Sean Brosnan’s “4:20 is not that fast” shirt is stupid

Josh439 wrote:

number one sean hater wrote:

The programs that contain kids? The environment the kids are in? The expectations for the kids?

The message is that coaches who allow a team culture that 4:20 is fast aren't going to be as successful as coaches who hold their kids to higher standards and establish higher expectations. The focus is on the coaches. He's explained this many times and you guys are taking it too literally. He's not putting down kids, he's putting down coaches who don't hold their athletes to higher standards.

This is dumb.

Elite-level talented kids are going to push to be as fast as they possibly can. You hold your athletes to high standards in doing the work to explore their potential. Whether that is 4:50 or 3:50.

It's just a shirt.

It's going to sell well.

Think of it as a fundraiser for their team and nothing more.

What they wanted was to tell a joke that makes the majority of high school kids think their slow? Haha, that’s super funny! I think what they did is make everyone everyone realize what a classless self promoter he is.

Josh439 wrote:

number one sean hater wrote:

The programs that contain kids? The environment the kids are in? The expectations for the kids?

The message is that coaches who allow a team culture that 4:20 is fast aren't going to be as successful as coaches who hold their kids to higher standards and establish higher expectations. The focus is on the coaches. He's explained this many times and you guys are taking it too literally. He's not putting down kids, he's putting down coaches who don't hold their athletes to higher standards.

That's like if I say, "I think 14 year olds are stupid" but then I say, "That message was for parents who I think should be better parents to their 14 year olds"

And do we think that the intention of "putting down other coaches" is a good intention? It's extremely egotistical.

Not very similar. It would be like being the dean at a private HS that has average ACT scores of 31 and they say that a 30 ACT is not that great.

I remember seeing an interview with him where he went into this a little more. He basically says 4:20 isn't fast because he wants his guys to shoot for times beyond that. If your goal is sub 4:20, yes that's good, but he wants them reaching for more difficult goals so that they shoot PAST a good time and get a great one. I don't think it's meant to diminish any accomplishments, it just follows his idea of setting difficult goals.

And also, it's not like any of this is a big deal really. There are plenty of Seans out there in our sport and others. Having a big ego and creating a cult-like environment is a great way to be successful at all levels. Sean is just the best example of this right now because he's so obviously a tool. Usually it's a little more subtle.

You'ure move LetsRun

run_run_run wrote:

I remember seeing an interview with him where he went into this a little more. He basically says 4:20 isn't fast because he wants his guys to shoot for times beyond that. If your goal is sub 4:20, yes that's good, but he wants them reaching for more difficult goals so that they shoot PAST a good time and get a great one. I don't think it's meant to diminish any accomplishments, it just follows his idea of setting difficult goals.

It’s going to come down to talent and fitness and goals will not change that. A kid with 56 400 speed is not going to shoot past 4:20 and Webb didn’t run 3:53 because he refused to settle for 4:20.

Well you also have to take in consideration those kids running background. You can’t compare progression in kids that just took up running in HS or last year of middle school vs Young and other two brothers those guys have been running competitive since they were like 6-8 y/o. It takes a good 6-8 years of consistent training to figure out if you kids have serious potential.

Jakob I started running at very young age and basically training very seriously since age 11-12 that’s why he is peaking now in his early 20’s he won’t improve much in the next 2-3 years.

Brosnan's logic doesn't even make sense ... Once you acheive a goal, you set new goals. When I started running, I thought a 16:40 5k was fast ... then when I ran 15:40, I shot for sub 15, then when I was running mid 14s, I shot for sub 14 etc...

I'm sure some of his kids will never run sub 4:20, and some will run sub 4. Seems like a cycle setting realistic intermediate goals, achieving them and then moving up is smarter than just saying "4;20 is slow ....", but it doesn't get as much attention, which is what he seems to want ...

abcrunning wrote:

Well you also have to take in consideration those kids running background. You can’t compare progression in kids that just took up running in HS or last year of middle school vs Young and other two brothers those guys have been running competitive since they were like 6-8 y/o. It takes a good 6-8 years of consistent training to figure out if you kids have serious potential.

Jakob I started running at very young age and basically training very seriously since age 11-12 that’s why he is peaking now in his early 20’s he won’t improve much in the next 2-3 years.

Right. Ryun also peaked in his early 20’s but that was after starting running at age 15. Talent is talent. Chapa’s HS school coach would of have needed to watch him run one lap around a track to realize he had serious potential.

Most kids run for fun not get scholarships. Those fast kids their parents start training them since age 6-7 only a hand full will make a decent living as Pro and most of them get into stupid worthless careers and end up living at poverty level.

Unfortunately most athletes are not well paid. How many times you see guys working PT jobs to survive it is very sad.

samuel L jackson wrote:

What they wanted was to tell a joke that makes the majority of high school kids think their slow? Haha, that’s super funny! I think what they did is make everyone everyone realize what a classless self promoter he is.

I'm not saying I agree with it but I am sure they will sell all their shirts.

Are we sure it's not a pot smoking joke?

Rudyard Kipling was a 4:30 miler

mid d dude wrote:

Brosnan's logic doesn't even make sense ... Once you acheive a goal, you set new goals. When I started running, I thought a 16:40 5k was fast ... then when I ran 15:40, I shot for sub 15, then when I was running mid 14s, I shot for sub 14 etc...

I'm sure some of his kids will never run sub 4:20, and some will run sub 4. Seems like a cycle setting realistic intermediate goals, achieving them and then moving up is smarter than just saying "4;20 is slow ....", but it doesn't get as much attention, which is what he seems to want ...

His logic makes complete sense. He had the best cross country team ever in HS history and they are one of the best girls teams in the country.

It's a mentality and that's why the kids love it and nothing more. All the haters just need to focus on coaching and running and doing great things.

If this bothers you it's sad. Brosnan didn't make this quote known. It was highlighted in a HD runners video and the kids loved it and picked top on it. They are just giving the kids what they asked for and wanted. Lots of people like winners and greatness. The people to cry about it will always be complaining about something new every week of their life.

Remember Brosnan said in an interview it's not saying 4:20 is slow, it's saying to yourself you can do something and the only way to do that is believe. If you believe 4:20's not fast then it wont be. It's not about the time 4:20, but the way you think. I might of messed up his words a little, but thats exactly what he was saying when asked about it.

"Do you know how I knew you ran a 4:20 mile in HS? EVERYONE ran a 4:20 mile in HS."---- Frank Shorter

There's nothing insulting or offensive about that statement. If a 4:20 runner thinks he's fast, he needs to get a clue and understand what people can actually do.

It's fine to be happy with a 4:20 PR, but you shouldn't think you're fast (if you're a young man). Jacob Kiplimo (21 yo) just recently ran 4:23/mi for a half marathon. So I'm sorry, but no, you're not fast. Be humble, get better, and take it seriously if you love the sport enough.