This guy reminds me of the guy who started a website and had his heart set on breaking the 4 minute mile even though he was running in the 5 minute range. Kind of naive andf hilarious like so many have already conveyed. What a bunch of jokers.
This guy reminds me of the guy who started a website and had his heart set on breaking the 4 minute mile even though he was running in the 5 minute range. Kind of naive andf hilarious like so many have already conveyed. What a bunch of jokers.
I think this 'challenge' is arse about face to be honest, anybody with half a brain and any knowledge would know that the number of people who have broken 2.15 EVER who only aimed towards marathons is almost none existent.
If Alex had a clue then he would be spending his time improving his leg speed and getting his under distance times down now to stand any chance whatsoever of acheiving this goal. Rather than doing 25 mile training runs he would be better off attempting to run a 32 minute 10k, at least then he would have some idea of what it takes to run at that pace, the pace necessary to run 2.15. Once you have run sub 32, maybe try and run a decent 10 and when you have a half respectable half time in the bag, such as 67/68 then you can maybe consider running a 2.25 marathon. The way you are doing it does not make any sense whatsoever and I'm amazed that the people involved are giving you that idea. If you are running 3 hours then maybe a little more mileage and a little more dedication will result in a 2.55, but at the level you are talking about it doesn't work that way.
When you talk about hard runs being '6.30' pace taht shows jsut how far away you are.
With this approach I think the best he can possibly hope for is 2.35, factor in periods of break down (inevitable), recovery from marathons/halfs, 20's and you ahve about 8 months training before next year.
NOT A HOPE IN HELL
yes, agreed, well said
UK running wrote:
I dont think anyone says (or should say) what you are doing is 'bad' for running - just maybe the way you have stated '2.30 this race, 2.20 6 months later, 2.15 London '08' shows incredible naivity abotu hard the sport is once the initial improvements have been made. I think the concern is that non-runners will think this can be done in this time scale, and therefore our current guys are ropey as they havent done this (unrealistic) thing.
theres plenty of guys out there who already run sub 2.30. why not take the investment and make th efilm about one of them, who at least have a fair chance of actually making it?
I think it bothers some people that you are seeking funding to star in your own film, which seems self-promoting, rather than concentrating the film on a genuine contender who may actually achieve this incredibly hard achievement? I think you need to remember that the vast majority of distance guys are quiet, modest types who may secretly habour ambitions such as yours but don't go around publicising them because of the high chance of failure. I think maybe where you have 'offended' anyone is in your bold assertion that maybe you can do this, when theres plenty of guys doing all they can and are significantly faster than you at the moment, but know that they'll never get anywhere near 2.15.
I wish you luck with your running, you've obviously improved a lot since you started and 75 mins is a solid performance for a half given your background. I hope you continue to train and improve when the cameras stop rolling.
Alex, no one should fault you for pursuing a dream.
That said, no one should give you their money either.
Duping the public into underwriting your program, by pretending you've leapfrogged from a good recreational marathoner to a national-class athlete, is offensive to talented runners who have struggled for years to find funding.
You might be able to fool generous people into donating to your project, which would be shameful. Tell those folks to give their money to a national sports program, or some such organization that deals with legitimate athletes.
Find a way to fund this program yourself and I'll be the first to applaud your success.
B0ulderite wrote:
Find a way to fund this program yourself and I'll be the first to applaud your success.
If he secures sponsorhip then he HAS found a way to fund the program himself!
I would wager that the type of people/organisations that may sponsor Alex are unlikely to be the same ones that would fund the sport in normal circumstances.
So it's a good idea for him to raise money under the plainly false pretense that he's a legitimate contender to make a national team?
[quote]anEconomist wrote
........who on here said all it takes is hard work..........
[quote]
Not me, talent is hard work for sure, but there is a lot more to it than that.
Stop whinging and create your own DVD on how you continually ran around 2.20 each year while managing to keep a healthy routine of crying and whinging about everything you can think of.
The guy isn't coming around your house stealing your REGO and dry-fit T-shirts you know. Anyone is allowed to ask for sponsorship.
give me some truth wrote:
The only way he's gonna break 2:15 if he gets some coaching off Wiju.
BHahahaaaahhhhaaahhha
Quote of the week!
