Ritz isn't sniffing sub 2:10 ever again. Right now Paula in her prime could beat him easily. His best distance was the 5000m and he should have focused on that while he was in his prime. If he focused on that while working on his 400m finishing speed he might have had a chance at a OG medal during his time in the sun.
Its over wrote:
Ritz isn't sniffing sub 2:10 ever again. Right now Paula in her prime could beat him easily. His best distance was the 5000m and he should have focused on that while he was in his prime. If he focused on that while working on his 400m finishing speed he might have had a chance at a OG medal during his time in the sun.
Wrong. Totally wrong.
Its over wrote:
Ritz isn't sniffing sub 2:10 ever again. Right now Paula in her prime could beat him easily. His best distance was the 5000m and he should have focused on that while he was in his prime. If he focused on that while working on his 400m finishing speed he might have had a chance at a OG medal during his time in the sun.
I'd argue his best event was time trials in practice, JK. But on a more serious note, I always thought the half marathon and XC was his best events. Just seemed like his sweet spot to me.
Right totally right Ritz loverboy
Ritz has done this before, it's his M.O.
Run a great road race before a marathon that indicates something stellar.
And then it doesn't translate on marathon day and he DNFs or runs flat.
He's not a natural marathoner. Too high of an engine, not efficient form.
its over wrote:
Right totally right Ritz loverboy
That's your comeback? Wow, amazing insight. Not a Ritz loverboy, but a lot smarter than you about elite racing and Dathan's potential. If you'd like to place a side bet, post your email address. He'll break 2:11, wait for it. You must be a hobby jogger hoping to win a medal in your age group at a local 5k. Good luck!
Its over wrote:
Ritz isn't sniffing sub 2:10 ever again. Right now Paula in her prime could beat him easily. His best distance was the 5000m and he should have focused on that while he was in his prime. If he focused on that while working on his 400m finishing speed he might have had a chance at a OG medal during his time in the sun.
No, Ritzenhein can still run 2:10, but not on a bad day or in crappy weather.
NERunner053 wrote:
SDSU Aztec wrote:
1:04 is too fast. His HM time equates to about 2:11:30 and that's what he should shoot for. The last thing he needs is another DNF or 2:15.
I think a lot of people are forgetting Ritz ran 1:01:24 in February. Probably just Rupp and Korir are faster than that. I know he ran poorly at Boston after going out in 1:04:41 but I think he still has something left. I know Fauble/Ward ran well at Boston but I think it was still a touch on the warmer/humid side that day. If he gets a cool weather day in Chicago I don't see what's wrong going out in 1:03-1:04. There will be a lead group out in 1:02ish and then probably a 1:03:30ish group and then a 1:05 group. I don't see why he needs to be conservative at this stage in his career. He doesn't have that many good shots left at it. Why not go for a PB? He's a professional, I don't think his mindset for the Trials changes if he runs a controlled 2:11-2:13 or blows up at 2:07 pace to another 2:16. He's still going to be a contender on talent alone.
He's run 1:01 or better 6 or 7 times. How many of those times did it translate into him being ready to run 2:07? Once, seven years ago.
He needs the A standard for the US trials. He is in the twilight of his career and support he would get with the A standard would make a difference. If he runs 2:12, he will be a top 10 seed at the trials. I think that should be the game plan. Run a solid and safe race to let everyone know that he can still contend at the trials. If he goes out in 64 and finished in 2:15, no one will care if he is in the lead pack at the trials.
I remember him in the lead pack at the trials in LA…
hardset nipples wrote:
I remember him in the lead pack at the trials in LA…
Why did he drop out of the trials? That's right, cramps. Has he ever done a marathon in which he didn't suffer from cramps?
Why even bother doing a fall marathon? Since the Trials race is a Gold Label event all one has to do is place in the top 3 regardless of the time. Seems risky on his part to do Chicago if he really wants to make another Olympic team.
Track Fan 1979 wrote:
Why even bother doing a fall marathon? Since the Trials race is a Gold Label event all one has to do is place in the top 3 regardless of the time. Seems risky on his part to do Chicago if he really wants to make another Olympic team.
How many more chances do you think he has to get a nice payday? Chicago is the sensible choice.
SouthernFriedRealist wrote:
Hills FTW wrote:
He has gone 1 hour flat for the half and sub 13 for 5000. I have always thought his problem with the marathon is not doing enough mileage. Because he does most of his easy mileage sub 6 minute pace, his body won't allow him to do those 140-150+ mile weeks. If I was him, I would heavily focus on building up mileage. No faster than 7:30 pace for easy runs, get some super long runs in. Those cramping issues will go away if you build up the strength in your legs.
I hope the several time Olympian consults with the random dude on the internet before planning his next big training cycle.
I agree this guy seems to know his stuff. If Ritz was training under his guidance he definitely wouldn't be a 2:07 guy.
Its over wrote:
Ritz isn't sniffing sub 2:10 ever again. Right now Paula in her prime could beat him easily. His best distance was the 5000m and he should have focused on that while he was in his prime. If he focused on that while working on his 400m finishing speed he might have had a chance at a OG medal during his time in the sun.
So you’re saying he’s not as good now as Wejo in his prime
Paula’s escort wrote:
Its over wrote:
Ritz isn't sniffing sub 2:10 ever again. Right now Paula in her prime could beat him easily. His best distance was the 5000m and he should have focused on that while he was in his prime. If he focused on that while working on his 400m finishing speed he might have had a chance at a OG medal during his time in the sun.
So you’re saying he’s not as good now as Wejo in his prime
Could he even break 28 minutes now for 10000?
Could he even break 28 minutes now for 10000? wrote:
Paula’s escort wrote:
So you’re saying he’s not as good now as Wejo in his prime
Could he even break 28 minutes now for 10000?
Based on that 10 miler I think he could run very close to 28:0x without too much speedwork. Dedicate a whole cycle to it? 27:45ish. This is Dathan MF Ritzenhein we're talking about.
Twilight of career or not, I'm agreeing with the dude who says Ritz need more slow miles, or some monster runs at a "glacial" pace.
Because a dude running a 1:01 half who is precariously looking at a 2:11 is doing something very wrong.
FFF wrote:
Twilight of career or not, I'm agreeing with the dude who says Ritz need more slow miles, or some monster runs at a "glacial" pace.
Because a dude running a 1:01 half who is precariously looking at a 2:11 is doing something very wrong.
I suppose he is not the only one. The former HM record holder Zersenay Tadese could run HM at 58:23 but his official marathon PB from Berlin 2018 is only 2:08:46 (not counting his Breaking 2 performance 2:06:51).
This board is filled with so many knowledgeable posters and training experts with incredible insight on how to train all elite athletes across various events. USATF should hire Let's Run for a coaching thread and force all athletes to follow the Let's Run Coaching Thread training program in order to represent the United States in any Olympics or World Championships. Then, and only then, the United States will dominate distance running... However, the other countries will soon catch on and will follow these training programs as well. At least we will see half a dozen guys break 2 hours every year as well as have at least one runner from every country running sub 2:10!