British women's 1500 team [split]

[rgjp]

Dobriskey and England seem to be the no brainer picks for the British Team. I agree with the above poster too. Dobriskey has probably one of the best (if not the best) kick for 1500 meter runners. If I remember correctly, she had the fastest split in the Beijing Final.

Does anyone know the final 400 and/or 200 splits for the top three in London - Willard, Rowbury and Dobriskey ?

[Ned Ryerson]

Dobriskey and England seem to be the no brainer picks for the British Team. I agree with the above poster too. Dobriskey has probably one of the best (if not the best) kick for 1500 meter runners. If I remember correctly, she had the fastest split in the Beijing Final.

Does anyone know the final 400 and/or 200 splits for the top three in London - Willard, Rowbury and Dobriskey ?

So leave home Twell, the fastest Brit of the year and runner-up at nationals?

[KevinM]

Watch out for that first step Ned.

[mark]

I would have preferred to see England in the 800m in London over the 1500m. If she had finished ahead of either Meadows (who hasn't been under 2m this summer) or Okoro (who has raced horribly in the past fortnight) then there would have been very good grounds to take her in the 800m.

As it is, I assume she will be staying at home, unless they take her as traveling reserve for 800/1500. Disappointing for someone ranked 3rd in two events this summer.

[rgjp]

Didn't I read in a recent article that Twell was planning to represent Scotland?

Maybe that was referencing the 2012 Olympics and not the upcoming Worlds in Berlin.

[rgjp]

Just because Twell got runner up at nationals doesn't mean too much to me simply because Thomas won nationals, but I'd be surprised if anyone on this forum actually thinks that she is more capable of doing well at Worlds than Dobriskey, England or Twell

[Ned Ryerson]

Didn't I read in a recent article that Twell was planning to represent Scotland?

Maybe that was referencing the 2012 Olympics and not the upcoming Worlds in Berlin.

Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland don't field their own teams for Olympics or World Championships. Just the Commonwealth Games (as far as track is concerned).

[Ruth Wysocki]

I haven't seen the race yet since I was working out while it was on live, but I'll see it thanks to DVR in just a bit. If it's true that the pace was so slow, that's really unfortunate. I can remember how frustrating it would be to be in a race expecting a certain pace and having it not happen. I can remember one time when a pacesetter was told to go out in 2:10 and she did 60-70. She couldn't understand why everyone, including the race promoter, was upset with her since she ran 2:10!

Pacesetters like this made me appreciate getting on a starting line and seeing Mary Decker on the line. You didn't have to wonder what was going to happen!

I do have to laugh a bit however, in remembering Andy Norman. I know not everyone shares my feelings, but I really liked Andy, including his (sometimes) brutal honesty. Had there been an incident like today, not only would that pacesetter not get paid, but they'd probably never be invited to an Andy Norman-directed race again. In addition, their agent would not have much luck with any borderline athletes for quite some time. My husband told me that on his first trip to Europe, he PR'd in a 3000 and was pleased, but it wasn't Andy-quality. Andy told the person handling Tom's entries to put him on a plane back home and that he wasn't running a f***ing travel agency. Some great memories of good-ol' Andy who always treated me very well, thankfully.

As for the athletes, the reality is that the final in Berlin might go out in 70, so you have to be ready for anything. I've been a big fan of Shannon (and still am), but right now, the edge goes to Willard. How exciting, though to know that we are sending such a solid group of 3 to Berlin!

[mump boy]

i've just watched the race and nobody followed the pace it may have been slow but the whole field was 5m down on the pacemaker !!

[K.I.R.]

Didn't I read in a recent article that Twell was planning to represent Scotland?

Maybe that was referencing the 2012 Olympics and not the upcoming Worlds in Berlin.

For the time being, Scotland and a bit of the northern portion of Ireland are part of the UK. Athletes from these areas represent Britain at the Olympics and World Champs. Twell will represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

[nevetsllim]

Pathetic job by Johnson. She should give back her cheque.
Dobriskey getting back to form but still an awful tactician. Im really perplexed that Thomas is going to Berlin leaving Twell or England at home. I would definitely send England, for the simple fact that she has a finish. She was sub 2 minutes in Leira, she beat Twell here and she was right up there following a great kick. If you have a kick in the 1500 you can win, never mind medal. They're not going to pick her over their darling Twell, however. Are they? :cry:

I cannot justify choosing Lisa over Steph and Hannah. Even though I like Dobriskey, it would be unfair if she was chosen over the other two because there is very little justification. Twell and England were 2nd and 3rd at the 'Trials' and had already run the A standard (on multiple occasions too) and I don't really like the fact Lisa asked for special dispensation because if she was fit enough to run in Luzern, then I don't see why she couldn't run at the Trials. Besides which, athletes like Goldie Sayers turned up even though she was about 60% fit and didn't really need to compete. Lisa still hasn't run faster than England or Twell this year too...

[K.I.R.]

Lisa still hasn't run faster than England or Twell this year too...

Your point won't draw much water with all the people that whinge about pacemakers and want to see "real" competition.

Personally, I think rabbited races are great, but also think it's clear Dobriskey is coming onto form at the right time, beat everyone she was supposed to beat within the window, and has a history of performing well at major championships (CWG gold, OG 4th).

It would be hard to pass over Twell. Maybe select England for the 800m?

[jjimbojames]

I wonder if the selectors have asked England about the 800m (or indeed Twell about the 5000m)

That said, if you look at England for the 800m, who do you drop? Simpson is a lock as Trials winner (and best tactician, with a finish - think she may be a finalist in Berlin). Maz is quicker than Meadows this year (as is England) but not looked as good as the last few seasons, and Meadows has beaten her on several occassions (including Trials and CP)

That said, Maz has said she is trying to peak towards Berlin, so perhaps the 1.58 and possibly below is being held back for then? If she can put her race together better, she is the most talented of the four.

[nevetsllim]

I wonder if the selectors have asked England about the 800m (or indeed Twell about the 5000m)

I hope not. I don't see why everyone else should bend over backwards to accommodate Lisa. England and Twell have both done more than enough to merit individual selection in the 1500m.

Although having said that, if Dobriskey does get selected, it's nice that the other two have other options.

[nevetsllim]

Twell, England and Dobriskey are all racing in Monaco so hopefully they will get a fast pace and this will decide who gets selected without too much controversy...