Pre DL-400w: Sanya RICHARDS-ROSS 49.39 WL

[mump boy]

sanya has taken the steps to become olympic champion, by running a smart race and not over reacting to montsho's move between 150 and 300.

This, she seems run tactically in the last 2 races and it's working very well. She has wavered with pacing over the last few years but this was perfect.

Sanya is the favourite at the moment but said that the others ran really well today as well and weren't 1 sec behind. London is not a due deal yet

[mump boy]

It will be 3 rounds and not an adoring home crowd in August 2012 and, furthermore, Montsho has hardly started her season, whereas SRR has been busy for a while .

Montsho's improvement in the home straight from last week was significant, a matter of better pacing and maybe running into better shape. It would be stupid to discount her there is more to come

[TrackDaddy]

mump!

There's no requirement to win by any particular margin friend. That nonsensical way of thinking led Marion Jones down a ill advised path.

the reality is that in order for Montsho or Novlene to win they'll need to go from 49.6 to sub 49 in like 60 days .

Good luck with that because Sanya's probably gonna drop a 49 flat or below in the final.

Watch.

She let them hang around for a while today and measured them. Nice practice run.

If she makes her move 10 meters or so sooner she runs 49.1x today and breaks backs not to mention spirits.

[jazzcyclist]

Running the race that Sanya ran today requires a lot of faith and confidence in your ability since it goes against an athlete's nature to let other athletes pull away from you at the beginning of a race. When Jeremy Wariner was dominating from 2004 to 2007, there were many times that he was dead last or close to it halfway through the race, but the field always came back to him in the second half. It seems that Clyde Hart has finally instilled in Sanya to control her enthusiasm in this same manner.

[Vault-emort]

Anyone seen mump and flump?

Can they not clock out and come hither from the grounds of Buckingham Palace before Friar Tut blows a fuse?

As crazy as your Sanya posts are, I prefer them to your attempts at Ye Olde Englishe Humour..

PS - I think you're mixing up Friar Tuck with Batman's Egyptian enemy... perhaps they should bring back prohibition in your neck of the woods?

[26mi235]

Three gals ran less than 5 seconds faster than the Men's WLer did in winning his race. SRR might have to run sub 49 to win, and she might do it.

[GDAWG]

right now, if felix does not run he 400, the favorites to make the us team are SRR, McCrory and Trotter. Hastings and Dunn might even finish behind the top college runners.

All Hastings needs to do is finish in the top five to be considered a part of the relay pool. Same for Trotter. Both are excellent relay runners and have proven that on the international stage. If there's anyone who probably won't make the team it's going to be Debbie Dunn. They pick five or six for prelims and to run in the finals in case of injuries to one or two of the four main runners scheduled for the finals. Hastings was likely to be on standby in Beijing for the finals in 2008 had there been another injury (and they were already down Trotter). USA Women always take 5 to 6 400 meter runners into their 4 x 400 relay pools. The 400 hurdlers would be "in case of emergency" scenarios, unlike the men.

Any combo of Felix, SRR, McCorory, Trotter, Beard, Hastings will probably end up in the relay pool if all five finish top five at USA Trials (unless Felix doesn't run 400) and then you pray nobody out of that group gets injured. The pool could also expand to add one more runner should Felix decide not to run the 4 x 400 relay.

[ATK]

Add Demus to that pool, she is probably one of the A runners over the 4th placer at trials.

[TrackDaddy]

It seems that Clyde Hart has finally instilled in Sanya to control her enthusiasm in this same manner.

No doubt. Its all about patience. Imagine being the fastest (and maybe strongest) sprinter in a race and allowing the competition to run ahead or alongside you for 3/4 of the race. With Wariner I think it was more strength and form.

With her sprint speed its not as easy to restrain yourself as it may seem.

I think the loss in Jamaica is the best thing that couldve happened to Sanya's season. In 2008 she was undefeated going into Beijing. I hate undefeated seasons going into championships because along with additional pressure you haven't learned anything.

In 2009 she lost in Jamaica and changed her race model to a form similar to the way she ran today. Before it was over she was WC and had dropped times of 49 flat and two 48s .

[TrackDaddy]

As crazy as your Sanya posts are, I prefer them to your attempts at Ye Olde Englishe Humour..

