Crowie and Macca
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jro81 posted 24 weeks ago.
Yeah those guys are definitely amazing. Just last night I was watching video of last year (2008) Wildflower when Macca dropped Llanos in the last mile. I got a side stitch from just watching that video. Dude was bookin.
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Tri-grit posted 24 weeks ago.
macker wrote:
I am confident that either of these world-class triathletes could run low 1hour for an open 1/2 and 2.20 or 2.15 for an open marathon if they focused only on running. And any of the world-class runners who run 2.09 couldn't make it through half a 70.3 or IM at the pace of a pro triathlete...
They are exceptionally well-balanced in all three disciplines and you're probably right that they could run those times - if they trained for it.
Your point about the world-class runners is also well-taken, but those who are world-class have recognized their own strengths and for them that is running - not S/B/R. Anyway, they're not the ones who look down on triathletes - At least, I have yet to hear any truly world-class runner (like Haile Gebrselassie, Meb Keflezighi, Dathan Ritzenhein, etc) show disrespect for a world-class triathlete like Crowie and Macca. I think the world-class runners understand the sports are different.
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macker posted 24 weeks ago.
Tri-grit, you are exactly right! Thanks for making that point. What got me so heated-up was how some of these folks were talking down about triathletes as if they couldn't make it in 'one' sport...obviously a narrow point of view from a small group....I guess I felt the need to defend..lol...thanks!
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kpollock posted 24 weeks ago.
I was just saying the same thing when I watched the 2008 Kona dvd. I can't imagine running that fast after biking in those conditions and Crowie/Wellington made it look so easy!
I had an argument with my boyfriend regarding who are the best athletes. David Goggins, Navy Seal, mentioned in the dvd that triathletes are some of the best athletes and my guy disagreed, he said basketball and football players are. Granted they are two different sports and maybe I can't appreciate their talents but you can't say the Crowie's, Macca's and Wellington's of the world aren't some of the best athletes! Being so good in all three disciplines is simply astonishing, not to mention doing it all while exhausted and beat up!
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Tri-grit posted 24 weeks ago.
Macker - you had it right and I know what you mean. Some of the runners and roadies I know (none of whom are world-class btw) cannot seem to understand the concept of training for three sports (S/B/R) in order to put it all together to race. I wonder what Bruce Jenner would say to them?
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macker posted 24 weeks ago.
It is always hard to compare different sports/discplines - what Tiger woods can do is just as amazing as Michael Phelps, Pele, Gretsky etc. I do find it naaive to boldly say that a pro in one sport is BETTER than that other pro just because of the sport itself...
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zagfan posted 24 weeks ago.
My favorite part of the Kona 2008 coverage was watching Crowie run the marathon like it was nothing. His stride just looks so effortless and graceful. I'm excited for Kona 09 b/c both Crowie and Macca are on a tear so far and it should be a great race.
I think people talk down about triathletes b/c its not a very well understood sport. It's hard for a runner to figure out why you would want to swim and bike before you run, and the same for swimmers and bikers. Plus our sport isn't about dominating one discipline, rather balancing the three for one race. That's why I consider myself a triathlete, not a swimmer/biker/runner. Not b/c I don't admire those sports, but b/c I know my strength lies within me putting the three together.
"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
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kylie posted 24 weeks ago.
After the way Crowie ran at the Muskoka 70.3 race in 2008 I believed anything was possible for him! :) It was a crazy wet day and a course that only reminded me of an Escher picture with people coming and going from what seemed like all directions, and I don't think there was a flat spot on it. And he ran a 1:13! :)
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
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aussieboy13 posted 24 weeks ago.
+1 for aussies is all i can say :-D Those two are insane i swear it.....
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macker posted 24 weeks ago.
And on top of great athletes, great people. I met Macca the day after last year's Hawaii World Championships at our hotel. As you may know he had a mechanical issue...anyway, I chatted at the hotel bar/pool with him for 15min and got a pic with him...very normal, nice guy.
And I emailed Craig through his site just to congratulate him on Hawaii, and he replied, was courteous, nice and told me to say hi to him at the next race...he could have been BSing me but i think he meant it!
For those who follow the pros, you'll know that both Craig Alexander and Chris McCormack are having good year so far (knock on wood for them both). What I can't believe is how fast these guys can run. Of course there are other pro triathletes that are very fast as well, but Crowie and Macca can put a great swim, great bike and fast run together consistently. Crowie just ran a 1.17 in Hawaii 70.3 - next best pro run was 1.26 for the half. Both have run 1.111.12 on fast courses. For anyone who has ever run an open 1/2 marathon, you know that a 1.11 by itself is amazing (5.25/mile) let alone doing that after a grueling bike at 25mph. I consider myself a decent runner, and my best open 1/2 is 1.30! I am just amazed at their ability! And I am looking forward to seeing them compete in Kona this year....
I was reading some runners blog about what Macca could do in an open marathon and how it was fast - and some 'pure runners' were beating up pro triathletes b/c they couldn't make it as runners! I am confident that either of these world-class triathletes could run low 1hour for an open 1/2 and 2.20 or 2.15 for an open marathon if they focused only on running. And any of the world-class runners who run 2.09 couldn't make it through half a 70.3 or IM at the pace of a pro triathlete...