Could Prime Michael Jackson have broken 20 mins (say ~19:32) in the 5k?

His 400m training included lots of "tempo" running. As his coach thought 400m runners should train like 800m runners. So, without a doubt he could run that time for 5k.

Er, you've got the wrong Michael Jackson dude...

Banana Bollocks wrote:

With all the recent drug accusations and accusations of other bad things, MJ's legacy looks a bit tarnish these days.

However, back in his golden era, before poor health / spending too much time playing with his monkey sunk in, he was quite a fit young man, with an impressive lightweight athletic frame.

So the question is - What time do you think a prime Michael Jackson could have hit in the 5k?

Michael was very active during his multi-hour performances, so one would have to assume his aerobic capacity was pretty good. Plus, his general strength levels were likely high, so it is not a long-shot that he could break 20:00.

Banana Bollocks wrote:

Er, you've got the wrong Michael Jackson dude...

Sorry, I went dyslexic for a moment and read it as Micheal Johnson.

23 minutes in the 5k

Saw Jackson 5 in concert, 1972. Our family had a back stage pass. MJ gave my little sister a kiss on the cheek.

Michael was accustomed to going all out for three to five minutes, duration of a song. I believe Michael Jackson would have been able to complete a 6 x 1200m ave. 4:30 with two minute recovery. He would have performed slightly better in workouts than in 5K race. He would have been a 18:55 to 19:05 5k runner.

This prognostication is based on Michael Jackson only dancing for his training. If MJ would have run mileage, sub-17 5k.

He could do a sub 20 5k running backwards.

He went sub 15, but not in a 5k, if you know what I mean.

Bad Wigins wrote:

He could do a sub 20 5k running backwards.

He went sub 15, but not in a 5k, if you know what I mean.

Holy sh*t hahahahaha

Not if you judge by fellow singing celebrity Will Smith's recent effort. That guy's half time was really poor and that right there's a dude who spent most of his younger days in the playground, shooting b-ball.

Having said that Michael would have had a strong coach in papa Joe. No doubt he would have motivated the young lad to fulfill his potential through the fear of a good thrashing.

Bad Wigins wrote:

He could do a sub 20 5k running backwards.

He went sub 15, but not in a 5k, if you know what I mean.

Hehe. For anyone who is stuck on this. What Bad Wigins means is that Michael Jackson done someone under the age of 15.

I think the thing with him is that, similar to many models, he prioritized his looks over his health; he was focused on staying skinny and looking good rather than actually staying fit and healthy. 20 minutes is pretty fast for the average person and usually one needs to be running regularly and eating properly (for a runner). If he trained and ate well for a couple weeks I could see him running close to 20 minutes but in his normal state (before all of the drugs and stuff) I don't even think that he could break 23 minutes for a 5k. Also dance fitness does not translate to running fitness (fact)

Ha ha, yes!

Perhaps a more interesting question then would be whether a prime era Macaulay Culkin could break 20 attempting to run clear of the clutches of the advancing King of Pop.

Banana Bread wrote:

Bad Wigins wrote:

He could do a sub 20 5k running backwards.

He went sub 15, but not in a 5k, if you know what I mean.

Hehe. For anyone who is stuck on this. What Bad Wigins means is that Michael Jackson done someone under the age of 15.

He very nearly got a record.

He could have moonwalked a sub-20.

Of course he could. The guy was literally a self professed Speed Demon!

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