Really enjoy your analysis. Someone that cares deeply about the sport and has the knowledge and experience to back it up. My sons are all runners and they’ve loved sitting and watching the last few videos from you. Hoping to keep it up. Godspeed
Fantastic analysis Nick, A tremendous ambassador for this distance and New Zealand. I'm very proud of all your achievements over the years and it was such a privilege to meet you and your family at a dinner a number of years ago at King's college in Auckland. A very treasured memory. God bless and I wish you all the best for the future :-)
Great stuff, please keep this up. It's really interesting to hear thoughtful analysis from someone who understands and appreciates the history of the event and also was/is still actively competing at an extremely high level. Reminds me a bit of Tony Romo becoming a commentator and immediately standing out because of the insight he brings to the booth. We need to get you in the broadcast booth for the next WC, Olympics, etc!!!
I loved this! I’d be interested to hear any breakdowns you do in the future. You’ve always been a big part of the 1500 ever since I was running. I love to hear analysis from people who know the event. I miss it. This race made me want to get back at it again!
I think the biggest take-away here is that pushing the pace in an Olympic final changes everything. Had this been another tactical final I think we’d have seen a completely different medal ceremony.
i really enjoy your deep analysis and viewpoints on these races coming from somebody with an obvious background and knowledge of the event. there both interesting and informative; keep it up!
@@nickwillisfourlaps I can only speak for myself but I thoroughly enjoyed the two videos I watched so far. Hope you will continue with these great vidoes. Best regards from a Norwegian fan.
@@nickwillisfourlaps Thanku so much for another great video.I used to be an athlete on the norwegian team (bronze in european championship), but I always found running a soooo boring...lol.. BUT your videos changes my whole perspective of the art of running!!!! Thanku ❤️!!!
Hi Nick. Thanks so much for your insider analysis. Love it. Jakob seems ready to take a stab at the WR already this year, maybe at the DL in Zurich, and I wouldn't be surprised if he sets the European 3000m record in Lausanne. The 1500m field is deep and likely to attract new talent. We have much to look forward to in the coming years. As in any pursuit in life, it gets "windy at the top". Hopefully Jakob will continue to find the motivation that brought him sweet victory in Tokyo.
Great video Nick! Keep them coming and feel free to add tidbits about high-level 1500m training, warming up for championship styles races, and how these guys handle their prerace preparations! What was amazing is that, counterintuitively, Jakob actually looked like he preserved his energy by going to the front with confidence and just creating a time trial for himself within the race -- he had the confidence to give himself space, relax and just roll it over. It truly looked like he could've run 52-51 high on that last lap but was just marking TC and watching for the field close in the last 250. With his ability to maintain on that 3rd lap, 3:26 seems very doable in a well-paced Zurich field!
And I think you're correct about the power/energy return of the spikes, see his Florence 5000m race for confirmation. A guy his size translating so well to 5k above with that kind of power at the end -- might be seeing a lot more 1500 guys dabble in the 3k/5k on the circuit!
With the 3 intense 1500s needed at the Olympics, it is shows how significant it is to have a very strong volume of distance in your training. Arthur Lydyard was so big on this. He knew it's importance.
Nice to hear this from a world-class 1500m runner. Cheriyot and Centrowitz both seem to be the same - great at front running with pacers and slower tactical races, but not so good when its a group of equally great runners pushing the pace. I thought Kerr ran a great race, too - didn't get worried about the bunch at the start, let the field string out (thanks to the fast pace) while he ran his own race, and was well positioned in 4th for the last 200m. If he would have started his kick a bit earlier he might have got the silver medal. McSweyn was a surprise how he died off with 300-350m to go, seem to be in a great position but just fell apart. Hocker did well, too, about 11th with 400m to go and ended up 6th in a PR 3:31. I'd call this the second best middle distance race after that 800m final in London 2012. Cheers
Jakob had a lot left in the tank. He said in Norwegian into the camera after finishing, "this was easy". Also remember he is not yet 21. He is a young guy. I know he has been around for a while, but he is still 20.
He was not lying on the track after he crossed the finish line; he jogged off waving at the crowd. It is hard not to think 3:26 is possible now with the right race. At Prefontaine?
