Ben True - 7 Straight Years 13:12 or Faster

Let's not forget that in 2015 when he was 6th at World's he actually finished 2nd in the 10k at the US Champs behind Rupp, but opted for just the 5k. In 2016, he was a victim to the heat as was a few other athletes and got 4th in the 5k after that. In 2017, when Chelimo took off from the gun, he basically led the chase pack til the bell lap. 10k may be his event, but on a global stage, his placement/ceiling is much higher at 10k. Between the East Africans, Rupp and Solinsky have been the only Americans in the past few decade who has shown promise of medalling the 10k, let alone get top 6. That can't be said for the 5k. I think he should either stick to the 5k or go straight to the marathon. Maybe he tries it out in 2021, but his clock is ticking.

Ben True really is a monster on the track. Definitely underrated and will hopefully be recognized as one of the greats when it is all said and done.

bsbsbs wrote:

Ben is remarkably consistent:

2013 - 13:11

2014 - 13:02

2015 - 13:05

2016 - 13:12

2017 - 13:10

2018 - 13:04

2019 - 13:09

If he doesn’t make it next year, he’ll definitely be one of the best US distance guys to never make an Olympic team. 6th at WC 5000, 6th at World Cross, 1x Diamond League Victory, NYC HM Champ.

Unfortunately, I’m of the belief (looking at his strava training, NYC Half) that he may have spent too much of his prime in the wrong event. Should have focused on 10k and Marathon by now. He is durable and consistent; and has one of the most important attributes for a marathoner — good health.

Why do you think he should be a marathoner? Sure he needs to be faster to be the top in the 5000, but maybe he knows its his best event. Lets say he runs a 2"07 marathon or something. Good, prob best American that year, but 3 mins from topping the lists. In a lucky year, True could be in 12high shape and win the olympics.

Weirdly impressive stat. For context, I cannot find another recent American who has done this.

Consecutive Sub 13:13 Seasons:

Ryan Hill - 1 (13:05 in 2015)

Ritzenhein - 1 (12:56 in 2009) Also 13:09 in 2013

Solinsky - 2 (2010/2011) Also ran 13:12 in 2007.

Tegenkamp - 2 (2006/2007) Also ran 12:58 in 2009

Lagat - 6 (2009-2014) Included 4 consecutive Sub 13 seasons. Also did it back to back in 2005-2006. Also did it in 2016.

Bob Kennedy - 6 (1994-1999) Sub 13:07 every year.

Rupp - 6 (2010-2015) Sub 13:09 every year.

Wolf's Bane wrote:

Why do you think he should be a marathoner? Sure he needs to be faster to be the top in the 5000, but maybe he knows its his best event. Lets say he runs a 2"07 marathon or something. Good, prob best American that year, but 3 mins from topping the lists. In a lucky year, True could be in 12high shape and win the olympics.

Is being 3 minutes behind the leaders in a marathon much different from 100m behind the leaders in the 5k? World lead was 12:43 last year - 20 seconds faster than True. You need to be in 12:50 shape to medal and/or have the ability to close in 52-53. Ben has neither of those things.

The marathon not only pays better for mid-pack elites, but it also has more random chance involved. Far more runners drop our or get injured before even starting. Olympic marathons are notoriously flukey with hot, humid weather that can reward the patient (Meb, Rupp). And Boston and NYC can be unpredictable (Desi, Meb etc..) He probably could have had a more lucrative career in the roads, and probably could have had a better chance to make US teams with how weak our marathoning is right now.

Rupp could easily be at 10 straight right now if had wanted to.

Moby wrote:

Lagat - 6 (2009-2014) Included 4 consecutive Sub 13 seasons. Also did it back to back in 2005-2006. Also did it in 2016.

Looking closely at this made me realize how nuts it is that Lagat did this on the first and last years of a 12 year period. He was pure class.

But then I looked at his 1500’s...

He ran sub 4:00 in the mile (or the sub 3:42 1500m equivalent) in SEVENTEEN CONSECUTIVE years!

2013 3:36.36 Paris (FRA)

2012 3:34.63 New York, NY (USA)

2011 3:33.11 Paris (FRA)

2010 3:32.51 Monaco (MON)

2009 3:32.56 Tanger (MAR)

2008 3:32.75 Rieti (ITA)

2007 3:33.85 Eugene, OR (USA)

2006 3:29.68 Rieti (ITA)

2005 3:29.30 Rieti (ITA)

2004 3:27.40 Zürich (SUI)

2003 3:30.55 Zürich (SUI)

2002 3:27.91 Monaco (MON)

2001 3:26.34 Bruxelles (BEL)

2000 3:28.51 Zürich (SUI)

1999 3:30.56 Zürich (SUI)

1998 3:34.48 Stuttgart (GER)

1997 3:41.19

Ben True. Funny how it seems. Always in time, but never in line for dreams. Head over heels, when toe to toe, This is the sound of my soul. I bought a ticket to the Worlds, but now I've come back again. Why do I find it hard to write the next line? When I want the truth to be said.

malmo wrote:

Ben True. Funny how it seems. Always in time, but never in line for dreams. Head over heels, when toe to toe, This is the sound of my soul. I bought a ticket to the Worlds, but now I've come back again. Why do I find it hard to write the next line? When I want the truth to be said.

