Carl Lewis and his 19.75

[Gebrucilassie]

As a much younger man I remember reading about Carl Lewis running 19.75 in Indy. At the time I remember there being much discussion about how fast he might have run were he not celebrating so far out. But now I am wondering if it might have been a "slight" embellishment of the facts. I am wondering if any eyewitness can confirm or deny that he May have been in the range of Tyson.

[lovetorun]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Not an eye witness (only saw it on TV), but I really don't think Carl lost that much in his celebration...not close to Tyson Gay's 19.58.

[gh]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

the amount that one loses by "celebrating early" are frequently rather overstated, in my opinion. Having said that, my recollection is that Carl easily lost a 10th that day, perhaps more.

[Rog]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

I would agree with GH, his celebrations did slow him down but it wasn't as extreme as Usain Bolt in Beijing... I think he said he was tired at the end anyway. It was one of those races where everyone ran a fast time/pb.

[Pierre-Jean]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

In the last meters of the 200m, you are much farther from your top speed reached during the race, than during the last meters of the 100m. So you are not taking as much advantage from the momentum during the 200m. Anyway, Lewis missed the occasion to break Mennea's 19.72.

[Gebrucilassie]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Thanks everyone. I used to think that these runners gave up a lot of time by celebrating. I remember reading that Michael Johnson once "walked" the last 10 meters (at the NCAA one year) and STILL ran a blazing fast time. I think that perhaps a little time was lost, but not to the extent most would like to believe.

[runforlife]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Anyway, Lewis missed the occasion to break Mennea's 19.72.

Agreed! As I remember most sitting around me agreed it would have been a WR.

[ndamix]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Thanks everyone. I used to think that these runners gave up a lot of time by celebrating. I remember reading that Michael Johnson once "walked" the last 10 meters (at the NCAA one year) and STILL ran a blazing fast time. I think that perhaps a little time was lost, but not to the extent most would like to believe.

I was fortunate enough to see Carl's 19.75 in Indianapolis in '83 and MJ's trot/walk in the 4 x 4 heats @ the '90 NCs. In Carl's case, I clearly remember he was in "the zone" of his weekend accomplishments (100m/200m & LJ) and just enjoying the moment of celebrating his achievement.

In MJ's case, that whole 4 x 4 heat was unreal. I clearly remember "43.5" reverberating around Wallace Wade Stadium before the split was actually announced.

[gh]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Carl's 19.75 is only No. 3 on my 200 walk-in list:

No. 2 is by Mike Marsh: his 19.73 low-altitude WR (just 0.01 off Mennea's Mexico City-altitude mark) in the semis at Barcelona featured a long stroll in the park in the last quarter of the homestretch.

No. 1 is by MJ in the Tokyo '91 semis. It's "only" a 20.06, but not only was that into the teeth of a 3.1 wind, he also walked the last half of the straight. To this day I have no doubt he'd have broken the WR, even with the big negative wind had he kept the pedal down. He can be excused for his letup though; the final was only 97 minutes later.

[tandfman]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Thanks everyone. I used to think that these runners gave up a lot of time by celebrating. I remember reading that Michael Johnson once "walked" the last 10 meters (at the NCAA one year) and STILL ran a blazing fast time. I think that perhaps a little time was lost, but not to the extent most would like to believe.

I was fortunate enough to see Carl's 19.75 in Indianapolis in '83 and MJ's trot/walk in the 4 x 4 heats @ the '90 NCs. In Carl's case, I clearly remember he was in "the zone" of his weekend accomplishments (100m/200m & LJ) and just enjoying the moment of celebrating his achievement.

In MJ's case, that whole 4 x 4 heat was unreal. I clearly remember "43.5" reverberating around Wallace Wade Stadium before the split was actually announced.

That was the meet that made me realize how good MJ was and could be. He made a stunning impression.

[dbirds]

Re: Carl Lewis and his 19.75

Good point GH - does anyone have splits of that race to analyze how fast MJ coulda run?