2023 New Balance Indoor

[Revenant]

In reference to McLaughlin, here are the names she finished ahead of on Saturday:

Also Anna Kielbasinska consistently runs 60's, 100's and 200's every year so not a truly good comparison.
I think SML performance was fine. One race, first race ever. I wouldn't be surprised if she decided to run it again in 2-3 weeks, she ran 7.1x.

It matters not so much who she finished ahead of, if they had bad races too...

Kielbasinska has run shorter distances more often in her career, you're right. But, considering some have McLaughlin down as a potential WR holder over 400m (and some have said she can win medals over 200m..) I find the time disappointing. I was hoping something in the top 50 this year, not joint 90th.

What are your thoughts on Prandini? Was that fine too? 🤔

[ATK]

It matters not so much who she finished ahead of, if they had bad races too...

Kielbasinska has run shorter distances more often in her career, you're right. But, considering some have McLaughlin down as a potential WR holder over 400m (and some have said she can win medals over 200m..) I find the time disappointing. I was hoping something in the top 50 this year, not joint 90th.

What are your thoughts on Prandini? Was that fine too? 🤔

I hear you, and understand the point, but I really think expectations are overblown (IMO she's not touching the 400m WR right now) and also vary too significantly from athlete to athlete, especially when your talking about the best of the best.
- LaShawn Merritt could never run a good 100m, but ran all time marks at 200/400.
- Jeremy Wariner could barely crack 20 in the 200m but was killer in the 400.
- Allyson Felix was immaculate in the 200 and on 4x4 splits and extremely fast in the 100m, but could "only" manage 49.2 in the 400.

I predicted 7.2-7.3 for SML but that was a complete shot in the dark, so 7.33 seems fine to me. Would you be surprised if she ran 10.9 outdoors? I honestly wouldn't.
Also she could improve in 2-3 years. SMU had a PB of 11.19 and 3 years later ran 10.98. SML is only 23 right now so has literally years to improve across the board.

Prandini is a different case. She's in the 2nd half of her career at age 30 now and moving to a completely different training group and set up. No idea how she's adjusting to the training situation, living situation (new state) etc, or even what her training is like after only 3 months now? 38 sec is a disappointing performance, but I didn't have high expectations for her to be in the mix here or as the season progresses either.

[Revenant]

I hear you, and understand the point, but I really think expectations are overblown (IMO she's not touching the 400m WR right now)

I predicted 7.2-7.3 for SML but that was a complete shot in the dark, so 7.33 seems fine to me. Would you be surprised if she ran 10.9 outdoors?

I agree, predictions are difficult. I was thinking 7.2 like you, mainly based off what others have run, and what I think she should be running if she is serious about tackling the 400m WR (note, Koch ran 7.32 in her first year of 60m, so similar, however she was 3 years younger. She ran 7.10 aged 23 - but was much more seasoned over 60m that McLaughlin. In her WR season she ran 7.04 earlier that year)

Prandini is a different case. She's in the 2nd half of her career at age 30 now and moving to a completely different training group and set up. No idea how she's adjusting to the training situation, living situation (new state) etc, or even what her training is like after only 3 months now? 38 sec is a disappointing performance, but I didn't have high expectations for her to be in the mix here or as the season progresses either.

I agree the new situation requires time to adjust. I would generally also agree that aged 30 opportunities to PB are rare. I guess I was expecting some Kersee magic. Maybe that will come later in the year. (I also wonder whether she stays with the 100/200, or will she venture to the 400m...)

[Atticus]

SML looked rough, ragged, almost awkward coming out of the blocks and never recovered. We'll see better from her, but Kersee does keep her under wraps, so who knows when that will be.

[ATK]

SML looked rough, ragged, almost awkward coming out of the blocks and never recovered. We'll see better from her, but Kersee does keep her under wraps, so who knows when that will be.

Also just regarding keeping her under wraps, at the meet SML said her and Mu dont train together. She's been doing her regular training, while Mu has been doing her 800m training. They may train together down the line when it makes sense, but for now, nope. But she did say it all still feels like a team and great supportive environment (as in SML, Mu, Harrison, Prandini etc.)

[wamego relays champ]

Prandini is a different case. . . No idea how she's adjusting to the training situation, living situation (new state) etc,

Understand the point about a new training situation. Prandini was born and raised in California, albeit not Southern California. She handled the move to Austin just fine, and I suspect she will adjust to LA just fine.

[ATK]

Understand the point about a new training situation. Prandini was born and raised in California, albeit not Southern California. She handled the move to Austin just fine, and I suspect she will adjust to LA just fine.

I believe it. I was kind of just noting that multiple factors can play into why an athlete may not perform well, training is just one part of an athletes life.

But also to be fair, I will sadly admit that I confused Prandini with Roesler and thought she grew up in North Dakota 😞

[Awsi Dooger]

It looks like Bol and Kielbasinka were asked to stick around through Monday afternoon so they could go through lots of testing and fitting at the New Balance Research Lab. Both of them posted about that today. De Witte had already gone home. This may have been part of the enticement to get them to make the trip in the first place. The facility looked otherwise empty.

[Alan Shank]

Lol its funny how there are so many track athletes we root for and we dont even know what they sound like. First time I heard Caster Semenya I jumped back from the tv in shock. While I didnt have as dramatic a reaction to Bols voice I was taken by surprise. Her voice sounded like a child cartoon character.

Have you ever heard Jessica Hull speak? Very distinctive.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

[fasttrak85]

Have you ever heard Jessica Hull speak? Very distinctive.
Cheers,
Alan Shank

No I havent. Who is Jessica Hull btw?

[SoCal45]

No I havent. Who is Jessica Hull btw?

If you are serious you must not follow running very closely!

[El Toro]

Jessica Hull, Australian athlete, Olympic finalist, NCAA champion over 1500 (2018), multiple National and Area (Oceania) record holder:

1500 3:58.81 AR NR
Mile 4:19.89 AR NR
3000 8:31.81 AR NR
5000 14:43.80 NR

https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/australia/jessica-hull-14464506

Interview after 2019 silver in 1500

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2SHljvwCxs

[fasttrak85]

If you are serious you must not follow running very closely!

Lol I was serious. I googled her and I do recognize her but I am American and am more of a sprint/hurdles fans who knows the biggest names in middle distance and long distance running. If they are not making podiums and are not American chances are I will have only faint recollections of them and won''t remember them by name.. I was able to listen to audio of her speaking and she has a similar voice to Femke Bol in that it is high pitched and cartoonish. Interesting.