Wariner vs. Merritt, 2009 - and the X-Man

[Gleason]

What is the down side to running 400? Running 400 hurdles hasn't worked. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.

Clement openly stated that he wants to master the hurdles; he's attempting to overcome his deficiencies in the event. He now has a willingness to learn how to hurdle properly (gain proper hurdling technique). He hasn't run 400m hurdles, rather he's run 400m and jumped haphazardly over barriers as they've approached. He's making an effort to change that.

There's no reason his name shouldn't be tied in together with the best 400m guys, however, because he can run well in the event. He'll run the open 400m in the GL meets this summer.

His college coach was quoted by an attendee at a coaching clinic that Clement can hurdle with either leg in the 110s and the 400s at practices because he did that while competing for Fla. He can't do it in meets, so I suggest running 400s until he is in the low 43s. He'll never know until he tries it.

Why run 400 hurdles? He has the bye. Taylor ran 400 in 2007. How did that work out in 2008?

[EPelle]

It worked out grand for Taylor. Why run 400m hurdles at USATF? Rankings and competition, and a real, game-day opportunity to see if what you have practiced can be applied strategically.

[Gleason]

It worked out grand for Taylor. Why run 400m hurdles at USATF? Rankings and competition, and a real, game-day opportunity to see if what you have practiced can be applied strategically.

400 hurdles would be repeating pattern of 2005,2006,2007 & 2008.

IF his flat 400 time improved by one second, he would be more able to run 13 strides for all 10 hurdles and to break 47. He broke MJ's indoor record. He might approach his outdoor record if he concentrated on 400 in 2009.

[EPelle]

400 hurdles would be repeating pattern of 2005,2006,2007 & 2008.

2005, 2006 and 2007 were not with Kersee.

As for Johnson's world record:

4.Will you one day try to challenge the outdoor 400m world record? (Laugh) well well well…that record would stay where it is. I am not insane to say yes I will attempt to break the record because for me it’s not possible. I know people say; yes anything is possible, but not right now.

[Gleason]

400 hurdles would be repeating pattern of 2005,2006,2007 & 2008.

2005, 2006 and 2007 were not with Kersee.

As for Johnson's world record:

4.Will you one day try to challenge the outdoor 400m world record? (Laugh) well well well…that record would stay where it is. I am not insane to say yes I will attempt to break the record because for me it’s not possible. I know people say; yes anything is possible, but not right now.

Ignore athlete's modesty. Felix didn't predict her three golds at Osaka.

When did an athlete predict a world record and then produce it? They don't want to stimulate their competiton!

[EPelle]

You're right about Felix in 2007. Nevertheless, however modest she was, she still made it known last year that she was attempting to emulate Fanny Blankers-Koen's record four golds from London 1948.

My point is this: Clement's USATF meet in the hurdles will likely produce the same finishers in Berlin (though the order of finish may change). Clement sat awake during the nights last year during the USA OT attempting to go through different scenarios for the final and how he'd run the race. Take that away from him this year, and he has only one shot at perfection (Berlin) without the requisite races to back it up.

Running 43-second 400m races won't make him a better technical hurdler. Practicing those techniques and applying them in real-life situations will.

[Gleason]

You're right about Felix in 2007. Nevertheless, however modest she was, she still made it known last year that she was attempting to emulate Fanny Blankers-Koen's record four golds from London 1948.

Felix didn't make the 100 team in 2008.

My point is this: Clement's USATF meet in the hurdles will likely produce the same finishers in Berlin (though the order of finish may change). Clement sat awake during the nights last year during the USA OT attempting to go through different scenarios for the final and how he'd run the race. Take that away from him this year, and he has only one shot at perfection (Berlin) without the requisite races to back it up.

Running 43-second 400m races won't make him a better technical hurdler. Practicing those techniques and applying them in real-life situations will.

How will you know until he tries?

[EPelle]

Gleason, if Clement improves from 44,4 to 43,8 this season without also improving his hurdling technique, his flat foot speed will be negated the final 35m of the 400m hurdles, because bad technique throughout any part of the race will have caused him to lose any differential gained by that speed. If he can't negotiate the technical part of the race, he will be less energy efficient and tire down the straight.

