Why we're all not running 2:22?

I don't really have a direct comment on your situation,

other than to say that we all make our own choices and if

something is really important to you, you will find a

way to make it work.

I do think however that it is worth appreciating what a

great sport runnning is in that it requires so little

time! I cannot think of any other human endeavor,

athletic or otherwise, where one can honestly say that

in 2 or 2 1/2 hours per day you can put in enough

training to compete with the very best (you may be

limited by other factors, e.g. genetics, but it won't

be the training time that's stopping you). Almost any

other professional athlete would laugh at the idea of

only spending two hours a day on their sport (ask any pro

biker, triathlete, swimmer, skier, skater, you name it).

How many hours a day do you think Tiger Woods spends

working on his game. How many hours a day does it take to

be a great musician, writer, or scientist?

Sure you can spend more time on ancillary activities like

stretching, weight training, massage, yakking on running

message boards, and god knows what else, but ultimately none of these things are essential requirements for

success.

JasonInThailand wrote:Flagpole Willy: YOU ARE A PUSSY. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. YOU ARE THE KIND OF UNINSPRING SLOTH WHO MOST OF US ON THIS BOARD JUST LOVE TO BEAT INTO THE GROUND AT RACES.

Because he wants to spend more time with his wife and kids?

and the name calling begins...

ya know, I have been thinking about this, and it is just something I cannot figure out. There are so many people on this board that say to just drop everything and train to get to your best, but I don't know how you all pull this off. I mean, where do you get money for food, a place to live, etc.? It's easy to just say drop everything, but whether we like it or not we have to have some source of income.

The best of the best though (like Tiger et al) don't spend 2-2.5 hours training. They spend 6 hous a day training. Between 2-3 runs, stretching, massage, weights/strengthening, drills, etc... the majority of your day is eaten up.

M

Please are you jealous or what? Why would I lie? Prove me wrong.

I have read Phitz/Douglas and Daniels, but my training program comes from experience and pushing myself to the limits. I have found what I can do and I am constantly pushing that limit. I would say 90% of my training program has come from testing my limits, the other 10% from looking at programs of runners that have run at that next level. I haven't seen a book that has told you to run 140 mpw.

Never trained with a HR monitor. I think they limit potential. They are for people that have heart conditions. They don't allow people to learn how hard their body can work. It limits how hard people work, which limits progress.

Don't know my VO2Max. I have been tested back when I was a 1:58 800 meter runner in college, but can't remember it. I would say it has changed significantly.

Never used or even seen an altitude tent in person. If anyone has $8000 I could have I will get one.

No secrets here, just years of hard work.

Once again Conto, an excellent post.

I am not going to be moving to China anytime soon. Don't think my wife and kids would appreciate the unique lifestyle that you tell us about so often, ha.

Jason,

Maybe you've been partying too much or something. Dude, I am doing EXACTLY what you are doing, and that is living my life as I so choose. Your running and racing brings you joy and accomplishment. My family does the same for me. You'll notice that I didn't slam anyone for putting everything into running. In fact, if you go back and read the post which prompted you to call me a PUSSY (something that hasn't happened since 8th grade for me), you'll see that I said I respect those that do that and that it just isn't for me.

Anyway Jason, peace your way.

Conto wrote:

The question no one has asked is why do we care if there are 100 peopple running 2:12-2:20??? Big deal! I would rather have none running between those times and 3 who can run 2:05-2:07. The 2:15-2:20 guys you guys mention with admiration from 20 years ago I NEVER HEARD OF! They are nothing in our sport, were nothing in our sport. They are just another 15:00 5k guy, which is nothing to give up your life for. Hey, if you want to, go ahead... but don't tell me that 5000 people running 2;20 is benefitting US Distance running at all... its benefitting the egos of 5000 people. What's going to benefit US Distance running is properly training Olympic talent... something we don't do and something tha IS related to this thread... as a lot of Olympic talent stop running after college.

M

on page 2 you said, "A competitive runner I may not be... but that does not make my role in US mid and distance running any less than yours"...

so which is it???

Geargrinder,

If you really wanted to, you could have a part-time job, rent a room in a house somewhere for cheap, buy and eat cheaply, take public transportation and get rid of the car.

