rixctf wrote:
better question: what is the longest distance someone has stayed on 5 minute pace?
This is exactly what I was thinking. I would guess maybe 30 miles at sub-5 pace? Anyone have any idea what some of the elite marathoners train like? They are the only ones I would think that would even attempt to go over 26 miles sub 5.
I first broke 5:00 35 years ago, last broke it two years ago, and plan to do so again this year. I missed a bunch of years because of health issues, but to me it is the age SPAN that counts. Most of the guys over 50 who are fast seemed to not take up running until later in life, and don't have the "wear and tear issues" that the "early starters" have.
My friend Stuart Calderwood first broke it in high school (I think he was 15) and has broken 5 every year since. He is now 50 and already has his annual sub-5 in the books. So that's 36.
There was a coach from a highschool in my state who was in his forties and had broken two in the 800 for like 25 years or something like that. He was a pretty fast guy, around 4 for the mile in college.
He eventually was not able to maintain the streak(he was in his mid or low 40's), but I thought it was pretty impressive for his age.
i'm at 7 now hopefully i can keep it running or another 15 anyway
I am very familiar with Stuart's name in the rankings :) ( I am 51) That is VERY impressive that he has maintained such a streak. I look forward to meeting him someday.
Ghost of Ashenfelter wrote:
My friend Stuart Calderwood first broke it in high school (I think he was 15) and has broken 5 every year since. He is now 50 and already has his annual sub-5 in the books. So that's 36.
Stuart's also run every day for over 21 years, I believe.
New Zealand Master Derek Turnbull WR 4:56.4 in the 65+ age group could translate into 50+ years. It would not be a stretch to think of a 15 year od running sub 5.
I have no idea if this is true for Turnbull just speculation based on age group records.
i've got 2000-2008 covered, age 24 now
Derek in fact may hold the record for span of achievement. He ran 4:23 in high school.
wineturtle wrote:
New Zealand Master Derek Turnbull WR 4:56.4 in the 65+ age group could translate into 50+ years. It would not be a stretch to think of a 15 year od running sub 5.
I have no idea if this is true for Turnbull just speculation based on age group records.
How about longest time running without ever racing a full mile? I started running my sophomore year in high school and ran D1 xc & track...but have NEVER ran a full mile (or 1600) in a race. I am now 23. (I ran the 1500 twice...but it's not the same as running a mile) I think I am officially out of the "longest sub 5 streak" competition.
Cool thread. I first broke 5 when I was 14, and I am now 43 and have done it every year since, so that is 28 for me. Not necessarily in a race, many years it has been just going to the track and timing myself.
It has gotten harder and harder to do. Now, I have to train specifically to do it with a few speed workouts and tend to fail a few times until I finally make it. It isn't a slam dunk that I'll make it this year.
As you get older you find your motivation in different places, and getting under 5 in the mile every summer is mine. It is just going to be so depressing when I finally can't do it any more.
At 3 years. 17 years old now.
I don't know if Scott H is checking in on this thread, but perhaps he remembers how long Wally Heralla (sp) or Pete Hallop's streak was. I think one of them Peter maybe had over 20 straight years of sub 2 in the 8, so he probably had at least as many sub fives....
Very rarely get to run a mile race here in the UK but I've got 16 consecutive years with a sub 4 1500m in there (104 times in total - hardly comparable to Walker / Scott with their sub 4 miles) and convinced I'll be going well under again this year. Trying to keep it going as long as possible provides some nice motivation when you get this nagging suspicion that you might never run an all time pb over this distance again.
I wouldn't be surprised if John Hinton was able to break five until he was near 60. He has the American Master's Record in the 1500 at 3:49
Beau Brummel--thanks, and the way this thread is going, I may have met you already. I've been reading letsrun posts by Ghost of Ashenfelter for years, and I only discovered because of the remark that you responded to that I've known the guy the whole time. Please e-mail if you like--do you run in any of the national masters meets? As for the sub-5's, like Slowpokeman, I never had to think about it back when I came by a mile at that pace in short races, but in the last couple of years I've had to actually train for and race a mile. People like Turnbull and Hinton are so far out of my league that I'll avoid any comparisons--4:56 at age 65?--but I'll try to stay consistent.
Tom:
Craig Fram will certainly challenge it.
Craig is 50 and can still run sub 4:35 for the mile if not sub 4:30.
I'll bet he broke 5:00 when he was 13 or 14 which is bringing him very close to 40 years.
congrats on 32 years
What is the point of a streak in a non-standard distance?
Those of you thinking about starting a streak, you should probably try the fifteen hundred. I think a sub-4 1500 streak would be much more noteworthy/easier to document and you could still keep it up for a long time but probably actually have to be a miler to do it.
start a mile streak now, they man not have any mile races 20 or 30 years hence.