pine bark wrote:
You know, Im turning 50 next year and am very confident I can run under 5:00. Based on the posts, it seems that would rank me highly.[/quote
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define "rank highly"? as has been stated:
not many 45 or 50 y.o.'s run miles on the track. so if a tree falls in the woods and no one hears....? if no one races a distance, do you "rank highly" if no one ran it? I suppose.
But the point some are trying to make is: plenty of good 45/50 y.o.'s run times in road 5k's or other races that would easily mean they could break 5:00. But they don't bother with the track (no prize money, few meets). But if you (or others) want to comfort yourself with: 'well, they didn't do it but I did!', go ahead by all means focus on the mile with your sole intent being so you will be able to tell someone (or lots of people): " I ranked TOP TEN (or FIFTEEN..or TWENTY) in the country in the mile...for my age group[small print]. And i ran in the WORLD's master's championship (anyone can enter, small print). Yes, I am a NATIONAL and WORLD CLASS athlete. " I can see the Facebook posts and tweets and blog entries now.
(and yes I am having fun with you, and yes, this might not be your m.o./motivation, but it surely is for lots of competitors: a desire to achieve something that they know it isn't amazingly great, but will *SOUND* great to others. A bit of a delusions-of-grandeur syndrome)
[quote]pine bark wrote:I cant believe more people dont run that fast? Disinterest and injry must be big factors.
yes, i discussed the disinterest above, and injuries also play a role of course.