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The US again failed to produce at the NYC marathon.
Scott Larson, Phillimon Hanneck (of Team Nike's altitude house and training under Al Salazar) and Matt Downin were within 10 secs of the leaders at the half way point in 1:05:50 (fairly pedestrian in a world class marathon even considering the 60+ degree weather). Then by 20 miles, just 7 miles later, Matt was 2:20 behind the leaders and Scott & Phillimon were 3:40 behind the leaders. Doing some quick math, that means that Matt lost an average of 20 secs per mile from mile 13 to mile 20 and Scott & Phillimon lost over 30 secs per mile. The leaders did not speed up, but the best Americans in this race, ones with shoe sponsorships and one living in a special training house could not even come close to staying with the leaders of a realitively slow Major Marathon for more than 1/2 of the race. Incredibaly sad.
By comparison Elly Rono a Kenyan who now lives in Raleigh, NC who had his shoe sponsorship dropped a while ago and now only gets his travel to races paid for my his Apartment complex in exchange for where a shirt advertising them. He often trains alone, not in some camp of with other highly trained and babied runner. Elly runs a very solid 4th place in 2:11.
Elly is living like an average American and has been doing so for very many years yet he can still train and produce. So what is the excuse for the rest of us.
As a result I have upped by mileage yet again this week, I'm tired of seeing the US be destroyed in athletic competitions in our own country.
Scott Larson, Phillimon Hanneck (of Team Nike's altitude house and training under Al Salazar) and Matt Downin were within 10 secs of the leaders at the half way point in 1:05:50 (fairly pedestrian in a world class marathon even considering the 60+ degree weather). Then by 20 miles, just 7 miles later, Matt was 2:20 behind the leaders and Scott & Phillimon were 3:40 behind the leaders. Doing some quick math, that means that Matt lost an average of 20 secs per mile from mile 13 to mile 20 and Scott & Phillimon lost over 30 secs per mile. The leaders did not speed up, but the best Americans in this race, ones with shoe sponsorships and one living in a special training house could not even come close to staying with the leaders of a realitively slow Major Marathon for more than 1/2 of the race. Incredibaly sad.
By comparison Elly Rono a Kenyan who now lives in Raleigh, NC who had his shoe sponsorship dropped a while ago and now only gets his travel to races paid for my his Apartment complex in exchange for where a shirt advertising them. He often trains alone, not in some camp of with other highly trained and babied runner. Elly runs a very solid 4th place in 2:11.
Elly is living like an average American and has been doing so for very many years yet he can still train and produce. So what is the excuse for the rest of us.
As a result I have upped by mileage yet again this week, I'm tired of seeing the US be destroyed in athletic competitions in our own country.
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