Hey Nick, would like abit more analysis from yourself on the super spikes. Have worn them myself and didn’t really see much of a difference on the feel as compared to the super shoes but would love your professional opinions on em.
Nick, the sharing of the lead between Timmy and Jakob was revealed by Gjert immediately after the final. He revealed in his excitement, that It was discussed and agreed by the parties leading into same , they would share the lead to ensure a fast time. Silly of him to do that , as whats allowed in diamond league , isnt necessarily sanctioned in an OLy final. I hope when you're done, you do commentary and interviews with elite MD athletes, as i know they'd take your questions seriously, and would make themselves more available to you. We would all benefit from that. Some questions are so cringe worthy lol
Really enjoyed watching such a thoughtful, lucid analysis. Regarding body types, it’s all cyclical, I seem to recall another rather muscular miler wearing the silver fern leaf, name of Snell, he had a decent international career….😄
Thanks Carl. Yep, Snell was a beast, but I think he'd have been left begging in the timetrial type 1500m races we've seen of late...well maybe not with the new spike technology
I still think the greatest 1500 of all time was the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. I was only 17 at the time, but it made a big impression on me. Especially in 1975 when John Walker came to the USA to run the 800 meters at UCLA. A week before that, he showed up at a low key all-comers meet at Long Beach Jordan High School. I showed up, not knowing he was there. Then I saw him sitting in the stands. I said to my friend, "whatever race he runs, I'm going to run". We ran the 800 meters. Only 3 guys. A UCLA 1:48 half miler, John Walker a sub-1:45 guy, then this geeky 11th grader, who's best 800 was 2:06. It was a dirt track. All I remember is Walker flying past me around the first turn, with tons of dirt flying up from his spikes. I ended up watching him run, rather than concentrating on my own race. He ran 1:52, the UCLA guy did 1:54 then I came in at 2:06. John Walker waited for me, extended his hand and said "Good race". The sun was behind him and his flowing blond hair had a golden aura around it. "I have seen the face of god" I said. For he was my running idol.
sorry, I don't quite understand the question you're asking. Do you mean who are light runners? I'm talking Augustine Choge, Centrowitz, Iguider, El G, Morcelli, Manzano etc...
@@nickwillisfourlaps By and large 1500 runners are light but it almost seems that there are eras of big milers, Ryun was 6-3 170, I remember watching the '76 Olympic final and behind Walker, Van Damme 6-3 168, Wellman 5-11 155. Apple fell FAR from the tree with Centrowitz, his father ran the 1500 at those Olympics, 6-1 170. I have to say I am just in awe of being able to communicate with you, not only an elite athlete but one whose performances I have so enjoyed. That second OLYMPIC medal! WOW! You mentioned how Kipsang made early errors that cost him at the end. He panicked. You are like the opposite, rising to the occasion on the day. And such a LONG career.
Don’t count Cheryot out. That guy is going to come back scary fast. Cheryot didn’t run the smartest race either. He lost a half second at the start, then sprinted to the front and ran from the front. He overestimated himself and underestimated Jacob. They will push each other to greatness.
Nick, for the final take away - I feel that the bigger runners train more for strength and distance so they can have enough to compete with the smaller runners. For example, Jacob dropped a 12:48 5k prior to this the Olympics beating the best in the world, even beating Joshua Chep the current gold medal winner. Jacob as a bigger runner purposefully trains to get speed from strength.. And not speed from speed or from being light/small.. So as a take away to the take away, your training really has to be tailored to the needs of your body type, running form etc in order to get the best results and able to compete with anyone.
Great analysis I think since Jakob in the Oly final ran each lap a bit faster I'm thinking Jakob is going to take a crack at the mile wr at pre "I'll be there for it " he will have Timothy there with him as well and 2 weeks off after the games
Unfortunately it's a day race, so the north west winds will make things tough on the back straight and final bend. TV always impacts the timing the pro meets in the US
@@nickwillisfourlaps I ran there in the mid 80s I can't recall what the wind was like I'm just hoping the smoke won't be too bad for everyone in psyched to be at this meet this year oh and thanks for being a mentor for Hobbs
Another excellent video, @Nick Willis. About heavier milers, Sir John Walker springs to mind as another - possibly even heavier than Josh Kerr? JW even mentions it in his post-race interview after his 100th sub 4:00 mile (at Mt Smart Stadium, woo hoo). th-cam.com/video/aeFyOxugVc4/w-d-xo.html
Jakob...at a few meters from the finish looked around, turning his head....he can go faster....do not forget one thing the guy" s age......20 years old.....World record....NO!!
