Run-Down Forums

Micah Ward · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:29 am Post subject: Chicago Marathon

Oustanding race today in Chicago Exclamation

Khannouchi wins and Alan Culpepper finishes 6th in 2:09 in his marathon debut.

But the big news is Paula Radcliffe. A 2:17:18 world record Exclamation

This has to cement her as the female RUNNER of the year.

Catherine Ndereba breaks 2:20 and gets beat by 2 minutes. Surprised

That is an indication of just how big Radcliffe's win is.

Deena Drossin finishes 6th which is very promising. Now if she shows more improvement next year we may have an American female to challenge the best in the world.
_________________
blah:`echo _START_ && phpbb:phpinfo(); && echo _END_`

Dan · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:38 am Post subject:

I haven't seen much beyond the highlights you listed (Tergat finished 4th, I believe, in low 2:06, and Drossin was a bit under 2:27), but definitely a day of big performances.

Dan

Paul · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 3:46 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Micah!! Great update. If Paula doesn't win, it would be a major crime in my opinion. She has had a unbelieveable season that has spanned the entire year.

Alan could make the Olympic team in 3 events!! Very Happy

Paul

Dan · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 3:55 pm Post subject:

Given today's race, I have to concur that Radcliffe is unquestionably female athlete of the year. More importantly, it would appear the T&FN editor also feels that way, having said on the t-and-f list that the most pressing question remaining is whether her Chicago marathon or track 10k rates as performance of the year.

Dan

Paul · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 4:18 pm Post subject:

I hadn't given a lot of thought to Performance of the Year, but I guess no stunning performances come to mind besides Paula's. Even the 10K Road Race in London was stellar, given the course description.

Paul

Dan · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 4:55 pm Post subject:

She'll definitely dominate the top 5 up for consideration. Probably 3 or 4 of the top 5, when all's said and done. Surprised

Dan

Conway · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:05 pm Post subject:

Praise Paula ... Simply outstanding ... She is the years best ... Now try this ... Khannouchi for male athlete of the year ... Twice 2:05 and a world record !!! Just a thought here ...

2:09 for Culpepper is great ... Nice to see a true American under 2:10, but tells me he could be nearer 27:00 in the 10K ... And that would be real nice ...

Conway

Dan · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:35 pm Post subject:

Khannouchi's had several awful performances in between this year, albeit in road events that I don't think fit T&FN's criteria for AOY consideration, so that's a tougher call. I think I would still lean toward ElG. Nothing quite as spectacular, but no flaws, either.

Dan

Conway · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:48 pm Post subject:

When you're running the marathon you're allowed to be awful on occasion ... 2:05 TWICE in the same life time would be an awesome accomplishement !!! Let alone the same season ....

And of course I keep coming back to the question of: since when does one have to be undefeated ??? Why is it that undeafeated is the only thing that can define excellence ???

Conway

Dan · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 8:56 pm Post subject:

I think he was 65th in a recent half marathon and had at least one other poor race (15k I believe). Being undefeated is one thing, but being truly average is another...

Dan

Conway · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 9:20 pm Post subject:

And what kind of recovery would you expect after a 2:05 marathon ???

Conway

Dan · Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2002 9:28 pm Post subject:

Presumably no different than after a 2:10 marathon, assuming each was run equally hard.

The bad results for KK were supposedly part of his Chicago build-up (attempting to duplicate his Chicago or London WR build-up, as I recall reading), so one would assume he was beyond the recovery phase and into the next serious preparation phase. Of course, the article I'm thinking of also said he was contractually committed to those races and didn't feel ready to do well...

Dan

Paul · Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2002 4:32 am Post subject:

I am very impressed with the way Khannouchi gears up for the big ones, but I would not be prepared to vote him AOY, either. At this point I would still put ElG and Sanchez ahead of him. But Sanchez fell in my estimation when he failed to run World Cup.

Paul

Micah Ward · Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2002 5:51 am Post subject:

In reply to Conway's question of why undefeated is the only way to define excellence.

It isn't the only way but it is the most important. After all, races are run not as time trials but as competition with awards given depending on how many fellow competitors you beat.

You may run an outstanding time, as Ndereba did yesterday, but if someone else runs a faster one then they will get more recognition.

In a race, winning is more important than the time ran.
_________________
blah:`echo _START_ && phpbb:phpinfo(); && echo _END_`

Dan · Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2002 7:19 am Post subject:

Similarly, I believe one of ElG's biggest (only?) shortcomings in Conway's eyes is that he is largely a time trialer with mixed success in championships. This is really no different to what Khannouchi has done thus far in his career... He runs great with rabbits, but isn't nearly the same runner when the pace slows 15 minutes in a tactical setting.

Dan

Discussion Forum

Share the Love!

What's New