Yeah that made zero sense, Mo was notorious for ducking competition at 5,000/10,000. He was legally obligated to run Pre as a Nike athlete and he would run a watered down 3K every year in the UK, but outside of that he never showed up on the DL. It was a common complaint here on the boards from 2012-2017.
Can't say the results weren't effective, but he absolutely does not belong on that list.
Also somewhat crazy the guy who ran 3:28.x for the 1500 never had the interest to try to chase a 3K/5K mark...
My guess is it would pierce his aura of invincibility if he went after a fast time and blew up or lost the race. People used to be so deferential to Mo, he pretty much did whatever he wanted over the final 800m of the race. Gebremeskel and crew ran 12:46 in Paris 2012 with a 54 second last lap, and then spent the next 5 years jogging while a 3:28 guy sat on their shoulders til 600 to go. They were terrified of him and were running for 2nd.
Thats why I have tremendous respect for Jakob. No fear of anyone, he goes to the front of every DL and says come and catch me.
She had an IG post boasting she haven't lost a race in 3yrs. A whole 13 races.
Not many races, but she won NCAA, World's and Olympics so pretty good for being only 20 Years Old, I would argue she is the best Distance Runner (Meaning 800 - Marathon Including the Steeple) born on or After January 1st 2000 That the USA has so far.
How Many Americans have Won BOTH An Olympics and A World Championship in the 800, 1500, 5000, 10000 Marathon, Steeple before their 21st Birthday? She probably had to have other runners buy her Beers (Because she was not old enough to legally buy) To celebrate her Olympic and World Championships.
She is doing good, she is underraced probably on purpose so she does not burn out, she could be one of America's best ever at 800 (She already has the fastest times) when all is said and done.
Bit of a stretch putting Mo on the list. Most of his meets were set up for him by Nike or UK. Jakob is probably the only one to take it on any where, any time.
Yeah that made zero sense, Mo was notorious for ducking competition at 5,000/10,000. He was legally obligated to run Pre as a Nike athlete and he would run a watered down 3K every year in the UK, but outside of that he never showed up on the DL. It was a common complaint here on the boards from 2012-2017.
Can't say the results weren't effective, but he absolutely does not belong on that list.
Not zero sense. You would see Mo run the Great North Run and Great Edinburgh Cross country race. He got creamed doing cross country but it was interesting seeing him duke it out with Garrett Heath. Bekele was there some years as well.
Yeah that made zero sense, Mo was notorious for ducking competition at 5,000/10,000. He was legally obligated to run Pre as a Nike athlete and he would run a watered down 3K every year in the UK, but outside of that he never showed up on the DL. It was a common complaint here on the boards from 2012-2017.
Can't say the results weren't effective, but he absolutely does not belong on that list.
Not zero sense. You would see Mo run the Great North Run and Great Edinburgh Cross country race. He got creamed doing cross country but it was interesting seeing him duke it out with Garrett Heath. Bekele was there some years as well.
Farah never had an issue running off events with no pressure. 1,500s in Monaco and Half Marathons. Dude refused to race anybody in his main events outside of Championships
What does she do for an encore? Perhaps she should talk to Allyson Felix whose greatness was enhanced by her willingness to risk finishing second and third, as she did fairly often.
She hit such a high peak at such a young age she probably doesn’t feel compelled to race just because - and maybe she’s tired or nervous idk but if I’d achieved so much at such a young age I’d probably want to rest for a while too
If she posts on social media that she is smashing her workouts and wants to build a super huge base for the outdoor season, fine. She doesn't owe us anything and she can do as she pleases. She knows better than we do what it takes to be at the top of her game.
But if she isn't racing because of a physical injury or a psychological "strain" that is preventing her from being at her best, then I am going to admit that it is a huge red flag. Being robust is one of the talents you need to be a superstar.
She is one of my favorite runners but if she can't race the way she wants to, then we, as fans, have every right to start worrying.
So, does anyone actually know if she is just "training like crazy to get fitter than ever" or if she is dealing with something?
p.s. Just like my Cole Hocker thread... I want him to crush it this year, but the current trajectory is not the one his fans (myself included) were hoping for after 2021. Same with Athing Mu.
This post was edited 14 minutes after it was posted.
Reason provided:
Typo
I’m getting tired of our “best pros” not running any races during the season. If you’re the best, then prove it. People want to see amazing runners vulnerable to loss, not just peaking for the last event of the year and riding off into the sunset. Bekele did it, El G, Mo Farah, Jakob. They put themselves in more competition even if they weren’t at the advantage and that’s what people love.
Many here are hoping Athing has a Shacarri moment. That is the main reason they want to see her run more and be more active.
If by a “Sha’Carri moment” you mean acting like a loud mouthed idiot, they’ll be sorely disappointed. Mu is a class act, gracious, smart, well-spoken, and even somewhat humble. She’ll never act like Sha’Carri.
I always think that an athlete who races so little isn't really in love with the sport and is likely to drop out of the sport entirely sooner. Athletes really do need to love racing and find it hard not to race too much. Racing so little will eventually catch up with an athlete who might have got by on early natural speed.
I always think that an athlete who races so little isn't really in love with the sport and is likely to drop out of the sport entirely sooner. Athletes really do need to love racing and find it hard not to race too much. Racing so little will eventually catch up with an athlete who might have got by on early natural speed.
While I tend to agree somewhat, do you think that Mu is the one deciding when and where she races? She has a coach. I assume that he's pulling the strings.
We always see each year Olympic medalists like Dalilah, Athing, Syd, etc run the neighborhood training circuit in L.A. in preparation for the Olympics. They train in the off years, work of their MBAs, etc. Paris isn't until 2024.
Doesn't Sydney get a pass since she is unbeatable in her event? I mean I see no way she loses (to Bol, Muhammad, whoever), which is kind of boring to watch in the sprints. So until someone else shows something, she gets a pass from me. Mu on the other hand has at least come close to losing in her main event and has a mixed card elsewhere, which is why I think people want to see her race -- to see her lose.