How fast could Usain Bolt run the mile?

World class sprinters typically have the same absolute VO2max as distance runners that are their same heigh. However, they are 20% heavier with a BMI around 24 vs 20 for distance guys.

20% heavier equals about 13% slower.

Therefore, a 3:50 mile turns into a 4:19, approximately

64 second laps for him would LOOK like jogging, but obviously it would wear him down. Heck, he looks like he's jogging when he runs a 46 second quarter. That first 2:10 through the 1/2 mile would have to feel like nothing to him. But the last 1/2 mile would creep up on him hardcore.

i ran a time trial stoned last week in 5:14 so I can probably do 4:35

jojo wojo wrote:

World class sprinters typically have the same absolute VO2max as distance runners that are their same heigh.

And when did distance runners of the same height start to have the same VO2max?

5:55

I coached a high school 47 second quarter miler . He couldn't run a 6 minute mile to save his life.

World class decathletes actually do some attempt at 1500m training. They can only manage around 4:20-30 some are even slower. Yes they are tired from competeting but those guys cannot run 4:00 flat when fresh, maybe 4:10-4:20 depending on the athlete. Bolt will be slower than these decathletes, he doesn't train for the 400m anymore and doesn't attempt 1500m style training for certain.

I give him around 4:30 for 1500m and 4:50+ mile.

funny argument wrote:

Me3 wrote:

Florence Griffith Joyner, while still doping, and in her 30's, but fading from sprinting glory, set out to run long distance races. She started training and then debuted in a local 5k. She ran something like a 17:30.

A previous post got it right. Many sprinters find it very hard to go much longer than 600 meters.

And, many sprinters have no idea about "pace".

I doubt Usain would break 5 min for the mile.

I think it's funny that you used a female sprinter, running a 17:30 (in her 30s) as part of an argument that Bolt WON'T break 5:00 for the mile.

She ran 5:39 pace for a 5k. And you think that means Bolt, at age 28, couldn't muster 5:00 for a single mile?

Interesting logic.

Except she didn't run anything close to a 17:30. She ran 20:30 in her first attempt, and I don't think she ever got below the high 19's. I've always used her progression as evidence that someone like Bolt would never run a 5K as fast as some people think. He could probably break 4:45 in the mile with some training, but anything over 3000m would require walk breaks.

Here's some FloJo distance articles from back in my day that are just batsh-t crazy:

jamin wrote:

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

How fast could Maggie Vessey the 400 while holding a hardboiled egg on a spoon?

None. Angels are a lot bigger than the head of a pin.

Brown egg or white egg?

IdiotMax wrote:

jojo wojo wrote:

World class sprinters typically have the same absolute VO2max as distance runners that are their same heigh.

And when did distance runners of the same height start to have the same VO2max?

IdiotMax, I believe you do not understand what jojo wojo is referring to. There are 2 different types of VO2max measurements. The first, and more common, is the relative VO2 max. This measurement is the one that is always brought up to compare different individual's cardiovascular fitness and is corrected for body mass (mL/kg/min). The VO2max jojo wojo is referring to is the absolute max. This measurement estimates the amount of oxygen the muscles consume without regards to the athlete's body mass (L/min).

It is highly possible for two individuals, in this case a sprinter and distance runner, to have nearly identical absolute maxes and significantly different relatives. I hope this clears up any confusion.

I've seen Charles Silmon a 9.98 guy run a 5:12 mile in practice in the fall. This guy is the most athletic person that I've ever seen and he was completely spent. There is no way even with specific training that he ever runs anything below 4:40. So I would assume Usain bolt could probably run a mile a bit faster than Charles i would say if he was actually pushing himself to his limit he would be a little bit under 5:05.

Teammate wrote:

I've seen Charles Silmon a 9.98 guy run a 5:12 mile in practice in the fall. This guy is the most athletic person that I've ever seen and he was completely spent. There is no way even with specific training that he ever runs anything below 4:40. So I would assume Usain bolt could probably run a mile a bit faster than Charles i would say if he was actually pushing himself to his limit he would be a little bit under 5:05.

I'm not sure I'd assume a 9.6 guy would run a mile faster than a 9.9-high guy. I'd probably expect the opposite.

Raysism wrote:

Teammate wrote:

I've seen Charles Silmon a 9.98 guy run a 5:12 mile in practice in the fall. This guy is the most athletic person that I've ever seen and he was completely spent. There is no way even with specific training that he ever runs anything below 4:40. So I would assume Usain bolt could probably run a mile a bit faster than Charles i would say if he was actually pushing himself to his limit he would be a little bit under 5:05.

I'm not sure I'd assume a 9.6 guy would run a mile faster than a 9.9-high guy. I'd probably expect the opposite.

I guess I didn't think about it that way... But, yeah I agree with you Bolt actually might run it slower. Changing my guess to 5:20

So it seems that just about everyone on this board can take down Bolt, given the right distance. How far for you? I say I can take him down in three laps.

No way can I beat Bolt in the mile. Impossible. We have 50 threads about how lame and easy 5:00 miles are... But don't think Bolt can run one?

Your team is fast! wow :) Think about it. It's really hard to get a mature company to act like a startup after they've plateaued. It's only been a few days and you have more drive and enthusiasm. Good work!

5:09

pedant wrote:

Brown egg or white egg?

Why does the color of the egg matter?

The article says she ran a 5:15 mile (which collapses to over 20 for the 5k!), so sub 5 for Bolt is not far fetched.

Raysism wrote:

Teammate wrote:

I've seen Charles Silmon a 9.98 guy run a 5:12 mile in practice in the fall. This guy is the most athletic person that I've ever seen and he was completely spent. There is no way even with specific training that he ever runs anything below 4:40. So I would assume Usain bolt could probably run a mile a bit faster than Charles i would say if he was actually pushing himself to his limit he would be a little bit under 5:05.

I'm not sure I'd assume a 9.6 guy would run a mile faster than a 9.9-high guy. I'd probably expect the opposite.

Finally, some logic. The better a sprinter is the more fast twitch he has which means it burns up the energy stores faster.

I was a decent collegiate sprinter and my fastest mile was 6:26 and I puked on the final 100 and at the end of the race bc I had to sprint to not get beat by a 265 lb teammate. I'd bet my house Bolt couldn't break 5:00 and would be shocked to see him break 5:30. If he broke 6:00 he should be proud.

Finallyyy wrote:

Raysism wrote:

I'm not sure I'd assume a 9.6 guy would run a mile faster than a 9.9-high guy. I'd probably expect the opposite.

Finally, some logic. The better a sprinter is the more fast twitch he has which means it burns up the energy stores faster.

I was a decent collegiate sprinter and my fastest mile was 6:26 and I puked on the final 100 and at the end of the race bc I had to sprint to not get beat by a 265 lb teammate. I'd bet my house Bolt couldn't break 5:00 and would be shocked to see him break 5:30. If he broke 6:00 he should be proud.

This! A thousand times, this!!! But we'll never see the day he attempts it.