The supposed dropoff from 5k-10k performance is overrated, and if you can beat someone by 12 seconds in a 5k on the track you can beat them on grass. Again, it's insane to say that a hs team that averaged 14:14 on grass couldn't move up to 10k and beat the last place team at NCAA's. Sahlman had a mediocre race and if you're saying that he is in the same shape he was in winning nationals in 14:03, then you dumb.
I guess I’m dumb thinking 6 months of training at altitude specifically for 8k/10k XC, with the best college team in the nation, for the best coach in the NCAA’s would prepare him better for this race then what he did last year in high school.
You're correct, you're very dumb for thinking that. Brooks PR was almost exactly 4 months ago, at which point he was peaking for the 800/mile. Who knows how long ago he started training again, but you have to figure he's only had maybe 3ish months of training with Smith.
Did any of you guys compete at a high level? Or any level?
Cross Country is a grueling sport in which most athletes end up overraced. By that I mean you would not usually contest 4 or 5 or more 8000m or 10000m races in the track in one season but in cross country it is the norm. You guys seem to be placing way too much on one race. Colin is supposed to be getting a feel for the 8000m/10000m cross country race which is a notable change from the 5000m HS distance. I think Colin ran well actually as he got his feet wet at a longer distance against very good competition. This race was definitely a positive to build upon. If I had recruited a 1:48 runner (I am not a coach) and in his first 8000m cross country race he ran 23:50 I would be very excited about his future. There was nothing negative about Colin’s race. It was a tremendous first effort to build upon.
Indeed. I would never count out this young man. Will Colin win the NCAA Cross Country Championships tomorrow? Probably not but never count this man out. He could surprise with a top 40 finish.
So what place would be good for Colin tomorrow? I'm thinking top 30 would be fantastic, top 50 would be pretty solid, and outside of the top 75 would be somewhat disappointing.
Colin bombs at Nationals, running exactly as I said he would in 150th place. Very disappointing finish for a runner who was predicted as the second coming of Ritz in HS. Thoughts?