@40 then a rapid decline. Stay healthy guys.
@40 then a rapid decline. Stay healthy guys.
Mark Coogan had a similar streak that ended at 29 years when he tore his achilles on the final lap. So props to Spence for keeping it going this long.
Unimpressive. A 4:52 at any age should not impress any rational being.
Good work. Only significant streak I have going is sub-16:00 for 5K since 1994, so 18 years of running under 16:00 on a track or certified road race.
I remember having him out here in the 90's, amazing that he is still at the top of his game after all of these years. There aren't many guys his age that can go out and do that after an injury.
I have some friends who ran for Steve at Ship and others who knew him in Central Pa. I have never heard any say a bad word about Steve. The guys who ran for him still use his training methods and do nicely in local road races (meaning prize money.)
Wasn't there an Irish guy who had a 20+ year streak of breaking 2:00 in the 800? Not THAT (to me) was an imopressive streak!
I met Steve at a road race when I was 14 and had just started running. He came up and talked to me and my friend about our races and I thought he was just some dude. Had no clue he was a bronze medalist until my coach told me.
huh? if he were 80 and ran 4:52 you wouldn't be impressed?
Great job, Steve!
No slight to Steve Spence, who was a great runner, one of the best US runners of his era.
But, I am not that impressed by this. Only because I was just a decent runner (PR = 15:27), and I was able to go sub 5:00 at age 14 and again at age 45, so 31 years apart. Granted, I didn't attempt it every year, but I think I could have done it, as I stayed running the whole time.
This is very impressive for most people, but for a runner of Spence's background and abilities, it isn't much. I think I maybe could have done it, and on my best day I maybe could have stayed with him for 2-3 miles of a marathon.
I am pretty sure there is a Syracuse area runner who has broken 2:00 for the half many, many years in a row. Anyone know about him? As I recall, that streak is really amazing.
It's impressive because he has done it every year and alot of things happen to your body from 45 to 50. Write back when you do it at 50 since its an easy accomplishment
I will be 50 next month and will give it a try.
Arab mathematician wrote:
grind it out wrote:So are you suggesting that the goal is to train and race for medicocrity from 18 - 45 versus training to be the best? Really? Seems like a cowardly way to approach things.
he asked for it, calling me a punk.
Typical Let's Run interaction. A simple congratulatory thread turns into a series of mean spirited personal attacks. Someone will probably attack me for posting this, LOL! How ridiculous this message board has become.
UCTRLES wrote:
No slight to Steve Spence, who was a great runner, one of the best US runners of his era.
But, I am not that impressed by this. Only because I was just a decent runner (PR = 15:27), and I was able to go sub 5:00 at age 14 and again at age 45, so 31 years apart. Granted, I didn't attempt it every year, but I think I could have done it, as I stayed running the whole time.
This is very impressive for most people, but for a runner of Spence's background and abilities, it isn't much. I think I maybe could have done it, and on my best day I maybe could have stayed with him for 2-3 miles of a marathon.
I am pretty sure there is a Syracuse area runner who has broken 2:00 for the half many, many years in a row. Anyone know about him? As I recall, that streak is really amazing.
I agree. He ran something like 4:10 in his prime, so for him to run 4:52 even at the age of 50 isn't so impressive as its over 40 seconds beyond his PR. Since my PR was nearly 30 seconds worse than his 4:10, and I'm in my mid-40s today, I ask myself could I break 5:30 today and the answer is an easy yes, so I'm not so amazed by his feat. Now if he was still going sub-4:30 at 50, then that would be impressive as I myself may (say 50% shot at best) no longer be able to break 5 which would be equivalently as difficult for me as 4:30 would be for Spence.
2012xxx wrote:
UCTRLES wrote:No slight to Steve Spence, who was a great runner, one of the best US runners of his era.
But, I am not that impressed by this. Only because I was just a decent runner (PR = 15:27), and I was able to go sub 5:00 at age 14 and again at age 45, so 31 years apart. Granted, I didn't attempt it every year, but I think I could have done it, as I stayed running the whole time.
This is very impressive for most people, but for a runner of Spence's background and abilities, it isn't much. I think I maybe could have done it, and on my best day I maybe could have stayed with him for 2-3 miles of a marathon.
I am pretty sure there is a Syracuse area runner who has broken 2:00 for the half many, many years in a row. Anyone know about him? As I recall, that streak is really amazing.
You do realize that he just came back from injury, had not run a race in a year.
It's not like he is at the top of his game. He just went out and broke 5, which was his goal. Pretty sure if he trained seriously,and raced a few tuneup races he could,go much faster.
I agree. He ran something like 4:10 in his prime, so for him to run 4:52 even at the age of 50 isn't so impressive as its over 40 seconds beyond his PR. Since my PR was nearly 30 seconds worse than his 4:10, and I'm in my mid-40s today, I ask myself could I break 5:30 today and the answer is an easy yes, so I'm not so amazed by his feat. Now if he was still going sub-4:30 at 50, then that would be impressive as I myself may (say 50% shot at best) no longer be able to break 5 which would be equivalently as difficult for me as 4:30 would be for Spence.
This is why letsrun sucks. Came back to check on a thread about my College coach, and all I read is a bunch of people being ignorant to one another. If everyone thinks this is unimpressive then look at this result.
http://landmarkconference.org/sports/track-ind/2010-11/stats/mor_jun_susindooropen_2_19_11.htm
Just last year he ran 4:37. I'm sure that will be unimpressive to everyone too. But anyways, I won't even worry myself to come back to this thread and see more negative responses.
nyet wrote:
Unimpressive. A 4:52 at any age should not impress any rational being.
Dear nyet, if you posted in hopes of making yourself look like an idiot, then you succeed. Sincerely, Okhwga
I would predict Spence is capable of sub 4:30. I can't imagine he envisioned his time trial would be message board fodder.
I think Steve's streak is very impressive. He has been able to maintain a level of fitness that few people can ever attain. Its not the age, but the cumulative wear and tear on the body. If you question that, look at the recent race results of two of America's best of all time, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Almost, no one had more talent than the two of them, and there are literally hundreds of runners in their age group running faster.
I ran 4:33, 15:17, and 31:48, and I had a streak of 30 years (1978-2007) running a sub 20 5km. Is it the greatest streak ever; OF COURSE NOT!!! But I am proud of it, and I have no doubt that Steve is proud of his, as he should be.
Only a very few of us have the ability to set world records or win Olympic or World championship medals. What makes running so great is that ultimately we compete against ourselves, not against someone else. That is what makes it the greatest sport.
Steve Spence - the LEGEND continues!!!!