tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29551596.post3901680944298675544..comments2023-09-26T08:59:46.076-04:00Comments on The Track & Field Superblog: New Ideas for the VISA tourThe Track & Field Superfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17106381988515014325noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29551596.post-27788679227428233732007-06-14T14:20:00.000-04:002007-06-14T14:20:00.000-04:00While I certainly value your opinion, I respectful...While I certainly value your opinion, I respectfully disagree that organized time trials have destroyed the sport. They certainly haven't destroyed it for me. I think races with rabbits can be every bit as exciting as races without rabbits. I published a post about this topic over at <A HREF="http://finishlinepundit.blogspot.com/2007/06/running-with-rabbits-is-not-necessarily.html" REL="nofollow">Finish Line Pundit</A>. By the way, I have added your blog to my list of 5-Star websites. Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the great blogging!Jimmiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01726434395162137981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29551596.post-77648945170191972212007-06-12T16:34:00.000-04:002007-06-12T16:34:00.000-04:00In my opinion, organized time trials have destroye...In my opinion, organized time trials have destroyed the sport. The GP circuit almost never has a competitive finish in races of 1500m or further. Unless someone is on WR pace, they are so boring as to be unwatchable.<BR/><BR/>In 1954 there was some debate as to whether or not Bannister's record should have been approved, and in ensuing years Bannister himself began to wish it hadn't happened the way it did. In the early 60s he predicted rabbitting and time-trialing and thought it would ruin the competition that makes the sport interesting. I think he was right.<BR/><BR/>This is precisely why NASCAR and the PGA have changed their formats--to keep their championships up for grabs right until the very end.The Track & Field Superfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17106381988515014325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29551596.post-67305075072031846942007-06-12T14:23:00.000-04:002007-06-12T14:23:00.000-04:00Good ideas. You've got to admit, though, that org...Good ideas. You've got to admit, though, that organized "time trials" do have their place — especially in the middle-distance races — and are what produce most world records. There's nothing quite like watching a race that has a couple of world-class runners being paced by a couple of knowledgable rabbits. Those type of "time trial" conditions are what allow us to be treated to a world record like the exquisitely paced <A HREF="http://finishlinepundit.blogspot.com/2007/05/flashback-mile-world-record.html" REL="nofollow">Mile world record</A> by Hicham El Guerrouj. In fact, Roger Bannister's historic first sub 4 would not have been possible under competitive conditions. Only by being paced by Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway was Bannister able to pull off his historic feat.Jimmiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01726434395162137981noreply@blogger.com