In a couple hours the winner of the DN Galan steeple will cross the line in 7:59; 13 seconds later will be our "REAL" steepler Anthony Famaletti. 8:12, you heard it here first.
In a couple hours the winner of the DN Galan steeple will cross the line in 7:59; 13 seconds later will be our "REAL" steepler Anthony Famaletti. 8:12, you heard it here first.
about the winner.
However Fam trudged home 24 secs later.
Wang -
1 Wilson BOIT KIPKETER 73 KEN 8.00,56
2 Brahim BOULAMI 72 MAR 8.00,77
3 Stephen CHERONO 82 KEN 8.01,65
4 Saad AL-ASMARI 68 KSA 8.08,14
5 Julius NYAMU 77 KEN 8.11,82
6 Paul KOECH 81 KEN 8.15,00
7 Kipkirui MISOI 78 KEN 8.16,71
8 Thomas KIPLITAN 83 KEN 8.17,62
9 Antonio JIMENÉZ 77 ESP 8.17,77
10 Jose BLANCO 71 ESP 8.21,61
11 John KOSGEI 73 KEN 8.23,85
12 Anthony FAMIGLIETTI 78 USA 8.24,49
13 Luis Miguel MARTIN 72 ESP 8.24,76
14 Kim BERGDAHL 78 FIN 8.30,02
15 Zouhair EL OUARDI 77 MAR 8.37,17
16 Jim SVENÖY 72 NOR 8.40,22
Very tough to peak or partially peak for US Champs, then try to step it up against far superior competition in Europe. Typically, only the few US athletes who can compete at the US champs without peaking go on to solid things in Europe. This means it is usually the older, experienced, & wise athletes. The biggest fall usually goes to those who emphasize indoors too heavily. Regina in 2000, Broe this year, etc. There are usually an exception or two, but not many. What I read about Fam leads me to believe that he was at a near peak in June & is now trying to step it up while trying to balance travel, strange food, etc. Very tough to do. Let's back all our up and comers and give props to the year Teter & Krumm are having. They both look so confident in their races & it's been a while seeing that from a Yank.
Why not back all our US up and comers in their quests overseas, and forget about the stupid predictions. they are a waste of time and effort. That is why they run the races, not say."oh so and so is going to run this." Cuz all that does is set up that person for very possible failure, and then people start bashing on that person because some stupid jackass decided to make a prediction. best of luck to Fam, Krumm and all those great american runners overseas this summer.
Seems like the same thing that happened with Chorny last year - peaked to win US Champs, then was very off in Europe the rest of the summer. I think that you hit the nail on the head with experienced runners. It seems that with Fam this year and maybe Chorny last year that these are two young guys who pushed hard to win their first US Championships and left all the chips on the table. But the good thing is that possibly in the next few years, these young guys will have the fitness and wisdom to be able to find a way to run well enough to make national teams at US Champs, then go to Europe and the WC's or OG's and be at a higher level. We'll see.
Experience does pay off, but sometimes guys get relaxed and still pop something after a few down showings. Hopefully Fam and others will rebound yet this year, then kick ass following years.
I'm sorry, but 8:24 off of a PR of 8:19...hmm...yeah...that's a huge drop off there. Wake up you guys. Just cuz a guy doesn't PR every time out doesnt' mean is falling off. I'm sure Fam will continue to run well in Europe.