Gwen Jorgensen’s transition from Triathlete to Marathoner

[amr63]

Rio Olympic triathlon gold-medalist Gwen Jorgensen took another significant step in her quest to compete in the marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by running 31:55 for 10 000m at the Stanford Invitational track on Saturday night:

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/03/gwen-jorgensen-wins-stanford-10000m-3155-easily-defeating-ncaa-30005000-champion-schweizer/

 

Her video of the race: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bgQpeuH0k7g

 

She has more videos on her YouTube channel that give some insight into what it takes to perform at her level: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCNQaItQ0LLVu5987SD88s2w

[EmJayZA]

Just watched all her videos. The content is pretty good. Wonder why she is doing this. It's cool that she is being so open about everything, as I know many athletes are very secretive about their training and nutrition. 

 

Also, she runs around 150km a week. She also did a 5km track in 15:15. Impressive stuff. Watching her work towards Tokyo is going to be interesting. 

 

Edit:

 

Plugging in hew new 5km TT into a race predictor with 90 miles of running per week, her predicted time is 2:31:17. Maybe gold is not really achievable? 

[amr63]

Not sure which calculator you used EmJayZA, but a 15:15 5k is equivalent to 2:26:09 on the Daniels Vdot Calculator; still not gold-medal territory, but considering Gwen has reportedly been training for just 5 months following the birth of her son, her progress had been astoundingly rapid.

 

Question is, can she continue to improve at this rate without setback, and if so the next question is how much more upside does she have? She has proven she has athletic ability, and seems a very intelligent individual with great support systems training with a group of world-class women under one of the world’s best running coaches, so my view is that she will indeed put herself in contention for an Olympic medal in 2020 bearing in mind that the only certainty in championship marathoning is that there are no certainties.

[finallygotabike]

Gwen has always been a fantastic runner, how many times has she not run down the other ladies in the TRI events. always impressive to watch!

[amr63]

Gwen ran 70:58 for 4th at USATF 1/2 marathon champs last weekend; don’t really know why she’s disappointed as it’s pretty consistent with her other recent results (hilly course)...

 

video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0jragXAUKFA

 

Slowtwitch report: https://www.slowtwitch.com/News/Gwen_4th_in_USATF_Half_Mary_Champs_6838.html

 

edit: right on cue, here’s her perspective: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MYML8fWbhH4

[EmJayZA]

Was just watching one of Gwen's videos on her YouTube channel, and saw a shot of her TrainingPeaks fitness. For the data geeks out there:

 

 

When I first looked, I was like "Hey, that's not as high as I thought it would be. My CTL was 98 for EL 70.3". Then I realised this is just for running, and my CTL was for all three sports combined... 

 

Shaper, what is your running CTL? 

 

Also wondering how her fatigue can be so high, but her form on 0. 

[shaper]

Was just watching one of Gwen's videos on her YouTube channel, and saw a shot of her TrainingPeaks fitness. For the data geeks out there:

 

Capture.PNG

 

When I first looked, I was like "Hey, that's not as high as I thought it would be. My CTL was 98 for EL 70.3". Then I realised this is just for running, and my CTL was for all three sports combined... 

 

Shaper, what is your running CTL? 

 

Also wondering how her fatigue can be so high, but her form on 0. 

After 2 months of chilling and just maintaining some level of (loosing) fitness since IMSA, my running CTL is down to 45

 

Am guessing she has had a few days off from training either resting or injured hence why her form as risen to 0 whilst still showing some fatigue

[amr63]

Gwen is entered for the 10 000m tonight (7pm/2am our time) at the 2018 USA T&F Champs in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

I recon she’s good for top 3 but can’t see her winning.

[FlyingScot]

You cannot compare your CTL to someone else's...

[amr63]

so, Gwen ran 7th in 32:24, she was with the leaders, all running 32:30-pace, until they accelerated in the last 4 laps and she couldn’t go with them.

 

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2018/06/molly-huddle-crushes-final-4-laps-win-4th-straight-usatf-10000-title-just-66-days-running-boston-marathon/

 

She has high expectations and determination to match. And I think for her it’s as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

[EmJayZA]

You cannot compare your CTL to someone else's...

 

How so? CTL is just a representation of work/effort over time. 

[amr63]

Gwen 5th in 33:10 (winner Stephanie Bruce 32:21) at today’s Peachtree Road Race/USA 10k Champs in Atlanta.

 

 

https://www.athlinks.com/event/115192/results/Event/662599/Course/1252941/Results

 

Another very good but not great result. I do still think she’s on course.

[Imploder]

Gwen 5th in 33:10 (winner Stephanie Bruce 32:21) at today’s Peachtree Road Race/USA 10k Champs in Atlanta.

 

26DA03E7-DFC1-49C7-98FE-0A1B72F71D3C.jpeg

 

https://www.athlinks.com/event/115192/results/Event/662599/Course/1252941/Results

 

Another very good but not great result. I do still think she’s on course.

 

Wow! Those times on a hilly course, flippin fast!

[Imploder]

Gwen 5th in 33:10 (winner Stephanie Bruce 32:21) at today’s Peachtree Road Race/USA 10k Champs in Atlanta.

 

26DA03E7-DFC1-49C7-98FE-0A1B72F71D3C.jpeg

 

https://www.athlinks.com/event/115192/results/Event/662599/Course/1252941/Results

 

Another very good but not great result. I do still think she’s on course.

 

I really like her youtube vids. 

 

[pietas]

It is all about experience at running the maronthon style of running. It is completely different to triathlon. Her times should drop as se runs more marathons. 

 

Another thing: the Olympic maratons in general seem to be run slower and more tactical as opposed to all out speed.

[Chris_]

Gwen 5th in 33:10 (winner Stephanie Bruce 32:21) at today’s Peachtree Road Race/USA 10k Champs in Atlanta.

 

26DA03E7-DFC1-49C7-98FE-0A1B72F71D3C.jpeg

 

https://www.athlinks.com/event/115192/results/Event/662599/Course/1252941/Results

 

Another very good but not great result. I do still think she’s on course.

 

I saw this, Lagat in 28 something minutes! madness..