What do the Norwegians know that we don’t?

What do Ethiopians know that Norwegians don't?

If you look at the history of the sport you find several examples of a particular country overachieving in distance events; the Finns in the '20's and 70's, Hungarians in the '50's, Kiwis in the '60's and '70's, Kenyans from at least the '90's to now. It happened with US high school running in the '60's Once you have a couple really top people in an event it forces others in that country to a higher standard if they want to win national championships, make national teams, etc.

Success breeds success.

HRE wrote:

If you look at the history of the sport you find several examples of a particular country overachieving in distance events; the Finns in the '20's and 70's, Hungarians in the '50's, Kiwis in the '60's and '70's, Kenyans from at least the '90's to now. It happened with US high school running in the '60's Once you have a couple really top people in an event it forces others in that country to a higher standard if they want to win national championships, make national teams, etc.

Agreed, but in addition, they have become very scientific. This did not really exist in long distance triathlon. That is a step function.

Iden (who is the 70.3 WC) just did his first Ironman and killed it. He ran a world best for the marathon leg (2:34), giving high fives while walking to the finish line. He rode an average of 44.4 k/h at 255W(???). Crazy low watts to go so fast. Many qualify hours spent in wind tunnel and for sure. That does not happen by magic.

It is also probably a step function in track.

They have a couple of kids born in 2005 who both broke Jacob’s 3000m record (for that age). Halvorsen (8:12) and Stensrud (8:14).

But lots of places have become scientific and not gotten their results.

They also have another kid born in Dec/06 (Kristian Borve) who ran 8:27 for 3000m (1.3s away from Jakob’s record)

Iden will be the guy in long course triathlon for while it looks like. How serious is the Norwegian population about triathlon? I ask that because we’ve seen Jan Frodeno, Sebastian Kienle, and Patrick Lange have some dominating years as Germans. Apparently Germany takes triathlon seriously and it’s much easier for pro triathletes over there to make a comfortable living. I’ve heard that German pro triathletes have somewhat of a celebrity status in Germany. Comparatively, who in the US would realize they were standing next to a professional US triathlete? They’d be more likely to recognize Lionel Sanders, who is Canadian.

If you’re in a country where you can devote all your time and effort to your craft, I think things will go better for you. Of course, that’s only one piece of the puzzle. I just wonder how much it factors in.

They are not busy with clown sports like baseball and American "football".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojfru3TEHpc

Have you seen what the average Norwegian looks like compared to the average American?

khcglhc wrote:

Then you look at the methodical, scientific approach of the Norwegians. It does not compare. They will bring this sport to a whole new level,

I think this is key. With a methodical, long term way of looking at things (Jacob, Kristian Blummenfeldt etc had Tokyo 202x as a goal as far back as in 2010 if not before) you achieve results. To many nations but their athletes through the meat grinder and destroy them in order to win a club or state meet.

In addition. Knowledge spread througout the athletes across sports. Everyone is somewhat inspired by the Ingebrigtsen guys, they talk with the winter athletes, to the coaches of Thor Hushovd and Edvald Boasson Hagen, and even further back to Vebjørn Rodal, and further: Ingrid Kristianssen and Grethe Waitz. In terms of knowledge sharing it pays off to be a small country.

[quote]khcglhc wrote:

Short LT-intervals with short rest, insteed of tempo runs.

Pace control with lactate measurement.

^^^ Tightly controlled pace on treadmill, easier on joints similar to dirt road but easily measured.

Since football and baseball are not endurance sports, your statement is lame. Having a focus on those sports is not doing anything to stop the US from developing great endurance athletes.

Luv2Run wrote:

Since football and baseball are not endurance sports, your statement is lame. Having a focus on those sports is not doing anything to stop the US from developing great endurance athletes.

It’s also not a recent situation..,

Norway dominating endurance sports (other than XC skiing) is.

They apply SCIENCE to training and value SPEED above all else -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9jfidKGhRw&t=213s

Cycling is the only big-time, real-money endurance sport. Are the Norwegians at the top of cycling yet?

The other sports require limited climates and wealth.