Average to Elite. How?

be talented and undertrained.

then start training.

that's the way it goes...nobody goes from average to exceptional without having the talent all along.

reed wrote:

be talented and undertrained.

then start training.

that's the way it goes...nobody goes from average to exceptional without having the talent all along.

One of my favourite parts of running, to be honest with with you - and I have no discernible running talent whatsoever. I really like the fact that for the overwhelming majority of us, it doesn't matter how hard you train, you will never EVER be a pro runner or even place at your regional meet, let alone state or international. It's a very valuable life lesson, one that runs counter to this 'I'm a special snowflake' idea many people seem to have lodged in their heads.

In many other fields of endeavour, it's relatively easy to get by on a pretty face or good connections, or just plain blind confidence. Running, nope. You have talent, and you work your butt off, and MAYBE you make it.

There are no pretty faces in running. Have you seen Kim Smith?

Pretty sure there are none wrote:

hrtf wrote:

One of my favourite parts of running, to be honest with with you - and I have no discernible running talent whatsoever. I really like the fact that for the overwhelming majority of us, it doesn't matter how hard you train, you will never EVER be a pro runner or even place at your regional meet, let alone state or international. It's a very valuable life lesson, one that runs counter to this 'I'm a special snowflake' idea many people seem to have lodged in their heads.

In many other fields of endeavour, it's relatively easy to get by on a pretty face or good connections, or just plain blind confidence. Running, nope. You have talent, and you work your butt off, and MAYBE you make it.

There are no pretty faces in running. Have you seen Kim Smith?

I have now. I actually don't think she's that bad, but I like skinny runners.

I worked in the media for a long time so I've seen the 'pretty face' syndrome first-hand. Even radio, for pete's sake. Kim wouldn't make it.

That said, many Eastern European track athletes are stunning. But the point is they can't show up, be hot and expect everyone to overlook abysmal performances. You either have it, or you don't. There is NO grey area. Something in this appeals to me.

Ever heard of Brian Sell. There are exceptions...

'In many other fields of endeavour, it's relatively easy to get by on a pretty face or good connections or just plain blind confidence. Running, nope'

Ummm, ever heard of Jordan Hasay?

Allie Ostrander has never been average as a runner.

Def of average? wrote:

Allie Ostrander has never been average as a runner.

Allie went from great to elite , she has much more room to mature as a runner. Definitely not a burnout, and besides she never gets injured.

a classic example is Cam Levins. No one had heard of him until he threatened Lawi Lalang in xc. The answer how he got good is mileage up the ying yang.

The difference between running and your many other fields of endeavor has NOTHING to do with talent being important to being competitive in running in most states in high school.

Being good at running is 100% about how well you train.

Getting to elite, separating the good from the international and pro runners is where talent matters.