His safest bet to attempt to win the world championships is to participate in the event at USATF (which should emulate the Berlin meet in terms of top talent) and see where he's at with respect to his speed, stamina, endurance, and, most importantly, his technical hurdling aptitude.

[Gleason]

Gleason, if Clement improves from 44,4 to 43,8 this season without also improving his hurdling technique, his flat foot speed will be negated the final 35m of the 400m hurdles, because bad technique throughout any part of the race will have caused him to lose any differential gained by that speed. If he can't negotiate the technical part of the race, he will be less energy efficient and tire down the straight.

His safest bet to attempt to win the world championships is to participate in the event at USATF (which should emulate the Berlin meet in terms of top talent) and see where he's at with respect to his speed, stamina, endurance, and, most importantly, his technical hurdling aptitude.

The problem with this theory is that it has been tried for six years and worked once at the 2005 USAT&F. The worst that can happen with running 400 at USAT&F is a 4th at WCh as he did in 2005. He may run 43.3 with 400 concentration. He did set the indoor WR in 2005.

[EPelle]

Gleason, you are missing a very key point here: It HAD been tried with a trainer not named Bobby Kersee up until 2008. Clement decided in 2007 that he needed a change, found Kersee and moved to Los Angeles-area (where he lived two months with friends). He's never worked as hard in his life as he has under Kersee. A one-off year with a new trainer doesn't usually fly; it hasn't worked with Carter, or with Wariner - two other folks about whom this thread is also concerned.

He may run 43,x -- certainly. It still doesn't help his technique in a 400m hurdles race, rather makes him the fastest flat runner the final 35m. If his technique has not been corrected with the addition of new found speed, the speed can become a moot point if he's consumed too much energy by using the energy deficiently over the course of a hurdle race.

[Dave]

Did anyone notice that Wariner didn't even make the T&FN formchart in the 400?

Surely that was an oversight that will have GH and team somewhat embarrassed. I was also surprised to see Tommy Skipper not make the list in the PV, but that may be based on last years' abominable outdoor season.

[Gleason]

Did anyone notice that Wariner didn't even make the T&FN formchart in the 400?

Surely that was an oversight that will have GH and team somewhat embarrassed. I was also surprised to see Tommy Skipper not make the list in the PV, but that may be based on last years' abominable outdoor season.

He is running 200 as in 2006 & 2007.

[Dave]

Did anyone notice that Wariner didn't even make the T&FN formchart in the 400?

Surely that was an oversight that will have GH and team somewhat embarrassed. I was also surprised to see Tommy Skipper not make the list in the PV, but that may be based on last years' abominable outdoor season.

He is running 200 as in 2006 & 2007.

got it. since he is defending WC, he doesn't need to run the 400 at Nationals.

[Gleason]

Gleason, you are missing a very key point here: It HAD been tried with a trainer not named Bobby Kersee up until 2008. Clement decided in 2007 that he needed a change, found Kersee and moved to Los Angeles-area (where he lived two months with friends). He's never worked as hard in his life as he has under Kersee. A one-off year with a new trainer doesn't usually fly; it hasn't worked with Carter, or with Wariner - two other folks about whom this thread is also concerned.

He may run 43,x -- certainly. It still doesn't help his technique in a 400m hurdles race, rather makes him the fastest flat runner the final 35m. If his technique has not been corrected with the addition of new found speed, the speed can become a moot point if he's consumed too much energy by using the energy deficiently over the course of a hurdle race.

Why the concern about "safest bet?" He is 23 years old!

IF he runs the 400 at USAT&F, makes the team, runs the 400 at WCh then fails to earn a medal we will know that I'm wrong. Until then try it--you'll like it!

[EPelle]

IF he runs the 400 at USATF and makes the team, more power to him. If he runs the 400 in Berlin and fails to earn a medal, he will not hit pay dirt like he would have in the 400mh, where he is the defending champion.

Which one is worth more in value to Clement? A(nother) medal in a different event, or a legacy at 400m hurdles?

Ask Clement.

"I want to be remembered as Kerron Clement, the great 400m hurdler. I just want to make a name for myself and don't want to be like anyone else."

http://www.suavvmagazine.com/Sports1-2_issue1_vol3.html

In the long and short of it, it makes no difference what we will for the lad, he's got his own set of goals, aspirations and racing schedule (some of which will consist of those 400m races you're longing for, but not at USATF).