They’re running the same marathon times that American men we’re running 50 years ago without super shoes and with much slower 5k and 10k PRs. I don’t get it
This is a fair question and one I have struggled with. Perhaps the people leading the charge at 5/10K are still trying to make that work and haven't turned their training towards the longer road distances. Perhaps when they make that move, the trend will fall in line for the Marathon too.
They’re running the same marathon times that American men we’re running 50 years ago without super shoes and with much slower 5k and 10k PRs. I don’t get it
Our best rightfully known they can dope to the gills and still be way back. It’s genetic.
My pet theory is that the crappy American diet is partly to blame. In the marathon, running economy is by far the most important physiological factor to predict success. Japanese and African marathoners eat a very high carbohydrate, low fat diet, something which has been shown to enhance running economy.
Long distance triathletes are aware of this and use it to their advantage in training and racing but running is still stuck in the dark ages when it comes to nutrition for some reason.
My pet theory is that the crappy American diet is partly to blame. In the marathon, running economy is by far the most important physiological factor to predict success. Japanese and African marathoners eat a very high carbohydrate, low fat diet, something which has been shown to enhance running economy.
Long distance triathletes are aware of this and use it to their advantage in training and racing but running is still stuck in the dark ages when it comes to nutrition for some reason.
I agree with this. Marathon running is hard and training on a high level is very demanding. Most jobs don't give you that time. That's the second reason next to nutrition.
Best talents are not running marathon. It's not like with Africans with overflowing depth that some move up to marathon for the $.
This. Mantz is the first champion type runner to go to the marathon in his prime years since Rupp did, and Rupp was the first since Meb and Hall did, maybe throw in Ritz and Culpepper as well. It's the exception that proves the rule. The rest are okay runners who find opportunity in the event talent pool void, those folks are probably overfunded.
Best talents are not running marathon. It's not like with Africans with overflowing depth that some move up to marathon for the $.
This. Mantz is the first champion type runner to go to the marathon in his prime years since Rupp did, and Rupp was the first since Meb and Hall did, maybe throw in Ritz and Culpepper as well. It's the exception that proves the rule. The rest are okay runners who find opportunity in the event talent pool void, those folks are probably overfunded.
even Rupp waited too long. The Rupp that ran 26:44 would have been regularly under 2:05
14 Americains have gone sub 13. Many of those could run great marathons if they stepped up early. Rupp obviously did already. I think Fisher, Klecker, and Young have great marthons in the future if they want it. Many waited too long though, and guys like Ritz were plagued by bad health. Fisher and Young especially strike me as great marathoners if they step up early. Fisher especially should, he'd be lucky to sneak a bronze in the 10k.
14 Americains have gone sub 13. Many of those could run great marathons if they stepped up early. Rupp obviously did already. I think Fisher, Klecker, and Young have great marthons in the future if they want it. Many waited too long though, and guys like Ritz were plagued by bad health. Fisher and Young especially strike me as great marathoners if they step up early. Fisher especially should, he'd be lucky to sneak a bronze in the 10k.
sometime after this olympics Fisher needs to move up
14 Americains have gone sub 13. Many of those could run great marathons if they stepped up early. Rupp obviously did already. I think Fisher, Klecker, and Young have great marthons in the future if they want it. Many waited too long though, and guys like Ritz were plagued by bad health. Fisher and Young especially strike me as great marathoners if they step up early. Fisher especially should, he'd be lucky to sneak a bronze in the 10k.
I don't see why you think Fisher should step up to the marathon now. The guy just set a US record for 3000m less than a year ago. He has at least a shot at medaling in the 5k/10k. If he moved up to the marathon now, I don't doubt that he'd run fast, but I suspect his medal prospects would be no better than they are for 5k/10k.
With all other factors being equal, I think it makes sense for an elite runner to focus their racing on the shortest distance in the range at which they are effective. More races, more enjoyment, etc.
I'm hoping Klecker decides to move up after this injury. Based on his 5k/10k PBs and his ability to grind out races, I think he would have a shot at the AR in both the half and full distances. Fisher is obviously the best candidate, but it remains to be seen how long he sticks with the track.
I'm hoping Klecker decides to move up after this injury. Based on his 5k/10k PBs and his ability to grind out races, I think he would have a shot at the AR in both the half and full distances. Fisher is obviously the best candidate, but it remains to be seen how long he sticks with the track.
agreed. Klecker doesn't quite have the wheels to close track races with the best. But neither did Kipchoge...
The reasons are financial. If you're from Kenya you can improve your lot in life with modest success in the marathon, but if you're from the US your lifestyle will take a hit.
American runners move up to the marathon when they realize that they don't have it on the track anymore. East African runners move up to the marathon when they are 19 because beating a bunch of D-list American runners is easy money.