Great observations, except I think Jakob will dominate all the others, and he is definitely ready to break to world record. No one can compete with him when he is fresh. And you left out the guy who will be 2nd but still better than the others: HOBBS KESLER. Hobbs is ready for a 3:29 next year. Jakob 3:25 this year, and 3:24 in 2022.
Faster is not necessarily better. Being well rested, having pacers and ideal weather and running conditions makes for a fast time but it’s fake - not at all like the Olympics.
Well done, Nick! Greetings from Norway. You asked about how to pronounce Jakob. It is Jakob with an a like in the words car, jar, far. Not like in the English name Jake.
Hearing your perspective on these guys running is just simply amazing thank you! I think it’s safe to say yeah this definitely is the best 1500 race of all time but some of my other favorites. 2004 Olympic Final 1999 World Championships (think this was the Guerrouj race you mentioned) 2016 Olympic Final (I’m American and will always remember that moment) 1991 World Championships 2019 World Championships
Every video you make, I’ll watch. No one knows this event like you do. I too am interested in Cole Hocker’s potential - he was still a teenager 2 months ago, and he’s lowered his mile/1,600/1,500 time by more than 20 seconds in the last 2 years. I also wonder about Hobbs Kessler. His two year improvement has been mind blowing. Great race analysis. I’m going to watch the race again and focus on Abel because of the things you said. Reminds me of Hobbs and how he got trapped on the inside over and over during the US trials.
It was a great race but it was not the greatest race of all time. The greatest 1500m race of all time was Filbert Bayi's gun-to-tape world record victory over John Walker and Rod Dixon at the Commonwealth Games in 1974. The second best 1500m race of all time was Kip Keino's Olympic record victory over Jim Ryun at the Mexico City Olympic Games of 1968.
I'm sorry if I'm late, but I spent some time looking at some old races and this is definitely the very best one. No question about that. Thank you Josh, thank you Tim, special thank you Jakob, thank you other 10 guys and thank you Nick! Really enjoy the race. I watched it a lot of times allredy.
Go Blue Nick! Native Ann Arborite, U of M alum and mediocre distance runner in high school here! Just wanted to say you were a year ahead of me in school and my friends and I back then followed the distance running "scene" and we all were happy and proud you chose to be a Wolverine! Just wanted to say that for my 18 year old self from 2002!
Great expert analysis NW. I do disagree that the 1999 WC was a great race though. If there has ever been a more obvious PED race than that I am yet to see it.
PLEASE become a meet commentator when you retire. There are very few who are great to listen to, and you'd be one of the best, right up there with Tim Hutchings and Ato Boldon.
I felt Kerr wasn’t switched on for morning heat and was too confident would qualify easy and then with pace of first heat struggled as couldn’t change mindset - got him self switched on for heat that was going to he fast race
Expanding on the greatest of all time theme: was this the greatest Olympic T&F meet of all time? To what extent did the new shoe tech play in the numerous ORs & WRs?
meet? Would have to be one with fans if we're talking about the meet, but performance wise it has to be up there. For sure the shoes are a big factor. At least everyone has access to the technology now.
Thanku so much for another great video.I used to be an athlete on the norwegian team (bronze in european championship), but I always found running a soooo boring...lol.. BUT your videos changes my whole perspective of the art of running!!!! Thanku ❤️!!!
Good comparison, but I think their motives are different. Cheryiot's stride is so long it is hard for him to be in the pack. Kiptoo just likes hard pace.
not that your average elite 1500 metre runner has much excess fat, but regarding size I wonder if any athletes consider strategically liposuctioning useless excess mass to improve power to weight ratio and recontouring their profile to be more streamlined and biomechanically efficient in terms of mass distribution ? I mean swimmers/cyclist shave a few grams of hair to get those extra milli seconds, imagine a whole kilo or 2 of fat lol...
Sam Tanner went out early in the heats, do you think he will have improved sufficiently in three years to figure in Paris? Also your views on the Kiwis at US universities ATM, Quax , Beamish etc.
He would have made the final had he been in the shape he was in back in February. When runners are young, it's still a little trial and error figuring out when they peak. Beamish has recently graduated, but is incredibly talented if he can stay healthy. Quax is a good kid with a lot of potential in the 5k
@@nickwillisfourlaps Hi Nick. Thanks for that. I would like to get your view on Alan Webb, being roughly a contemporary of yours, seemed to have all the talent and physical tools but never ascended the heights he could have. A couple of 8th and 9th places at worlds and a fast mile but not much else outside of the US. Would appreciate your perspective. Cheers. John.
What a difference it makes to hear from someone who has been there and done that as many times as Nick; deep insights and penetrating analysis that we're not likely to hear anywhere else. Thank you Nick, and please keep it up. As someone else commented below, hearing you do interviews would be great, and I'm sure the competitors would welcome talking to someone who really knows the right questions to ask.
Thanks so much for the feedback and suggestions. I might wait a little to get this channel a little more established before I do interviews, as I wouldn't want the guests to take the time out of their day only to get a few hundred views. Anyone in particular you'd like to hear form?
Great observations. It sounds like the current generation of runners knows that Jakob is going to be the best and Nick also recognizes all the factors that resulted in these results being slower than they are capable of running (even though it was a 3:28). Also he realizes that Hocker could have run faster had he not had such a long NCAA season already. I think we will see things unfold very much the way Nick suggests.
Really enjoy your analysis. Someone that cares deeply about the sport and has the knowledge and experience to back it up. My sons are all runners and they’ve loved sitting and watching the last few videos from you. Hoping to keep it up. Godspeed
Thanks Timothy. Means a lot.
Fantastic analysis Nick, A tremendous ambassador for this distance and New Zealand. I'm very proud of all your achievements over the years and it was such a privilege to meet you and your family at a dinner a number of years ago at King's college in Auckland. A very treasured memory.
God bless and I wish you all the best for the future :-)
What an exciting time this will be for middle distance fans! Paris is only 3 years away too.
Great stuff, please keep this up. It's really interesting to hear thoughtful analysis from someone who understands and appreciates the history of the event and also was/is still actively competing at an extremely high level. Reminds me a bit of Tony Romo becoming a commentator and immediately standing out because of the insight he brings to the booth. We need to get you in the broadcast booth for the next WC, Olympics, etc!!!
I loved this! I’d be interested to hear any breakdowns you do in the future. You’ve always been a big part of the 1500 ever since I was running. I love to hear analysis from people who know the event. I miss it. This race made me want to get back at it again!
Love the analysis Nick! Congrats on such a phenomenal career. One of the greatest milers of all-time. 🐐
Thanks so much!
So stoked you started a channel Nick! ❤️🏆
You are spot on about Jakob having more in the tank…. it’s going to be fun to watch!
I think the biggest take-away here is that pushing the pace in an Olympic final changes everything. Had this been another tactical final I think we’d have seen a completely different medal ceremony.
i really enjoy your deep analysis and viewpoints on these races coming from somebody with an obvious background and knowledge of the event. there both interesting and informative; keep it up!
Thanks so much. So long as there's interest ill keep them going.
I dont think u will ever get a 5 time olympian in 1500m again
@@nickwillisfourlaps I can only speak for myself but I thoroughly enjoyed the two videos I watched so far. Hope you will continue with these great vidoes.
Best regards from a Norwegian fan.
@@nickwillisfourlaps Thanku so much for another great video.I used to be an athlete on the norwegian team (bronze in european championship), but I always found running a soooo boring...lol.. BUT your videos changes my whole perspective of the art of running!!!! Thanku ❤️!!!
Hi Nick. Thanks so much for your insider analysis. Love it. Jakob seems ready to take a stab at the WR already this year, maybe at the DL in Zurich, and I wouldn't be surprised if he sets the European 3000m record in Lausanne. The 1500m field is deep and likely to attract new talent. We have much to look forward to in the coming years. As in any pursuit in life, it gets "windy at the top". Hopefully Jakob will continue to find the motivation that brought him sweet victory in Tokyo.