PS - I think you're mixing up Friar Tuck with Batman's Egyptian enemy... perhaps they should bring back prohibition in your neck of the woods?

'

LOL! My bad.

Yeah I think I had Robin Hood, King Tut and Little John all morphed into one guy or something. Are the Nile, the English Channel and the Buckingham Palace moat connected to the same water way? I'm thinking I may still be able to make this thing work.

Prohibition? Nay, sire! Shalt I be restained? Ne'er more to partake of ye ole pub's ale?

Nay, sire, nay! lol

(light margarita means less sugar in the mix. the alcohol content is the same)

[TrackDaddy]

Trotter's return is interesting as well. Trust a slight hiccup for Hastings.

Suspect there will be several ladies that are quiet now will make a strong enough appearance @ trials.

Yes sir Chui. Isn't Beard lurking?

[TrackDaddy]

sanya has taken the steps to become olympic champion, by running a smart race and not over reacting to montsho's move between 150 and 300.

This, she seems run tactically in the last 2 races and it's working very well. She has wavered with pacing over the last few years but this was perfect.

Sanya is the favourite at the moment but said that the others ran really well today as well and weren't 1 sec behind. London is not a due deal yet

Sanya's the only person in the race who we KNOW can run significantly faster. Everyone was close to their prs but not her...and she still won confortably. Its not easy to pr, as you know.

Don't be surprised if shes the only one who runs faster in London and that full second thing comes up again.

[t_monk]

That same race strategy leaves SRR vulnerable and the moment she gets beaten running that strategy she's going to go back to where she is coming from regarding her go out fast strategy in the 400. I honestly don't think she is as strong as Montsho or Ohoguru when they are at their best. SRR is a speedster when it comes to the 400m, I would think she would kill them with speed and not try to out power them on the home stretch.

I like how this season is shaping up though with the women's 400. If only Felix will throw her hat in the ring. All that is left now is for the Russians to show so we can know which one(s) will show up.

[72]

Whilst we do not expect anything rational from that old dodo, TD, it is a little strange that he states that Montsho will need to be sub 49 in 6 weeks ; where does he find evidence to give us the "probably" SRR will be running sub 49 after two rounds in London, and in any event SRR's tactical skills have hardly been of the first order.

I doubt that Berlin experience is about to be repeated for Sanya.

[t_monk]

Isn't the schedule for the 400 back to back, in that there is a round each day and unlike Berlin where they got a rest day I believe. I think things worked out perfectly for Sanya in Berlin. She got a perfect lane draw in the finals and also had the easiest semi of the lot. Where persons had to go 49.mid just to make the finals I think she coasted to a 50.3 I think

[mump boy]

mump!

There's no requirement to win by any particular margin friend.

Sorry i thought you said she had a clear second over all her rivals ??

[Gabriella]

If Montsho hadn't reacted to SRRs fast opening 100 the way she did, by running far too fast from the 100 mark to 250 m, she would not have conceded so much in the home straight. If she runs more sensibly she will not be .23 behind next time. Bear that in mind.

Kapachinskaya opened with 51.20 this weekend but no confirmation of weather yet.

[Gabriella]

On t_monks point re the semis, this is what always worries me in the 400 and 800 in particular, is this whole three semi format.

SRR, Williams-MIlls, Montsho and CO have shown to be the best thus far (on either placings or time) and of course with Shericka WIlliams, 3 Russians and 2 more Americans it's going to be a bloodbath in the semis.

[liuxuan]

this forum is going to go into meltdown after the london 400m final.....whatever the result!

thats a really good run by sanya, however i amn REALLY impressed by montsho, she obviously blew up in shanghai and that run wasnt reflective of the shape she is really in, she showed last year she can build her form through racing over the season, and I think 3 rounds will give her some leverage to put pressure on, and possibly beat sanya. add in TBO and the 400m final is looking really difficult to predict.

in addition............ive wanted to see allyson in that final for the last 5 years since she split 48.0 in osaka.............but i actually think theres a possibility she could end up as a 100/200m gold medalist, which would be CRAZY!!!! also it could be VCB which would cement the LEGEND!!!!

