For those with a keen eye, a certain Paul Gompers placed 11th in the M40-44 division. 2:06:08.
I assume that would be Paul Gompers who qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials in the Marathon 3 times ('84,'88,'92), placing as high as 4th in '88 when he was selected as an alternate to the Seoul games.
It shows age 43 from Mass. that would be right as I have heard he is a full professor of Finance at Harvard Business school having graduated there as an undergrad and Grad student himself.
Gompers ran a 2:12 Marathon best I believe and was the World Record Holder for “Juniors” (under 20) for awhile before the Kenyans took that label.
From the looks of it he can bike too (1:01 split on that tough course).
Interesting to see who shows up in these events now.
if you were there at the finish when he came in, the announcer mention he was a 2:12 marathoner. still 2:06 as a 40-44 is pretty lame…look at Moats or Bruskewitz.
He didn’t come on here bragging about his time, so to make any disparaging comment about his time is about as low as you can get. Post your times I’m sure Napolean, The Sergio or any other stud on here can laugh all they want at them. But instead they will probably be encouraging and happy that you are part of their sport.
Yup it definitely was Paul. I did the fit on his bike earlier this spring. He was also at Galveston half and Disney 70.3. You have to remember this is only his first or second year racing Tris. Has a sweet Orbea.
I wouldn’t call a 2:06 lame…but not as quick as the two local guys I know who went 1:58 and 2:02 to take the 40-44 and 45-59 races…
Thank you.
My point, obviously missed by some, was not to do a big comparison time thing. But, rather to marvel at the fact that a once World class American Marathoner has now joined our ranks as Triathletes. If you want to debate the merits of a 2:06 on the tough Hagg Lake course (this isn’t a St. Anthony’s type course folks), that could be done on another topic start. Frankly, I think it’s cool this level of athlete is even competing still, let alone at what I will deem a very respectable level.
I wouldn’t call a 2:06 lame…but not as quick as the two local guys I know who went 1:58 and 2:02 to take the 40-44 and 45-59 races…
Thank you.
My point, obviously missed by some, was not to do a big comparison time thing. But, rather to marvel at the fact that a once World class American Marathoner has now joined our ranks as Triathletes. If you want to debate the merits of a 2:06 on the tough Hagg Lake course (this isn’t a St. Anthony’s type course folks), that could be done on another topic start. Frankly, I think it’s cool this level of athlete is even competing still, let alone at what I will deem a very respectable level.
My point obviously missed by some, is that there is nothing to marvel about a once world class marathoner doing triathlons and it’s no big deal this level of athlete is competing still. The reason I think 2:06 is lame, is that with the training and mental skills he had to have developed to run 2:12, he certainly didn’t use them doing a 2:06 at Hagg Lake. Trust me, I know.
I wouldn’t call a 2:06 lame…but not as quick as the two local guys I know who went 1:58 and 2:02 to take the 40-44 and 45-59 races…
Thank you.
My point, obviously missed by some, was not to do a big comparison time thing. But, rather to marvel at the fact that a once World class American Marathoner has now joined our ranks as Triathletes. If you want to debate the merits of a 2:06 on the tough Hagg Lake course (this isn’t a St. Anthony’s type course folks), that could be done on another topic start. Frankly, I think it’s cool this level of athlete is even competing still, let alone at what I will deem a very respectable level.
My point obviously missed by some, is that there is nothing to marvel about a once world class marathoner doing triathlons and it’s no big deal this level of athlete is competing still. The reason I think 2:06 is lame, is that with the training and mental skills he had to have developed to run 2:12, he certainly didn’t use them doing a 2:06 at Hagg Lake. Trust me, I know.
Or maybe he doesn’t care about tri’s as much as he did about marathons… ever think abotu that.
<The reason I think 2:06 is lame, is that with the training and mental skills he had to have developed to run 2:12, he certainly didn’t use them doing a 2:06 at Hagg Lake. Trust me, I know.>
<Trust me, I know.> Are we supposed to be impressed by you? Well, Hello, we’re not! Trust me, I know.
I know what…that you’re a raging jerk
I have never met Mr. Gompers in my life. He doesn’t know me from Adam.
You have managed to take this post and turn it in to your own personal love fest. I know two things for sure:
1.) I’ll put Mr. Gompers Athletic resume up against yours any day. And, I don’t even know who you are.
2.) I’ll definitely put his ACADEMIC resume up against yours any day.
Memo to “Josie”, take a deep breath…and drink the Kool Aid. Jerk.
with the training and mental skills he had to have developed to run 2:12, he certainly didn’t use them doing a 2:06 at Hagg Lake. Trust me, I know.
yeah, harvard undergrad while making the marathon olympic team, what a numb-nuts! please let us know what your mental abilities are…maybe you teach physics at harvard?
no i only have a MD from John Hopkins, drink a lot of kool aid, would put my resume up against him (and yours especially). you guys sitting in your cubicles with nothing to do should get out and train instead of frequenting these forums i think.
no i only have a MD from John Hopkins, drink a lot of kool aid, would put my resume up against him (and yours especially). ]]
You would, except for ??? That’s what I thought…This guys performance in context, is top notch. He is 43, so way past his prime as a runner, or potential triathlete, and learning two new sports. He was at the top of his AG in the most stacked field of the year. No sane person would expect that he would be doing pro times at his age now, and I expect as he learns the other two sports, he will continue to improve for a few more years. IF he continues, he will be a monstor in the 45-49 AG, going head to head with real retired pros of the same age. Of course we will not be hearig about your results as a masters athlete, but you can continue to annomously bad mouth Paul… It only makes you look more petty and silly…
Damn, bad example to set for other would-be triathletes, a world class marathoner learning to swim decently (unless he already knew when a great marathoner?) Who woulda guessed? This doesn’t bode well for us ex-swimmer types trying to move up in the pack by learning to run faster.