Super....how refreshing to be prepared and cover lots of interesting content in such a short space of our time..thank you
Thanks, Martin. I'll try to keep these under 10 minutes. Seems to be a good sweet spot.
Great video Nick! Keep them coming and feel free to add tidbits about high-level 1500m training, warming up for championship styles races, and how these guys handle their prerace preparations! What was amazing is that, counterintuitively, Jakob actually looked like he preserved his energy by going to the front with confidence and just creating a time trial for himself within the race -- he had the confidence to give himself space, relax and just roll it over. It truly looked like he could've run 52-51 high on that last lap but was just marking TC and watching for the field close in the last 250. With his ability to maintain on that 3rd lap, 3:26 seems very doable in a well-paced Zurich field!
And I think you're correct about the power/energy return of the spikes, see his Florence 5000m race for confirmation. A guy his size translating so well to 5k above with that kind of power at the end -- might be seeing a lot more 1500 guys dabble in the 3k/5k on the circuit!
With the 3 intense 1500s needed at the Olympics, it is shows how significant it is to have a very strong volume of distance in your training. Arthur Lydyard was so big on this. He knew it's importance.
Thanks for the input Nick! Been watching you for years, incredible career, love to see you playing 'Papa Bear' for Hobbs ;)
Really appreciate this.
Thanks for your analysis. Wish you had been in the race.
Thanks Ray. It was a win win!
Nice to hear this from a world-class 1500m runner. Cheriyot and Centrowitz both seem to be the same - great at front running with pacers and slower tactical races, but not so good when its a group of equally great runners pushing the pace. I thought Kerr ran a great race, too - didn't get worried about the bunch at the start, let the field string out (thanks to the fast pace) while he ran his own race, and was well positioned in 4th for the last 200m. If he would have started his kick a bit earlier he might have got the silver medal. McSweyn was a surprise how he died off with 300-350m to go, seem to be in a great position but just fell apart. Hocker did well, too, about 11th with 400m to go and ended up 6th in a PR 3:31. I'd call this the second best middle distance race after that 800m final in London 2012. Cheers
Thanks Nick, great analysis.
Appreciate it, Ken.
752 subscribers???? You know this channel is going to blow-up real fast with such great commentary!
Thanks! We'll see where this thing goes.
Jakob had a lot left in the tank. He said in Norwegian into the camera after finishing, "this was easy".
Also remember he is not yet 21. He is a young guy.
I know he has been around for a while, but he is still 20.
He was not lying on the track after he crossed the finish line; he jogged off waving at the crowd. It is hard not to think 3:26 is possible now with the right race. At Prefontaine?
@@robertspies4695 They are doing the mile at Prefontaine.
@@malehumanperson7901 Yes, I think I will go. Mu in the 800 too!
Thank you for sharing your opinion with us Nick
appreciate these videos. Good luck!
Hey Nick, would like abit more analysis from yourself on the super spikes. Have worn them myself and didn’t really see much of a difference on the feel as compared to the super shoes but would love your professional opinions on em.
Please keep this up Nick..........sounds as if you've ran a race or two (lol)....we love to hear it.
Thanks Billy, appreciate it.
Nick, the sharing of the lead between Timmy and Jakob was revealed by Gjert immediately after the final. He revealed in his excitement, that It was discussed and agreed by the parties leading into same , they would share the lead to ensure a fast time. Silly of him to do that , as whats allowed in diamond league , isnt necessarily sanctioned in an OLy final. I hope when you're done, you do commentary and interviews with elite MD athletes, as i know they'd take your questions seriously, and would make themselves more available to you. We would all benefit from that. Some questions are so cringe worthy lol
I read that Tim's team confirmed this, but Gjert denied it. Hopefully we can confirm.
@@nickwillisfourlaps cant wait for the prefontaine classic next week. Stacked!
Thanks so much for this - as a track nut, I thoroughly enjoyed your insights!
Appreciate it, Julius.