[ATK]

Isn't the schedule for the 400 back to back, in that there is a round each day and unlike Berlin where they got a rest day I believe. I think things worked out perfectly for Sanya in Berlin. She got a perfect lane draw in the finals and also had the easiest semi of the lot. Where persons had to go 49.mid just to make the finals I think she coasted to a 50.3 I think

It is back to back all 3 days, and in Daegu it was back to back all 3 days as well.
Granted US trials will have 3 back to back days, and will obviously not be nearly as fast in terms of the field, but could help Sanya prepare accordingly.

I agree with you that Christine and Montsho are stronger than SRR at their best, but what I'm thinking is that Sanya has been working on her strength and could be reaching or surpassing what those ladies are capable of. She seems very confident about pacing her races and trusting that she can still have that strong finish.

[jazzcyclist]

That same race strategy leaves SRR vulnerable and the moment she gets beaten running that strategy she's going to go back to where she is coming from regarding her go out fast strategy in the 400.

Why do you say it leaves her vulnerable? With this strategy, coming down the homestretch, she will always have an extra gear left that her competitors can't match.

I honestly don't think she is as strong as Montsho or Ohoguru when they are at their best. SRR is a speedster when it comes to the 400m, I would think she would kill them with speed and not try to out power them on the home stretch.

She's already found out the hard way that the kill-them-with-speed strategy doesn't work.

[Megas15]

I can just see Sanya working every millimeter of that track on given day to take it into the territory of Perec in winning the Gold...

[NotSoOrdinary]

*Weeps*

The American girls coming for that sprint sweep in London

[TrackDaddy]

mump!

There's no requirement to win by any particular margin friend.

Sorry i thought you said she had a clear second over all her rivals ??

Actually I said her pr was a second faster than most other professional 400m runners.

At least thats what I meant.

The point was that although her pr is comfortably ahead, she DOES NOT need to win by that margin.

Notice: She dropped 1.26 seconds in a week and is still .60 from her pr. Everyone else is up against theirs.

[TrackDaddy]

*Weeps*

The American girls coming for that sprint sweep in London

Can you accept being the other woman?

[NotSoOrdinary]

*Weeps*

The American girls coming for that sprint sweep in London

Can you accept being the other woman?

No, I'd have to be the #1 girl ala Miss Felix versus..well you know who.

[TrackDaddy]

That same race strategy leaves SRR vulnerable and the moment she gets beaten running that strategy she's going to go back to where she is coming from regarding her go out fast strategy in the 400. I honestly don't think she is as strong as Montsho or Ohoguru when they are at their best. SRR is a speedster when it comes to the 400m, I would think she would kill them with speed and not try to out power them on the home stretch.

Your post makes no sense and is clearly deluded with repressed emotion.

Ever noticed how at the end of the 800 or 1500 meters speed becomes a huge factor? Nick Symmonds, et al use speed to kick. Quite often its faster "sprinter" near the end of races that win.

So you're missing what's occurring here.

Strength isn't as relevant of an issue when you've cruised for 3/4 of the race.

SPEED is. And to say that Montsho or Novlene are stronger than Sanya who's run 48 probably as much as they've run 49 is just plain nonsensical friend.

Finally, anyone who loses a race or two may tweak their strategy. So why would Sanya be an exception? Thing is, she's NEVER lost using this strategy when full strength and even blasted Felix with it in 2009.

She left. Let it go.

[TrackDaddy]

*Weeps*

The American girls coming for that sprint sweep in London

Can you accept being the other woman?

No, I'd have to be the #1 girl ala Miss Felix versus..well you know who.

Well I missed you. The board isn't the same when you're away. I'd fire all these jokers for some quality time with you. We could do walks on the beach, watch romantic overtures in super hero movies , and debate SRR vs AF while watching the sun set...

And rise again

[TrackDaddy]

Whilst we do not expect anything rational from that old dodo, TD, it is a little strange that he states that Montsho will need to be sub 49 in 6 weeks ; where does he find evidence to give us the "probably" SRR will be running sub 49 after two rounds in London, and in any event SRR's tactical skills have hardly been of the first order.

I doubt that Berlin experience is about to be repeated for Sanya.

You said you doubt the Berlin experience would be repeated but didnt say why?

What are you basing that on? Just feeling Nostradamusee today?

Sanya ran 49 flat in the Berlin final. She did so after losing to Novlene in Jamaica and altering her strategy as she's done here. Montsho is already up against her pr and unless she's able to take .70 or so MORE off it by London (highly unlikely) she'll probably be looking at silver...at best.

