’09 Rome w400: Richards crushes field with 49.46

[SQUACKEE]

With Sanya going at slower for the first 200, it's likely that Felix and Sanya might be tied coming off the last curve. Felix with that big stride and Sanya with the shorter but quick turn over stride. It's gonna be a great race, i can't wait!!!!

[guru]

The lane assignments are interesting. Richards will be at a disadvantage not knowing her position relative to Felix, and will be tempted(consciously or unconsciously) to go out harder than she might otherwise. Whether that happens or not, Felix will be able to measure her own effort throughout. Felix's 200 final at USATF showed her speed strength is as good as ever.

Felix low 49's.

[SQUACKEE]

The lane assignments are interesting. Richards will be at a disadvantage not knowing her position relative to Felix, and will be tempted(consciously or unconsciously) to go out harder than she might otherwise. Whether that happens or not, Felix will be able to measure her own effort throughout. Felix's 200 final at USATF showed her speed strength is as good as ever.

Felix low 49's.

Thanx Guru, the lane assignment makes the race even more interesting! :shock:

[guru]

Thanx Guru, the lane assignment makes the race even more interesting! :shock:

In a race like this it's critical. Richards has to be asking herself how that happened.

[SQUACKEE]

Thanx Guru, the lane assignment makes the race even more interesting! :shock:

In a race like this it's critical. Richards has to be asking herself how that happened.

Do you find yourself rooting for either one? I really like both of them so its tough, i usually root for the underdog. 8-)

[ChuiTai]

The maturation of Richards' recent race approach might be tested, IMHO, with Felix inside of her. The latter having her best result against Richards two years ago in quite similar lane configuration. However I would expect Richards to win here if nothing else has changed with Felix's approach to the event thus far this season.

[TheTransporter]

1st - Felix, 49.47
2nd - Richards, 49.97

Richards is going to "lock-up" a bit in the homestretch as a result of running a too-quick first 200m (which is a result of the psychological impact of Felix being in the race). Felix will be ahead the entire way, running a slick, smooth SB of 49.47.

(Poster puts away his 1955 to 2025 Sports Almanac and plans construction of his casino/hotel).

Seriously though, that's my amateurish, uneducated, and non-scientific prediction - we'll see what happens.

[Speedfirst]

As guru pointed out, race model, if Sanya can stick to her race model and not let the lane assignment be a factor, she should be there at the end.

I think Allyson will use this race of (course looking to win), but also working on somethings.

[xygo]

Richards 49.40 - 49.60
Felix 49.60 - 49.90

[SQUACKEE]

Richards 49.40 - 49.60
Felix 49.60 - 49.90

This looks pretty good. I think its unlikely for Sanya to run another 49.2- i was thinking 49.4-5, which is where Felix should run if she has a good race. Should be really close.

[guru]

The weather is perfect - mid-70's and calm. With Richards starting out ahead of Felix, and almost certain to open quickly, all the ingrediants are in place for a very fast race.

[gh]

two posts pulled from a second thread which started on the subject:

<<T&F_LA


Definetely the strongest field this season so far.

There are chances we see the WL, MR or 49s barrier broken !!! To see more than two sub50's would be great too !!!

Of course SR is the big favourite and I think she will win by a big margin, but perhaps not as big as the last time. Interesting how she'll cope with the pressure of a field that is getting closer to Berlin's form.

This is great fight for second place. Novlene and Shericka looked great in their last races. Still, Allyson is a tremendous competitor.

Very difficult to say second, third and fourth place. However my guess is:

1. Sanya.
2. Allyson
3. Novlene
4. Shericka

****

ChuiTai



Joined: 08 Oct 2005
Posts: 175

Posted: 10 Jul 2009 10:21 Post subject:
I would be amused to see a Shericka Williams upset though! However I realize that perhaps more SE would be required than the sub 23 she ran at Lausanne.>>

[EPelle]

Richards 49,66; Felix 49,59

[T&amp;F_LA]

I would be amused to see a Shericka Williams upset though! However I realize that perhaps more SE would be required than the sub 23 she ran at Lausanne.>>

So I would. She looked great in Lausanne. In Oslo she came into the home stretch just behind Richards and for a moment it looked like she was going to fight for it, but then SR smoked her. I think she ran very fast those third 100m. if she makes a better timing, she will probably do more. But in history, she has almost always been second, third, fourth.

[Flumpy]

If you ask me Allyson is the best 400m runner in the world, if not of all time :roll: