Nick Willis is going for history tonight. Will he set the all-time record of most seasons with a sub-4 minute mile at 19?

Day'um son !

nzkenbg wrote:

Nick would be the first guy to tell you he’d 1) never run a Marathon and 2) never run 2:13

He changed my career when I met him at Big Peach. I was a low-14 min guy in college and he said he never did a run in which his form would be compromised and he prioritized that over everything else. So, if at 6.4 miles he started falling apart or not having immaculate form, he would stop the run.

Reminds me a lot of Bernard Lagat. Low mileage tons of speed great focus on mechanics and form.

I can tell you don't know Willis very well since A.) He's already on record stated he will run a marathon B.) He'll likely run 2:13 or under next fall depending on the Olympics and C.) He'll be fueled by Washtenaw Dairy Donuts at every aid station by handed out by Ronnie

Nick Willis seems like one of the good guys. Always happy to root for him. Would love to see him miraculously podium at the Olympics (again).

One can dream of him and Jakob Ingebrigtsen being the only ones to follow an early Cheruiyot surge and him holding on over the pack for bronze....

nzkenbg wrote:

Nick would be the first guy to tell you he’d 1) never run a Marathon and 2) never run 2:13

He has run a half in 67. It isn't that absurd to think he might run a marathon if he has run a half. It also doesn't seem absurd that he might run 2:13 if he trained for it. I know marathon is well above his ideal distance, but it isn't like he would suddenly be running hobby jogger times for anything above 5000m.

Happy For Nick wrote:

Nick Willis seems like one of the good guys. Always happy to root for him. Would love to see him miraculously podium at the Olympics (again).

One can dream of him and Jakob Ingebrigtsen being the only ones to follow an early Cheruiyot surge and him holding on over the pack for bronze....

You dream of the white guys getting Silver and Bronze? Of course Nick is past his prime for 1500m and has almost ZERO chance of getting another medal.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Good content ?

Steve Scott managed 15–might be the American Record. Lagat could surely have managed 20+ if it were his priority, I’d think.

17 by my count - every year from 1977 to 1993

Hardloper wrote:

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Good content ?

Steve Scott managed 15–might be the American Record. Lagat could surely have managed 20+ if it were his priority, I’d think.

17 by my count - every year from 1977 to 1993

Source for ‘92 and ‘93? If he broke 4 in those years it’s not listed on his IAAF profile.

First really happy for Nick, someone basically my age. If I run under 5 in my 30's (still time left) I'd be happy. A new PR would really be inspiring.

For Nick to do what he did is inspired.

Another thing to consider is not to diminishe whatever the previous record holder did.

My old coach always said that times and performances should naturaly always be getting better.

We naturally have advances in tech, training insight, nutrition so as a result times from 10 or 20 years ago should eventually be beaten.

It's hard to say who is the GOAT because comparing athletes from different era's isn't really worth debating in my opinion, unless you are looking strictly at who was better in their era, not who was better when neither individual competed against another.

Runs 3:58 to make it 19!

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Hardloper wrote:

17 by my count - every year from 1977 to 1993

Source for ‘92 and ‘93? If he broke 4 in those years it’s not listed on his IAAF profile.

https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/steve-scott-14250848

Yes it appears to be missing from WA but but it's here:

762 3:58.54 Steve_Scott USA 05.05.56 1 Los_Angeles 15.02.1992

1236 3:59.88 Steve_Scott USA 05.05.56 3 Los_Angeles 20.02.1993

Hardloper wrote:

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Source for ‘92 and ‘93? If he broke 4 in those years it’s not listed on his IAAF profile.

https://worldathletics.org/athletes/united-states/steve-scott-14250848

Yes it appears to be missing from WA but but it's here:

762 3:58.54 Steve_Scott USA 05.05.56 1 Los_Angeles 15.02.1992

1236 3:59.88 Steve_Scott USA 05.05.56 3 Los_Angeles 20.02.1993

http://www.alltime-athletics.com/m_mileok.htm

Thanks! I stand corrected.

I notice Scott ran 3:59.88i at 36 years, 9 months and 15 days, while Willis only ran 3:59.89i at 36 years, 9 months and 0 days. Scrub.

I mean I know he ran faster tonight at 37 but whatever.

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Good content ?

Steve Scott managed 15–might be the American Record. Lagat could surely have managed 20+ if it were his priority, I’d think.

Lagat could do it now at age 46 if he took a notion. He was running 3:54i and 13:06 5 and 4 years ago, and going from 42 to 46 is not a steep drop if you stay in shape, which he did with the road racing.

Bad Wigins wrote:

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Good content ?

Steve Scott managed 15–might be the American Record. Lagat could surely have managed 20+ if it were his priority, I’d think.

Lagat could do it now at age 46 if he took a notion. He was running 3:54i and 13:06 5 and 4 years ago, and going from 42 to 46 is not a steep drop if you stay in shape, which he did with the road racing.

Just so ignorant. Like obtuse beyond belief.

Once you get to your mid to late 40's it's time to put the competitive racing on the shelf...As a runner you're not going to live much if any longer than the average person. That's is years of your remaining life you waste training for some kinda glory when time it is for you retire travel the world.

Bad Wigins wrote:

John Wesley Harding wrote:

Good content ?

Steve Scott managed 15–might be the American Record. Lagat could surely have managed 20+ if it were his priority, I’d think.

Lagat could do it now at age 46 if he took a notion. He was running 3:54i and 13:06 5 and 4 years ago, and going from 42 to 46 is not a steep drop if you stay in shape, which he did with the road racing.

Jimmio wrote:

Happy For Nick wrote:

One can dream of him and Jakob Ingebrigtsen being the only ones to follow an early Cheruiyot surge and him holding on over the pack for bronze....

You dream of the white guys getting Silver and Bronze? Of course Nick is past his prime for 1500m and has almost ZERO chance of getting another medal.

Yes exactly. Dream. Not reality. I like Jakob's personality from that Team Ingebrigtsen series and I would be more than happy to see Nick Willis sneak a bronze. But its extremely unlikely Nick will be able to medal in either a fast or slow race. I also am not convinced that Jakob has the leg turnover/pace to medal in a slow final, but Cheruiyot probably wont let that happen.

Maybe they are just two of his favourite runners? As well as Jakob being clear betting favourite for silver.

TBH it would be hard to pick an African behind Tim because most have been busted.

Incredible accomplishment. I had the shape and ability to run a sub 5 minute mile for 20 years straight but for an elite runner to run 19 sub 4 minute miles is incredible! Injury burnout etc etc. very few elites run at a high level for over 10 years let alone 19

shehanvrg4hejsb wrote:

Maybe they are just two of his favourite runners? As well as Jakob being clear betting favourite for silver.

TBH it would be hard to pick an African behind Tim because most have been busted.

Another lie. It is amazing the ignorance that exists here.

bartholomew_maxwell wrote:

Once you get to your mid to late 40's it's time to put the competitive racing on the shelf...As a runner you're not going to live much if any longer than the average person. That's is years of your remaining life you waste training for some kinda glory when time it is for you retire travel the world.

Bad Wigins wrote:

Lagat could do it now at age 46 if he took a notion. He was running 3:54i and 13:06 5 and 4 years ago, and going from 42 to 46 is not a steep drop if you stay in shape, which he did with the road racing.

How would you know? And the insolent anonymous coward above. Probably 20 somethings.

About the only two things that can dramatically impair your fitness in your 40s are injury or quitting. Neither applies to Lagat. Going for sub 4 again wouldn't mean racing a season, it's just a targeted time trial. He should do it, just to silence the stupid nay sayers.