Sanya shaved 1.26 off her time from last week by waiting longer than ever to kick while still separating at the tape. If she moves 5 meters sooner, yesterday was a 49.1 and Montsho, trying to keep pace, spends the rest of the week on the trainers table.

[TrackDaddy]

That same race strategy leaves SRR vulnerable and the moment she gets beaten running that strategy she's going to go back to where she is coming from regarding her go out fast strategy in the 400.

Why do you say it leaves her vulnerable? With this strategy, coming down the homestretch, she will always have an extra gear left that her competitors can't match.

I honestly don't think she is as strong as Montsho or Ohoguru when they are at their best. SRR is a speedster when it comes to the 400m, I would think she would kill them with speed and not try to out power them on the home stretch.

She's already found out the hard way that the kill-them-with-speed strategy doesn't work.

I'm not the only one who was miffed by this post from tmonk. We KNOW he knows his stuff as well as anyone here. So to make THESE arguments?!? I can only speculate (or not) why.

[NotSoOrdinary]

Well I missed you. The board isn't the same when you're away. I'd fire all these jokers for some quality time with you. We could do walks on the beach, watch romantic overtures in super hero movies , and debate SRR vs AF while watching the sun set...

And rise again

Aww, you're nicer than everyone gives you credit for TD =)

But, I hate superhero movies =)

[Marlow]

I'm not the only one who was miffed by this post from tmonk. We KNOW he knows his stuff as well as anyone here. So to make THESE arguments?!? I can only speculate (or not) why.

'Saving' yourself for the 100 is not what the 400 is all about. Nor does one strategy fit all people. It's using your personal strengths to optimize YOUR race. The differences among runners is seen most clearly in the 3rd 100. Some people coast it, gathering strength for the homestretch. Some blast it, so as to gain an advantage before the final straight. Some try and exert the same outlay of energy all the way around in hopes of not giving anything away in any one area of the race.

As SRR is so fast, it makes sense for her to use that speed as her advantage. I think that's all tmonk is saying. Makes sense to me.

[TrackDaddy]

Well I missed you. The board isn't the same when you're away. I'd fire all these jokers for some quality time with you. We could do walks on the beach, watch romantic overtures in super hero movies , and debate SRR vs AF while watching the sun set...

And rise again

Aww, you're nicer than everyone gives you credit for TD =)

But, I hate superhero movies =)

I knew you wouldn't like super hero movies since most women hate them. As many men do, I love them. So you and I could squeeze hands during the playful innuendos between characters who have that sensual tension. I hate romantic movies so I figure we're splitting the difference. Or, I could go to romantic movies with you and wait, hope and pray that at some point there'll be some special effects.

BTW thank you for saying I'm nice. I try to be. I always hold doors, say thank you and never curse.

I think I love you.

[TrackDaddy]

I'm not the only one who was miffed by this post from tmonk. We KNOW he knows his stuff as well as anyone here. So to make THESE arguments?!? I can only speculate (or not) why.

'Saving' yourself for the 100 is not what the 400 is all about. Nor does one strategy fit all people. It's using your personal strengths to optimize YOUR race. The differences among runners is seen most clearly in the 3rd 100. Some people coast it, gathering strength for the homestretch. Some blast it, so as to gain an advantage before the final straight. Some try and exert the same outlay of energy all the way around in hopes of not giving anything away in any one area of the race.

As SRR is so fast, it makes sense for her to use that speed as her advantage. I think that's all tmonk is saying. Makes sense to me.

Yes sir, I agree and thats what I'm saying basically. It is about what works but making your move too soon could be as catastropnic as getting out too fast. But her race yesterday was about staying within herself until it was time to "sprint" all out. When she gets out fast then the last 100 is about strength and not speed.

[ChuiTai]

Trotter's return is interesting as well. Trust a slight hiccup for Hastings.

Suspect there will be several ladies that are quiet now will make a strong enough appearance @ trials.

Yes sir Chui. Isn't Beard lurking?

TD, Beard might've been one, though I'm thinking of a few others as well.

Not so certain about Beard. Perhaps in her case, the volume (or limits) of intensification, from on-track bouts, could serve as a opposite result in comparison to past performances. However I could be very wrong in this case.

Richards-Ross' 2+2 split ratio was quite close to that of the 48.70. Trust she will have an opportunity to match the latter with similar tactics.