Thursday, February 17, 2011

RYAN HALL AND BOSTON

I am not sure why, but I am on a Ryan Hall love kick. Don't know. I always like it when one(an individual) has the confidence and gusto to go against the grain and try their own thing. Most people do not and conform to the norm.

All musing aside, Hall is the most talented marathoner ever produced by American running coaches and the system created here.

People poke some fun of him because of his religious committment, they ridicule him for breaking off from his coach. I think this is dumb. People who make fun of others for their decisions usually are envious or do it because they have no motive of their own.

In any case, Hall is running Boston on his own. Meb is not running and Hall is the lone American with any chance of winning.

He has no coach and big system behind him at his point.

He does however, have faith in himself and is going for it.

Go Ryan Hall.

7 comments:

Peter said...

"Hall is the most talented marathoner ever produced by American running coaches and the system created here."

Lockwood fact check FAIL.

Meb was coached by US coaches, in California, in junior high, high school, college and as a pro. He is the owner of an Olympic silver medal and has won a major marathon (NYC), feats that the speedier Ryan Hall has not matched.

Do some research before you get on your high horse.

Joe Wiggy said...

"THAT JUST HAPPENED!" -Ricky Bobbie

Anonymous said...

He never said he was the most accomplished marathoner in American history. He said he was the "most talented." I think many would agree that the marathon potential that Ryan has demonstrated is unmatched. I think what is exciting about watching Ryan is not only his fearless attitude to not follow the norm but also that there seems to be more untapped potential that may come out on any given day. I'm hoping he is able to dial in his training and have another break out race in the near future.

Peter said...

I would have taken no issue with the original post if it had been written as:

"Hall is the fastest marathoner ever produced by American running coaches and the system created here"

No argument there.

or

"Hall is the most talented marathoner born in the United States."

No argument there.

but I take issue with the statement because it is a non sequitur.

"Hall is the most talented marathoner ever produced by American running coaches and the system created here."

Talent is defined as inborn or innate ability. The American system did not produce Ryan Hall's talent, it built upon it. Talent + coaching/training =racing capability.

MAX said...

Peter, you must be insane or living in lala land. Hall is the best ever. Meb, Salazar, Bill Rodgers and so on are/were great but Hall will go down as the best.

Anonymous said...

He may or he may not be..too early to tell if longevity is part of the equation.

but I agree Peter aka "towpath" has been spending too much time in the sun on the C and O Canal Towpath....

Peter said...

I'll ignore the ad hominem for the time being. My issue with your statements are that they are absolutist yet lack proper evidence or reasoning to back them.

For instance:

"Hall is the best ever."

Best is too broad a term to use in such a declaration, since in running, 'best" is an amalgamation of various qualities such as best times, national and World Records, Olympic and World Championship medals, and major victories.

Irrefutably, Hall is the fastest ever. He does not have the most medals or major wins, so if you are going to declare him the best or make any more absolutist statements, please provide a supporting argument, e.g., "I think Hall is the best US marathon runner ever. Even though he hasn't medaled at the Olympics or WCs, he's competing in a far more competitive era than his predecessors (Shorter, Rodgers et al.) His times elevate him to the top position in the US All-time rankings, in my humble opinion."

-Towpath

P.S. I am a fan of Hall and hope he continues to achieve great things.