Jim Walmsly is crazy! Targeting a sub 2:11:30?!

In 1965, the marathon WR was 2:12 (

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_world_record_progression

)--it didn't drop ten minutes based on better training. It dropped due to the number of people in the sport, competition, and financial incentives.

Ultra running takes a great deal more sacrifice and resources (support team) than becoming a strong miler or 5K runner or even a marathon racer. Also, almost nobody gives cares. Top level coaches are not involved, the media is not involved, and realistically doctors are not involved.

But back to Jim--he has accomplished more now than Scott Fable had two years ago. Why is it so unrealistic for him to progress at a similar rate?

You're saying that an ultra runner can push himself harder over a marathon than guys like Kipchoge and Lopes? How fast a marathon would Walmsley run if had Kipchoge's natural ability?

Aerobic vs anaerobic is not the only variable here. Think of the main energy source shifting from carbs to fat as you go longer. Glycogen supply can only bring you to 20-25 miles at most and beyond that you have to slow down.

Zack (hh) wrote:

Jim is going for the Olympic standard in the Marathon presumably because he wants to make the Olympic team. LOL. If he thinks he will beat Fable, Ward, and Rupp he's an idiot. Hell he'll be lucky to get top 10. Don't get me wrong Jim is a really great ultra runners but ultra runners don't make the Olympic marathon team.

Jim for the sub 2:11:30!

Jorgenson for Olympic Gold!

Americans, we're so optimistic and good at stating goals.

If we just shut up and worked hard and ignored distractions like social media. We're not patient, don't have a long-range plan. The kenyans are doing all the small things like living in a hut and only running, eating, resting, and reading and have created a culture where the standards are REALLY high.

there might be EPO too, but Walmsley and Jorgenson really need it at their current trajectories...

I'm well aware my body doesn't store enough ATP to run fast during 2 hours. That being said I can run slower and make it past 2hours on pure water. I can also run a 2 hours pace coherent with my 1hour pace without taking too much care about nutrition (some under dosage sport drink or a combination of 2gels and pure water or even gummy bears + water can do). So nutrition is a total non event there.

The need is not to replace everything you burn. The need is for what you have in store + what you ingest to be enough to carry you to the finish line. The longer you run, the less what you had in store helps. So even running a bit slower, there is a point where what you would need is actually more than what you can take without throwing up. Had to that the need to stay hydrated without throwing up electrlytes ballance, and you realize the longer the race, the more other talents than just distance running are needed to succeed.

I mentionned 100milers because they are extrem exemples of this eating and hydrating factor without the added factor of sleep deprivation (for elites on non extremely technical and hard ultras). In that sense, I view a fifty miler as some sort of middle ground between marathon and runnable 100milers.

I'm not saying JW's run was on the same level as EK's Monza, or Berlin18, or even London19. It was not. I'm saying though you're kidding yourself if you think fast marathon automatically implies fast 50 miler. Ask Andrew how 50K correlates with 50M.

Get it now?

I wonder, during the race, when he realizes he will not make the Olympic standard, will he go for the 35 km World Record of all the Hoka-wearing athletes instead?

"A runner must run with dreams in his heart," - Zatopek.

This dream might be overly ambitious, but who cares? No skin off my back. Can't understand the people on here who want to tear him apart for striving for something big.

"I can also run a 2 hours pace coherent with my 1hour pace without taking too much care about nutrition."

Did you stroke out? WTF is this sentence trying to say?

Hobby trail jogger wrote:

I'm not saying JW's run was on the same level as EK's Monza, or Berlin18, or even London19. It was not. I'm saying though you're kidding yourself if you think fast marathon automatically implies fast 50 miler. Ask Andrew how 50K correlates with 50M.

Get it now?

Except the 50k is an even better example of just how weak the ultra records are. Physiologically, a 50k is pretty similar to the Marathon. It’s only 20% further, so one would expect that the WR 50k pace is maybe 5-10 seconds slower than WR marathon pace.

Yet the 50K record (5:16 pace) is an astonishing 38 sec/ mile slower than the marathon record (4:38 pace). You honestly believe that Kipchoge (or any 2:04 guy) couldn’t go 5 miles further and obliterate the 50k record?

Look, I think ultras are cool, but saying that Jim Walmsley “isn’t on the same level as Kipchoge” is a hell of an understatement. Walmsley isn’t in the same universe.