For a guy with talent to run 2.15, he will run sub-31 10k after 10-12 weeks of training.
My prediction is: A stress-fracture in the coming months
I find it surprising that you seem surprised at the opposition to your training goal. You are on a forum with some very experienced and talented runners (ok, some are wannabes). While, some may be jealous, the majority are being honest with you. To boot, you want them to help fund it. It's cheeky and I'm giving you full marks for ambition. But, a 2:15 by 2008 is like saying you are going to pilot the next space shuttle when you only now have your glider pilot's license and have only dressed up as an astronaut at Halloween parties. The math does not compute. I think you may break 2:30 by 2008, but you are going to have to work your ass off to get there. Have fun with it though and please don't interpret this as jealousy (I have to admit that I am jealous at your ability to train full-time :)). I think everyone should have a chance to strive for the big hairy goal that is unreachable, but we believe it's possible.
I don't think Alex Vero is attempting to mislead anyone. He has posted on his website all of his recent race results, and seems like quite a self-effacing guy.
Is his goal ambitious? Of course.
Is it realistic? Probably not (but then look at Tracy Morris or Priscilla Welch)
This guys is passionate about running and runners, and is making a DVD about his 'journey' which will, hopefully, bring to light just how hard sub-elite marathoners have to work, and the commitment involved.
My guess is that half of his detractors on this website have never approached a potential sponsor with an articulately laid-out request for financial support. This guy appears to have a goo deal of marketing savvy and is pointing out to potential sponsors how they will get brand exposure.
Vero, whose background is in film, is making a DVD about his quest. And if he only ends up running 2:30 (or 2:40), there will be an entertaining film about elite running, and his place in it, at the end of this journey. And that will capture some of the public's imagination, and probably inspire more folks to lace up their shoes and start training.
I'd say his 2:30, or whatever, marathon in London will have a bigger impact on the sport than some ex-college runner in the U.S. finishing 100th in 2:21 at the Chicago Marathon or some top level club runner in the UK doing the same at London.
I don't believe he is belittling the efforts of hard working 2:15-low 2:20s runners out there. Rather, he is spotlighting their toil, and is along for the ride.
Alex, I wish you the best of luck.
[quote]Alex Vero wrote:
My aim has always been to make a documentary about Marathon running and to show how hard it is to get to the top of the profession but with a little bit of talent you can go a very long way. In a sport where first timers and world record holders line up together I want to explore the dedication, desire and talent needed to get to the top, the massive decline in top marathon runners in the country, the emergence of the African nations and how far the average guy can get with a bit of talent intertwined in the narrative and to give some perspective of the gap between average runner and elite.....
The area that this sport is so lacking is the way in which it is marketed. Is it jealousy or is it just bitterness at having failed yourself?
Alex mate you won't endear yourself to many of the guys on here by going on the offensive. Your intentions seem noble. It just seems that there are many others ways to increase the focus on British distance running. Is producing yet another 'morgan spurlock' influenced film where the you are a the main focus the best way to do this? Relatively speaking how far is 'going a long way' in your efforts? 2.45? 2.39? Respectable for sure but again shifting the focus away from the Mark Steinle's and Pete Riley's and others who have being doing this runnig thing all their lives. Surely they would inform us more as to what it takes? What drives them? Let's get more people aware of them! I've seen them close up and I admire them for their effort as much as I appreciate their talent.
As for first timers and world record holders lining up together? Not in London! The first timers are mostly at a different start with the superheroes and the rhinos. I'd love to see an effort that did discuss the declining standards,and an exploration into what Olympic qualification takes. It's all out there waiting to be shown.
I think it shows there are alot of bitter people posting on this thread. I cant understand how anyone could be offended by this, if he does manage to get sponsorship...fair play to him, the majority of the public are not really going to be interested in someone who has dedicated their lives from a young age to the sport...as they cannot relate to them. Whereas Alex is just basically starting from scratch, any publicity would be great for running. Id prefer someone with a bit of personality to be an elite, our current elites are reasons why running does not get much attention such as Jon Brown training in America, pulling out of championships, doing absolutely nothing for running in the country. I cant see any of our current male elites being remembered after they retire. None of them are currently good enough to be challenging internationally, and could do alot more to help promote the sport to encourage future champions. It may be seen as self promotion, but so what... if he does realise the dream or even if he doesnt break 2.30 it will make people realise how running is a sport for everyone.
