2:18....It's really quite simple. Here's how YOU can do it.

Joe Rubio wrote:

What if you get an athlete who responds better to mile reps than tempo runs, better to 400's than mile reps? Is there room in your marathon world for them?

I'm interested in Jason's answer to your question.

In the meantime I'm wondering how in the world they could ever run a marathon if they can't do tempo runs or longer repeats.

Jason--I have but one serious question for you. If you do not know the answer to my question, then please, please, please say so.

I say that the one child law in China is propaganda for us westerners. Oh, it may be a law on the books, but it is not adhered to--and rarely enforced. So, I say that the one child law in China has no effect, even if it is at times enforced. My guess here is that it is a real statute, but that most citizens in China have no knowledge of it. Whereas most people in america not only know the one child law, but hardly mentions China without bringing it up. But this is all conjecture on my part. So, please tell us--or find out and then tell us as soon as you can--what is the real deal regarding the one child law in China? Please explain to us whatever is your answer the best that you can. So many of testbooks in american colleges go to great lengths telling us about the one child law in China--and I am inclined not to believe them based on the fact that I have proven to myself many times on other matters that propaganda is the rule--particuarly where they bombard us. Well, we in america have been so bombarded about this one child law, that I think it cannot be anything but propaganda. So, please, please, please let me know if I am right or wrong and what you are basing your answer on. I have heard that the one child law only applies to people in the city--and those who make their living on the land or work in rural areas the law does not apply to them. But I believe that the statute is complete propaganda being forcefed to the west.

He's still on the upswing and shooting for 2:14 in his next marathon. Gotta be in 2:18 shape before you can run 2:14. After he runs 2:14, perhaps he will look to take another chunk off. Anyway, it's a process and he's in it.

You either survive the training, or you get injured.

Scott Larson did 5 weeks of 6 days times 15 miles of tempo,

and popped his PF at New York. It's a gamble on the type of

overload.

and even he is a totally fictitious figure sitting home drinking beer and posting on running forums....his writing makes sense and gets ME fired up to train harder even tho 2:18 is pure fantasy for me. the can-do approach is all good.

fred wrote:

You either survive the training, or you get injured.

Scott Larson did 5 weeks of 6 days times 15 miles of tempo,

and popped his PF at New York. It's a gamble on the type of

overload.

I was referring to so many miles around a rubberized track in rubberized shoes being hard on the knees and legs.

From number of pictures, KK appears to land on his heels. Probably because his shoes are built up too much underneath. Considering this, and if he was running on the track that same way, it is amazing he is still running at all.

Here are the answers:

(1) I am striving for improvement, having fun, and doing the best that I can, not necessarily running 2:10.

(2) I have tried approaches with lots of 200/400's and it did nothing for me.

I used to get injured all the time, from 1998-2000. The tons of slow miles will strengthen the connective tissue. Keep in mind that most of the mileage that Inubushi and Fujita do is not faster than 7:10 per mile (4;15/km).

I would reccomend that your athlete does TONS OF MILEAGE about 7;30 per mile, not faster.

(3) As for the athlete who says that 2:18 is "dreamland," Just do the long slow miles and work hard and have fun. There is much more to this sport besides winning races and running fast times.

jason

"truthfulness" thanks for the kind words. I am working hard right now, and yes, 2;14 is my goal at Hamburg.

As for the one-child situation in China, I dont know. Whatever the Chinese government does is what they do, and I just try to get along with everybody in China.

Jason

Thanks for saying that you don't know. It takes a brave person to admit that.

realist wrote:

Man, if I went through all the above as Jason suggets and ended up with a 2:18 marathon I'd throw in the towel. That kind of effort should yield a 2:10 or better.

If you want to train that hard and have mid-level talent (2:18) it might be better to give up running and take up a lesser endurance sport like triathlon where 2:18 talent might get you on an Olympic team.

2:18 is far from the world record but it is still damn good. What percentage of marathoners have run 2:18? Maybe one-half of one percent, probably even less. If you can be in the top one-half of one percent of whatever field of endeavour you choose, you are successful especially if it is something you love to do.

Do I think that I can someday run 2:10????? YES, ABSOLUTELY. I will try my best.

After the Berlin Marathon, the next morning I ran 2 hours at 4am in darkness the day after the race. I walked back into the hotel and there is Naoko heading out for her run.

I sat down for breakfast with Boniface Usisivu, who finished 4th in 2:07, and he said "YOU SHOULD HAVE RUN 2:10 YESTERDAY!"

