You can't read into sample sizes of 1. If we have 1972 Viren running in 68, I don't like his chance. Have 68 Ron Clarke running in 1972 (without Viren), and I would give him a decent chance of medaling. And how much of championship racing is mental and how much is it physical? If you are setting PRs in the weeks before/after championship races but flopping in the big race, it is likely mental (bad tactics, can't handle the pressure, different routines, the style of championship races) more than a training issue.
hill city wrote:
gfsdgsdf: Some good points, thank.
On the subject of repeatability and daily training volume/intensity, look no further than Ron Clarke and Lasse Viren. Clarke was fit 365 days per year, nailing runs twice a day and racing all of the time. He ran unbelievable at times (thus the 18 or whatever world records) but not necessarily the best at the major champs.
Viren, on the other hand, (and the only info I have is Viren's training from "Running with the Legends" and a Kenny Moore article) spent a good portion of easy days 630-700 on his easy days..ran a lot more..but obviously was able to use his reserves when it mattered most.