Right now, Merritt owns Wariner mentally.

[jazzcyclist]

Owning mentally sounds too much like trash talk to me. Merritt is just better right now. He runs faster. Why ascribe JW's losses to some mental/emotional reason? If wanting to run fast worked then I'd be pretty damn quick.

I can understand why you feel that way. I felt the same way until I saw J.W. run 43.6 in the mens 4x400 looking like the secretariat of old. It was at that point that I realized he has the physical prowess to get it done.

As for your comments on the "mental/emotional reason?" Well................ one example, while albeit not exactly the same, might be Asafa Powell's penchant for....hmmmmm. shall we say, tightening up? Yea, I think that works.

But someone who runs 44.6 in the open 400 would be expected to run 43.6 in the 4x400.

[xxx]

Owning mentally sounds too much like trash talk to me. Merritt is just better right now. He runs faster. Why ascribe JW's losses to some mental/emotional reason? If wanting to run fast worked then I'd be pretty damn quick.

I can understand why you feel that way. I felt the same way until I saw J.W. run 43.6 in the mens 4x400 looking like the secretariat of old. It was at that point that I realized he has the physical prowess to get it done.

As for your comments on the "mental/emotional reason?" Well................ one example, while albeit not exactly the same, might be Asafa Powell's penchant for....hmmmmm. shall we say, tightening up? Yea, I think that works.

[Marlow]

So we have an AMAZINGLY high total of ONE race. I think we are on to something don't you?!

Just demonstarting that Merritt COULD have thrown down a better number, regardless of conditions or opponents. . . . A win is a win, though.

[duckedup]

internet psychologists i tell ya...the way ya'll talkin we gotta board full of fully qualified sports psychologists in the house. :roll:

[guruof track]

So we have an AMAZINGLY high total of ONE race. I think we are on to something don't you?!

[Marlow]

How many sub 44 have been run on wet tracks in 60 degree weather? Just curious, never mind the hour or so rain delay.

17 C is coolish, but not freezing. Even without having specific data on hand, I'd bet there have been much faster races in the past run in similar or lower temperatures. 44.06 is very good, but just two runners below 45 in the final is way slow, even in these conditions.

You mean perhaps like Helsinki?

FINAL
(August 12)
(temperature 17C/63F; humidity 88%)
1. Jeremy Wariner (US) 43.93 PR
2. Andrew Rock (US) 44.35 PR
3. Tyler Christopher (Canada) 44.44 NR
4. Chris Brown (Bah) 44.48 PR
5. Tim Benjamin (GB) 44.93
6. Brandon Simpson (Jam) 45.01
7. Darold Williamson (US) 45.12
8. John Steffensen (Aus) 45.46

[jazzcyclist]

I agree with most of what you've said, but the difference between the sprints and the distance and middle distance races is that the sprints are essentially time trials. Sprinters go into the final with the mindset that they're going to give a 100% effort. For events longer than 400 meters, you're reacting to what you're competitors are doing, irregardless of time. That's why it's so much more common to see records broken in the sprints than in distance and middle distance races at championship meets.

Not in the 400. MJ's record was set in 1999 (last century.) Prior to that, Harry Reynolds record lasted 11 years despite the fact MJ ran something like 19 sub 44 second 400 meters prior to breaking the record.

Like Ringo Starr sang, "It don't come easy!'

I think you totally missed my point.

1) When I use the term sprints, I don't mean just the men's 400, I mean the men's and women's 100, 200, 400, 100/110 Hurdles, 400 Hurdles, 4x100 and 4x400.

2) I'm not saying that sprint records are easy to break. I'm saying that it's more likely to break them at championship meets than it is to break a distance or middle distance record at a championship meet.

I was responding to your question:

If time is so important in these big meets, what is up with all of the distant events?

Of the 14 men's and women's championship sprint events, ten of the world records were set in championships meets. However, of the 12 men's and women's distance events, only three of the world records were set at championship meets (one in the steeplechase in Beijing and two at the 1993 Chinese National Championships).

[guruof track]

Comparing a one off race to a championship race with round :?

[Taliban]

[quote=Paul Henry]

How many sub 44 have been run on wet tracks in 60 degree weather? Just curious, never mind the hour or so rain delay.

Guru, you are posing a question to the choir, while Rome is hungry and not entertained. ...and they won't accept your rationale when a guy ran 19.59 in a hurricane this year.[/quote:25mudh2j]

I agree with Guru...and that Guy has a 19.19 pr.

[jpaule]

In a WC or OG championship, winning is what counts. Ask Sanya how it felt.
Oh, and by the way, any color of medal is something to be proud of in a WC or OG event.

If time is so important in these big meets, what is up with all of the distant events?

I agree with most of what you've said, but the difference between the sprints and the distance and middle distance races is that the sprints are essentially time trials. Sprinters go into the final with the mindset that they're going to give a 100% effort. For events longer than 400 meters, you're reacting to what you're competitors are doing, irregardless of time. That's why it's so much more common to see records broken in the sprints than in distance and middle distance races at championship meets.

Not in the 400. MJ's record was set in 1999 (last century.) Prior to that, Harry Reynolds record lasted 11 years despite the fact MJ ran something like 19 sub 44 second 400 meters prior to breaking the record.

Like Ringo Starr sang, "It don't come easy!'

[jazzcyclist]

[quote=Paul Henry]

How many sub 44 have been run on wet tracks in 60 degree weather? Just curious, never mind the hour or so rain delay.

Guru, you are posing a question to the choir, while Rome is hungry and not entertained. ...and they won't accept your rationale when a guy ran 19.59 in a hurricane this year.[/quote:1oyzifs6]
Also, don't forget that the Berlin final isn't the only 400 that JW and LM have run this year.

[Paul Henry]

How many sub 44 have been run on wet tracks in 60 degree weather? Just curious, never mind the hour or so rain delay.

Guru, you are posing a question to the choir, while Rome is hungry and not entertained. ...and they won't accept your rationale when a guy ran 19.59 in a hurricane this year.

[guruof track]

How many sub 44 have been run on wet tracks in 60 degree weather? Just curious, never mind the hour or so rain delay.

[Paul Henry]

One could still say that Merrit has inheritted the mantle of providing consitent 43.9s (from the entertainment point of view) and the track-fans are impatiently awaiting this whether fair or unfair they await and I think this is kind of taking away from the shine he deserves. My personal inkling is similar to Jazzy's but 43s bring lustre to the event and it has been some time since the fans have seen one.

[TrackDaddy]

Oh, and by the way, any color of medal is something to be proud of in a WC or OG event.

This statement is nothing short of brilliant.