The essence of Blue Collar is that hard work makes a difference. What you start with talentwise is the product of genetics, and this can be developed or wasted.
The parable of the talents from the Bible is a good example of this. The three servants were not judged on what they had been given but on what they did with what they had been given. The simple reality is that nature is not fair in the gifts she bestows.
In the field of economics, it is noted that countries rich in natural resources and oil wealth do very poorly economically (South America, Africa) while nations deprived of natural resources (Singapore, Iceland) can do quite well economically. In fact, it seems that the greatest hindrance to economies is to be rich in natural resources because it short circuits the greatest resource--the human mind.
In running, to be supremely talented is the worst tragedy because those people will choose to coast and probably fall away from the sport undeveloped. I have a cousin like this who wastes his life on drugs and alcohol now. He could have been a national class runner but chose to be a loser instead.
I suspect that the best runners are those moderately talented but developed a capacity for work. Geb came in 99th in his first marathon. Needless to say, he has done better since then.
People with no talent are doomed. Sorry. Anyone can improve their running with training, but I don't see a guy like Shaq ever being anything than a big guy plodding along. Likewise, I am never going to be able to dunk a basketball. You deal with it.
Running is not for everyone, and this includes talented losers. But I can tell you that developed talent beats wasted talent every time. It's not where you start. It's where you end up.
Out.