A Weekend Full Of Records!
This weekend was really about sports. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't doing any sport except my routine on Saturday and some of it in Sunday. I was referring to those events I was watching and had made the news.
First it was the Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, who managed to run a marathon under two hours on Saturday, proving the world that it's possible. Although it's a world record, it won't be registered officially as it happened in an unofficial race. Many say he won't be able to get this result in an official race as he had help here but I'm confident and still believe he will be able to achieve his goal and set up this world record soon.
The other good news came yesterday, when Simone Bail, the US gymnast became the most decorated gymnast in history. This was somehow expected, she took everything she could, I mean five gold medals. I'm happy for her because she really deserved this. She worked hard and it was time to be rewarded. She's 22 now, next year she'll be shining at the Olympics in Tokyo, winning more medals if she can stay healthy.
There was another new record set up this weekend. Kenyan Brigid Kosgei ran a marathon in 2:14:04 and broke women's world marathon record. The old record was 2:15:25, set up by Britain's Paula Radcliffe in London 16 years ago in London. Kosgei's record was set in an official race therefor it's official, while Kipchoge need to repeat it or do better soon in an officially recognized race. I'm happy for Brigid Kosgei, it's a huge achievement to break a record that was set 15 years ago. She made history.
When I was waiting for Kipchoge's result, I was thinking what is women's record on 42km but was too lazy to check and a day later the news came. Someone up there wanted to let me know :))
Not everyone had a good weekend like these three people I've mentioned above. Mo Farah had a bad day at the Chicago Marathon, he was the the defending men's champion but he only came eight this year (2:09:58). Who knows, maybe he had a bad day or wasn't in shape for the marathon, it happens. The race was won by the Kenyan Lawrence Cherono with 2:05:45.
So, this weekend was about record breaking. I'm not sure what competitions are coming up this week or next week but I'm looking forward to seeing more. Fingers crossed, maybe we're going to have some nice surprises.
I think it'll be a long time before 2 hours in an official marathon is broken. It will largly be a solo effort if it is done. Kipchoge and Bekele may be able to push each other but it'll have to be done without pacer for a large portion of the race. Nutrition will only be at stations which normally add a few seconds here and there instead of someone on a bicycle passing it to the runner. The drafting frommthe race also makes a huge difference. I think we will see it, but it'll be a while before we do. I think anyways
I know those are valid points but still, let me hope 😁