why are the age groups 20-24 and 25-29 so slow at local races

slopenguinrunner wrote:

It also helps that your wife doesn't get too concerned about your running.

If your wife complains about your running, she shouldn't be your wife anymore. Running takes hardly anytime at all, and keeps you healthy and sharp mentally. 40-50 minutes a day for a quality session and you can get that done easily in the morning.

You can do that, or you can play video games and watch Sportscenter for 3 hours a night like some 30-year olds I know.

Wives who complain about running would find something else to complain about if you quit the sport anyways.

The real challenge is when the wife runs too. When does everybody fit it in?

SMJO wrote:

I like how there is this assumption that most of the 20-30 population is off running in college....

The truth is that people dramatically slip in physical fitness after high school and the older age groups find a way to get back to a higher level of fitness.

The assumption isnt that most are running in college, it's assuming anyone any good is running in college.

Saves The Day wrote:

slopenguinrunner wrote:

It also helps that your wife doesn't get too concerned about your running.

If your wife complains about your running, she shouldn't be your wife anymore. Running takes hardly anytime at all, and keeps you healthy and sharp mentally. 40-50 minutes a day for a quality session and you can get that done easily in the morning.

You can do that, or you can play video games and watch Sportscenter for 3 hours a night like some 30-year olds I know.

Wives who complain about running would find something else to complain about if you quit the sport anyways.

I know guys who's wives complain about their running and I always wonder what they really expect from the guy? Should he just work, deposit the check in the bank and sit at home, maybe mow the grass? Shouldn't he be allowed to pursue some type of hobby?

EZ10Miler wrote:

SMJO wrote:

I like how there is this assumption that most of the 20-30 population is off running in college....

The truth is that people dramatically slip in physical fitness after high school and the older age groups find a way to get back to a higher level of fitness.

The assumption isnt that most are running in college, it's assuming anyone any good is running in college.

The 20-29 age group is also just starting their work life and their families. Either they are working many hours to keep up with the veterans, or they are working weird shifts just to pay for the family. Wife is having kids, and cannot work much, so husband works more hours, leaving less time to train. add this in with the fact that the best runners at ages 20-23 are running in college, and sheer odds are lowered.

Lizards wrote:

Wow. Really? I don't find it that difficult to run 60+ mpw, keep a full time job, be married, and raise a child. In regards to my wife, she didn't give a crap about my running as long as it didn't interfere with our plans.

It's quite simple, just get up at 5am and get the miles/workouts in if you are serious. The problem is, a lot of guys my age just didn't have the desire to keep at it.

You're proving my point. Your wife "doesn't give a crap about my running so long as it doesn't interfere with our plans" That's called having a supportive wife and you should be grateful to have one.

EZ10Miler wrote:

The assumption isnt that most are running in college, it's assuming anyone any good is running in college.

This really doesn't explain it for several reasons. I live in a town with a good sized University (11,000 students) and both the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups are weak.

The track/XC team has about 20 guys on it, the slowest guys running in the 16:00s for 5K. So that doesn't explain where the high 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, and 19:00 guys are. Also, the oldest guys on the team are 23 so where are the 24 and older guys?

This is a recent phenomena. You didn't see this back in the 80s and 90s. Back then every race I went to was won by someone between 21 and 35. Now I'd say this is true about 1/2 the time. In fact I've won more races since I turned 40 than I did when I was younger despite being several minutes slower for a 5K.

And unless it's a big prize purse, money doesn't seem to make a difference. Last year I won $50 (yes I know that's not much) for winning a 5K in Tampa at age 49. The guy in 2nd was over 50 and a woman was 3rd. The first 20 something guy was 4th. WTH, this would have been easy pickins for a young guy, where were they?

For the most part, I think the younger generation is too lazy to get out there and actually train, so those age groups are slow.