Take a look at this photograph, clearly his teeth were there

Worlds has come and gone and I can now get some uninterrupted sleep in the mornings.  It was definitely worth getting up this morning at 6:20 to watch the men’s 5000m, 800m and Women’s 1500m.  The 5000 was so slow it was pretty painful to watch.  8:36.99 through 3000m is a walk for those guys and the race didn’t really heat up until the last 600m.  Bernard Lagat probably couldn’t have asked for a better set-up, which begs the question…  why would Tariku Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge and Craig Mottram let it go that slow?  A fast pace ensures the 1500m runners don’t have an advantage and many of those guys would have wanted a fast pace… provided by someone else other than themselves.  No one wants to lead the majority of any race at a fast pace.  We’ve all seen runners lead a race to get out-kicked at the end (Women’s 1500m today), everyone wants to follow, until the end.

The real highlight for me was Gary Reed’s run in the 800m.  The race went out in 25 sec through 200m and then settled into a 29 sec 200m to come through 400m in 55.08 with Gary in the lead.  Once another runner made a move on Gary (with 170m to go) he responded and went back into the lead.  He had the lead all the way until the last couple of meters where he was out-leaned at the line.

A classic finish line picture came from Sully’s semi-final where he narrowly missed qualifying.  Juan Luis Barrios who missed by even less than Sully can be seen praying at the finish line for the last spot.  Maybe he should of leaned instead of praying?

Some other personal highlights were Hilary Stellingwerff making it into the semis and being very close to making the final.  Great running for her first World Championships.  Her fellow Wisconsin Badger, Matt Tegankamp, coming 4th in the 5000m final was also good to see.   I can hardly believe that in 2004 the U.S. only had two guys run the 5000m at the Olympics and now they have three guys in the final at the World Champs.