Why Johnny Gray was so good

Exactly, he choked alot but had some phenomenal performances.

Did you hear what Ichiro said to the American reporter when asked how many Home Runs he could hit in a season.

Ichiro responded "around 40 if I was aloud to have a 220 batting average." BTW- Ichiro bats well over 300 and hits around 14 homers a season.

Johnny Gray was an Ichiro that was aloud himself to bat 220 but go for the homerun ball every time.

He is probably the only guy (or one of two guys) to run 1:42 7 years apart (1985 & 92) If anyone else has done it, it would be Kipketer, but I'm not sure if he broke 1:43 as late as 2002. For Gray to run 1:42.80 at the age of 32 is pretty amazing.

That is funny but an excellent analogy.

He was part of why began running the 800m

Mel, you'll love this thread:

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=344930&page=0

Gray actually ran his first sub-1:43 in 1984. His last was, as you say, in 1992: eight years later. That is a pretty amazing feat, especially if you consider that there have only ever been 60 sub-1:43 performances. Kipketer ran 21 of those 60 sub-1:43s. Gray ran 4 of them--also pretty impressive.

As far as I can tell, Kipketer's first was in 1995 and his last was in 2002, so he ended up one year short of Gray's feat. He actually ran two of them in 2002, including a 1:42.32 in Rieti. He was 31 at the time.

Nobody has run that fast since then. In fact, the last time somebody other than Kipketer ran 1:42.33 or faster was in 1984.

Wow I did not know Gray ran 4 sub 1:43's he is better than I thought he was!

'Why' was Johnny Gray so good?

1)God-given talent and natural speed and endurance. No surprise there. That's what most world class runners have in common.

2)He worked VERY hard. His coach, Merle MGee, was an old school coach who believed in high mileage and high intensity at the right times.

I watched him train and he trained more like a miler or even a 5k runner at times, esp. in the fall, than an 800m guy. Don't get me wrong, he did the fast intervals when that time of the season was in progress; but the guy logged alot of miles. I always tried to talk him into running the mile a few times, just to get a sub 4, but he never did.

Thanks for the info former SMTC guy!!!

I would not consider Johnny Gray to be a choker. If you look at the way he races, it is very hard for him to win the major championships. Unfortunately his competitors knew that he would go out hard and try to maintain the pace, while they would sit on his heels and kick the final few meters.

It's because he took people into the "Gray Zone" end of story.

BAMM!

I remember him racing a 1500 against Doug Padilla in the early 90's,(I think). Classic strength vs. speed battle. As I remember it Gray got to Padilla's shoulder at the top of the home straight but couldn't get past. I believe Padilla won in around 3:42.

First of all I'll like to thank everyone for the great comments, as well as coach Ranaldie foe sending me this web site. Now for my thoughts. I think that the reason I ran so well for so long is because I was blessed, as well as I worked very hard and stayed away from Drugs and cheating even through the rough times. As far as the comment about me choking, NEVER! I didn't choke, I was just too tired at times and because I was human and not cheating, I took a lickin but kept on tickin.To sum it all up, I workd hard and I did it clean, my question to the rest is how many of you did it clean? Love you all and thanks for the great comments. I HAD FUN!

how many miles would he usually get up to??

I remember watching many of Gray's races. He was one smooth runner, total class act.

Ol Grumpus wrote:

Gray actually ran his first sub-1:43 in 1984. His last was, as you say, in 1992: eight years later. That is a pretty amazing feat, especially if you consider that there have only ever been 60 sub-1:43 performances. Kipketer ran 21 of those 60 sub-1:43s. Gray ran 4 of them--also pretty impressive.

As far as I can tell, Kipketer's first was in 1995 and his last was in 2002, so he ended up one year short of Gray's feat. He actually ran two of them in 2002, including a 1:42.32 in Rieti. He was 31 at the time.

Nobody has run that fast since then. In fact, the last time somebody other than Kipketer ran 1:42.33 or faster was in 1984.

I seriously didn't know anyone dominated an event like that, ever.

What may be overlooked is theat he made 4, countem, FOUR Olympic 800m Finals.

To get into one of those finals was a feat in itself. Sure, he may not have raced well in most of them, but making 4, 1984-96, is incerdible.

Also, didn't he win Panams in 99, aged 39, in 1:45? Wow.

JOHNNY GRAY

Event: 800 meters

Height: 6-4

Weight: 175

PR: 800m - 1:42.60 AR (1985)

Born: June 19, 1960, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Current Residence: Agoura Hills, Calif.

