3:36jd wrote:
Just a confidence booster. He will do marathon pace.
Says who?
3:36jd wrote:
Just a confidence booster. He will do marathon pace.
Says who?
Hardloper wrote:
3:36jd wrote:
Just a confidence booster. He will do marathon pace.
Says who?
Three weeks out from a marathon it makes the most sense to just do it at marathon pace with a fast finish. We will see, but I'd not take this too seriously.
Great test for the alphaflys. Can't wait for sub 58 on this downhill course.
doctorj wrote:
Yes and I am patiently waiting for the masses of Rupp haters to enter the discussion and rip him apart as usual. (Got my popcorn and everything ready to read and get my LRC dose of LOL'S)
Ladies and gentlemen thanks for validating what I said last night. You haven't let me down!
I guess he is training around there and the RD offered him some decent appearance money. Probably will run a smooth 1:03-4.
Milethon wrote:
I guess he is training around there and the RD offered him some decent appearance money. Probably will run a smooth 1:03-4.
Ben Rosario, good friend of Mike Smith, said he's training in Portland still. Maybe this is the start of an altitude stint leading into the trials.
Malemute wrote:
Hardloper wrote:
Says who?
Three weeks out from a marathon it makes the most sense to just do it at marathon pace with a fast finish.
Not really. He's never done that in the past so there's no reason to think he'll do it now.
MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:
Okay, I'll ask.
What is the point of this?
It's a downhill half marathon.
It's "barely" a long run.
If he runs well, it means nothing. If he doesn't run well, it created doubt in his mind 3 weeks before the trials.
Am I missing something? Maybe this is why I'm not elite!
I guess an extended speedwork session?
He hasn’t finished a race in how long? This is more for a mental boost and race day prep “simulator” for the thon. Also it’s in Arizona, so it gives his new coach the chance to coach him in a race before the BIG race (trials). He will likely run 1:03 and feel comfortable doing it. It’s not a big deal. It’s just a glorified training run that gets his feet wet back into racing. Along with helping him to connect better with his new coach.
Hardloper wrote:
Malemute wrote:
Three weeks out from a marathon it makes the most sense to just do it at marathon pace with a fast finish.
Not really. He's never done that in the past so there's no reason to think he'll do it now.
Except that he has a new coach that has stated they are trying new things.
WorkingHarder wrote:
Guess I’ll have to run over and watch the race on Saturday now.
Likely because his new coach is in Arizona
mardigras wrote:
Why not go to New Orleans? or dodging BTC group?
Meant to respond to this one about why Arizona? Because his new coach is in Arizona.
FFF wrote:
Will Rupp wear the new Nike monstrosities, or something that would also be legal for the Olympics?
Alphas are legal for the Olympics. They release Feb29 with a revised stack height and one plate.
Have we already forgotten about the time he ran 61:20 by himself at a small half in Portland four years ago?
my 3 cents wrote:
Hardloper wrote:
Not really. He's never done that in the past so there's no reason to think he'll do it now.
Except that he has a new coach that has stated they are trying new things.
Other runners with other coaches don't do this either so it's still unlikely
Is Salazar allowed to attend his races?
NAU does not have a meet this weekend. So Smith is likely able to attend this race. Maybe that’s why they picked this low key race in Arizona?
Being a college coach will make it harder to travel and coach at bigger tune up races. In contrast Salazar was able to do just that. This different dynamic must be a major adjustment for Rupp.
Also, Smith seems to use a lot of psychology in his coaching. Rupp dropped out his last race. So Rupp needs needs a positive mental performance and not necessarily a great physical performance.
So if I was Coach Smith I would tell Rupp not to run faster than 63. Then after the race evaluate how that effort went in order to develop a strategy for the trials. If the 63 was a really hard effort for then have him hold back more at the trials. If it was a comfortable effort then let him push the pace earlier. Remember there’s no pacers at the trials. It’s a tactical race where only place and not time matters.
If he does try to run 60 and blows up that would be a disaster and not worth the risk imo.
What will Rupp do when his foot starts hurting at 8 miles?
my 3 cents wrote:
NAU does not have a meet this weekend. So Smith is likely able to attend this race. Maybe that’s why they picked this low key race in Arizona?
Being a college coach will make it harder to travel and coach at bigger tune up races. In contrast Salazar was able to do just that. This different dynamic must be a major adjustment for Rupp.
Also, Smith seems to use a lot of psychology in his coaching. Rupp dropped out his last race. So Rupp needs needs a positive mental performance and not necessarily a great physical performance.
So if I was Coach Smith I would tell Rupp not to run faster than 63. Then after the race evaluate how that effort went in order to develop a strategy for the trials. If the 63 was a really hard effort for then have him hold back more at the trials. If it was a comfortable effort then let him push the pace earlier. Remember there’s no pacers at the trials. It’s a tactical race where only place and not time matters.
If he does try to run 60 and blows up that would be a disaster and not worth the risk imo.
Rupp's strategy has already been decided. He's going run with the lead group. He's the best track guy in the race so he doesn't need to push the pace.
Th3_D4rk_Kn1ght wrote:
[quote]NERunner053 wrote:
I'm intrigued to see him race but it's hard to get too excited about him these days.
I will never not be excited about Galen racing, and frankly I don't understand why you wouldn't be. He is the greatest distance runner in US history, and is our sole threat at the world level.
[quote]
I mean that's it exactly. What I said wasn't controversial. When I first became a fan of the sport I remember watching Galen rip a 3k at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix when I was in college. I was a fan. He was one of our top guys. Over the years, NOP/Salazar fatigue has worn me down. With everything out there, I have zero confidence about Galen or a lot of other runners being clean. It would be easier to ignore all of that & just enjoy fast times but it's not that cut & dry.
Chelanga is also running - fun match up just like the old college days.