COACHES AND EXPERTS: What is a national class 8th grade track time? Also advice for high school/college success.

Drought Over wrote:

Fine to have a long term "reach" goal like 8:50, but you might consider setting a yearly goal that is in reach if all goes well. I was like you as 8 th grader but was out of the sport by the time I was a senior- injuries and chronic illness were all that two-a-day workouts brought me. I had the will but not the genes to be a great runner. It was tough to admit, but I was much happier once I accepted the truth and moved on to academic pursuits. Ultimately, those led to a career path I love being in, and I found I am perfectly happy as a hobby runner, watching truly talented runners from the stands. Maybe you have the genetics and will to be great but, more probably, you do not. The key is to make the effort, accept and enjoy what does come from it, and to not dwell on disappointments.

lawguy wrote:

Future of Kenya wrote:

In high school, I want to run sub 8:50, NXN, Footlocker, everything. I know it's too early to tell in middle school, and that I should take everything step by step. I want to know what I can do right now in 8th grade to help me be successful in the future.

Running is my passion, something that I could spend my entire life training and winning.

4:50 for 1600 would be an elite time for an 8th grade. A lot depends on what time of training you're doing. Most middle schoolers are just doing low key stuff so 4:50 is a great indicator of future success. If you're training really seriously in 8th grade, then sub 4:40 is probably a better goal.

Its good to have long term goals, but make sure you are setting realistic short term goals that are your primary focus. If your PR is 5:20 now, focus on breaking 5:10. Then set a new goal. Its easy to get discouraged if you throw out a really lofty goal and you aren't even close to it after a year or two of hard work. Very, very few guys end up running sub 8:50 so keep that in mind. I ran sub 9 in high school, but that wasn't my goal in 8th or 9th grade. I didn't start thinking about sub 9 until I ran 9:25 in 10th grade.