Pros and cons of college running

College Running

7 years ago 03/24/2017 10:46pm EDT

I was thinking about this earlier what do you guys think about the American collegiate system

My view is that for a lot of people say a guy running 14;45 5k he has the advantage of a support system (funding coaching facilities ect) that probably wouldn't exist without the collegiate system. And if your goal is not to run professionally anyway or for a lot of people that may not have the ability/inclination you will get some of your schooling done for reduced price (where the funding comes in). Also some people just like being on a college team

The cons for me are I think there is a lot of racing (3 peaks per year indoor/outdoor xc) it can be hard to develop and focus on getting better if you have to race often. Going back which is one advantage of the East African system where everyone aspires to be a bekele type guy.... Everyone is focused on long term development

Here the mentality is its a big deal to be strong in your conference

7 years ago 03/24/2017 10:57pm EDT

re: Xxxzxdwfyrd

Xxxzxdwfyrd wrote:
I was thinking about this earlier what do you guys think about the American collegiate system
My view is that for a lot of people say a guy running 14;45 5k he has the advantage of a support system (funding coaching facilities ect) that probably wouldn't exist without the collegiate system. And if your goal is not to run professionally anyway or for a lot of people that may not have the ability/inclination you will get some of your schooling done for reduced price (where the funding comes in). Also some people just like being on a college team
The cons for me are I think there is a lot of racing (3 peaks per year indoor/outdoor xc) it can be hard to develop and focus on getting better if you have to race often. Going back which is one advantage of the East African system where everyone aspires to be a bekele type guy.... Everyone is focused on long term development
Here the mentality is its a big deal to be strong in your conference

Most everyone in Kenya is focused on short-term development -- get as fast as possible as quickly as possible in order to get paid as soon as possible.

7 years ago 03/24/2017 11:07pm EDT

re: Xxxzxdwfyrd

The pressure to peak three times/ year is ridiculous and unhealthy of course, but that pressure has also intensified. Indoor track should not be a big deal...one championship per year is plenty.

Over racing is due largely to mediocre coaches looking to maximize the value of what they see as expendable talent. Coaches are incentivized to exploit talent because they want that football money.

The other big con of college running is it's destruction of our sport via unhealthy dependence on basketball / football revenue. We've turned college track into football money meth addicts. We'll know we're getting somewhere when track programs thrive and football doesn't

7 years ago 03/24/2017 11:18pm EDT

re: Xxxzxdwfyrd

Most pros ran in college.

As far as cons go, there was that one guy who pretended to be in high school when he was in his 20s and conned his way to a scholarship.

7 years ago 03/24/2017 11:45pm EDT

re: the reality

I agree with what your saying to a point, i have heard/know of east african guys who over race for money and it happens a lot, HOWEVER the difference is the Kenyan athletes know they are over doing it and have no choice. I feel a lot of college kids/coaches think it is no big deal.

If they had the option the east africans would not race as much, the college coaches however have an option and still chose to over race/ 3 peaks per year.

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