Let's say you found a part-time job at a store like Walmart or Target. Target in my town has a sign on the door that says starting pay is $11 per hour. Let's say you find one for $10 per hour and you work 30 hours per week. Over the course of the year, that gives you $15,600. Rent a room or even an apartment with a roommate and you could swing it. There are some halfway decent apartments close to my work that go for $500 per month. The two-bedroom ones go for $600. I'm certain that you could find a room to rent for $300 per month or less. You could easily swing it on that kind of budget.

If you're married, forget it. If you have kids, forget it. But if you are single, there really is nothing stopping you.

You're not going to have the intensity (or circumstances) that allow you to train and run at this level forever, Jason. There WILL come a day when you can't, or don't want to keep it going. And that's OK. Be careful who you're cutting down. What goes around comes around.

My take on the situation, is that anyone who trains hard, regardless of time helps our sport. On the plane home from Sacramento I sat next to a very enthusiastic gentleman who took up running in his late 40's and set a pr in his fifties at Cal in 3:11. He is hooked on the sport, and in his own way is as dedicated as the "superstars".

On a different note, I was wondering if anyone experienced an increase in speed after marathon training. I have been flirting with the 4 minute mile for the past eight years, and decided three months ago to average 100 miles for 10 weeks and then jump in my first marathon. I thought a change in training may help me get a break through in the middle distance events. Any takes on this? I have read most of Lydiard's books, but am curious if any of you have tried this? My pr's are now 4:01.51 and 2:18:51. My ultimate goals are 3:58 and 2:15. Prior to the last three months I typically averaged 60-70 miles, with a full-time teaching and coaching job. Its tough to take it to the next level, but well worth it.

i know who people who are doing that gig with a wife AND kids...

Why should he "forget it" if he is married? If your spouse understands your goals, he/she may not mind living cheaply. Generalizations are never true (did you catch that one?)

"but i live in my reality of 55 - 60 hpw and will still try my damdest. i got out of debt last month (car and student loans paid for)"

The difference is the lifestyle people think they have to have. Nothing wrong with choosing a nicer lifestyle over running but it isn't a necessity.

First of all, why in the hell would anyone go into debt for a new car when a serviceable used one can be easily found.

Buying a new car is absolutely a luxury and an expensive one. When you finance a car, you pay more than the sticker price in financing and in addition must have collision insurance until the car is paid off. Someone having trouble making ends meet she just purchase a new car. $2000-$3000 will get you a reliable if boring used car. Even with some repairs, the overall cost of a used car is way less than a new one (see

www.cartalk.com

).

I have noticed most people who say they "have" to work 55-60 hpw are really spending their money on luxuries. I have to pay $250 a month for student loans and I work 30 hpw (state budget cuts cost me 10 hours) and my paycheck after taxes for a month is currently around $1655 after taxes. I have somehow over the past 5 years with no outside money and similar salaries managed to SAVE $17,000. How? I drive a reliable 1988 Toyota that I paid cash for (and thus don't have to throw money away on collision insurance for), I bought the cheapest serviceable color TV that KMart, I NEVER buy anything I can't pay cash for (I have never run a balance on a credit card), I live in a clean but modest house which I keep in the 50's in the winter and wear a sweater inside except for while I am in the shower (my power bills are around $60 in the winter). I don't waste money on a cell phone or any other unnecessary crap. I play CD's on an old portable player I have had for 10 years. I go to the grocery store under the theory of buying the most fat free complex carb/protein calories per dollar and take my vitamins.

The most money I ever made in a year BEFORE taxes was 32k. And that was plenty to pay rent, bills, student loans, and save money besides.

And notice that Miles and Miles didn't run 140 a week all year - he did a short period of high mileage and then was able to drop back down and train and race off of it. I am sure those 120-140 mile weeks were hectic, but he knew if he got through them, he could back down the mileage a while and hit the important runs (MP runs, workouts and long runs with maintenance mileage) to round out his fitness.

JasoninaTeenageAsianHooker: YOU ARE PATHETIC. WHY DON'T YOU TAKE YOU BIPOLAR SOCIOPATHIC ASS OVER TO A CHINESE RUNNING MESSAGE BOARD.

Touche. Ok, perhaps I should have said it would be harder. Everything is harder when it involves more than just yourself. If you're just by yourself you can be completely selfish. When you're with someone else, that can cause a strain.

You're right though, you might find someone who is completely supportive and even excited about your running goals. I know that my wife and I have supported each other through certain things (graduate school for both, and a little bit with my own running) so it is possible.