Another way to look at this too, is that there have been many other
Americans over the years who were marginally faster than Todd Williams
(Virgin, Salazar, and Nenow) who raced in road races fairly frequently ...
sometimes it may have been to their benefit ... sometimes not.
Indeed, T-Will himself AND Lynn Jennings both have run in quite a few of
these races that are part of "the road running craze".
What I don't get is this statement:
"We are much better off keeping our elite track athletes away from the road
running craze."
Who are "We" and how are "We" supposed to "keep them away" from the "craze"?
How am I better off keeping Bob Kennedy (or, insert your favorite) away from
road racing?
I think it should say:
"Developmental elites are much better off not over-racing on the road racing
circuit." But how is it that "We" can keep them away from it? Pay them
$2000 every time they give up going to a race? ... like a farm subsidy?
As much respect as I have for Bob Kennedy and all his achievements ... his
lack of racing on the macadam probably results (at least somewhat) from him
being a 1500/5000m man in the early 90's ... and a 3000/5000m man for the
last five years ... and NOT being much of a 10k specialist yet.
-Brian McEwen
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 12:56 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: t-and-f: Bob Kennedy/NY Times
In a message dated Thu, 1 Feb 2001 9:08:10 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< In his N.Y. Times article "Kennedy Returns After Olympic Disappointment,"
Marc Bloom writes...."He has been much admired by his peers as an 'honorary
Kenyan." Passing up prize money in road racing, Kennedy stuck to the events
on the track.
A simple statement, but one often overlooked by athletes and coaches. The
sooner we return to a focus on the track with our elite athletes, the better
chance we have of producing a Bob Kennedy, Todd Williams or a Lynn Jennings.
We are much better off keeping our elite track athletes away from the road
running craze.
Just my 2 cents.
Larry
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I agree that if you want to be one of the best on the track you shouldn't
run too many road races. But to say (not that you necessarily did) that one
shouldn't run any road races doesn't jibe with what the top runners do.
Virtually all top distance runners on the track do a few road races every
year. Geb might only do one, but he'll do one. Kirui, Nyariki, Paul Koech,
most of the Ethiopians, they all did road races after the cross and track
seasons. Did they peak for them? No, but they are already in great shape
after World Cross of the summer Euro circuit and they do them to earn some
money because road money in Europe is often guarenteed, whereas money on the
track now is often based on place, often leaving top runners coming home
with little dough.
sideshow
