Joan Benoit-Samuelson 2:54 today at age 57

Amazing run!!! I am impressed. To the drug idiot...stfu pencil neck.

This is a splendid accomplishment. Benoit-Samuelson is in great shape and this should rank right up there with her other fine achievements. And it should be a record. That must have been a tough headwind.

Bad Wigins wrote:

why should Boston be legal for AGR's if it's not legal for WR's?

We could do the right thing. Boston, NY should be legal.

Ohio Bowling wrote:

Dude

She is 57!! She ran a sub 3 hour marathon.

Are you not impressed?

I am. Very very impressed.

How many here, male or female can run a sub 3?

Let alone, over 55 years of age.

This is an amazing accomplishment

I've run a 2:54.

At the age of 36 though. And I haven't beaten it yet. Pretty incredible that Joan is still running sub 3s. At this rate I don't know if I will still be running at 55, much less marathons.

She is incredible.

I would be interested in her training. I wonder if she does a lot of strength training to stay so durable. I also wonder how many miles she's running. I heard in the 70's. I wonder how fast she could run if she was still able to train like she used to. She's a physical wonder. Not just because of her time but her age and the ability to run as much as she does.

I'm 26 and currently can't get over 30 mpw without injuries.

MarathonMind wrote:

into that headwind today? they should make it eligible. She'd have run 2:51:_ in better conditions.

Concur.

brava Joan - she's just the best

she is the heart and soul of distance running

Victorious88 wrote:

I would be interested in her training. I wonder if she does a lot of strength training to stay so durable. I also wonder how many miles she's running. I heard in the 70's. . .

I found this from a couple years ago. It looks like she does "cross training" (cycling, kayak, gardening, nordic and alpine skiing), but doesn't specifically mention weight training. 50-60 miles/week with 70-80 miles/week in marathon preparation.

She does zero strength training.It's fairly obvious looking at her if you have seen her up close. She has natural talent and most importantly NEVER STOPPED RUNNING or enjoying it.If you can't get about 30mpw you are running too fast or too hard.

Victorious88 wrote:

I would be interested in her training. I wonder if she does a lot of strength training to stay so durable. I also wonder how many miles she's running. I heard in the 70's. I wonder how fast she could run if she was still able to train like she used to. She's a physical wonder. Not just because of her time but her age and the ability to run as much as she does.

I'm 26 and currently can't get over 30 mpw without injuries.

Citizen Runner wrote:

I found this from a couple years ago. It looks like she does "cross training" (cycling, kayak, gardening, nordic and alpine skiing), but doesn't specifically mention weight training. 50-60 miles/week with 70-80 miles/week in marathon preparation.

http://www.providencejournal.com/features/lifestyle/health-fitness/20130520-what-s-your-workout-runner-joan-benoit-samuelson.ece

I agree that Joan is an incredible athlete and an ambassador to our sport. her longevity is simply amazing.

But gardening as cross-training??? Really?

Impressive that she can she run at such a high level For her age and the mileage on her legs.

JBS fan wrote:

But gardening as cross-training??? Really?

Gardening is one of the very best exercises.

Interpreter of nonsense wrote:

reader of the forums wrote:

And if she had not taken drugs, she would not have run the times that she did before she retired.

And if you weren't on drugs, you'd have a brain.

It's common to attack someone's character, rather than the validity of their proposition, when one is unable to refute an opposing view.

Not having a brain is not a sufficient reason to dismiss what I've stated. A point stands on its merits.

Your objection fails.

Citizen Runner wrote:

Victorious88 wrote:

I would be interested in her training. I wonder if she does a lot of strength training to stay so durable. I also wonder how many miles she's running. I heard in the 70's. . .

I found this from a couple years ago. It looks like she does "cross training" (cycling, kayak, gardening, nordic and alpine skiing), but doesn't specifically mention weight training. 50-60 miles/week with 70-80 miles/week in marathon preparation.

http://www.providencejournal.com/features/lifestyle/health-fitness/20130520-what-s-your-workout-runner-joan-benoit-samuelson.ece

This is pretty much exactly what she said when she did a talk at Cherry Blossom a week ago. She said her strength training consists of hauling in wood to heat the house.

This year Christine Kennedy is going to try to become the first woman over 60 to break three hours. She ran 2:59 at age 59.

It is a remarkable time but just think that Ed Whitlock ran about same time at 74.

If you asked me 25 years ago which '80's elite athlete would still be a world-class masters in 2015, Joanie would be among the last I would have guessed. She had a messed up leg (ski accident) even before her racing career, and always ran with a hobble. Throw in a major knee surgery in 1984 and her longevity was in serious question. I never would have guessed her body would hold up to her iron will, but she clearly is in awesome shape (maybe sub-2:50 in good conditions).

Amazing.

reader of the forums wrote:

Not having a brain is not a sufficient reason to dismiss what I've stated. A point stands on its merits.

However, your point has no merits.

Tatyana Pozdnyakova never failed any drug test.

She was an awesome runner, and I was disappointed when she retired.

Citizen Runner wrote:

World F57 record is 2:54:29 by Jung-Ok Kim (Korea) per ARRS list:

http://www.arrs.net/SA_Mara.htm

, but they use the IAAF record eligible course criteria, so Joanie's 2:54:03 on the Boston course wouldn't qualify.

Age-graded equivalent is 2:25. Not great by LR standards.