JK- what’s the most rational explanation for how Sara Hall runs significantly faster at age 37

Armstronglivs is back for another round of wasting his waning years.

It helps t be in an event that is not particularly strong.

If the number of women were running as close to the WR, as there are men, you'd be less impressed with her time.

She is fit, trains well, not injured, and has financial and personal support.

I suspect its your inflated view of performance that is the issue. 2:20 is not that great. 2:15 would be more impressive.

Sounds like a plan Stan wrote:

Armstronglivs wrote:

2020 has been a year for such performances. And what do we know that's been different about testing this year? Because of the pandemic there's been much less of it.

Wow, you've got to be the most cynical, bitter, resentful and jealous poster on these entire boards. I'm sure you live alone, so unfortunately there's no one around to tell you what a complete failure you are at understanding the meaning of life. I mean you are really one messed up person. Sad and good luck with your decrepit life. Geez!

Is that an argument that she couldn't be doping - in a sport with a lot of doping? I missed it.

so truey wrote:

It helps t be in an event that is not particularly strong.

If the number of women were running as close to the WR, as there are men, you'd be less impressed with her time.

She is fit, trains well, not injured, and has financial and personal support.

I suspect its your inflated view of performance that is the issue. 2:20 is not that great. 2:15 would be more impressive.

2.20 is a great performance for a woman - even more so for a 37 year old - and would win championships. As for 2.15 - not even Paula could beat that.

How many of the top 100 distance runners in the US over the past 10 years have been caught doping? Then why do you nasty people make those stupid accusations?

bowly wrote:

This thread should be reviewed and some posters banned. Are some of you so insecure and angry that you can't appreciate when good people achieve great things. Some of you sound like busy body neighbors who start rumors about people. Your neighbor has a new car; start whispering that he must be embezzling. He drives a female neighbor to work one day because her car is in the shop; they must be having an affair. His children are going to an Ivy; the must have paid their way in because they don't seem that smart. The kid is the starting QB at the HS; the parents must be bribing the coach. Sara Hall runs a great time; she must be doping. Did some of you grow up in a communist country?

This thread asked what is the "most rational explanation" for Sara Hall's performances.

So how do you rule out doping, which has been estimated to be at anywhere between 1 in 10 athletes to 1 in 2 athletes at elite and championship levels?

The subject may offend you but the practice exists - and to a far greater extent than many are apparently willing to contemplate.

One of the features of doping is that it can enable higher performances as athletes age. Outstanding open performances by athletes in their late 30's and even in their 40's are a red flag. That it occurs doesnt prove that these performances are clean; it is just as likely they aren't.

Running is not like ball sports; you can't simply expect to change distances - like positions in football - and perform at an equal if not better level. The best are specialists. Sprinters don't become middle distance athletes, and mid distance athletes generally don't become top marathoners as they age. Substantially increasing endurance in an older already highly-trained athlete is unlikely, as along with strength and speed, aerobic capacity starts to naturally decline with age. If an athlete has more endurance at 38 than 28 the question needs to be asked - how?

She has God as her coach.

Faster than ever wrote:

How many of the top 100 distance runners in the US over the past 10 years have been caught doping? Then why do you nasty people make those stupid accusations?

Because expert and official estimates of doping put it as much much higher than the numbers caught - who are few. Doping is typically "masked", to avoid detection, and doping is far ahead of testing. It is a multibillion dollar racket that infects every sport in every country. Michael Phelps has said he knew he competed against dopers, and estimates the chances are "about 4 out of 10" that the next Olympiad will be mostly clean. You might ask, why wouldn't athletes dope, when it increases their chances of success - of fame and wealth? People maximise their chances of success, however they can, in many other walks of life - what makes athletes any different?

Her 2:20:32 equates to an age-graded 2:17:00. Let’s say she runs 2:17:00 in her prime, a season after running 15:20 5k PR, 3rd all time after Kosgei and Radcliffe. How could that performance best be explained?

bartwas wrote:

She has God as her coach.

A Rationalist might be sceptical, and see more prosaic reasons for her success.

trainedbyjesus wrote:

Her 2:20:32 equates to an age-graded 2:17:00. Let’s say she runs 2:17:00 in her prime, a season after running 15:20 5k PR, 3rd all time after Kosgei and Radcliffe. How could that performance best be explained?

That is the nub of the question.

Most of these Kenyan 25 and 30 year olds are really a good ten years older than their fake birth certificates claim. It's really not that crazy to think a 37 year former 1500 runner can improve in longer distances as she ages.

ggilder wrote:

bowly wrote:

This thread should be reviewed and some posters banned. Are some of you so insecure and angry that you can't appreciate when good people achieve great things. Some of you sound like busy body neighbors who start rumors about people. Your neighbor has a new car; start whispering that he must be embezzling. He drives a female neighbor to work one day because her car is in the shop; they must be having an affair. His children are going to an Ivy; the must have paid their way in because they don't seem that smart. The kid is the starting QB at the HS; the parents must be bribing the coach. Sara Hall runs a great time; she must be doping. Did some of you grow up in a communist country?

Great post! Thanks. The problem is anonymity. It brings out the worst.

Absolutely; we disagree with their theories, so they should be investigated and banned, from all platforms if necessary or at least warnings placed on their responses like 'this post is disputed.'

And, because of COVID, we should take away their keyboards to protect us against their offensive, racist, colonial views.

You can reach me at my safe space.

Carlos Lopes

Age 37 Olympic marathon gold.

1985 world xcountry champ

Age 38 1985 world record 2:07:12

Armstronglivs wrote:

Sounds like a plan Stan wrote:

Wow, you've got to be the most cynical, bitter, resentful and jealous poster on these entire boards. I'm sure you live alone, so unfortunately there's no one around to tell you what a complete failure you are at understanding the meaning of life. I mean you are really one messed up person. Sad and good luck with your decrepit life. Geez!

Is that an argument that she couldn't be doping - in a sport with a lot of doping? I missed it.

You're a certified nutjob. THIS site owns you, THIS is your life. Happy?

I think all the logical reason add up to 2:20 easy, a time that is not as significant as it used to be. A lot of east africans are under 2:20.

Reasons,

Perfect weather (Huge, we all know most of our best times come in great weather)

Pacers (Some folks need people to "race" with, I for one hate getting stuck in no mans land)

Shoes (low end 1 minute as per Canova, or some saying 3 minutes)

Talent does not go away (Stud HS and maybe just did the wrong distance most of career)

Mid to late 30s (seems to be a great time for a lot of folks to run fast marathon , with all those miles and experience under their bels, Meb, Kipchoge, Shalane, etc. )

Specials fast course (4 mile loop designed to run fast, organized for a pros only race)

"it's gotta be the shoes, Money !!"

Maneater wrote:

Excuses:

Doping

Shoes

Reasons: RYAN HALL

Coaching

Nutrition(Oates)

Super Stud Body

How happy/content you are in your personal can have a huge impact on performance. Sara is able to run so fast now because all of her stress melts away when she gets to look at her mans new bod each day