Kenny Cormier joins the U.S. Marines!

Hello people. The collegiate system was not designed to develop distance runners. Is it possible to develop your talent in college - yes - but that is not what the system (or many college coaches) is about.

If your goal is to fully develop your talent then competing in college probably isn't the way to go.

Distance runners best develop over the long term through long blocks of consistent training. 3 seasons per year (even 2 if you red shirt) of high race volume over distances of 3k to 10k doesn't allow for this.

Instead the collegiate system gives highly taleneted runners an exchange: they get a free or assisted education in exchange for scoring points in meets and championships.

If you are looking for more than that (like optimal development as a runner) you are looking in the wrong place.

Was I not suppose to say this? wrote:

The whole we are super elite attitude that comes with these guys who pass basic is over played. Most have an IQ of 115 or below and even after the training look like dough boys who can't break 18min for 5k or do 100 pushups

Most people in college also have an IQ of 115 or below. In fact, most around 84% of all adults have an IQ of 115 or below.

Not sure what your point is.

burgh boy wrote:

Most people in college also have an IQ of 115 or below. In fact, most around 84% of all adults have an IQ of 115 or below.

Not sure what your point is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution

That's a striking correlation to the percentage of the population that leans left politically! Incredible.

He might make it. At his age he'll probably wash out and get transferred to the nearest Army base. They will beat him since he is a college puke. Recruits during the Vietnam war were normally 16-18 years old.

Semper Fi wrote:

I saw a similar story a couple weeks ago where the freshman pitching star for University of Arizona left mid year to enlist in the Marines.

The kid from UA went Army.

What a puss. Running wasnt easy for him anymore so he gives up. That attitude wont fly in the Marines.

quote]Motivation Platoon wrote:

He's 20 isn't he ? Almost too old, he should be 16-18 for USMC boot camp. At least back in ancient times. They'll beat the shit out of him.[/quote]

"Too old""??!!!

The Gov't keeps raising the maximum age standards for its soldiers. I believe it is age 42 now!!![

I enjoyed a good running career both in hs and in college, and joined as an enlisted Marine right after college. One thing is for sure before I say anything else, if you never join the Marines yourself, you will never have a clue how challenging it is, and therefore can never pass judgement on anyone who joins. Running doesn't get difficult for anyone if they truly have a passion for it. Some people have a passion for more than just running (like simply new challenges). That's what it was for me, and it still holds true today. Everything you do in life changes you for sure, but what you don't do definitely doesnt change you. For any of you criticizing his decision or his motives, you don't have a F'in clue what it takes to be a Marine, and before you do talk bad about it; grow a pair of balls and join yourself so you can find out what it's like. And for those of you who praise him for it, trust me, it's the most rewarding thing you could for yourself and for your country. Whether you believe it or not, running is a selfish sport; and being involved in the military is just the opposite. The only thing you get out of it is self-respect, discipline, and the courage to sacrifice yourself for things you really believe in.

P.S. whoever joins the Marines for money, you are a lost soul. There is no money in the Marines, what you get out of it is priceless...

Naw, Cormier is a spolied brat. I doubt if he can't hack the Marines. They'll transfer him to the Navy in a week. Even Riddick Bowe, Super Heavyweight champion boxer, washed out of the Marines.

I'm sorry Arkansas didn't work out better for him. But good for him for having the guts to do what he's doing. I won't even hold it against him that he chose the Corps over the Army.

frmdirtyjerz wrote:

P.S. whoever joins the Marines for money, you are a lost soul. There is no money in the Marines, what you get out of it is priceless...

Assuming one is definitely joining....if you have a college degree or are almost there, you might as well explore the officer route. If you are devoting roughly the same amount of time, you might as well get paid extra for it if your circumstances allow (i.e. having a college degree). Yes the Corps does become your family but if you have other family (i.e. spouse and kids), it makes life better for everyone to have that extra financial cushion. That is just reality. For all the espirit de corps, there are still lots of bitter enlisted guys out there who thought they were going to be door kickers but are instead sitting behind a desk in Barstow or Albany. True, there are many college grads better suited for the enlisted ranks, just as there are HS grads who would make good officers. However, if you have the degree or close to it, you might as well investigate all your options instead of jumping on the first bus to MCRD.

Your post is what I was thinking. I am not criticizing his joining the Marines. But I hope it's not a "can't wait" decision, instead of finishing the degree and becoming an officer. Maybe he'd rather be a Private than a Lieutenant... and maybe he'd rather let his college degree hang for a few years. But one of these (and esp. both) would be hard to believe.

My DI choked each of us until we passed out every day for the 1st 2 weeks. When our DI knew he was going to kick out a non-hacker, he broke one thigh 1st with a softball bat, which sent the non-hacker to the infirmary. Cormier will be drowned til he passes out then made to run 5k.

I ran college xc and track. I joined the Marines afterwards. It was a mistake. I\'m sorry to see another foolish person join up to fight Bush\'s war.

Hard to believe that the Marines isn't going to be tough too and also occasionally "feel like a job" (or a hell of a lot worse).

Going to university is a big change for everyone and even the most grounded kids hit rough spots. Can't imagine being home schooled his whole life made this transition any easier.

Parental support is fine but indulging him in boyhood fantasy is another. I bet Iraq will be a little tougher than guarding his back yard with a stick. One CAN walk away from a full scholarship...one CAN NOT walk away from the marines. Sounds like a mistake.

That fool Cormier should have just went to boot camp w/o telling anyone, so when he gets kicked out nobody would know he wimped out, if he lives, that is. 9 guys in my series at PI attempted suicide, 2 succeeded and are with Jesus now.

speaking of washed up runners from Arkansas...what ever happened to that sam vasquez fellow?

portsea wrote:

young schiefer is correct. the rings speak for themselves. the current crop of john's lads may have the talent, but they haven't the marbles. i'll cite the most recent xc champs for legitimacy. it has not a thing to do with being american or not- take reuben, baker, lincoln, falcon, matt taylor, pat vaughn, eric henry, etc for example. it is a mindset that has been lost somewhere between mile repeats on the old golf course and brain busting workouts in the old barn. they all want the prestige and free kit, but are not willing to bleed anymore. it is a tragedy.

I couldn't agree more. There are many on this message board that constantly bash John and UA. Maybe it is the jealousy because of his 42 national titles. And MOST of those titles came without Kenyans. A lot of Texans in the mix during the 90's. Baker and Lincoln were home grown talent from Ark. It seems that many of today's kids don't want it bad enough. I'm not saying Kenny was that way. He had some circumstances beyond control - mono, etc. John is STILL the best coach around!

I agree. I ran against Cormier twice in high school. I remember leading up to the 2004 Border Wars there was hype about some kid who ran 120 miles a week. So, I asked him and he said that he did it one week that previous summer but was mainly a 90 mile a week guy. It is sad though, giving up an education to go protect a country that cares very little about its own citizens. If you are gonna fight make sure its an honorable fight Ken!

Let me get this straight:

You're saying that Ken ran 6000 miles his last year in HS? I'd be shocked if he ran more than 4000mi.

As to your question:

1) How many high schoolers actually run that much consistently or anywhere close to it? Your survey pool is so limited that of course you're going to have fewer success stories.

2) Can you point to a source that credits Ken with saying that he feels burned out? The article above mentions that he contracted mono, lost quite a bit of fitness and was discouraged coming back at it.

3) Who has succeeded running a lot in HS? I'd suggest that the majority of Kenyans and Ethiopians you see winning races around the world benefited from an active youth. Not to mention all the Japanese pros and America's own Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein.[/quote]