Engels: Attention seeking or serious?

It’s sad to see, because of Nuguse’s DNS he was effectively an Olympian. Had things been better communicated, who knows what the alternative would have been for him right now. I appreciate his involvement in the sport more than nearly any other athlete. It’s great to have someone who can be as present, active, and aware as Engels.

slowbro wrote:

It’s sad to see, because of Nuguse’s DNS he was effectively an Olympian. Had things been better communicated, who knows what the alternative would have been for him right now. I appreciate his involvement in the sport more than nearly any other athlete. It’s great to have someone who can be as present, active, and aware as Engels.

He finished 4th in the OT and was not effectively an Olympian.

People tend to dislike those that are more successful than them at an activity. It's stupid but predictably human.

I really don't consider myself the usual letsrun puritan stiff but I think the guy has admitted himself that he has at times not taken training seriously and his brand is pretty beer soaked. It's fun for awhile but ultimately when your job is running and you have other primary interests, like van/RV living and traveling, it catches up with you. Last year was tough for many runners and not making the Olympic team was probably a huge disappointment, so I can see why Engels might be drifting elsewhere. On the bright side, the next 4 years have global championship opportunities and with some success, he could be under contract past 2024.

Dude reminds me of Michael Stember. Free spirit hippy with a ton of talent. Would rather live in a van down by the river then in a disciplined training camp. Unfortunately living like hippy and the discipline of pro running don’t mix well. Jakob and Kipchoge have lived like they’re in the military. Part of the reason they’re on top.

Sorry Engel fans but the mullet and mustache is on his way out.

Sweet Home Mississippi wrote:

Dude reminds me of Michael Stember. Free spirit hippy with a ton of talent. Would rather live in a van down by the river then in a disciplined training camp. Unfortunately living like hippy and the discipline of pro running don’t mix well. Jakob and Kipchoge have lived like they’re in the military. Part of the reason they’re on top.

Sorry Engel fans but the mullet and mustache is on his way out.

I think you mixed up Stember with Gabe Jennings. Stember was none of the things you mentioned.

I am an Engels fan and this probably has more to do with my being an Ole Miss grad than anything else. But I think I would be a fan regardless. Having said that, I think that he will have no problem at all getting signed by another sponsor if it comes to that decision. On the other hand, I also think his desire to return to Oxford for an MBA and coaching says a lot about his thinking. So, I also think that if he wants to back off pro running some, he will be able to start and get financing for any number of ventures and he has a far better chance of being successful than most people would. Every athlete is disliked and denigrated by a small minority of overlapping posters on this message board. The better they are, the more the miserable attack them. Engels is in good shape both athletically and business wise for whatever he wants to do.

sub sub elite local hobby jogger wrote:

I think the guy has admitted himself that he has at times not taken training seriously...

I've always wondered whether he's serious about not being serious, or if that's just part of his schtick. It seems it wouldn't really be on brand for him to admit to working hard. Maybe the problem is talent, not training?

(I have no dog in this fight. I don't know anything about Engels' training or commitment, but when I look at his record, I don't see the next Centro or Manzano. Instead, it see another Torrence, Alexander, JMac, Blankenship, the kind of guy who will be in the mix, but will miss more WC/OG teams than he makes.)

Tastes Like Chicken wrote:

sub sub elite local hobby jogger wrote:

I think the guy has admitted himself that he has at times not taken training seriously...

I've always wondered whether he's serious about not being serious, or if that's just part of his schtick. It seems it wouldn't really be on brand for him to admit to working hard. Maybe the problem is talent, not training?

(I have no dog in this fight. I don't know anything about Engels' training or commitment, but when I look at his record, I don't see the next Centro or Manzano. Instead, it see another Torrence, Alexander, JMac, Blankenship, the kind of guy who will be in the mix, but will miss more WC/OG teams than he makes.)

1:44/3:33 doesn't seem like a lack of talent to me or even a problem.

SDSU Aztec wrote:

Sweet Home Mississippi wrote:

Dude reminds me of Michael Stember. Free spirit hippy with a ton of talent. Would rather live in a van down by the river then in a disciplined training camp. Unfortunately living like hippy and the discipline of pro running don’t mix well. Jakob and Kipchoge have lived like they’re in the military. Part of the reason they’re on top.

Sorry Engel fans but the mullet and mustache is on his way out.

I think you mixed up Stember with Gabe Jennings. Stember was none of the things you mentioned.

Not at all like that.

Sometimes you just lose the fire. It is what it is.

This.

Later in life the tack career will hopefully be a fun memory, but it won't be really important.

He should take the character he developed competing and build himself a career that pays him as well as possible.

Corporate lacks true competitors. winners are not that common

"Corporate lacks true competitors. winners are not that common"

Really?

thoughts on these thoughts? wrote:

Droddy & Stinson's Communal Bong wrote:

What's it matter?

Because he’s one of the few personalities in one of the most boring sports ever.

Is he really a personality, or just a face with a Mullet & Stache? Thats the only reason people fanboy him so hard.

Burnt out?! I love Craig but come on. Dude hasn't had one year of actually serious dedication. Training 1-2 hours a day does not cut it. He's got the easiest job he will ever have. He should have at least had 3 full on completely serious and focused years:

2020, 2021 and 2022. That's one Olympics and one WC at home. Instead he is shuffling about doing just not enough to be a medal contender. For what, a few beers and some weekend trips?

I personally dont understand the fascination with Engels. Is it really just the hair?

"Instead he is shuffling about doing just not enough to be a medal contender. For what, a few beers and some weekend trips?"

How do you know that's how he has been training over the years? A lot of runners lose motivation after a difficult loss, but the feeling passes. I've read that Pre was devastated after finishing 4th in Munich and that it took about a year to get his mojo back.

RunRaider wrote:

Droddy & Stinson's Communal Bong wrote:

His results are boring.

How many World Championships teams have you made? More than two?

Why do you ask? Is it required or expected to be a fan of or even interested in anyone and everyone with better competitive results? That seems a silly ask, even if he had an afro and full beard.

I think he is serious. I’ve heard him say that he’s moving to be with his college team and going back to school. I can see him trying the trails. Why put up with the endless pressure and criticism? He’s tried it and made a few bucks. Move on in peace.

Engels probably got the same warning as Jager. He took too many trips to the burrito truck.