Can I undo the damage I have done to my body and run fast again? SERIOUS POST

Playing basketball isn't zero training

Seriously?

You ran 4:51 4 years ago and a 28 minute 8k while in college. That's pretty good. You couldn't have lost your speed that quickly. Just start training, eating right, etc. again. You'll slowly get back to where you were.

I'm talking about SPEED speed... as in competitive 100-800 speed. Is there a chance?

And where does it sound like my back innate abilities were/are better suited for? The 12.0 100m FAT in 9th grade or the 4:51 in 11th?

Neither had any specific training, as I went to a TINY public school, where basically we just took some willing kids who didn't play softball or baseball, loaded a bus, and went to nearby meets for fun.

What damage did you do to your body?

If you are only 22, you can go further than where you were

before. All it takes is consistent training.

You could probably surpass your fitness from 11th grade if you were to allow yourself to regain the weight you lost and fuel yourself properly to train. If something is stopping you from allowing yourself to regain the weight and you are staying at a weight that is clearly not good for you or anywhere near optimal for your running, then you need to address whatever is stopping you.

go to therapy EOT

Oh sorry, I read this as the body image problems being from not wanting to gain the weight back, not that you wanted to gain the weight back but couldn't, and had body image issues because you were underweight.

So what caused the rapid, not yet reversed weight loss? Depression? Treat whatever it is. Your running will get better.

Also look into possibly physical causes like Celiac, Crohn's, etc. If you can't gain weight back and it's not mental then something is probably pretty wrong.

sadbuttrue wrote:

And where does it sound like my back innate abilities were/are better suited for? The 12.0 100m FAT in 9th grade or the 4:51 in 11th?

Neither had any specific training, as I went to a TINY public school, where basically we just took some willing kids who didn't play softball or baseball, loaded a bus, and went to nearby meets for fun.

Neither of those times are strong enough to indicate a particular suit. Basketball and other sports provide plenty of training for both speed and endurance.

And of course you can improve them. Do you think people just stop improving at 20 years old?

Would I likely have the genetic potential of a 55/1:59 with proper training? Or would that be a stretch of a dream?

Aside:I had still unexplained abnormal kidney, liver, and pancreas counts at the time (~2 yrs), alongside lifelong GI issues, multiple "mid-level" food allergies recently diagnosed via RAST blood testing by 2 different allergists, and am now starting therapy for long-term depression, anxiety, and OCD tendencies.

12.0 should be able to run in the neighborhood of 52 give or take. General calculator rule ends up being roughly (100m speed + 1s) x 4 to give 400 ability/equivalent performance.

Which in turn leaves the potential for somewhere in the mid to lower mid 1:5x range if you have the capabilities to develop good endurance.

sadbuttrue wrote:

Would I likely have the genetic potential of a 55/1:59 with proper training? Or would that be a stretch of a dream?

How is anyone supposed to know about your genetic potential without seeing your DNA test? That's what is a stretch of a dream.

I thought you said we couldn't tell by looking at genes?

Dude - sounds like you have a perfect marathoner's build. You aren't underweight - you are lean and mean.

SMJO wrote:

I thought you said we couldn't tell by looking at genes?

Why did you quote me? I didn't say that. I said how are we supposed to know without seeing a DNA test. That's not even close to what you just said.

What do you expect to see on the DNA test?

SMJO wrote:

What do you expect to see on the DNA test?

Why do you keep quoting me and talking about things I didn't say anything about?

Yes you would likely be able to get back.

Yes you are more likely a 400/800 runner.

Even if not, begin there.

Suggest 60 400m/3' 1000m as initial goals.

dsrunner

dsrunner wrote:

Yes you would likely be able to get back.

Yes you are more likely a 400/800 runner.

Even if not, begin there.

Suggest 60 400m/3' 1000m as initial goals.

dsrunner

I think you may be correct, because the most lactic athletic things things were always what I was best at when younger (I always won every gut drill in basketball practice (near maximal sprints with short recoveries), could do 30 pullups and 200 push-ups continuously with good form, was a superb wrestler, etc.)

However, right now those are the most difficult things for me to do. I feel pretty strong at 50-100m sprints, and at 60+ minute runs close to ~6:00 flat pace, but hard efforts 200-1600 absolutely decimate me.

For example, right now a 65s 400 feels like torture.