Farm Team Focus???

It's going to be interesting to see what the Farm puts out over the next couple years. Things are getting better.

Hey son, you must be a very fast runner to make all of these observations, and if not I'm sure that you have plans to run fast for mom in the near future. You sound like a dejected failier from the farm team that is rather bitter. Am I right? Thats right son. Tell me, what place did you get at the usatf outdoor? Let me guess, you dove in head first and got front row finish line seats. Keep us updated on your incredible observations, and lets us know when you break 4:30.

Sweet Dreams, because thats all they will ever be[quote]Priorities wrote:

Not a Farm Teamer,

Whether the guy sucks or not, his observations are spot on. If Lunn is running 3:55 off strength and a tad of speed... he is gonna rock this year. I hope that is the case.

Riley is looking smooth, so that is awesome.

Stember I don't know anything about in terms of his training. I do know that he showed an incredible lack of strength in his 3k and opening mile considering where he should be this time of year. But then again, he had a good showing at USATFs so who knows what was going on earlier.

The bottom line is, as an observer and someone who IS on the sidelines, what else are we supposed to do other than root these guys on and point out strange occurances (i.e. Webb looking flat, Farm Team last year peaking for indoors, etc).

We're fans of the sports. Not everyone who reads this board, is involved with track and field, etc even runs anymore (me included). I'm still a fan, observed last year that the Farm Team guys sucked outdoor after running well indoors, and also observed some really positive things this year so far. Gotta take the bad with the good and the good with the bad.

Don't take things so personal... the observation was spot on.

M

Not a Farm Team Runner wrote:

Hey son, you must be a very fast runner to make all of these observations, and if not I'm sure that you have plans to run fast for mom in the near future. You sound like a dejected failier from the farm team that is rather bitter. Am I right? Thats right son. Tell me, what place did you get at the usatf outdoor? Let me guess, you dove in head first and got front row finish line seats. Keep us updated on your incredible observations, and lets us know when you break 4:30.

Sweet Dreams, because thats all they will ever be

You cocky shit, what place did you get outdoors last year? I'm assuming isn't wasn't much better than sitting in the front row. My guess is that you were in the front row for the finals of your event.

My son, running for the farm team isn't that hard to do but it seems that running well for the farm team is a whole different story.

I apologize if my observations hit so close to home.

1. In December of 2001 the Farm Team lost to Hansons in Club Cross

2. Indoor 2002 Farm Team ran very good all season

3. Outdoor 2002 Farm Team was flat

4. December of 2002 the Farm Team lost to Hansons again in Club Cross

5. Indoor 2003 Farm team looks good again

6. Outdoor 2003???

It appears that either they are focusing on indoors or screwing up their periodization for outdoors and cross. If I am wrong feel free to point out where my logic is flawed but don't attack the messenger.

You are obviously not a teammate. Stember and Lunn will both run sub 3:32 this year if they remain healthy. Riley will run sub 13:20. That will be the focus.

Hold yourself boys,

The point that I am trying to make is simple: unless you've done it, CAN IT! Its a new year and great things are in the mix. Only time, as in the future, can tell whats going to happen. I could understand you being bitter after not making the team, I would. But come on son don't cry on my shoulder.

Cheese and tissues

I appreciate the debate. Your answer is yes that is accurate we have traditionally performed well during indoor and then shit ourselves during outdoor and cross but it will be different this year. I hope your right. It must get difficult to keep telling us one thing (3:31 within the first year or Graff sub 2:10 in the marathon) only to have to live with a different reality. Have a nice day.

If you look Brad Hauser did the same thign his first year on the farm after college, but was fine aftwerwards. Last year was the first year Stember and Lunn had dealt with Gags training and I have a feeling it caught up with them. Gags is a great coach, he knows what he is doing. If anything these guys are LESS prepared for indoors than someone like Webb is.

