Track

Answer - Talent Scout. Just as a tip, if you think that something I've written is wrong, look again and rethink your position. I was responding to another person who said that 10 flat was what the top girls would be running. I know Freshman Runner is a guy. My only failing there is that I forgot her name, but since I admitted that up front, no fault on my part. I could look it up, and eventually curiosity might get the better of me, but the bottom line in this post is that I was right (as always) and you were wrong. Try harder. I'm sure you'll do better next time.

You are right. I guess I'm no good at math. Actually though, I was always told to ignore the warm up and cool down miles, so we did 10 miles of 400s in a given week. On the 5th day (Friday) we just jogged 1.5 or 2 miles. So, if you count all the jogging (and I mean we really jogged it as dictated by coach) I guess we ran 17.5 or 18 miles per week at the end of the season.

Answer Man wrote:

Answer - Talent Scout. Just as a tip... Try harder. I'm sure you'll do better next time.

I sincerely thank you for your advice as well as encouragement. - TS

Answer - Talent Scout. Two more things.

1) I looked up the girl who set the national high school record of 10:01.08 in 2002 spring track season - Molly Huddle of NY. There have been some 3200 times set by other girls in previous years which would have been better than the 10:01.08 she ran, but only a very small few.

2) You said I usually do a fair job. What you meant to say was that I always do an excellent job. Again, just to clarify, when you thought I was wrong, you were mistaken and so I was actually right in what I said.

Normally I would give my patented "Move On". here, but I don't feel a need for it just yet.

AnswerMan

you are an arrogent ass|

Answer - Skipper. Where's Gilligan?

The fact that you made so many mistakes in such a short post means to me that you did it on purpose, so I won't even point out to you the errors. It is of course completely possible though that you are just a dumbass.

What?! Answer Man is great! I mean, obviously he is not nearly as smart/wise as he believes himself to be. However, his takes are somewhat unique, and his knowledge of running is above average! So, I for one welcome Answer Man and his super-ego! He is far less caustic than he was a few months ago, and sometimes I actually miss this.

Why did your coach do it, because the coach doesn't know what he/she is doing.

Doing 4 days a week of 400's, I would hate training too!!!

Did you do them 4 days in a row or every other day? Either way, tell your 8th grade coach to get an education on the basics of training a distance runner. Better yet, Freshman runner, give me an email address and I'll send you an article written by JK (John Kellogg) who knows a lot about the correct way of training. Don't know who's JK? Do a search on this board and you'll find out.

Answer - Talent Scout, while I believe that last post of yours was intended to compliment me (which I don't need but will accept), you didn't go as far as you should have. Below I have your post followed by how it really should have gone, followed by my explanation of why it should have gone the way I dictate.

1) Your Post - "Answer Man is great! I mean, obviously he is not nearly as smart/wise as he believes himself to be. However, his takes are somewhat unique, and his knowledge of running is above average! So, I for one welcome Answer Man and his super-ego! He is far less caustic than he was a few months ago, and sometimes I actually miss this."

2) What it should have said - "Answer Man is great! I mean, obviously he is as smart/wise as he believes himself to be, and much more insightful than anyone else here on this board, and he has a way of communicating that makes one believe he is either a writer or a speaker or just completely gifted in all areas of his life - what an intelligent man he is. If only I could be so gifted - that's the one problem for anyone posting on this board is the Answer Man envy, but I guess we have to find something in our lives that we are good at - perhaps we married a woman who has all her teeth - perhaps we have a really good porcelain figurine collection - perhaps when our family walks around at the state fair, there will be another family there who is even less attractive that people will be talking about this year instead of us. Answer Man's takes are somewhat unique, and his knowledge of running is superlative! So, I for one welcome Answer Man and his well-deserved super-ego! He is far less caustic than he was a few months ago, and sometimes I actually miss this.

