I taped the men's marathon and watched it last night. Congrats to Meb for a very well planned race. I kept track of the mile splits (which was a great feature, thanks NBC). I was amazed when I looked back at the final mile splits for the leaders. MIles 20-22 were done in 9:36 (21 mile split was missed during commercial break), 23 in 4:55, 24 in 4:44 and 25 in 4:28 ! Baldini did the last 1.2M in 5:28 , a 4:29 pace. He did the last 6.2 miles just under 29:00, which is mindboggling, although it was downhill. The race was only marred by the nutcase who shoved Lima off the course. Where was the super tight security? I hope they throw that clown and his kilt into a Greek prison for a good while.
David Dunn
When I first saw Baldini in the lead pack at about 12 miles(?) I thought - oh this guy is getting his few mins of glory and then he'll be gone. Then as Meb and Baldini dropped Tergat I thought Baldini looked to be running very smoothly, which he continued on those downhills. A fairly big white guy ended up winning on that tough course, even though it wasn't that hot for the men's race - go figure. Baldini's running style showed he was the strongest in the race; he looked like he was in a track 10k towards the end.
When I first saw Baldini in the lead pack at about 12 miles(?) I thought - oh this guy is getting his few mins of glory and then he'll be gone. Then as Meb and Baldini dropped Tergat I thought Baldini looked to be running very smoothly, which he continued on those downhills. A fairly big white guy ended up winning on that tough course, even though it wasn't that hot for the men's race - go figure. Baldini's running style showed he was the strongest in the race; he looked like he was in a track 10k towards the end.
- Tony
He also didn't do a lick of work until he dropped Meb. I disagree with David that Meb ran a well planned race. He looked nervous and was leading the chase for many miles. He was probably feeling really good, and knew it could be his day, and was tricked into thinking that the gold medal was up the road.
When I first saw Baldini in the lead pack at about 12 miles(?) I
thought -
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
oh this guy is getting his few mins of glory and then he'll be gone.
Then
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
as Meb and Baldini dropped Tergat I thought Baldini looked to be running very smoothly, which he continued on those downhills. A fairly big white guy ended up winning on that tough course, even though it wasn't that hot for the men's race - go figure. Baldini's running style showed he was
the
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
strongest in the race; he looked like he was in a track 10k towards the
end.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
- Tony
He also didn't do a lick of work until he dropped Meb. I disagree with David that Meb ran a well planned race. He looked nervous and was leading the chase for many miles. He was probably feeling really good, and knew it could be his day, and was tricked into thinking that the gold medal was up the road.
I agree that Meb did most of the work pulling back the Brazilian. If he waited and let Baldini do some of the work, the Brazilian still would have faded - whether or not he got attacked by that crazed religious freak - and then he might have had more to rival Baldini on those downhills. I don't think so, Baldini's form looked perfect and he seemed far stronger on that day. Meb didn't know the Brazilian would fade, so he chased and I think he ran a great race in any case.
When I first saw Baldini in the lead pack at about 12 miles(?) I
thought -
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
oh this guy is getting his few mins of glory and then he'll be gone.
Then
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
as Meb and Baldini dropped Tergat I thought Baldini looked to be running very smoothly, which he continued on those downhills. A fairly big white guy ended up winning on that tough course, even though it wasn't that hot for the men's race - go figure. Baldini's running style showed he was
the
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
strongest in the race; he looked like he was in a track 10k towards the
end.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
- Tony
He also didn't do a lick of work until he dropped Meb. I disagree with David that Meb ran a well planned race. He looked nervous and was leading the chase for many miles. He was probably feeling really good, and knew it could be his day, and was tricked into thinking that the gold medal was up the road.
I agree that Meb did most of the work pulling back the Brazilian. If he waited and let Baldini do some of the work, the Brazilian still would have faded - whether or not he got attacked by that crazed religious freak - and then he might have had more to rival Baldini on those downhills. I don't think so, Baldini's form looked perfect and he seemed far stronger on that day. Meb didn't know the Brazilian would fade, so he chased and I think he ran a great race in any case.
- Tony
Yeah, who knows. Meb and de Lima ran inspiring races, Baldini swooped in like a vulture. I'm bitter.
