Breaking: Chris Derrick, "I am currently training for the marathon trials"

newname wrote:

agip wrote:

anecdotally there is a long list of guys who ran 63 minute halves a month out from a marathon and then ran solid marathons.

We don't know he went all out, but now we know he hasn't been training to run a fast HM - he's been training to run a fast full marathon.

And remember that a 2:12 will probably make the team...

Is there something about the course that is much tougher than the last 2 or 3 Trials? Comparatively few of the last 10 OMTs have had a third-place runner in 2:12. When they have, it is often due to weather. The weather should be conducive to a fair marathon and 4th place in 2012 was 2:09:58.

I realize that Meb-Hall-Abdi-Ritz are likely less strong (maybe much less strong) than they were 4 years ago, but it seems like there will be some 2:10-2:11 people to step into that void. Am I missing something?

Precious Roy wrote:

Derrick had some injuries and a tough spring/summer last year. By contrast, Hill and True had banner years. Derrick might feel that the marathon is wide open due to Hall's health troubles, Ritz's glass legs, Meb's age and the fact that no one else has managed to consistently run better than 2:12 the past few years. If he isn't feeling it at the trials, he can just jog it in and have a huge base to start 10k training.

Also, the money in the marathon has got to be an issue for him too. He would get a nice check for his marathon debut after going to Rio. Also, Ritz, Meb and Hall are all on the cusp of retirement. 2016 is more than likely their last shot at the Olympics and the odds of them running marathons professionally in 2020 are very slim. Why wouldn't Derrick want to take a shot at establishing himself as the next top US marathoner and get all the sponsorship and support that comes with it?

rojo wrote:

fred wrote:

Teg 2:12, Flanagan 2:21, Bairu zip. What does Shumacher know about training for the marathon?

Let me put on my "I'll defend Jerry hat" for a minute.

2:12 for Teg is decent. Remember this is a guy who once vowed he wouldn't do a 10k. He clearly knew the marathon wasn't his best event.

2:21 for a marathon for Flanagan is VERY good.

It amazes me how people don't understand coaching. When the Nike Oregon project started, people thought Salazar was a bad coach for all events simply because he couldn't turn the Chad Johnson's of the world into medal contenders.

getoffhisnutz wrote:

Just shows you, jerry is in a rush to get publicity being that most of his athletes have not been performing well and have really become obsolete. Besides, the 8 flat by Jager what have they done? German is waaay worse, their other steeplers have done jack diddly, solinksy is gone, derrick hasnt really performed well for a long time, they have no olympic hopefuls in marathon.

Let's see, ignoring the fact that Jerry is very private and tries to hide from my camera whenever I see him at a major event as he doesn't care for publicity, I'll address the facts - or lack thereof of your statement. 1) Emily Infeld won a bronze medal at Worlds - the only medal won by Team USA in a distance event. 2) Steeplers have done Jack Diddy? Dan Huling was 5th in the World. In the history of Worlds, only American Brian Diemer (4th in 1987) has an American finished higher than that.

getoffhisnutz wrote:

Dude, he ran 63:40s, do you know how many guys have done that whom are actual marathoners?? He is not ready to roll with the big boys in 26.2 miles. He is too talented on the track to even be thinking about the trials. ..

Derrick could make some noise in the 10k for an olympic bid but marathon is definitely out of touch. When you are a 27:30 guy and you can't break 62, you are a weak marathoner no doubt

He's in the middle of marathon training. It's not like he ran 63:40 in a race he was prepped for. I'm sure he wishes he ran better but what someone does in a buildup is not really that important.

Case in point. Wilson Kipsang. He ran a half-marathon in February this year before getting 2nd at London in April. What did he run? 62:39. What did he run in London? 2:04:47. Yes, that was 12 weeks out from London whereas this was only 6 but you should get my point.

Montesquieu wrote:

A far from brilliant half marathon from a known commodity who knows exactly what he's doing in training--what works and what doesn't--and has experience in the marathon itself is one thing, but Derrick lacks both of these. I'd be a bit worried. He is a very talented guy, but the pressure of the trials coupled with almost complete inexperience in road racing generally and no experience at all in a marathon, these are difficult things to overcome.

rojo wrote:

Let me put on my "I'll defend Jerry hat" for a minute.

2:12 for Teg is decent. Remember this is a guy who once vowed he wouldn't do a 10k. He clearly knew the marathon wasn't his best event.

2:21 for a marathon for Flanagan is VERY good.

It amazes me how people don't understand coaching. When the Nike Oregon project started, people thought Salazar was a bad coach for all events simply because he couldn't turn the Chad Johnson's of the world into medal contenders.

Let's see, ignoring the fact that Jerry is very private and tries to hide from my camera whenever I see him at a major event as he doesn't care for publicity, I'll address the facts - or lack thereof of your statement. 1) Emily Infeld won a bronze medal at Worlds - the only medal won by Team USA in a distance event. 2) Steeplers have done Jack Diddy? Dan Huling was 5th in the World. In the history of Worlds, only American Brian Diemer (4th in 1987) has an American finished higher than that.

He's in the middle of marathon training. It's not like he ran 63:40 in a race he was prepped for. I'm sure he wishes he ran better but what someone does in a buildup is not really that important.

Case in point. Wilson Kipsang. He ran a half-marathon in February this year before getting 2nd at London in April. What did he run? 62:39. What did he run in London? 2:04:47. Yes, that was 12 weeks out from London whereas this was only 6 but you should get my point.