Really enjoyed watching such a thoughtful, lucid analysis. Regarding body types, it’s all cyclical, I seem to recall another rather muscular miler wearing the silver fern leaf, name of Snell, he had a decent international career….😄
Thanks Carl. Yep, Snell was a beast, but I think he'd have been left begging in the timetrial type 1500m races we've seen of late...well maybe not with the new spike technology
6:58 what a callout 3 years ahead of Paris
Amazing analysis and insights, from someone who has done very well in the event too!
Thanks, Felix.
I still think the greatest 1500 of all time was the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. I was only 17 at the time, but it made a big impression on me. Especially in 1975 when John Walker came to the USA to run the 800 meters at UCLA. A week before that, he showed up at a low key all-comers meet at Long Beach Jordan High School. I showed up, not knowing he was there. Then I saw him sitting in the stands. I said to my friend, "whatever race he runs, I'm going to run". We ran the 800 meters. Only 3 guys. A UCLA 1:48 half miler, John Walker a sub-1:45 guy, then this geeky 11th grader, who's best 800 was 2:06. It was a dirt track. All I remember is Walker flying past me around the first turn, with tons of dirt flying up from his spikes. I ended up watching him run, rather than concentrating on my own race. He ran 1:52, the UCLA guy did 1:54 then I came in at 2:06. John Walker waited for me, extended his hand and said "Good race". The sun was behind him and his flowing blond hair had a golden aura around it. "I have seen the face of god" I said. For he was my running idol.
"every body type is possible to be the best in the world at the 1500m"
Me at 205lbs: _...hmmmmmm_
Its funny how pedestrian jakob looked like in the pre lims and the final he looks like a king
I mean, the goal of a prelim is just to advance, not show off.
@@gummy5862 for sure but its just interesting to see from a perspective of a new viewer noone could tell jakob was a world class competitor
Thoughts on light runners you are familiar with, Walker 6-0 165, Dixon 6-1 157, Snell 5-10 176.
sorry, I don't quite understand the question you're asking. Do you mean who are light runners? I'm talking Augustine Choge, Centrowitz, Iguider, El G, Morcelli, Manzano etc...
@@nickwillisfourlaps By and large 1500 runners are light but it almost seems that there are eras of big milers, Ryun was 6-3 170, I remember watching the '76 Olympic final and behind Walker, Van Damme 6-3 168, Wellman 5-11 155. Apple fell FAR from the tree with Centrowitz, his father ran the 1500 at those Olympics, 6-1 170. I have to say I am just in awe of being able to communicate with you, not only an elite athlete but one whose performances I have so enjoyed. That second OLYMPIC medal! WOW! You mentioned how Kipsang made early errors that cost him at the end. He panicked. You are like the opposite, rising to the occasion on the day. And such a LONG career.
Don’t count Cheryot out. That guy is going to come back scary fast. Cheryot didn’t run the smartest race either. He lost a half second at the start, then sprinted to the front and ran from the front. He overestimated himself and underestimated Jacob. They will push each other to greatness.
yeah this is a great analysis of Tim's race. I agree that he cost himself up to a second based on extra distance run, uneven pacing, and front running
Nick, for the final take away - I feel that the bigger runners train more for strength and distance so they can have enough to compete with the smaller runners. For example, Jacob dropped a 12:48 5k prior to this the Olympics beating the best in the world, even beating Joshua Chep the current gold medal winner. Jacob as a bigger runner purposefully trains to get speed from strength.. And not speed from speed or from being light/small..
So as a take away to the take away, your training really has to be tailored to the needs of your body type, running form etc in order to get the best results and able to compete with anyone.
Thanks for your thoughts, Michael.
Great analysis I think since Jakob in the Oly final ran each lap a bit faster I'm thinking Jakob is going to take a crack at the mile wr at pre "I'll be there for it " he will have Timothy there with him as well and 2 weeks off after the games
Unfortunately it's a day race, so the north west winds will make things tough on the back straight and final bend. TV always impacts the timing the pro meets in the US
@@nickwillisfourlaps I ran there in the mid 80s I can't recall what the wind was like I'm just hoping the smoke won't be too bad for everyone in psyched to be at this meet this year oh and thanks for being a mentor for Hobbs
Lol 632nd subscriber.
Thanks for subscribing.
