Big Fut wrote:
People this is Bronxville we are talking about! I have lived in NY for two decades. Bronxville doesn't develop their athletes for the long term. I am sure this girl is doing tons of interval and rep training. [It's] so frustrating watching Bronxville runners obtain quick results at their own detriment. A lot of the Bronxville girls use running as a means to get into colleges (nothing wrong with that, but more reason not to compare this 15 year old to Mary Decker).
I accept your point re Bronxville. However, I wouldn't want people to think that Decker, as a kid, was really being developed for the future. (I don't think Big Fut actually implies this, but some might infer it as one of the differences between Cain and MD.)
Mary Decker, at age 12 or so, memorably had a week that included running a marathon and ~four other mid-/distance races, followed by an appendectomy at the end of the week. Not a huge surprise to learn that she subsequently lost entire seasons/years to injury.
However, MD did win an AIAW cross championship while at UC (after the race leader was directed off course, though). Later had a little success internationally, too.