High School: Crenshaw HS, Los Angeles, '78

Colleges: Los Angeles CC '79; Santa Monica CC '80

Coach: Merle McGee

Agent: Joe Douglas

Club: Santa Monica TC

Career Highlights: 1992 Olympic bronze medalist; 4-time Olympian; 1987, 1999 Pan Am Games champion; 7-time U.S. Outdoor national champion; 3-time Olympic Trials champion. American record holder indoors (1:45.00) and outdoors (1:42.60).

From 1984 to 1997, Gray broke 1:45.0 every season - 14 straight. He originally went out for track at Crenshaw High to be a two miler. His high school coach Merle McGee thought he had better potential in the 800. McGee retired from coaching last year, but is now coaching Gray again in 2001. During his senior year in high school, he improved 15 seconds and won the L.A. city title. He has two sons, Johnny III (born 1983) and Jared Kyle (1985).

2001: Millrose Games champ (1:50.40).

2000: 6th in opening round at U.S. Olympic Trials... 7th at Prefontaine Classic (1:52.42)...12th at adidas Oregon Track Classic (1:52.82)...had a strong indoor season, winning two Golden Spike Tour Events - the adidas D.C. Invitational and the U.S. Air Force Millrose Games...placed 3rd at USA Indoors...dnf at Pontiac Grand Prix Invitational ...2000 marked the first time in 18 years that Gray was not ranked in the U.S. by Track & Field News...best of 1:49.10(indoors).

1999: Gold at Pan Am Games ... 4th at USA Outdoors...ranked #5 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:45.38.

1998: Troubled by a series of minor injuries...won Mt SAC Relays (1:46.15)...2nd in USA Outdoors (1:45.47)...5th at Goodwill Games (1:47.02)...ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:45.47.

1997: 5th in USA Outdoors (1:45.37)...3rd at Linz (1:44.56)...ranked #5 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:44.56.

1996: Won Olympic Trials (1:44.00)...7th in Olympic Games (1:44.21)...after the Games had surgery to correct acute tendinitis of the knee...in recovery, he began lifting weights for the first time in his career...ranked #9 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:43.93.

1995: Lost the early part of his season to anemia...ran season best 1:43.36 to win B race at Zurich's Weltklasse GP...ranked #10 in world (#2 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:43.36.

1994: Won Rome GP (1:43.73)...ranked #2 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:43.73.

1993: 2nd at USA Outdoors (1:44.67)...8th in semis at World Champs (1:50.89)... ranked #2 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:44.03.

1992: Won Olympic Trials (1:42.80)...bronze at Olympic Games (1:43.97)...ranked #4 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN... best of 1:42.80.

1991: 3rd in USA Outdoors (1:44.83)...6th in World Championships (1:45.67)... ranked #9 in world (#3 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:43.84.

1990: 3rd in USA Outdoors...ranked #7 in world (#3 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:43.72, plus 3:42.43 (1500).

1989: Won USA Outdoors (1:46.17)...ranked #6 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN... best of 1:43.39.

1988: Won Olympic Trials...5th in Olympic Games (1:44.80)...ranked #2 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:42.65.

1987: Won USA Outdoors (1:45.15)...won gold at Pan Am Games (1:46.79)...8th in quarterfinals of World Champs (1:49.50)...ranked #1 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:44.09.

1986: Won USA Indoor 1000y (2:04.52)...won USA Outdoors (1:44.73)...ranked #3 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN... best of 1:43.46.

1985: Won USA Outdoors (1:45.01)...ranked #2 in world (#1 U.S.) by T&FN... best of 1:42.60.

1984: 2nd Olympic Trials (1:43.74)...7th Olympic Games (1:47.89)...ranked #5 in world (#2 U.S.) by T&FN...best of 1:42.96, plus 2:17.27 (1000m), 4:07.64 (mile)

1983: 5th in semis of USA Outdoors...ranked #7 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:45.50, plus 46.3 (400).

1982: 2nd in USA Outdoors...ranked #3 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:45.41.

1981: Did not compete due to injury.

1980: 8th in Olympic Trials...ranked #10 in U.S. by T&FN...best of 1:47.06.

1979: 4th in USA Juniors...best of 1:49.39.

1978: best of 1:51.1

1977: best of 2:06.0y T&FN...best of 1:44.56.

I watched at the steve scott 800 invitational, Joe carnegie go 23/35

49.1 and gray 49.5 at 400.Thay ran 1:16.8 at 600.Gray ran 1:46.5

Well regardless, you have to at least think that we may see another American 1:42 soon. If nothing else Webb may be able to do it. I know we are all hoping for Symmonds to be the 800 savoir but he has a lot to learn before he can hope to be a 1:42 guy.