Speed isn't from knee drive, you could technically run fast just moving your legs really fast without moving your knees up, however you would get tired much faster than if your knees were driving up. Air time is a total recovery phase without muscle tension and the more time spent there the less energy you use. Of course, if you were just bounding you wouldn't be very fast or efficient so you need to find a balance between stride length and cadence.
Woodie tried to stop his watch after he crossed the finish line.
But he wasn’t wearing a watch.
Wood man wrote:
Woodie tried to stop his watch after he crossed the finish line.
But he wasn’t wearing a watch.
yeah wtf was that
Drew runs like a world class cyclist who has yet to get on the saddle.
Joan, buy your son some spandex already and set up a meeting with Mike Woods.
mooonshot wrote:
Anyone else watching that 5000m at USA's thinking how can Drew Hunter have such limited mobility and range of motion in his stride as a professional distance runner? His gait is extremely limited, and reminiscent of an ultra marathoner. His body position is poor and his balance offset.
Reminds me of kids that run a lot mileage in their youth with poor form and then build all the scar tissue and limitations. Tough to break out of it. He should move to the marathon because she just can't compete at this level with that form. I would say he looked like a fish out of water, but his big gulps of air that last 150m would make it too literal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwz6jvpDXK8
Take the ? out the rectum
He could work more on hip flexibility and glute strength
but what you said about "early mileage" and "scar tissue" is just complete BS.
You could also say the same things about Yomif Kejelcha, yet he is a sub 3:50 miler...
Drew has a lot to improve upon, which is good. He has a very bright future ahead of him, and plenty of time too
... plenty of time too
I wouldn't be so sure of that.
Well, for one he’s a professional athlete/one of the best distance runners in the US. And you’re not. So why are you so worried about the way HE runs?
Jgt11 wrote:
Speed isn't from knee drive, you could technically run fast just moving your legs really fast without moving your knees up, however you would get tired much faster than if your knees were driving up. Air time is a total recovery phase without muscle tension and the more time spent there the less energy you use. Of course, if you were just bounding you wouldn't be very fast or efficient so you need to find a balance between stride length and cadence.
...said a drunk guy at the zoo watching the kangaroos
hart crane wrote:
Capoeira. But first he has to ride a bicycle to South America.
Ha! I actually came here to make a Jabe reference. "Hey, didn't seem to stop Jabe!" But then I realized that Drew is already as fast over 1500 as he ever was so maybe it's not the best comparison.
That said, his 3:35 winning the OT w/ a :53 from 800-1200 was definitely proof that he was at least a 3:32 guy in a fast Euro type race. Unfortunately for him, those opportunities were few and far between for Americans in the early 2000s.
4 x 400 in 50 flat with 10 minutes rest in between
Drew should never run the 5000 again.
Because he needs to step down.
ALL white, clean Western distance runners should be focusing on the 800 and 1500, and perhaps some occasional steeples and 3000s.
It's impossible to compete with the Italian-African "teenagers" in the longer distances. They're straight up cheating. I know this, you know this. Middle distance is rife with dopers too, but the playing field is much more level and the drug benefits are much less pronounced.
Guys like Murphy have the right idea. He went into college as a blank slate and was thankfully pushed towards the 8 and 15, when he could have just as easily been molded into another 12.5 lap plodder.
Drew should focus solely on the 800 and 1500 next year, with 1:45 and 3:33 being tangible goals.
You cant judge efficiency by looks.
Doug Binder of Dyestat and Runnerspace mentioned something about Drew hurting his foot during the race. When I viewed the video, Drew was right there and appeared poised to slingshot off the turn and start kicking. From that point he just went backwards, losing to the eventual winner by like 4 seconds...probably indicative of an injury of some sort. This, of course, does not mean he should not work on his biomechanics, as I am sure he does.
Watch runners like Lagat or Kipchoge and tell me form doesn't matter -- it clearly does, and can make a significant difference in speed and efficiency. I agree Hunter seems to have some side motion that looks like it's fighting his forward motion.
Watch videos of Lagat running the 1500 or 5000. You could practically put a glass of water on his head and it wouldn't fall off. Lagat must have strong hip flexors, as well as flexibility from his feet right up through his back.
Kipchoge shows how form efficiency maximizes speed in the marathon. Arms tucked-in, open hands coming right up to the middle of his sternum. By contrast, Farah still runs with that loping, reaching stride that is just not efficient over the marathon.
Hunter should get measured at one of the facilities that can show how he moves running at speed. They will place sensors on the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and head. He should make Adidas pay for it.
DC Wonk wrote:
Hunter should get measured at one of the facilities that can show how he moves running at speed. They will place sensors on the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and head.
And then...
Drew is certainly pretty fast right now, but so, so, so, painful to watch! I do not expect his career to be a very long one. He either will get injured or never really get much faster than he is now. In a very short while, the meet directors will be off looking for better, faster talent.
More evidence that Tinman is a subpar coach....
This isn’t a reason but did anyone notice how he looked bigger than everyone? Same with Kincaid. Everyone thinks of body structure such as Chelimo , Mead etc.. thin, ripped and very little muscle/fat. Hunter looked like he was very strong in the upper body, almost like he was over compensating for something. Not your prototypical body type. Kincaid has the meaty thighs, low to the ground stride and he still ran a hell of a race. It makes you think, what is the ideal body type and how much it really plays a factor in these races and the success of the athletes.. Not a knock on them, just an observation!
Neta wrote:
Drew is certainly pretty fast right now, but so, so, so, painful to watch! I do not expect his career to be a very long one. He either will get injured or never really get much faster than he is now. In a very short while, the meet directors will be off looking for better, faster talent.
He got a 10 year contract! Meet directors may look for other talent, but Drew has the freedom to explore other avenues if he wishes too. For instance, gravel racing is becoming big in cycling and there's no reason to think something similar isn't on the way in running. The only reason road races and the track are popular is because that's the only sort of race historically that could be filmed and broadcast well. Not anymore. XC has always been more exciting, but very difficult to record and broadcast. With drones and much smaller cameras that can be mounted on bodies that is quickly changing. There will always be some sort of race Drew can compete in, whether it's running, cycling, spartan racing, whatever. Dude is a legit endurance athlete and is doing great.