MichaeI. wrote:
LateRunnerPhil wrote:
I agree with you - that genetics matter a LOT. Where I disagreed was with the comments that tied genetics to the ability of biological parents, as in "mix two Olympic runners and the kid will be a new champion". Mary Cain's parents were both sedentary and overweight business people. She still had the superior, elite genetics. There are thousands of elite runners/Olympians that had parents who couldn't run a sub 9 mile.
Every elite runner is a genetic freak. No exceptions. - Yes
Every elite runner's parents are genetic freaks in the same sport. No exceptions - Absolutely not!
Actually, you can't really tell unless they have tried.
Have Mary Cain's parents ever tried to train hard, to compete, to see what their running potential is/was?
Maybe they are genetic freaks in the same sport but they just never tried.
Right. This was going to be my follow up.
I think as we start to see more running couples having children (Gouchers, Culpeppers, Webb/Rudd, Ritz/Kalin T, Ryan & Sara Hall, Clayton Murphy & Washington) we'll have more evidence.
I think you would have a better case study if Mary Cain's dad ran like a 5:05 in HS despite tough training and maybe some similarly anecdotal story on her mom's side.