@@nickwillisfourlaps No problem, man.
Another excellent video, @Nick Willis. About heavier milers, Sir John Walker springs to mind as another - possibly even heavier than Josh Kerr? JW even mentions it in his post-race interview after his 100th sub 4:00 mile (at Mt Smart Stadium, woo hoo). th-cam.com/video/aeFyOxugVc4/w-d-xo.html
Jakob...at a few meters from the finish looked around, turning his head....he can go faster....do not forget one thing the guy" s age......20 years old.....World record....NO!!
They decided to split leading before hand
I read that too, but turns out only Cheryiots camp claims this, not Ingebrigsten's.
Great observations, except I think Jakob will dominate all the others, and he is definitely ready to break to world record. No one can compete with him when he is fresh. And you left out the guy who will be 2nd but still better than the others: HOBBS KESLER. Hobbs is ready for a 3:29 next year. Jakob 3:25 this year, and 3:24 in 2022.
Thanks!
Lol this is not the greatest 1500m race. I can literally list 10 El G races that are much better
Yes please : list 10 races better than this one.
@@Meven2001 Literally all all El G races
@@afrobuddy4801 Ok lol
Faster is not necessarily better. Being well rested, having pacers and ideal weather and running conditions makes for a fast time but it’s fake - not at all like the Olympics.
Literally
Well done, Nick! Greetings from Norway. You asked about how to pronounce Jakob. It is Jakob with an a like in the words car, jar, far. Not like in the English name Jake.
Hearing your perspective on these guys running is just simply amazing thank you! I think it’s safe to say yeah this definitely is the best 1500 race of all time but some of my other favorites.
2004 Olympic Final
1999 World Championships (think this was the Guerrouj race you mentioned)
2016 Olympic Final (I’m American and will always remember that moment)
1991 World Championships
2019 World Championships
Great selection of races. Each have their own story to them.
Great perspective! Amazing how these guys can run PBs in consecutive races. Fun to watch for sure.
Every video you make, I’ll watch. No one knows this event like you do.
I too am interested in Cole Hocker’s potential - he was still a teenager 2 months ago, and he’s lowered his mile/1,600/1,500 time by more than 20 seconds in the last 2 years.
I also wonder about Hobbs Kessler. His two year improvement has been mind blowing.
Great race analysis. I’m going to watch the race again and focus on Abel because of the things you said. Reminds me of Hobbs and how he got trapped on the inside over and over during the US trials.
Super interesting to hear this analysis from a true insider! It seems 1500m is as exciting as it look likes ☺️👍!!
It was a great race but it was not the greatest race of all time. The greatest 1500m race of all time was Filbert Bayi's gun-to-tape world record victory over John Walker and Rod Dixon at the Commonwealth Games in 1974. The second best 1500m race of all time was Kip Keino's Olympic record victory over Jim Ryun at the Mexico City Olympic Games of 1968.
Both incredible races. Thanks for your input.
pls make more videos nick, your commentary is really cool to hear!
Thanks for your perspective, very deep remarks on all up and comers.
Thanks to share your main takeaways of the final. I enjoyed a lot hearing such thorough analysis! We want more of that for following races
1974 commonwealth final was better by quite a bit in my opinion
I'm sorry if I'm late, but I spent some time looking at some old races and this is definitely the very best one. No question about that. Thank you Josh, thank you Tim, special thank you Jakob, thank you other 10 guys and thank you Nick! Really enjoy the race. I watched it a lot of times allredy.
Go Blue Nick! Native Ann Arborite, U of M alum and mediocre distance runner in high school here! Just wanted to say you were a year ahead of me in school and my friends and I back then followed the distance running "scene" and we all were happy and proud you chose to be a Wolverine! Just wanted to say that for my 18 year old self from 2002!
Thanks, Maekar!
Cheruiyot and Ingebrigtsen’s coaches decided the day before to share the lead & force a fast pace which would benefit them both.
Great expert analysis NW. I do disagree that the 1999 WC was a great race though. If there has ever been a more obvious PED race than that I am yet to see it.
Jim Ryun
World Record 1500m
Dirt track
One guy pushing
Final 1200 very close to 2:46
PLEASE become a meet commentator when you retire. There are very few who are great to listen to, and you'd be one of the best, right up there with Tim Hutchings and Ato Boldon.
