At age 31, I just started running. Do I hold the potential to become a pro?

flampis wrote:

Hi guys,

Here is a bit of background.

Although, I never was a runner, I played handball at professional level for 2 years, 12 years ago. I only occasionally spent time at the gym after that, mainly lifting weight and trying to stay fit.

I ran my first HM 9 months ago without any cardio training. I ran in 1:29:30.

This led me enjoy running. I therefore started to train more regularly to get to a volume of 130km a week in July this year.

A month ago, I ran a 10k in 33:20.

Yesterday, I ran a second HM in 1:13:55.

Would like to have your opinion on whether or not, if I dedicate the right time/nutrition to it, I could get to 65mins HM level, say within the next 2 years, and whether or not, this could eventually lead me to a pro level? Like self-supporting level.

Cheers!

The only mistake you made was asking Letsrun posters what they thought. Just find out on your own - maybe get a good coach or something.

That's an amazing HM progression. You clearly have lot of talent and motivation for distance running.

You didn't mention your age, but doing the math, it'd seem early 30's.

Assuming you steer clear of injury, and assuming you still have plenty of untapped potential, by the time you maximally develop it, you are heading into steady V02max decline due to age.

You might be a dominant age-group competitor and, for a time, a competitive open runner, but you are starting the sport too late to achieve "Pro" status as most would define it - or as you define it, being (economically) self-supporting, which is a tall order for the best of the best.

Not trying to discourage you - but it's important to frame realistic expectations.

flampis wrote:

I'm currently 78kg (for 184cm), and although my BF is already pretty, I could probably shave off 4kg of muscle mass from the upper body.

Your weight will be a bigger limiting factor than your age.

To go down to 33:20/1:13 in 9 months is impressive. You'll improve enormously over the next 5-6 years, maybe more. Why not 1:05? Very hard to do, but who's to say? Get with a good training group that focuses on long-term development, not just high intensity intervals. I'm going to predict sub 1:10 next spring if races are back.

No, not too late to be pro. Pro simply means you're getting financial compensation to train and race. It doesn't mean you're a world beater.

In fact, more broadly, pro simply means you're being paid to run...doesn't matter if you're elite. I know sub-elites who are pro and get paid to run with a group that is a subsidiary of a running shoe company.

For men, you can become a sub-elite pro simply by being around sub 14:30 or better for 5k. But unlike other sports, most running pros have to have another job to compensate.

I have a friend who plays women's professional football. They don't even get paid beyond a basic travel stipend.

People on this thread are completely leaving out the fact that there are many sub-elite "pros" who have shoe sponsorships. You don't even really need to be a sub 14:00 male to be a pro in American distance running.

This sums it up nicely. There are many levels to being a pro runner. In short, getting a sponsorship makes you a pro. That is why college athletes lose their eligibility in football if they are caught doing product endorsements for money. Once you receive compensation you're no longer an amateur.

https://www.active.com/fitness/articles/how-to-become-a-sponsored-athlete-in-5-steps

All you have to do to 'prove' me wrong is give an example of ONE person (from the past 40 years or so) which you failed to do. Why even bother making such a response if you can't back up your claim?

bartholomew_maxwell wrote:

No, not too late to be pro. Pro simply means you're getting financial compensation to train and race. It doesn't mean you're a world beater.

In fact, more broadly, pro simply means you're being paid to run...doesn't matter if you're elite. I know sub-elites who are pro and get paid to run with a group that is a subsidiary of a running shoe company.

For men, you can become a sub-elite pro simply by being around sub 14:30 or better for 5k. But unlike other sports, most running pros have to have another job to compensate.

I have a friend who plays women's professional football. They don't even get paid beyond a basic travel stipend.

I think you're a little confused as to the definition of a 'pro'. When I was a kid, I got paid allowance for washing my Dad's car. Did that make me a pro car washer?

Don't let these losers crap on your dream . At the very least, local pro.

Start with rock n roll , they have amateur payouts. Hitting the time standard will at least cover your travel expenses.

Chi has the American development program

Local races , you'll at least get free bibs and free press.

Pretty much until your race performance speaks for itself, be prepared for doing the work yourself. Marketing ect. I did know an amateur chef that had a marketing team for a short while. It jump-started his following. I wouldn't discount an investment like that.

Build from those..

