Shelby MF Houlihan - Unreal. She runs a 28.9 final 200 to PR by 4+ seconds and win Pre in 3:59.06!!

Bra-ket wrote:[/bb]

Shelby MF Houlihan, the 800 runner turned 5k Olympian, takes down 1500 specialists!!

I think you mean, "Shelby MF Houlihan, the 2014 NCAA 1500 champion[b/}...

Shelby has already shown her consistency with her double USATF wins and 4th and 5th at stacked IAAF World indoors.

Prognosticator wrote:

Shelby is the least surprising American sub-4:00 runner since Shannon Rowbury. What is clutch is her perfect closing speed off of even a fast pace.

She will be 3:57-low by season's end.

What, you have to have that type of closing speed off a fast pace to be competitive in an international field. Jenny is the master of it even though should looked flat yesterday.

They all have it or they wouldn't be world class.

Definitely agree. Remember Simpson at Pre last year...

How do you guys feel about her beating Jenny Simpson?

Njj wrote:

How do you guys feel about her beating Jenny Simpson?

It is a single occurrence. Not really a fluke but certainly not the changing of the guard. Probably a look at the future.

Simpson runs her best races when she gets to lay off the pace by 5-10m. In this case she must have been running mostly for time. Why else would the best kicker in the field push the pace esp against a runner such as Muir who clearly benefits from a fast pace. They will both (Houlihan and Simpson) be in a nice fast 1500m this summer where they are both 10m off the pace at 1100m - then we will see them go head to head with their kicks.

Additionally, is anyone actually surprised by Houlihan. She has been ready for a race like this for at least a year.

French bread >>>>>> French braid

Njj wrote:

How do you guys feel about her beating Jenny Simpson?

I agree with Take my word for it. I'd only add that Simpson really is irrelevant for Houlihan. What will matter for her is how she does against women her age (Hassan & Muir) and younger (Kipyegon & Klosterhalfen). After yesterday, it looks like she is might be ready to mix it up with them.

I think there’s a strong chance that Jenny Simpson goes ‘Tonya Harding’ on Shelby Houlihan after this race. Additionally, I think that would be excellent media for the sport.

Idiots delight wrote:

Prognosticator wrote:

Shelby is the least surprising American sub-4:00 runner since Shannon Rowbury. What is clutch is her perfect closing speed off of even a fast pace.

She will be 3:57-low by season's end.

What, you have to have that type of closing speed off a fast pace to be competitive in an international field. Jenny is the master of it even though should looked flat yesterday.

They all have it or they wouldn't be world class.

Oh, so it isn't that Shelby had great speed at the end, it is that Simpson, Orafi, Muir et al "looked flat". So Shelby is nothing special, everyone else just had a "flat" day. Got it.

When was the last time Simpson lost to an American other than Rowbury?

Les wrote:

When was the last time Simpson lost to an American other than Rowbury?

Last year at Pre? She finished behind Martinez & Grace but ahead of Rowbury & Houlihan.

I'm not sure about later DL races.

Rababe ARAFI also ran a PB ?

[quote]I like Moroccan Runners wrote:

Rababe ARAFI also ran a PB ?[/quote

You lost me at Moroccan.

Diuretic wrote:

[quote]I like Moroccan Runners wrote:

Rababe ARAFI also ran a PB ?[/quote

You lost me at Moroccan.

You've been drinking a little too much over the Memorial Day weekend? Arafi is from Morocco...runs for Morocco, hence she is "Morrocan." ? And man was she was awesome in that race running 4th and a PB!

I like Moroccan runners!

Don't be silly wrote:

Les wrote:

When was the last time Simpson lost to an American other than Rowbury?

Last year at Pre? She finished behind Martinez & Grace but ahead of Rowbury & Houlihan.

I'm not sure about later DL races.

Simpson is looking old & worn out.

Lets Tell It Like It Is wrote:

Don't be silly wrote:

Last year at Pre? She finished behind Martinez & Grace but ahead of Rowbury & Houlihan.

I'm not sure about later DL races.

Simpson is looking old & worn out.

Geez, people are acting is if Simpson totally bombed. Sub-4 is still really fast. Martinez or Uceny never ran sub-4.

So far this outdoor season Simpson has set an AR, ran 8:30 in the 3k, and sub-4 in the 1500 - all before June. Those are not performances of someone who is washed up. But Houlihan ran probably the best race of her pro career to beat her, so kudos to her.

I think it's great for USA distance running that Jenny has some real competition.

Shelby will continue to run good 1500’s and 5k’s. But I predict her highest Olympic or Outdoor World Championship finish will come in the Steeplechase.

Simpson is not done and is running well, but her time at the top among Americans looks to be nearing an end. In the past, running 4:00 would be enough to insure her being top American. Now, 3:59 isn't enough. If you're Simpson's age and being beaten by a younger athlete, it does not bode well for the future.