NERunner03533 wrote:
I think the trap to avoid is to not compare everything to Kipchoge/winning times @ majors. 2:10 is elite. An OTQ is elite. You're getting dusted at the bigger races but let's be serious you're still incredibly fast, might be able to get some help from sponsors, and you'll get your entry comped at most races/get in the elite field/have a dedicated warm up area/etc.
I would go sub-2:22/2:45 elite & then there's everyone else. I tend to think genetics play a pretty big role once you go sub-2:45/sub-3 & how close you can get to elite times. Most 2:30-2:45/2:45-3hr marathoners are doing similar training. Some people go a little faster. Maybe they're the sub elites. I'm never gonna knock someone for running 2:39 on 100mpw. That's what it takes for some people & if you find enjoyment from that who cares what anybody else thinks. It's not as good as the 2:25 but at the end of the day neither runner is cutting a check from the sport.
An OTQ is an hobbyjogger. A 2:10 is sub-elite, since he arrives 2 miles after the winner and, if he is on a bad day, he loses against elite women...