3) My explanation - In some ways no explanation is necessary, because I'm certain that once you compare the two you can see that what you really meant to say is what I wrote above in #2. But in case you or anyone else needs it spelled out for you - you will all find that I make better points and write them more clearly and with more flair than anyone else who posts here. My posts are witty, funny, correct 100% of the time, and basically free from misspellings and grammatical errors which get in the way of a seamless read. As far as being less caustic goes, that is a result of 2 things - 1) No recent need to be. I only do it when necessary. Start a Ritz vs. Webb thread again, and then you'll see. 2) Those who needed my caustic response have quit arguing with me because they realized that there was no point. You stop arguing with someone when you realize they are superior and will win every time. Only those of you with half a brain (and I do mean HALF a brain) have been posting opposing viewpoints, but you do it in a way which doesn't require you to be slammed to the ground by my wit (which I can do at anytime, but I use only for those who require it). I will remain relentless though when someone like that marython woman makes a stupid comment about women and eating disorders and how the comments from men cause them. Haven't heard from her since. Hopefully she is spending her time reevaluating her view on life.

So, that's it in a nutshell. I welcome comments but don't need them. All opposing viewpoints will be sufficiently flogged as I see fit. No need to "Move On" yet.

AM,

Your dripping with arrogance (there, I spelled it write this time).

Personally, I have undergone a dramatic change (without training) since indoor track in 10th grade, my one season of HS running. My PR's were 5:47 and 12:36, I didn't start running again till this month, and I've run a 4:34 (I'm pretty sure I can run under 10 3200, just haven't tried). Depending on your level of development, you may cut two minutes off your 3200 by the end of high school. To reach your potential, 10 mpw won't cut it, you may break 10:00 with that training, but you'll never be "the best around," which should be a long term goal, not a freshman year one. BTW, I'm 19 now.

Answer Man,

One of the most endearing aspects of your persona is the unfailing predictability of your self-appreciating posts. However, I think I am going to stick with my original assessment (despite the nearly overwhelming persuasiveness of your previous post). You indeed have a brain with functional synapses, and I know that one day you could become a decent writer (I am serious). However, your pointing this out on a RUNNING board is wanting. Do cyclists come on the board to tell us they are awesome at cycling? Do politicians (or even just political hopefuls) frequent these boards to boast of their impressive, well-planned agenda? No. They go to sites where people are actually trying to further THESE disciplines. I will leave well enough alone as I believe you should be able to understand and take away the helpful advice that is implicit herein.

Do let me know, though, if you need any further explanation.

-TS

Answer - Skipper, it's "you're" and "right". Go get some tutoring or learn to use a dictionary before you try to tangle with me.

Answer - Talent Scout. First of all, I am already a writer. Second of all, the only reason my writing ability is mentioned at all is because I use it to make my points about running or running-related issues which come up on this board. My focus here is on running since I also excel at that. It is not beyond the focus of a running message board to be clear and concise when writing. In fact, that should be expected on a MESSAGE BOARD. We come here to communicate after all. This topic is now over. "Move On".

Just ran the 3200 in 10:51 on the track yesterday with no one else running with me. I will be better than 10:14 in the spring and I will win that conference championship.

Must be a pretty weak conference. You couldn't win our district (AA) with a 9:14.

I think he is talking about 8th grade or freshman conference....note the talented freshmans run in varsity...

Your conference must suck. If you are satisfied with being a second rate 2 miler just do what you are doing, it seems to be working.

Anything worth doing, is worth doing well. If your posts are true you should be looking at becoming one of the bests runners in your state, not some crappy conference. To do that you have to run mileage, don't worry about repeats, most HS coaches will only make you do them 1 time a week, and hey Guess what? If you have a mileage base underneath you running 400's on the track is like a vacation. You will cut right through them.

Freshman runner- that kind of training your coach is giving you is ineffective in the first place. That many hard workouts in one week is a load of crap. Either you are exaggerating or your coach doesn't know what he is doing. Good training is precise and well thought out. Doing the same workout the majority of the week is not well thoughtout. If you want to improve your training, consider who is coaching you well. Read up on effective training. You can have a much better training plan.