Ryan had a nice lead in the first half of the race but had a bad turn at the 150m and then died in the last 50.
I agree with everything in the Swimmingworldmagazine article. The 200m IM is Ryan's best event and the 200 back/200 IM double is too difficult for any human being to conquer. Ryan's gold/bronze finish in those events in Beijing 2008 and his bronze/silver finish in London 2012 defies belief. Nobody else could do better.
I honestly thought he had a chance at gold in both events in London 2012. When he failed to win gold in both, I thought maybe he used poor race strategy in the 200 back (something he rarely does). Maybe he overtrained, didn't hit his taper right, was demoralized from the 400 free relay and/or the 200 free, or was tired on his last day of competition (his 12th and 13th swims in 6 days). It could have been one or all of those things. It could also be that the 200 back/200 IM double is physically impossible for any human being to handle, even if he trains harder and longer than anyone else.
I honestly thought he had a chance at gold in both events in London 2012. When he failed to win gold in both, I thought maybe he used poor race strategy in the 200 back (something he rarely does). Maybe he overtrained, didn't hit his taper right, was demoralized from the 400 free relay and/or the 200 free, or was tired on his last day of competition (his 12th and 13th swims in 6 days). It could have been one or all of those things. It could also be that the 200 back/200 IM double is physically impossible for any human being to handle, even if he trains harder and longer than anyone else.
At this point I feel it would be best for Ryan to give up the 200 back, but only for 2016 Rio when it falls on the same day as the 200 IM. He doesn't need to give it up for 2013 or 2015 Worlds or for 2014 Pan Pacs given that it takes place at the end of those meets, just before the 400 IM, which he has already said he will not swim.
It's true that Tyler Clary, Ryan Murphy, Jack Conger and others are rising stars in the 200 back and it's possible they will all finish higher than Ryan Lochte at 2013 US Nationals. I don't think Ryan should shy away from that challenge, though. I'd like to see him continue with the event in the non-Olympic years until he is actually defeated by two of those guys.
For another interesting perspective, read this: Speed Endurance Lochte 200 Back Article. I disagree with the last sentence of the post: "(It might not matter soon anyway... Ryan Murphy (17), the second coming of Aaron Peirsol, has arrived)" That statement is a bit premature in my opinion. Ryan Murphy will have arrived only when he beats Ryan Lochte or Tyler Claryin a major competition for the first time, like when Lochte won the gold at 2007 Worlds over Peirsol.
For another interesting perspective, read this: Speed Endurance Lochte 200 Back Article. I disagree with the last sentence of the post: "(It might not matter soon anyway... Ryan Murphy (17), the second coming of Aaron Peirsol, has arrived)" That statement is a bit premature in my opinion. Ryan Murphy will have arrived only when he beats Ryan Lochte or Tyler Claryin a major competition for the first time, like when Lochte won the gold at 2007 Worlds over Peirsol.
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