Record! wrote:

I wonder, during the race, when he realizes he will not make the Olympic standard, will he go for the 35 km World Record of all the Hoka-wearing athletes instead?

Wouldn't that be cool: Jim holding that Hokawearing35KWorld Record AND the meaningless 50 mile World Best at the same time?

If this happens I will buy some Hokas too.

Do we think that Jim's half marathon pace & marathon pace might be closer together than more traditional runners?

2:11:30 is clearly an ambitious time on what might be a hot weather day on a hilly course. I like Jim for saying that this is his goal. I mean it's really the only way for him to make the team and the Trials will be more interesting for it. It adds an interesting element in what is a perceived boring sport. I'm here for it to watch him get it or to watch him blow up.

He gets some heated reaction on these boards. Am I missing something? The guy dropped 5:48 pace for 50 miles. That's super impressive. He seems to have some personality, isn't afraid to go after big goals, and to state those goals. He is anti so many professional runners. I sort of like it.

Store enough ATP to succeed in marathon? what are you talking about? ATP stores last a few seconds only, good enough for 100m at most. Seriously, go educate yourself before asking questions that you cannot understand.

NewtotheSouthSide wrote:

Do we think that Jim's half marathon pace & marathon pace might be closer together than more traditional runners?

2:11:30 is clearly an ambitious time on what might be a hot weather day on a hilly course. I like Jim for saying that this is his goal. I mean it's really the only way for him to make the team and the Trials will be more interesting for it. It adds an interesting element in what is a perceived boring sport. I'm here for it to watch him get it or to watch him blow up.

He gets some heated reaction on these boards. Am I missing something? The guy dropped 5:48 pace for 50 miles. That's super impressive. He seems to have some personality, isn't afraid to go after big goals, and to state those goals. He is anti so many professional runners. I sort of like it.

If you think that watching him blowing up adds an interesting element to your watching that's cool.

Walmsley is a great 50 mile runner and most ultrarunners know that. Beyond that his execution is quite spotty. He is not really good in the mental game and when it gets rough he usually bails out.

With a 1:04 there is no way that he can run a 2:11:30 on a hilly course. But Walmsley's brand is over promising and under deliver. Just like last weekend when he got 4th in the 100k race.

Fine, glycogen.

I would imagine HOKA would love to have two of their own athletes be two of the three athletes going to the Olympics. Imagine how much that would piss off Nike? Who wouldn't want to get behind that?

Jim can place at the trials. He has more training in hot weather and hilly conditions than any of the rest. He runs up mountains for breakfast. He has almost cracked 4mins in the mile. He can suffer as well as, if not better than, the rest of the guys.

If HOKA ask him to train properly for it, watch out.

in japan wrote:

I would imagine HOKA would love to have two of their own athletes be two of the three athletes going to the Olympics. Imagine how much that would piss off Nike? Who wouldn't want to get behind that?

Jim can place at the trials. He has more training in hot weather and hilly conditions than any of the rest. He runs up mountains for breakfast. He has almost cracked 4mins in the mile. He can suffer as well as, if not better than, the rest of the guys.

If HOKA ask him to train properly for it, watch out.

2:11:30 is 5:00 per mile

There's a big difference between suffering at 5:00 pace and 6:00 pace.

I bet no one runs that fast in Atlanta trials.

He'd have better luck trying to hop into one of the fast qualifying races with the other guys chasing the standard. Maybe CIM

Targeting 2:11:30 wouldn't make it interesting. He would crash and burn and it would be completely predictable. That's why I hope he runs a smart race to finish as high up as possible. With the hills and the temps who knows what he could do. Hopefully the USATF's selection policy doesn't require someone to hit 2:11:30. He should go for top 3 and then worry about the selection process later.

He cranked a 64 off not much training. A little more speed and he'll come thru half in 65:30 wondering why everyone else is sweating.

Where's calculo/ventolin to give me 64min + 4:50 with good weather and wabbit to halfway?

Delivering matters wrote:

[quote]NewtotheSouthSide wrote:

If you think that watching him blowing up adds an interesting element to your watching that's cool.

Walmsley is a great 50 mile runner and most ultrarunners know that. Beyond that his execution is quite spotty. He is not really good in the mental game and when it gets rough he usually bails out.

.

Why the FuKK do you even bother posting here?

The only people that would enjoy your ignorant denigrations of Walmsley is the other two jackwipes who do the same thing on every thread.