Michael Wardian - 6:40 pace for 50 miles

"In his 2:17 this year, a handful of guys ran 2:12. That seems to be legit competition.

And he did that at age 37 while running several marathons a year plus ultras and 5K's."

As someone who doesn't run marathons, this tells me that all of the chatter about how hard a marathon is doesn't really hold water.

I don't run marathons either.

But the guy once beat me in a 5K the day after he ran a 2:30 marathon.

I know enough about running that that has put a hurting on your legs.

I don't think Gebreselassie could run Wardian's schedule and hit those times.

Aerobically he would be fine, but I dodn't know about his legs holding up.

What about this guy that ran 5:26 for 50 miles last weekend? Granted, it's not nearly as hilly as Wardian's race. Do you think he sandbagged?

http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?race_id=21984#racetop

That's not 5:26 per mile.

sssss wrote:

"In his 2:17 this year, a handful of guys ran 2:12. That seems to be legit competition.

And he did that at age 37 while running several marathons a year plus ultras and 5K's."

As someone who doesn't run marathons, this tells me that all of the chatter about how hard a marathon is doesn't really hold water.

Your opinion might hold more water if it was the product of your own experience.

sssss wrote:

"In his 2:17 this year, a handful of guys ran 2:12. That seems to be legit competition.

And he did that at age 37 while running several marathons a year plus ultras and 5K's."

As someone who doesn't run marathons, this tells me that all of the chatter about how hard a marathon is doesn't really hold water.

dude, run a thon and get some perspective. chances are it'll kick you ass. i mean, c'mon.

Wardian is a total bad ass! Do you guys think he can crush the Pikes Peak marathon course record. Wardian is a lot faster road runner than Matt Carpenter. Probably a faster trail runner too. All he needs is time to acclimate and I think he can snatch the course record. Is sub 3:10 possible?

Jake69

You are an idiot.

Here's an article about Wardian's recent race:

http://www.centredaily.com/2011/10/24/2961081/runner-obliterates-course-record.html

theohiostate wrote:

Here's an article about Wardian's recent race:

http://www.centredaily.com/2011/10/24/2961081/runner-obliterates-course-record.html

You gotta love the quote from the women's winner:

“I’m not good at 50 miles,” she said. “It’s too short and you have to run too fast.”

Was baby stroller empty?? Void of Child?

No, it had a Kenyan elite in it.

The one thing I don't like about Michael Wardian is that:

Let's say he DID actually make the Olympic team: Meb, Abdi, Ritz, Goucher, Gotcher etc all have bad days or he PR's by a lot and gets 3rd place.

Obviously if he made the team, he would quit racing every weekend and doing 50 and 100 milers in an effort to train for the Olympics. Otherwise, that would just be selfish to represent USA at the Olympics but not give it your all by training for it and resting properly etc (like he wouldn't race a 100K the weekend before the Olympic marathon-that'd be selfish)

So in that case, if it's clear that he would train properly if he made the Olympic team, he should then train that way in order to try to make it. If he'd change his ways upon making the team, he should do the same before.

In other words, it wouldn't make sense to start taking training seriously if you do happen to make the team but not take it seriously beforehand.

He's talented. Quit the Ultra racing every weekend, do some tempos and speedwork, and try to actually focus on improving that 2:17 down to the 2:12 range. It's no fun to just speculate a "what if he actually cared?" for his running.

You're his dad? His legal guardian? He's in some way accountable to you? It's a SPORT. You do it because you enjoy it and get to do what you want and I'd bet he knows a lot more about what works for him than you do.

The Waterboy wrote:

...

Obviously if he made the team, he would quit racing every weekend and doing 50 and 100 milers in an effort to train for the Olympics. Otherwise, that would just be selfish to represent USA at the Olympics but not give it your all by training for it and resting properly etc (like he wouldn't race a 100K the weekend before the Olympic marathon-that'd be selfish)

...

Your name is WaterBOY, but what guy takes this much interest in someone else's training plan?

Make your own plan - run your own races! Be a man. Jeez

Have you ever heard HIM play the "if I actually cared I'd crush a marathon" card. No you haven't because while many others ignorant of his approach to running have projected their views on to him, he has pretty much just shut up and raced on HIS terms and no one elses.

So, here is a novel thought: How about you let him decide what is important to him. If you value making the trials and the Oly mara team so much, I guess you should get busy on the work.

With that amount of racing and those times, I'd love to see MW run all-fvcking-out for a marathon. I can't believe it'd be anything but amazing.

"If I ran only two marathons a year, maybe I would run 2:12 or 2:15. Or maybe not."

Nice try though

hey common guy, Mike Wardian does any kind of race. Even races with a 1/2 mile swim involved, even if he knows he will come out of the water in 100th place (for no money) . (Rehoboth Biathlon this summer and others in the past. just look him up on athlinks or such and you will see the man is competitive as any you will ever read about and believe me he is truly a fine person who will toe the line with anyone and have a better time doing it than most folks. His attitude is incredible.

Wicked pissa!

Nice job!