Krummenacker theory

[Guest]

After his world indoor win Krummenacker seemed ready to really do some things this outdoor season. He didn't. Yeah, I know he had the injury before nationals. But I'm beginning to wonder if we're seeing another case of Joe Falcon syndrome?

Krum's a lot smarter than smokin' Joe from Hannibal, Mo. Don't get me wrong. He's on a much more even keel. What worries me, though, is that he may be going through what Falcon went through when he came off John McDonnell's high-volume Hog program, and switched to low volume, high intensity intervals as his bread and butter.

Falcon ran great. Remember the Oslo Golden mile win? He ran great for one season. After that he no longer had that mileage base to draw on for strength and he went in the tank.

What I'm asking is does Krum need to put some mileage, like that he ran under Alan Drosky, back in the tank?

De Oliveira's produced some great successes. Realistically, though, did any of them besides Jose Luiz Barbosa have long runs at/near the top? Could be wrong, but I'm thinking no.

Like I say, hope I'm wrong... or that Krum is at least giving this issue some thought. From what I've heard, most of those Kenyan 800 guys aren't afraid of puttin' in some miles, yet Krum talks about "nothing longer than 50 minutes." In the long run, pun intended, will that work for him?

[gh]

Re: Krummenacker theory

>De Oliveira's produced some
>great successes. Realistically, though, did any
>of them besides Jose Luiz Barbosa have long runs
>at/near the top? Could be wrong, but I'm thinking
>no.>>

Joaquim Cruz a World Junior Record 1:44.3 in 1981, WC silver in '83, Olympic gold in 1984, world ranked No. 1 in '85, Olympic silver in 1988.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

Krummenacker reminds me more of Steve Holman than Joe Falcon. He has Holman's lanky but powerful style. Falcon was a compact and efficient runner.

Krummenacker started to gain prominence during the tail end of Holman’s career. He probably even ran against Holman a few times.

In summer of 91 Falcon was on a hot streak not seen in a US miler since Steve Scott and Jim Ryun were in their prime. Unfortunately, right when Falcon was on the cusp of being the world's best a young miler named Noureddine Morceli started to gain international prominence. That year if I am not mistaken Morceli took over the world's number ranking from Falcon.
Could this of been responsible for Falcon's fall. I remember him tripping inexplicably in several American trails. Holman had similar bizarre mishaps in various important domestic qualifying meets. Even though they both had checkered careers both Holman and Falcon are among the top half dozen milers in the history of US track and field.

Steve Scott thought both Falcon and Holman had a good chance at his US record.

Now that Falcon and Holman are no longer running we now appreciate how good they really were. These two milers would blast Lunn right off the track.
Lets hope Krummenacker can relight the flame that Falcon and Holman started nearly a decade ago.

Watch yourself Krummenacker and don't trip. Both Ryun and Falcon had some imfamous trip-ups in very important meets.


The sub 3:50 mile watch is now on for Krummenacker. Lets hope he is healthy.

An editor at Runners world told me that Falcon is now a Police Officer in the Midwest.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

Krummenacker ran USATF without having fully recovered from injury, THEN did the European circuit. I wonder if he had stayed off the circuit and recovered properly if he could have been 100% and coulda been a contendah at WC.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

>Krummenacker reminds me more of Steve Holman than
>Joe Falcon. He has Holman's lanky but powerful
>style. Falcon was a compact and efficient
>runner.

>In summer of 91 Falcon was on a hot
>streak not seen in a US miler since Steve Scott
>and Jim Ryun were in their prime. Unfortunately,
>right when Falcon was on the cusp of being the
>world's best a young miler named Noureddine
>Morceli started to gain international prominence.
>That year if I am not mistaken Morceli took over
>the world's number ranking from Falcon.

Krummenacker's running style may remind you of Holman, but he's much better over 800 than either Holman or Falcon.

My comparison with Falcon concerned Falcon's hot streak coinciding with an abrupt switch in training programs (left McDonnell for his high school coach), much like Krummenacker's switch from high-volume Georgia Tech training to low-volume-high intensity de Oliveira training.

Falcon had a very brief hot streak in 1991, but not for long enough to earn a number 1 world ranking. Not by a long shot. I doubt he much scared Morceli. After that brief success, failing to maintain the mileage base from his time at Arkansas caught up with Falcon.

The guy sure had talent, though. McDonnell once said he had sub-13:00 5K potential. He said that before the world record went under 13. But remember that "sprinkler" Falcon tripped over at ncaa cross? There were no sprinklers around when he "tripped."

