Seems like there are more very fast times for HS runners across the board than in past years. Do you think this is because many schools do not have sports this school year and runners are training with coaches that really know what they are doing? They do not have to abide by school rules and being coached by the 21 year old 300 lbs history teacher
not necessarily coaches that don't know what they are doing.. ..But kids now are free to really focus on an event of their choosing. They are not limited by a HS schedule so if they are able to get to an event, and have access to tracks to train on, and are self motivated they can make big gains and have longer uninterrupted training bocks. Also if they are going to school "virtually" they have more time to sleep and do other little things like lifting and stretching etc...I think the pandemic will make the gap bigger as the motivated kids can focus more while the semi motivated, but talented fringe kids may not train nearly as much.
The fact that Ryun ran 3:55 on 60s tracks, along with Danielson and Liquori's 3:59s on those tracks too. just shows that if we could do that back then, there's no reason we shouldn't have fast guys now.
I've always heard that there are fast times at Ridgemont High...
You started with a false premise. You see the fastest kid of all time and assume that others are running fast. Typical Letsrun type post of shooting from the hip. The times of 2021 do not match the times for 2020.
Indoor 2020 3k, 7:56, 8:20, 8:28. - 2021, 8:32, 8:32, 8:32.
2020 3200/2Mile, 8:50, 8:54, 8:54. - 2021, 8:51, 8:59, 9:02.
latviuarules wrote:
Seems like there are more very fast times for HS runners across the board than in past years. Do you think this is because many schools do not have sports this school year and runners are training with coaches that really know what they are doing? They do not have to abide by school rules and being coached by the 21 year old 300 lbs history teacher
There has been an increase in participation over the years so there is more depth. A season of time trials will not make anyone faster. The lack of a school season cost Nico Young the possibility of approaching 4:00/8:30.
When I was running in HS, I never met a coach that didn't have running experience. I won't address the 300 lb part, but can you name a 21-year old history teacher that coaches XC and track?
Back in the 60's there were less things to do than there are now. Most runners went twice a day practice and sometimes ran at lunch. It was a different era then. Many dedicated runners would be going 60-90 miles a week. Now you rarely see others than the best do more than 35.
And sorry I didn't do all my research before posting - faster than tuohy- d...head
So Cal wrote:
I've always heard that there are fast times at Ridgemont High...
I doubt you've ever actually hard that.