Nice poem. Did you just come up with that?

Impressive wrote:

malmo wrote:

Ben True.

Funny how it seems.

Always in time, but never in line for dreams.

Head over heels, when toe to toe, This is the sound of my soul.

I bought a ticket to the Worlds, but now I've come back again.

Why do I find it hard to write the next line?

When I want the truth to be said.

Nice poem. Did you just come up with that?

Now it is a poem.

how many Yankees do you think will run better than the olympic standard by the trials (13:13:.50)? My guess maybe 3-4 tops. He has got to make it!!!!!!

Paul Chelimo narrowly missed it thus far (13:13.94)

Hassy ran 13:20 something in the DL this year

who else does US have for 5k contention?

USATF i do not think will go for the gold label event for the trials at this rate, so we will probably just send the 3 guys with the standard.

Ben is incredibly consistent and competitive year to year, he just hasn't been able to seal the deal. He also doesn't have the flashiest PRs, but his times over the last decade stack up really nicely.

Crazy to realize that of my contemporaries (born in the mid-80s) True, Heath and Lomong are basically the only one still racing on the track at the highest level.

Ryan Deak, Esq. wrote:

Ben is incredibly consistent and competitive year to year, he just hasn't been able to seal the deal. He also doesn't have the flashiest PRs, but his times over the last decade stack up really nicely.

Crazy to realize that of my contemporaries (born in the mid-80s) True, Heath and Lomong are basically the only one still racing on the track at the highest level.

Heath is hurt and likely won't run another race on the track at the highest level.

Moby wrote:

Weirdly impressive stat. For context, I cannot find another recent American who has done this.

Consecutive Sub 13:13 Seasons:

Ryan Hill - 1 (13:05 in 2015)

Ritzenhein - 1 (12:56 in 2009) Also 13:09 in 2013

Solinsky - 2 (2010/2011) Also ran 13:12 in 2007.

Tegenkamp - 2 (2006/2007) Also ran 12:58 in 2009

Lagat - 6 (2009-2014) Included 4 consecutive Sub 13 seasons. Also did it back to back in 2005-2006. Also did it in 2016.

Bob Kennedy - 6 (1994-1999) Sub 13:07 every year.

Rupp - 6 (2010-2015) Sub 13:09 every year.

Lot's of these guys had the nerves to compose themselves and qualify for the Olympics when it mattered though......

True = great runner = terrible getting prepared for important races

definite olympian wrote:

how many Yankees do you think will run better than the olympic standard by the trials (13:13:.50)? My guess maybe 3-4 tops. He has got to make it!!!!!!

Paul Chelimo narrowly missed it thus far (13:13.94)

Hassy ran 13:20 something in the DL this year

who else does US have for 5k contention?

USATF i do not think will go for the gold label event for the trials at this rate, so we will probably just send the 3 guys with the standard.

There's slim to no chance the USATF will end up selecting teams this way, fortunately. They will probably selected the top 3 among guys with a high enough ranking to get to the Olympics, which will be more like 7-10 guys.

Hardloper wrote:

definite olympian wrote:

how many Yankees do you think will run better than the olympic standard by the trials (13:13:.50)? My guess maybe 3-4 tops. He has got to make it!!!!!!

Paul Chelimo narrowly missed it thus far (13:13.94)

Hassy ran 13:20 something in the DL this year

who else does US have for 5k contention?

USATF i do not think will go for the gold label event for the trials at this rate, so we will probably just send the 3 guys with the standard.

There's slim to no chance the USATF will end up selecting teams this way, fortunately. They will probably selected the top 3 among guys with a high enough ranking to get to the Olympics, which will be more like 7-10 guys.

Hardloper, what is your basis for you reasoning that they won't use the ranking? Letsrun has pressed the USATF about this and I don't think we have heard otherwise regarding them using the Ranking at all, with the exception being they petition the US marathon trials as a gold label race, the top three of which would qualify for the olympics. I could be misinformed, so please clarify if I am wrong.

sorry should read that they will use the ranking. It sounds like USATF is not planning on using the ranking at all.

https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6402055-why-letsrun-is-wrong-usatf-is-right-about-olympic-qualifying

https://www.letsrun.com/news/2019/03/top-american-pros-react-usatfs-new-olympic-qualification-process-it-doesnt-favor-upcoming-athletes/

definite olympian wrote:

Hardloper wrote:

There's slim to no chance the USATF will end up selecting teams this way, fortunately. They will probably selected the top 3 among guys with a high enough ranking to get to the Olympics, which will be more like 7-10 guys.

Hardloper, what is your basis for you reasoning that they won't use the ranking? Letsrun has pressed the USATF about this and I don't think we have heard otherwise regarding them using the Ranking at all, with the exception being they petition the US marathon trials as a gold label race, the top three of which would qualify for the olympics. I could be misinformed, so please clarify if I am wrong.

Just basing it off rumors that have been posted here (which sound real). I think they will announce it when they're ready.

I thought Ben's strengths were clearly in the 1500/3000/5000/10000

no idea why you geniuses think he should move up