Why Johnny Gray was so good

Johnny Gray wrote:

I HAD FUN!

The only comment that matters

If this is the real JG - you got a lot more out of the sport than most....

Age 36 ran 1:15.9

AGe 40 Masters record 1:19.??

http://www.gbrathletics.com/wrecm.htm

skate thanks for the updates!

why was he so good? because he had a 36 inch inseam....long legs

I loved to watch Johnny Gray. and he was great for an unprecedented amount of time. Since Kipketer's era, we can see just how hard it is to run sub-1:44, and Gray ran sub-1:43 4 times. 800m at this level is not something where you will get a consistent winner unless there is a really dominant athlete like a kipketer, and even then, he can get boxed out or stumble or go too late. Gray got a bronze medal at the Olympics and that is a great accomplishment for an American middle distance runner (our 800m runners have taken quite a few of those, including wc's).

does anybody have more info on the training or development of Johnny. What was his best 400? I have always searched for info on his and Cruz's training and stuff but come up empty. Why no love. I'm sure there is caboodles on Ritz and Goucher, who are even in their league.

david mack of the crips/bloods was in that race as well. wonder if he thinks about that while he sits in his cell

too tall... wrote:

why was he so good? because he had a 36 inch inseam....long legs

Coe also had long legs 34 inches and was only 5" 9'

Then, Yao Ming, Patrick Ewing, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc; should have run 1:30's lol they all have long legs!

its in the legs wrote:

too tall... wrote:

why was he so good? because he had a 36 inch inseam....long legs

Coe also had long legs 34 inches and was only 5" 9'

Can we please stop defending Coe as being superior in each and every facet of the running world. But I have to admit Coe was the tallest 5 foot 9 guy I've every seen!! (sarcasm) - he is in fact human ladies and gentlemen.

swift e,

Johnny Gray basically trained under the Igloi system. His coach Merle McGee trained under Igloi along with Joe Douglas. Merle McGee's weekly training typically consisted of Sunday long, Monday track, Tuesday track, Wednesday recovery, Thursday track, Friday recovery and Saturday road training. This schedule was usually during the build-up phase before the outdoor track season. McGee would use the periodization method throughout the year, so there would be a period for the base, then a period to build up the speed. If you want to see some of the technicalities of the track training, you can do a search on Igloi in this forum. Also McGee was not a firm believer in hill training which consisted the gentle incline of San Vicente as hill work.

Johnny Gray wrote:

First of all I'll like to thank everyone for the great comments, as well as coach Ranaldie foe sending me this web site. Now for my thoughts. I think that the reason I ran so well for so long is because I was blessed, as well as I worked very hard and stayed away from Drugs and cheating even through the rough times. As far as the comment about me choking, NEVER! I didn't choke, I was just too tired at times and because I was human and not cheating, I took a lickin but kept on tickin.To sum it all up, I workd hard and I did it clean, my question to the rest is how many of you did it clean? Love you all and thanks for the great comments. I HAD FUN!

I remember vividly the 1996 Olympic 800 final and being filled with admiration for Johnny Gray. Unlike many other high profile runners in championship races, he layed it all on the line. He held nothing back, but came up short. Comparing that approach to the more common "hold back and see who can sprint fastest for the final 400 meters" seen in races from 800-10,00 meters, left me thinking that this guy has his head in the right place. I'll never forget that race and always have high regard for Johnny Gray.

[quote]Johnny Gray wrote:

I HAD FUN!

Off the Grid wrote:

The only comment that matters

If this is the real JG - you got a lot more out of the great thread, and truly an honor that Mr. Gray signed in to acknowledge the tribute.

I had meant to add that this has been a great thread.

MarathonMind, thanks for all of your inputs! When is your next 26.1? I have never done one and I may not ever will.

I hope he doesn't drop out that close to the finish

LOL! It's actually 26.22 (rounding up). I am thinking of Steamtown again on October 7.

A great Johnny Gray moment was his Millrose victory at age 40. He was a little behind and the crowd is going crazy as he starts catching the leader on the final curve and stretch. It was great as the whole crowd knows Gray with his experience is going to catch this guy who's probably 20 years younger than him. Sure enough right at the line Gray edges past the guy for the win.

I'm amazed he could run so fast indoors with that long stride. tight track, tight packs, banking. A nightmare for alot of tall long striding runners. But Gray could do it and do it well. If you have a long stride alot of times its the runner behind you slapping your foot with his hand that brings you down.