I'm about a 5'3 sophomore in high school and my times are 2:10, 5:00, and 10:55 in the 800, 1600, and 3200, respectively. (I know, I'm not quite as fast as the most of you)
But I've got a question.. does my height affect how fast I run? Do you think I'd be faster if I was taller?
Height has nothing to do with it. Geb and Bekele are your height.
Gebrselassie is 5'5". Bekele is 5'6". If anything, you're almost the perfect height.
Tsegay Kebede is one inch shorter than you are. He is one of the best marathoners in the world. Gebreselassie is only two inches taller than you are. Height is not that good of an indicator. Weight, body composition (skinny calves) and other factors are probably more important.
No. Quit making excuses.
Paging Leonel.
Of purse not, you're only a sophomore and are only going to continue growing, don't worry about it
How big are your calves?
your 800 PR of 2:10 suggests that with a little bit of training, you could be a pretty formidable 800/1500 type guy. keep at it kid. you may not have great stride length, but you will have an easier time building muscle mass and gettin those little legs turnin
The guy that won the London marathon this year was 5'2. So no, it doesn't matter.
the highlander wrote:
your 800 PR of 2:10 suggests that with a little bit of training, you could be a pretty formidable 800/1500 type guy. keep at it kid. you may not have great stride length, but you will have an easier time building muscle mass and gettin those little legs turnin
His stride will get longer as he gets faster. Height is irrelevant.
smallguy wrote:
I'm about a 5'3 sophomore in high school and my times are 2:10, 5:00, and 10:55 in the 800, 1600, and 3200, respectively. (I know, I'm not quite as fast as the most of you)
But I've got a question.. does my height affect how fast I run? Do you think I'd be faster if I was taller?
Read
http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/yi/miruts-yifter-1.html. Note height, weight, PRs.
smallguy wrote:
I'm about a 5'3 sophomore in high school and my times are 2:10, 5:00, and 10:55 in the 800, 1600, and 3200, respectively. (I know, I'm not quite as fast as the most of you)
But I've got a question.. does my height affect how fast I run? Do you think I'd be faster if I was taller?
You're a sophomore in high school, you may still grow a couple more inches.
As for the height vs. potential argument... height obviously is going to have some effect on max speed (bigger lever = greater potential power), but in terms of distance running ability, in general shorter is better.
The generalization you can make regarding height:
1. Longer legs = better potential max speed
2. Shorter = easier to have an economical stride (which is even more important than max speed at longer distances)
3. Shorter legs = better potential acceleration (a shorter lever can get to higher RPM faster)
Which is why the average Top 10-15-20-25-30-etc. height for 100m runners is a little shorter than, say, the 400m, but the average height goes back down again by the time you get to the 5k (and probably the 1500m, though I haven't checked.. I'd imagine height still plays some role in an event as short as the 800m).
Of course it has something to do with it. But a more significant factor would be the body type and power/weight ratio. Obviously you can't be fast with short stubby legs.
I think it's fair to say 5'6 Carlos Lopes is one of the best ever.
Of course. It's a generalization, and it's not as important as things like natural ability and training.
But take two guys of similar build, ability, and training background, and in general the one with longer legs will have better max speed.
Not that that really matters to much for the OP, since he's a distance guy... the only event it will probably effect him for would be the 800 (and possibly mile, not sure) - but that's only going to matter if he's up against someone VERY similar to him in other aspects. If the OP trains better, or is more naturally gifted, the height difference won't matter.
smallguy wrote:
I'm about a 5'3 sophomore in high school and my times are 2:10, 5:00, and 10:55 in the 800, 1600, and 3200, respectively. (I know, I'm not quite as fast as the most of you)
But I've got a question.. does my height affect how fast I run? Do you think I'd be faster if I was taller?
Dude, I am assuming you are new here and may not follow pro track, but google Leonel Manzano.
I was small too in HS (4,10 my freshman year). I trained my a** off and ran with a chip on my shoulder and broke 16 a few times my senior year (although I was 5,4 or 5,5 by then).
Your strength may come a few years down the road though.
One of my teammates is 6'4 185 pounds and runs 14:35 5k, 1:58 800, and 3:59 1500.
Another is like 5'6 and 120 and runs 14:40, 3:56, and 1:56. and sub 25 for 8k cross.
I'm 6'0, which is arguably a better running height than either of them, and I run 16:50s.
I wouldn't consider it a huge factor.
the highlander wrote:
you could be a pretty formidable 800/1500 type guy. keep at it kid.
Juantorena, Rudisha, Cruz and Kipketer are all over 6 feet.
Yeah, I honestly can't think of a great 800 runner 5'6 or shorter.