As I said in an earlier post I admire Alex for trying to improve himself.
However, I think a lot of guys in the 2.15-2.20 area are already coping with lots of criticism. There have been posts on this topic about 'Paula being the fastest Britain a few years ago', this more than anything else was massive negative press attention for our best male distance runners. Paula's effort was on another planet and the poorly informed sports correspondents who report on athletics maybe 2/3 times per year had a field day with numerous articles focusing on 'just how bad our man are'. Because of this, just how much goes into running a 2.15 or 2.16/17 time was devalued, and many people I know who had little athletics knowledge didn't really understand what goes into running at that level. Chris Cariss, who on that particular day missed the olympic qualifying by 8 seconds hasn't run since such were the demands of his preparation and the resulting injuries. Anybody who knows a 2.15 marathon runner will know that it takes a special kind of person to accomplish this kind of time. Many many top class distance runners have failed to run this quickly despite fantastic times at 5/10k.
Alex, I admire your ambition and your get up and go. Its one thing to train hard but to do everything you can to make the dream come true is another. Why is Paula a class apart? Why is it so hard to make it to the top? Because not only do the top runners have talent and the will to train hard, but they have all the support they need medically, scientifically, and Financially. Physio's on hand. Financial support from sponsors and governing bodies etc etc. You are fortunate to be in the media. Not all athletes have this luxury and can't enlist the type of support you have. People here have argued that anyone could set up this type of thing. That is a load of horsesh**t.
Your publicity excercise will surely get you all this support. You have already enlisted 2 top coaches to help you and you want £75,000 to assist you also. But you have NO CHANCE of making this goal by 2008. It is unrealistic. It won't be possible for you run 2:20 in Chicago. You are now getting to the stage where big gains stop happening and smaller improvements are made. It takes most people a year to chip a minute or two off there half marathon time at the 70 minutes standard. This is what people are annoyed about. Had you said 2012 you wouldn't be getting so many negative responses.
Surely the £75,000 you aim to raise would be better spent providing those on the verge of selection, those with a real chance of making it some support in there quest. Physio, warm weather training, time away from there full time jobs which they run 120 mile weeks around. Pete Riley, Dan Robinson, Andi Jones, Huw Lobb etc
Well, good luck anyway. I'm hoping to run Chicago in my quest to qualify for the GB team in that same event if I can get clear of injury. I have a 65 minute 1/2 mara time so i'll be hoping for a time not too far ahead of what you are shooting for. I'll see you on the start line.
And remember people - he is making a film. There has to be some entertainment value. Yes, even documentaries need to be interesting. Who would watch it if he was documenting his journey to run 34.40 at the Tunbridge Wells Family 10km? The ambition of the project is what makes it so interesting. And the fact that he is documenting himself rather than another runner gives him the ability to gain true insight and report his findings honestly.
Can any top distance runner with a serious shot enlist the type of support on above link. Maybe Paula?
runonrunon wrote:
So how many of you have secret goals that you are seriously working towards, but don't actually say out loud for fear that nobody would believe you capable of them? I'm sure it's more than half. I have no idea why anybody would be insulted at this. Some of us may consider it a little arrogant to verbalize one's goals like this, but many of us secretly hold on to the belief that we are capable of far better than we have ever produced. The guy is actually on track with his goals at the moment. Good luck to him.
I have no problem verbalizing goals, its asking for a rather large sum of money that I have a problem with. I verbalize goals that may not be attainable all the time (for me that would be running sub 16 for 5K), but I don't expect anyone to sponsor me or fund me to do it, even though I'm pretty sure I could do it if I didn't have to work, pay bills, etc.
Stormin wrote:
http://www.theroadtobeijing.co.uk/trtb-supportteam.htmCan any top distance runner with a serious shot enlist the type of support on above link. Maybe Paula?
The list is there to offer some of the people publicity and in return he probably gets a few free sessions or consulations. It's not like these people live with him or anything.
I reckon he probably has an equal shot of qualifying for the Olympics as you.