believe me I've seen the "fat camp" as they call it and they don't get to train over their missions. these guys are not benefitting at all from going on their missions, especially in a sport like distance running
This is particularly impressive given that was it basically totally solo and at Reggie (which is a crap track). In a pack at BU he runs 13:30.
Alright. Let’s clear this up. Amazing run from Simmons, and the solo race I totally agree with…
…but the statement that Reggie is a “crap track” is ludicrous. I have run at Reggie dozens of times and both BU and New Balance The TRACK on multiple occasions, as well as the Armory.
Reggie is one of the fastest indoor tracks in the country, and held what was one of the most prestigious meets in the country - the NB Indoor Grand Prix - every year for a LONG time until it moved to Ocean Breeze and now The TRACK. Tons of records have gone down at Reggie over the years, and there are plenty of very fast times mile to 5k that have been run there.
Side rant: the only reasons OF SUBSTANCE for BU’s incredible times are these:
1. The atmosphere is unlike anything Americans get anywhere else. By this I mean for the big races, the place gets PACKED, and there are fans flooding the infield, right up against lane one, and literally people sitting in the outside lanes. For runners who get hyped by this and need the mental boost, this atmosphere is unparalleled. You can’t let up because there are screaming fans in your face for 25 laps of a 5k.
2. The fields that BU draws. Find another meet for college kids in the US with this many sub 13:30s and 7:50s. You can’t. The fields are incredible, and everybody tells themself that BU is a fast “cheater track”. Placebo effect / self fulfilling prophecy is real.
Could Simmons have run faster without lapping everybody and with some company? Probably. But was he feeling pretty hyped by every single kid he got to lap while knowing he was on pace for something huge? Probably.
What's the point of the new balance NILs? I ran just under 9:10 about 10 years ago and I wasn't drawn to the meets if there was a <8:50 guy; I'd only care about having 9:00-9:05 competition to work off of.
Great run. Also time to give props to Gerry Lindgren. 1344 in 1964. On clay. 11 secs off the overall World Record. Won't even bring up shoes and microdosing and all that otger stuff....
SImmons's ower body action looks like that of German Fernandez, but with more of a midfoot strike than Fernandez's forefoot. Incredible talent. I'd expect him to be a fixture on worlds and Olympic squads if he can stay healthy.