You say tomato, I say tomata

If you know the history of this sport you know that once a pro was anyone who got any money from the sport aside from "legitimate" expense money. Write a magazine article on the sport and get paid for it ( unless your job was reporter, journalist, etc,) you were a pro. Coach a high school team for pay? You were a pro. So no, you weren't a pro car washer. But if your dad had doubled your allowance in a week when you'd won or placed in a high school race, scored double digits in a high school basketball game, you were a pro and could have been disciplined had you been found out.

You obviously have decent talent and are in good aerobic conditioning. Can you get to the 65-66 min range? Anyone with your kind of performances with such little training that then puts about 4 years of consistent training together with NO injuries is capable of getting somewhat close to that range. Staying healthy and consistent will take you to a level that will amaze most people, including yourself.

Going pro shouldn't be the goal, it should be the dream. When you achieve your dream then the PRO thing will naturally result. If it doesn't, who cares! Enjoy the journey and live life with no regrets. Never get old and then say, "I wish I would have..." when it was fully within your ability to have done it.

Best of luck to you.

No chance unless you move to Boulder.

If you want inspiration, look up the story of Marion Irvine. She ran in the Olympic Trials marathon at age 54. Was she a threat to make the team or be a professional racer? No but she finished in the middle of the pack at the 84 Olympic trials. She only started running in her 40s when she was a smoker and overweight. I'd say if you ever qualified for the Olympic trials in the marathon, you'd be thrilled.

You've show a lot of talent, but maybe not exceptional talent - though it may be too soon to really tell. The different between 1:13 and 1:05 is pretty large. To determine if you get down to 65 you are going to need to determine your speed at shorter distances (as someone else said). You'll need a mile time under 4:20 (or at least 4:25). You'll need a 5k in the mid to low 14's (if not under).

You have two strikes: 1) your age. It takes years to become an elite. You're already 31. Yes, you can run 1:05 at 35 after starting late. Look up Jack Foster, but you'll need exceptional talent. Maybe you have it, but maybe you just have above average talent. 2) you're a little on the large size for a distance runner. At your height you should be around 70kg for longer distances. It's not impossible to get down to 70kg, and you certainly have time to do it slowly. It's also not impossible to run 1:05 at your size, but it's harder.

My advice: start incorporating a little more speed into your weekly sessions. 5-6 100m strides once or twice a week building up until you can go 95% speed (can you get under 15 then it's looking good. Under 13, then it's looking much, much better). Your mileage is good. Don't overdo it. Take breaks twice a year and build back up. When you are close to your peak add some faster stuff 10X400 or 15X200 or 6x1000. Get used to running under 3:00/km. Can you hit 10X200 at 34 or under. 10X400 at 70? 6x1k under or around 3:00. You may not be able to at first, but if you have the talent to run 1:05, then you should be able to manage it (better actually).

Now the question is can you be a Pro?Probably not, but what you should concentrate on is getting as good as you can and let everything else take care of itself.

Oh, and maybe find some running partners who are better than your are.

flampis wrote:

Hi guys,

Here is a bit of background.

Although, I never was a runner, I played handball at professional level for 2 years, 12 years ago. I only occasionally spent time at the gym after that, mainly lifting weight and trying to stay fit.

I ran my first HM 9 months ago without any cardio training. I ran in 1:29:30.

This led me enjoy running. I therefore started to train more regularly to get to a volume of 130km a week in July this year.

A month ago, I ran a 10k in 33:20.

Yesterday, I ran a second HM in 1:13:55.

Would like to have your opinion on whether or not, if I dedicate the right time/nutrition to it, I could get to 65mins HM level, say within the next 2 years, and whether or not, this could eventually lead me to a pro level? Like self-supporting level.

Cheers!

Any one can go Pro in running as long as you have the right sponsors.. times have nothing to do with it just look at Justin Gallegos' contract.. hell, you might not even need an agent.. however if you want to hang with professionals and be in the mix with the elite that get pampered to practice running, this is where the disconnect is.

If you have to ask, chances are it's not going to happen for you.. but hell, crazier things have happened. Hope you have a rich family for expenses. Save those receipts lol.

Being a pro can mean different things these days. Get better, get creative and market yourself. No you are not likely to line up with the elites at a major marathon fully sponsored by Nike but there are ways to have fun, make a name for yourself and make some money along the way.

Usually I see these threads and go straight to no. But honestly I do see an outside chance for you to be a 65min half 2:17 guy if everything breaks right. That would put you at sub elite which is pretty solid if not pro. I would bet against it given your age, and not knowing how you will handle the increased workload to get to that level. But I would say yes you do have a shot. Get some coaching from someone good and see where it goes. 1:13 on that training is nothing to scoff at.

How the hell do you run so fast?