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

Krummenacker is yet to be ranked in the top ten in the mile/1500. Both Holman and Falcon made the list several times. According to international rankings both Falcon and Holman had a few strong years.
In fact Holman is the last American to be ranked in the top ten in the mile/1500meters.
Krummenacker needs some kind of performance to highlight his career. That could either be an international ranking or a sub 3:50 mile. Making the Olympic finals in the 1500meters would also be pretty good.

Right now the US is going through its longest stretch ever of not having a miler ranked in the world's top ten.

Krummenacker is currently the USA"s best miler, but Falcon and Holman were at a higher level. That could change next year, but remember Krummenacker will be 29 next year. Steve Holman retired at 29.
It seems one day Falcon and Holman were there competing in the mile then the next day they were gone never to be seen again.

At 33 I wonder if Holman has anything left today. He is not that old. Didn't Steve Scott set a masters record at 35.

At 47 I think a Steve Scott comeback is out of the question. However, don't count Scott out completely.

HEADLINE:
MOSES AND SCOTT MAKE COMEBACK!

Ok, I am not being serious now. Still it is fun to contemplate outlandish things. Actually, what Moses is trying to do is outlandish. If he qualifies for the Olympics it will be an amazing story.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

<<
My comparison with Falcon concerned Falcon's hot streak coinciding with an abrupt switch in training programs (left McDonnell for his high school coach), much like Krummenacker's switch from high-volume Georgia Tech training to low-volume-high intensity de Oliveira training.>>

Oh my!!
It just occurred to me that Alan Webb is also going back to his High School coach and he hasn't even peaked yet. At least Falcon was already established before going back to his High School coach.
The Alan Webb experiment continues.

I broke my streak. I had not mentioned Alan Webb for at least 5 weeks. Why do we always end up talking about either Gabe Jennings or Alan Webb. Do we see our own successes and failings in them?

I am not mentioning Alan Webb again until he starts running.

Right now Krummenacker is were the action is.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

So when Krum goes for a 50 minute run, how far might that be? I seem to remember reading once about Morceli only running as long as 50 minutes, but that was around 10 miles. Probably more valuable for an 800-1500 guy than going farther but slower.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

What does Krummenacker have planned for the fall. Is he running any mile races.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

He should skip the indoor season. Gear everything for next summer, for Athens, and let the chips fall where they may. Same goes for any other Americans hoping to make even the smallest dent on the world scene.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

They can start making a dent by running at least a 3:35 at the Olympic trail finals. At the US championship 1500-meter final this past summer many thought they were watching a slow race from the early 60's. I heard people were actually booing from the stands.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

I pretty much agree with this theory. I also think he peaked indoors. When the emphasis is on quality (racing workouts, not finishing workouts because you run so hard early), it is hard to plan a complete season(both training and racing).

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

With lower mileage training the quality work can be maintained for a long period of time. The peaking isnt nearly so dramatic as with mega-mileage training. Krummenaker does the sort of training which suits him best. With lower miles, quality running is what the athlete gets used to, enjoys, and looks forward to doing. Running fast is simply routine. Plus or minus, I'd guess Krummenaker was in about the same fitness before US champs as World Indoor, he simply missed some important work due to injury and never quite got back to top racing form.

Krummenaker running his 50 minutes down near 5min/mi like Morcelli or El-G (or Maree and Moorcroft)? No. He is not a 1500/5000m runner and never will be. These other guys would lap Krummenaker in a 5k . For Krummenaker at least, the 50 minute run had little or nothing to do with his sucess in 2003.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

Since Krummenacker is going to be 29 next year he may have no choice but to become a 1500-meter runner. Besides he has run the 4th faster 1500 meters ever by an American last year!!
I would say he is the top 1500-meter runner in North America. We have not seen an American 1500-meter runner this fast since Steve Holman.

Krummenacker is the EL. G of the North American 1500 meter running. In top condition he would beat Lunn by 20 meters in the 1500.

For the next four years Krummenacker is going to be America's best 1500-meter runner. Besides America still has some depth in the 800 meters. However, US 1500 meters running desperately needs someone with Krummenacker's speed.

[Guest]

Re: Krummenacker theory

Let me set something straight that has been discussed on these pages and in some other, more important arenas. Morcelli, and Aquita before him, ran high mileage. Much higher mileage than you know. Both trained for periods of time here in Gainesville and were observed going for 2-3 hour runs at least once a week.

Don't let them fool you.