Then why haven't they run better in cross. They haven't won club cross in 4 years. This year they didn't qualify one person for the world team. Many people thought that either Asmeron or Riley would win the 4k and neither made the team. Why? It wasn't lack of fitness as they proved that this past weekend. It appears to be a group more interested in indoor. As far as Hauser goes he hasn't made a world team since the arrival of Gags. I am not saying that is bad but obviously Cross and the Marathon is not a focus.

The Voice of reality,

Riely didn't qualify for the World Champs in cross, big deal, he's run the third fastest indoor for an coleget athlete (im sure the fastest American). Then this year he won indoors'. Thats good. It sounds like you are looking for the Nike Farm Team to produce the next El G, or Haily (SP). Did the Farm Team ever say they were going to do that, or did they say that they would try to do thier best to make runners better? Your like a kid in a candy store, but your broke and cant buy what you want. Give them time and you will see Priorities. By the way what are you priorities, to bash people that are faster than you, or cheer them on? And if you are so knoledgable, when is your book on American distance running hitting the stores?

We agree again. I am not very knowledgable. I am simply stating what any casual observer can see. Coaches and spectators always want to see instant success. Smart coaches have been able to instill a delayed gratification attitude in their athletes. This allows athletes to work on strength during the winter months and perform their best at the end of summer (august) when the rest of the world cares (world championships, olympics). I wish for the best from all of these athletes but if they are not running their best the last week of August in the World Championships then the focus of the coach was misplaced again. Gags has been around the sport for 50 years and I appreciate your patience as you tell me to give him time. Maybe that lightbulb will come on in year 51.

So what is your point. Cross-Country and the Marathon has not been the main focus of much of our group. It is Indoor season now why can't you let us enjoy things now. If we get beat in Cross-Country you all come on here and rip us. If someone has the courage to share their goals in the marathon and doesn't reach them you rip us. Now when things are going well you still rip us. Why are we the whipping boys? Your almighty Hanson's didn't qualify anyone for the World Cross Team either. Why aren't they screwed up in their focus? Ryan Shay said he was excited to make the world cross team and then he went and ran the marathon. Is he screwed up in his focus? I prefer the mile over cross-country that is why I am here. I hate distance work but it is something I do because it is important for my success. Is my focus messed up. Why is it important to force feed us your focus?

List Making Fun!

Compile two lists. First, list Farm Team members who have been Olympians, individual national champions, World Championships team members, NCAA champions, and Golden League participants.

Then, make the same list for Hanson's.

What does this prove? Absolutely nothing. But, it does show some of you anti-Farm / Nike kiddies that they are doing good things in Palo Alto too.

Now, run along and do your Google searches.

Farm Proud,

I have no beef with you and if anything want to COMMEND what the Farm Team did at National this past weekend. HOWEVER, I encourage you to root your friends, teammates, etc on WITHOUT making predictions about there times or such definitive statements as "WILL RUN". No one knows what they WILL run. Their goals should remain with themselves, their coaches, and their close friends. If you are one of these, you should keep their goals to yourself. If you're not one of the aforementioned people, in my opinion, you should never place such definite expectations on them.

I'm a good friend of Dan Wilson. I think Dan will run great this year. Not in a million years would I say, or think its appropriate to say, "Dan will run 3:30 this year." Its #1 cocky, #2 bad luck, and #3 just untrue because who knows what he will run... its up to him, his coach, his training, the races he gets into, the weather, etc.

M

Thank you PR for a voice of reason. Hanson's is a group of nice guys that aren't good enough to get into the Farm Team. Dan Wilson is not a nice guy or he would be in with the Farm Team. His public behavior cost him that chance. Dan will get beat by 2 or 3 Farm Teamers at Nationals this year. World Cross is a joke and the only reason we run it is because Nike wants us to. We would rather run another track meet. Now run along.

Farm Proud,

Stop embarassing your team mates.

M

Farm Proud,

Stop embarassing your team mates.

M

I am proud of my teammates. We are once again giving you doubters something to talk about.