Kerron Clement is a distance runner

rojo wrote:

That maybe the single greatest post in LetsRun.com history....you actually give the thread legitimacy.

Not only do idiots post to this site but it's run by idiots too. So this guy is world record holder at 400m, but he can also run a 5k that is several rungs down from mediocre. Somehow this is supposed to suggest he has endurance, when it in fact points to the complete opposite. He's a brilliant 400 runner, be happy with that.

Actually Barabas, the reason our distance runners aren't up to par on the International level is because our athletes with a little bit of speed are generally afraid to do distance or focus on being a distance runner. It seems to be the general idea that we are to take slow kids and make them the distance runners and anyone with athletic ability is a sprinter.

Now my orginal post was not to suggest that Kerron Clement should be the next great American distance runner. Much like Wariner, he is excelling at what he is doing and I see no need for him to step up to 800s or marathons or anything else of that nature. My only purpose was to inform that here is one example of a world-class sprinter who wasn't afraid that doing over-distance work would hurt him. It didn't slow him down in high school and it certainly hasn't hurt his long-term growth.

There's a whole lot of name calling on here and not enough organized debate.

For those of us who majored in something other than exercise phys, what the heck is type IIx?

Are we talking about some fast twitch fibers being fueled by glycogen and being more and explosive vs. fast twitch muscles that are fueled by oxygen and have more endurance (but not as much as slow twitch)? I read something like this in Better Training for DIstance Runners.

I also think it's very individual whether or not distance running hurts your speed. I sure don't think it's hurt mine but I do know some guys that just cannot bust a quarter like they could in high school. I doubt Pter Snell's sprinting ability was hindered by his 150 miles/week. I do think my jumping ability has suffered over the years (I'm still just 23 by the way).

Either way I think 2-3 miles here and there is not a bad idea for sprinters just so they can get through a longer sprint workout without coughing up a lung.

How you run your miles and what you do to maintain your speed in conjunction with your basework matters a lot too.

A 17 minute 5k is several runsg below mediocre? You're living in a dream world. Go to a local 5k and find the number of people who run that fast or faster and compare it to the number of people that run slower and you'll find 17s are actually pretty damn good compared to normal people.

Mtn Dew wrote:

A 17 minute 5k is several runsg below mediocre?

We're comparing it to a world record, not to joggers in the park. It's being suggested that he has the endurance to break the 800 record, not to perform respectably at a local race. It this context, it is several rungs below mediocre.

enough of this wrote:

Mtn Dew wrote:

A 17 minute 5k is several runsg below mediocre?

We're comparing it to a world record, not to joggers in the park. It's being suggested that he has the endurance to break the 800 record, not to perform respectably at a local race. It this context, it is several rungs below mediocre.

In that case Nick Willis has no speed at all.

Mtn Dew wrote:

In that case Nick Willis has no speed at all.

Not sure what this means as I've no idea who Nick Willis is, I assume he's more familiar to a US audience. Is it being suggested that Mr Willis is about to break a sprint world record?

runnnnnnnnnin wrote:

yeah for someome who runs the 400m and down, xc and/or long distance running is unneccesary, did u ever see michael johnson running in your local 5k or 10k?

michael johnson would often run a 5 mile run every week, seemed to work for him

Nick Willis is a Kiwi who has run 3:32 for 1500m and is known for his ability to outkick his opponents. However, since his 200m time is probably only about 22 something I could argue he has no speed at all since lots of very good people who specialize in that distnace could beat him in the same manner Clement's 17 min 5k is pedestrian to the top 5% of all distance runners. Each has over (or under) ability that is not world class in and of itself, but is quite good considering a) the general population and b) the athlete's main event.

We're not comparing him to a world record, we're comparing him to other people who have run around the world record pace for 400m. And by doing that, it seems Mr. Clement has more endurance that anyone else running under 45. Now does that mean he can run under 1:40 for 800m someday, maybe. But it certainly doesn't scientifically proove that distance running is bad for sprinters. Although, it does seem to induce some ignorant comments about marathon running.

He is engaged to Allyson Felix?

Clement as an 800 runner...c'mon. He just broke the friggin' indoor WR. I don't think he has any interest in running the 800. He's 19-20 years old, I think he may want to actually test his 400 potential. I laughed when I read this.

And as for the distance running for sprinters. The few (very few) miles they do run is for a bit of Aerobic capacity that helps for a faster recovery.

darkness wrote:

Could this be the guy to finally break 2:00:00 in the marathon? Let's face it the marathon had a 2:09 runner 35 years ago and has steadily been wittled down to 2:04 now. If this guy can get to 42.25 in the 400 and keep his endurance up around the same level it was when he ran those 17:40's in dual meets, then maybe he could jump in some 8k and 10k XC races in college next Fall and extend his range a little and be the first guy to be able to string 26 straight 4:34's together.

He is, after all, a distance runner?

Mayeb but a sub2:00HR Marathon is not going to happen ever.

a sub1:40 800m MIGHT someday happen

Madein_82 wrote:

Mayeb but a sub2:00HR Marathon is not going to happen ever.

a sub1:40 800m MIGHT someday happen

Erm, I rather think that the 2 hour marathon post was a joke, sending up the fact that Clement is being discussed as a distance runner.

Mtn Dew wrote:

Each has over (or under) ability that is not world class in and of itself, but is quite good considering a) the general population and b) the athlete's main event.

I don't dispute this, but this isn't all that's being said. The claim is being made that his performances over 5k indicate is endurance is so good that he may not only run a decent 800 but destroy the world record. Running 17s may be a well earned accomplishment for many and I respect that. But I hope I'm not ruining any 17 min 5k runners dreams when I tell them their aren't about to break 1:40.

Come to think of it, apart from Juantorena, can anyone name a single male athlete that has been world class at both 400 and 800?

400 METER RUNNERS NEED TO DO DISTANCE. 800 METER STUFF. lOOK AT THE BEST IN THE WORLD, THEY DO IT. MIKEY JOHNSON DID IT TOO.

ok, KC is clearly a wealth of talent. Hes an all-around athlete. period. Duh he is gonna be able to run a semi-decent 5k. I bet if you took the 400 runners who made the finals at NCAAs and got them to actually try to run their best 5k, the best guy would run in the 16s and the slowest guy would run under 18. These guys maybe be sprinters, but they are also still runners.

pretendingtobeadistancerunner wrote:

I bet if you took the 400 runners who made the finals at NCAAs and got them to actually try to run their best 5k, the best guy would run in the 16s and the slowest guy would run under 18.

You honestly think that 400 field could produce a 5K of sub-17. That's the most rediculous thing I have ever heard. And let's get serious, we are not talking 5K, the issue is the 800.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the 400 is considered a sprint, by most people anyway. Yeah.