State of USA distance running, 2009.

[lovetorun]

I think with young talents such as Fernandez, Jager, Derrick, and even Kyle Perry, the USA has hope for the future. But, as it is in 2009, the only male runner who has a realistic chance to medal in Berlin is Lagat.

On the women's side it will be interesting to see what Willard and Barringer do...thinking they will be in the 3000m SC. The American record in the SC is going to look a lot different by the end of the summer because of those two. I don't see any USA ladies medaling.

It almost feels like back in the 50's when USA distance running was no threat to the best runners form Europe, Scandanavia.

Now, the African's overwhelmingly dominate. Between Kenya, Ethiopia and Moroco most of the distance running medals will go in Berlin.

[tandfman]

Re: State of USA distance running, 2009.

On the women's side it will be interesting to see what Willard and Barringer do...thinking they will be in the 3000m SC. The American record in the SC is going to look a lot different by the end of the summer because of those two. I don't see any USA ladies medaling.

Did you see Kara G medaling in 2007 before Osaka? Did you see Shalane F medaling last year before Beijing? Don't write them off completely. Someone may surprise you.

[15mph]

It is amazing that a 3:46 miler like Webb would not even be the favorite at the US nationals. Without a doubt he is the most erratic distance runner in US history.

Today's US distance runners maybe as fast as ever, but they still don't know how to race at the international level. At least Scott, Spivey, and Gray knew how to compete effectively on the international stage.

[odelltrclan]

We don't have the culture to compete with the African nations because we have too many kids growing up watching movies, playing video games, and the like. Too many other potentials are gobbled up by other professional sports. Track and cross country not being mainstream how to we get the potential elite runners interested? Hard to do.

The best we can hope for are diamonds in the rough that ocassionally manage to shine through.

There are some really bright potential stars in the making right now to at least see some Americans in the running, as you mentioned some. I don't know why you did not mention Rupp. There will be some exciting times in the next few years.

[The Klingon]

Today's US distance runners maybe as fast as ever, but they still don't know how to race at the international level.

THANK YOU!!!!!

[2 cents]

Today's US distance runners maybe as fast as ever, but they still don't know how to race at the international level.

THANK YOU!!!!!

This is preposterous. It is tantamount to complaining that a 10.00 sprinter does not know how to race at the international level because Bolt and other sub 9.9 guys are beating him. Oh, if only he learned how to race.

[The Klingon]

[quote=2 cents]

Today's US distance runners maybe as fast as ever, but they still don't know how to race at the international level.

THANK YOU!!!!!

This is preposterous. It is tantamount to complaining that a 10.00 sprinter does not know how to race at the international level because Bolt and other sub 9.9 guys are beating him. Oh, if only he learned how to race.[/quote:i6y029s0]

I think you are comparing apple and oranges. I think sprinting and distance racing are two totally different mind-sets. But anyway, thats just my opinion.

I still wonder why we (men and women) suck when we compete internationally in middle distance and distance races. But hey, it is what it is.

[2 cents]

Well, I was not comparing sprinting to distance running. I was comparing superiority to inferiority. Did you notice how Rupp looked like a genius tactician at the recent NCAA meet? Let's see him try this against the best in the world. My point is that it is easy to say that the U.S. runners don't know how to race, but when they are racing people with superior ability (at least as manifested in accomplishments), they are rarely going to look like brilliant tacticians, if this is measured by outcome, which is how most people measure it, even if erroneously.

[Powell]

I think you are comparing apple and oranges. I think sprinting and distance racing are two totally different mind-sets. But anyway, thats just my opinion.

I still wonder why we (men and women) suck when we compete internationally in middle distance and distance races. But hey, it is what it is.

If there were Americans running 3:30s and 12:50s, but failing in major championships, then you'd have a point. As it is, their problem is not tactics - it's not being fast enough.

[26mi235]

I think you are comparing apple and oranges. I think sprinting and distance racing are two totally different mind-sets. But anyway, thats just my opinion.

I still wonder why we (men and women) suck when we compete internationally in middle distance and distance races. But hey, it is what it is.

If there were Americans running 3:30s and 12:50s, but failing in major championships, then you'd have a point. As it is, their problem is not tactics - it's not being fast enough.

And I guess that Lagat is not an American, and neither are Tegenkamp and Goucher and Flanagan?

[EPelle]

Where did Tegenkamp, Goucher and Flanagan come into the equation? Have any of them run 3.30 and/or 12.50?

[Powell]

If there were Americans running 3:30s and 12:50s, but failing in major championships, then you'd have a point. As it is, their problem is not tactics - it's not being fast enough.

And I guess that Lagat is not an American, and neither are Tegenkamp and Goucher and Flanagan?

All the people you mention can run fast, and therefore have been successful in major championships. I was just debating the point made by 15mph that there are Americans who fail due to inability to race. That might have been true of someone like Steve Holman, but I don't see how it applies to anyone in the current generation. In fact, if anything, American distance runners have been overperforming in recent major championships.

[26mi235]

I concur with Powell and EPelle and was trying to make the point that some Americans clearly have had successful race plans/successes. The linkage in my posting was not real clear.

[Speedfirst]

In fact, if anything, American distance runners have been overperforming in recent major championships.

Oh really, who might that be and what major championship? What exactly is over performing?

[KevinM]

In fact, if anything, American distance runners have been overperforming in recent major championships.

Oh really, who might that be and what major championship? What exactly is over performing?

I'd say medals for Goucher and Flanagan, as well as Tegenkamp's 4th in Osaka were relatively unexpected.