VIPAM wrote:
She doesnt have to focus on the 5000m. Coming off an injury in 2017 in her first track race she closed the 10000m with a final 5000m in 14:22 solo. All her sub 14:15 5000m races she ran the last 3000m solo. Fully fit and with competition to 4200m she would push herself to her max and be first female sub 14:10.
Yes she did, but remember with Ayana she always runs with the pack for at least a third of the race prior to breaking out on her own. In the longer events like the 10k which she runs first up and “fresh” she can then front run at a high, consistent tempo for the remainder of the race duration which leads to some amazing stats within the last 5k or a 5k split within the race (4-9k)
In the 5000m she is noticeably down on power due to being fatigued from her first up 10k effort. She now faces the likes of Obiri and Hassan who in the shorter event at least, have both the ability to match Ayana at her customary lengthy high tempo speed endurance, and then outkick her at the end.
IMO Ayanas only real chance to win a 5k held after the 10k would be to take it out hard from the gun and hang on. But this is something she has never done before as she prefers to run within the pack for at least a third of any given race.
Outside of championship events when the 5k is run as a stand alone race would be more interesting. The question would be whether Obiri and Hassan could stay in touch with her up to the final lap. If so Ayanas chances have gone. Obiri has turned into a beast in the last two seasons and Hassan also.