Keep in mind that 2:19:59 was my life's goal for about 12 years, so now I have that in the bag, and I can strive to achieve further goals. Next goal is 2:14:59. Go ahead and say shit like "you dont have the 10km PR to go that fast." Your unkind words will only make my will and courage STRONGER.

Jason

I feel very bad about Scotty Larson. He made a HUGE sacrifice, travelling to an exotic, far-away location to train unbelieveably hard with top runners, only to fly home and suffer a very serious injury only 2 miles into the race.

Godspeed to Mr. Larson's recovery. Scotty, if you are reading this, do not give up. Take it easy. I know of a great island in Thailand (Koh Samui) where you can rest and recuperate and do some pool running in a beautiful place.

Jason

There is much more to this sport besides winning races and running fast times.

jason[/quote]

Dude, I freaking seriously agree, and think that many guys here are truly missing the point. Best of luck to you and everyone here who doesn't whine and displays some sack!!!

JasonInBangkok wrote:

Your unkind words will only make my will and courage STRONGER.

Jason

And remember, unkind words will send Jason SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE!!!!!! And you don't want that on your head, buddy.

My favorite songs:

Pantera: STRENGTH BEYOND STRENGTH

Hatebreed: VENGEANCE IS BORN

Static-X: I HATE THIS

Lately I've gotten into some Testament......heavy stuff!

jason

I'll have to check those out.

My current ones:

The Sickness - Disturbed

Bullets - Creed

Parabola - Tool

Stand Alone - Godsmack

You rule, Jason! I don't know why the SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE thing gets me going so much. I think it's an odd mesh of my current personal rage, plus a 19-year old photo of my cross-country buddy with a spiked shoe raised in the air and mouth agape in a vengeful scream, and then the fact that after seeing your picture in RW online, I can now truly picture you SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE! And at this point in my life (*sniff!*) that's ... that's ... an image I really cherish! (*sob!)

DIE CRUEL MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!!

ds-man,

yes I have the CD from Disturbed and also I am a fan of Godsmack.

Do yourself a favor and go get the two CDs as follows:

(1) HATEBREED "Perseverance"

This is a very abrasive and agressive hardcore metal band. It will take you a few listens to dig it. At first they are hard to swallow because it is so damn heavy, but you will soon be a fan. I am right now wearing my HATEBREED VENGEANCE IS BORN hooded sweatshirt here in the Business Class lounge at the HongKong airport.

(2) Static-X "Machine"

I saw them live in Las Vegas on my last trip to the USA in June. Great band, great sound and great show. The sound is kind of a techno/hardcore. You will enjoy....

... the examples of democracy gone wrong ... no wonder the west is under attack ... and the wars are now all religious ...

I like REAL songs, I was to like linkin n pod, but now not that much anymore.

I DIG ON LAVIGNE NOWADAYS.

"Avril Lavigne- Nobody's Fool.track11 " is my most fave now, check it out, it's a RAP, it's a wrap. I can repeat the same song over than 30 times a day.

The Lyric:

Fall back

Take a look at me

And you'll see I'm for real

I feel what only I can feel

And if that don't appeal to you

Let me know

And I'll go

'Cuz I flow

Better when my colors show

And that's the way it has to be

Honestly

'Cuz creativity could never bloom

In my room

I'd throw it all away before I lie

So don't call me with a compromise

Hang up the phone

I've got a backbone stronger than yours

La la la la la la

La la la la la la la

La la la la la la

[chorus]

If you're trying to turn me into someone else

Its easy to see I'm not down with that

I'm not nobody's fool

If you're trying to turn me into something else

I've seen enough and I'm over that

I'm not nobody's fool

If you wanna bring me down

Go ahead and try

Go ahead and try

You don't know

You think you know me like yourself

But I fear

That you're only telling me what I wanna hear

But do you give a damn

Understand

That I can't not be what I am

I'm not the milk and cheerios in your spoon

Its not a simple hearing but not so soon

I might've fallen for that when I was fourteen

And a little more green

But its amazing what a couple of years can mean

La la la la la la

La la la la la la la

La la la la la la

[chorus]

Go ahead and try

Try and look me in the eye

But you'll never see inside

Until you realize, realize

Things are trying to settle down

Just try to figure out

Exactly what I'm about

If its with or without you

I don't need you doubting me

[chorus]

La la la la la la

La la la la la la la

La la la la la la

Would you be laughing out loud

If I played to my own crowd

Try