah Festa at Wisconsin. Was a poorly timed kick away from making the Olympic team in 2004, fresh outta college.

It wasn't as glib as all that. Jager had injuries and struggles his first few years as a pro, but Jerry brought him through all that and found his ideal event.

If you have talked with Jerry for even a few minutes you would realize that the last word that applies is "risky". He has the most medalists in the last few cycles for a reason.

Keep in mind that Kate has effectively given up trying to beat the men who have infiltrated the w800m. She sees the 1500 as the way forward, and Jerry is more than qualified to coach that.

When Shalane joined Shu's group the LRC outcry was that he had never successfully coached a marathoner OR a woman before. She did just fine.

Not talking about Schumacher per se. ANY late career coaching change for an 800/1500 runner is risky, whether she moves to Salazar or Schumacher or whomever. She has maybe two or three more good years. It's not like Simpson wasting three years with Henner fresh out of college. Grace has no years to waste. Flanagan was the same age as Grace when joining Shumacher, but marathon runners typically have much longer careers than middle distance runners. Flanagan is 36 now. Very unlikely Grace is going to be with Schumacher (or anybody) at that age.

Diggety Dawg wrote:

When Shalane joined Shu's group the LRC outcry was that he had never successfully coached a marathoner OR a woman before. She did just fine.

Shalane already had major medal when she shopped around and hired a coach with a nice group of girls to train with. Remember, proven international athletes are not "coached" rather they "hire a coach".

Yeah, those years being coached by Julie were completely wasted for Jenny. I bet she's pissed she wasted her time winning a WC Gold Medal. Such a waste.

Les wrote:

Not talking about Schumacher per se. ANY late career coaching change for an 800/1500 runner is risky, whether she moves to Salazar or Schumacher or whomever. She has maybe two or three more good years. It's not like Simpson wasting three years with Henner fresh out of college. Grace has no years to waste. Flanagan was the same age as Grace when joining Shumacher, but marathon runners typically have much longer careers than middle distance runners. Flanagan is 36 now. Very unlikely Grace is going to be with Schumacher (or anybody) at that age.

Cheapest Bidder wrote:

She's saving money for her dowry, new house.

Yeah, she's getting long in the tooth to still be single; baby fever should be kicking in, so she should not be kicking in on some track. Time to settle down, young lady!

Les wrote:

Has Schumacher ever coached an 800/1500 runner?

Shelby Houlihan was a 800/1500 runner when she came to BTC. I know she moved up to the 5000 but that was not her original intention when joining. Who knows - moving Grace up in distance may be the plan especially if Caster and friends continue to race the 1500.

Hired wrote:

Diggety Dawg wrote:

When Shalane joined Shu's group the LRC outcry was that he had never successfully coached a marathoner OR a woman before. She did just fine.

Shalane already had major medal when she shopped around and hired a coach with a nice group of girls to train with. Remember, proven international athletes are not "coached" rather they "hire a coach".

Eh, it's very obvious that you don't know Jerry. Stick to things you know. There certainly wasn't a need to try and make your point twice in the thread- quotations and all.

Why she just don't move to Iten Kenya and train I don't know. Americans are too soft. To race with the best you have to train with the best.