Jacob is super confident and if he maintains the apparent training over the next decade, difficult to overtake his mantle.
7:10 I’m sure Jakob is not sweating it..
I think you are right about the shoes helping the bigger guys.
Nice video
Thanks
I felt Kerr wasn’t switched on for morning heat and was too confident would qualify easy and then with pace of first heat struggled as couldn’t change mindset - got him self switched on for heat that was going to he fast race
That's a great observation/assumption. Yeah I think that is likely too now (in retrospect)
Please make interviews as well. Analyzing races with the race in the background would also be nice! Keep it going!!
Thanks for the tips. I'll see if I can make those happen
Shoe technology is huge
Expanding on the greatest of all time theme: was this the greatest Olympic T&F meet of all time? To what extent did the new shoe tech play in the numerous ORs & WRs?
meet? Would have to be one with fans if we're talking about the meet, but performance wise it has to be up there. For sure the shoes are a big factor. At least everyone has access to the technology now.
@@nickwillisfourlaps Thanks Nick - btw, I have memories from racing your brother at Newtown Park back in the day.
Thanku so much for another great video.I used to be an athlete on the norwegian team (bronze in european championship), but I always found running a soooo boring...lol.. BUT your videos changes my whole perspective of the art of running!!!! Thanku ❤️!!!
Thanks Reidun, means a lot. Great to have so many Norwegians commenting on these videos.
@@nickwillisfourlaps ❤️
Great insight!
Thanks, Peter
Timothy Cheruiyot = Wesley Kiptoo Can't run behind people (until the end)
Good comparison, but I think their motives are different. Cheryiot's stride is so long it is hard for him to be in the pack. Kiptoo just likes hard pace.
I definitely think you're right that Jakob had more in the tank. I think he has significantly more to give. A WR certainly wouldn't surprise me.
not that your average elite 1500 metre runner has much excess fat, but regarding size I wonder if any athletes consider strategically liposuctioning useless excess mass to improve power to weight ratio and recontouring their profile to be more streamlined and biomechanically efficient in terms of mass distribution ? I mean swimmers/cyclist shave a few grams of hair to get those extra milli seconds, imagine a whole kilo or 2 of fat lol...
Sam Tanner went out early in the heats, do you think he will have improved sufficiently in three years to figure in Paris? Also your views on the Kiwis at US universities ATM, Quax , Beamish etc.
He would have made the final had he been in the shape he was in back in February. When runners are young, it's still a little trial and error figuring out when they peak. Beamish has recently graduated, but is incredibly talented if he can stay healthy. Quax is a good kid with a lot of potential in the 5k
@@nickwillisfourlaps Hi Nick. Thanks for that. I would like to get your view on Alan Webb, being roughly a contemporary of yours, seemed to have all the talent and physical tools but never ascended the heights he could have. A couple of 8th and 9th places at worlds and a fast mile but not much else outside of the US. Would appreciate your perspective.
Cheers.
John.
Great win by Beamish in the B race in Oregon, couldn't see him winning at 150 out.
What a difference it makes to hear from someone who has been there and done that as many times as Nick; deep insights and penetrating analysis that we're not likely to hear anywhere else. Thank you Nick, and please keep it up. As someone else commented below, hearing you do interviews would be great, and I'm sure the competitors would welcome talking to someone who really knows the right questions to ask.
Thanks so much for the feedback and suggestions. I might wait a little to get this channel a little more established before I do interviews, as I wouldn't want the guests to take the time out of their day only to get a few hundred views. Anyone in particular you'd like to hear form?
@@nickwillisfourlaps Laura Muir
i agree my fave runner cheryuiot in 2nd!
Great observations. It sounds like the current generation of runners knows that Jakob is going to be the best and Nick also recognizes all the factors that resulted in these results being slower than they are capable of running (even though it was a 3:28). Also he realizes that Hocker could have run faster had he not had such a long NCAA season already. I think we will see things unfold very much the way Nick suggests.
Thanks, Peter. Certainly going to be a fun next few years to watch these races unfold.
Great observations!
Cheers