Will Julien Wanders do a 03:30 AM "shake out run" before Valencia Marathon?

He's ready for 2:05 - 2:06 if all goes well. Great training in Kenya recently including around 30 km of intervals at goal pace. Kid is a beast.

I think you are too much optimistic. For creating the right mentality and for adapting the body structure to a marathon of high quality athletes need long time, and a lot of continuity. Evans Chebet won NY running his 27th Marathon. Julien had some problem during the full period of preparation and is in good, but not exceptional, shape.

Personally, I'm happy if can run between 2:08 and 2:09 without problems in his body structure.

And, in any case, this time doesn't go running 20 min at 4am.....

2.05-2.06? Then I would be very surprised. More likely 2.08-09 isch. After all, it's Wanders second Marathon, and we all know he has a tendency to....well...make it difficult for himself leading up to races (training too hard/too much, waking up in the night for morning shake out run when all he needs is crucial recovery, spleen problems, stomach problems, starting races way more offensive than his capacity etc etc..)

However, I also agree that physically he is capable for 2.05-2.06 despite his impressive training regime. But that is also one of Juliens weakness. He is "racing" too much on training, but hopefully he has learn that lessions this time. Let's go!

I will mention another "dark horse" - Zerei Kbrom Mezngi from Norway (who has been training with Wanders group in Iten for a while). He took silver medal in European 10 000m championship this year. I'll vote he will be in the 2.05 area!

I did a 4:30am shake out before a 7:30am marathon. Worked fine for me.

Give up the good and go for the great? ;)

Another DNF.

He should stick with half-marathons.

What’s your PB? You should stick to your mom’s basement

Yes, I'll stick to my mom's basement, and Julien should move to the US and train with all the other 59:xx/60:xx guys who can't run under 2:10.

...like Kiptum running 2:01 for his debut at 23years old? Last year he only ran 59mins, 28:17 & 28:27.... or do you not think his performance today is suspicious?

Also while you're here, what are your thoughts on Beriso's spectacular improvement too?
2015 - 32:52 & 68:43
2016 - 2:20:48
2017 - 2:22:15
2018 - 2:28:56 & 1:12:08
2019 - X
2020 - 2:24:51
2021 - X
2022 - 2:25:05 & 2:14:58???

2:07:10 for the Norwegian Zerei Kbrom Mezngi! Clearly a dark horse to look after in the future.

For Julien Wanders a DNF. After what I could see (he was cruising in secound group with Mezngi) he looked relaxed in his running the first half at least. Hard to draw any conclusions. A DNF is never what you want to end year 2022 with.

Julien Wanders: In training in Kenya he was stronger and faster than the Norwegian Mezngi (former Eritrean), who ran 2:07:09 today. Wanders can run 2:03:00 -2:05:00 if he translates his phenomenal training into a race. All his Kenyan partners agree with this. Sondre Norstadt Moen (Norway) ran 2:05 with less talent than Wanders, but some may disagree.

I think Wanders must have a chronic tightness somewhere in his legs which conspires to bewitch him every important race. It's tragic, because no-one dedicates his whole life to Athletics like Julien Wanders. He is the Guru/Monk spiritual leader of all runners in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet. May the future hold better outcomes for the French/Swiss rap music lover.

What are your thoughts on that Caucasian burrito girl from Oregon?

She deserves a break from the silly vilification. Thank you for your interesting input.

In the best shape of his life, Wanders wouldn't make the new OG qualifying standards.

honestly I think he's a 2:05-06 guy on the right day

Are you still coaching Julien? Have you retired from coaching? Wish you a Happy New Year.

Beriso won the Mexico marathon in 2:25:05 at altitude.