I'm 16 and have been running properly for about 4 months, I took my 5km from 19:45 to 17:50 in that time span. Is it too late for someone of my age to become an elite runner providing I have the ability?
I'm 16 and have been running properly for about 4 months, I took my 5km from 19:45 to 17:50 in that time span. Is it too late for someone of my age to become an elite runner providing I have the ability?
What does 'elite' mean to you? What are your goals? Where do you live? What grade are you in? What's your prior training history? (Including gym)
sub 13:30 5km, from the UK, never done gym, been half arsing it for a year, started running more seriously 4 months ago and dropped 5km from 19:45 to 17:50
Honestly, I would say no......4 months and dropping 2min isn't that significant for someone with your ambition and goal. You need to enter at least low 15:00 territory to even consider "Elite" status. In the US HS system, you would be considered average/good but nowhere near state champion level. Most state champs in any state of any level average would require something in the 15:xx. If you're a girl, this conversation is a different story but assuming you're a male, I'd say your chances are probably less than 0.1%...I had a friend in HS who went from 20:xx to 16:30 within 2 months from 0 running history and a football background. He was a state medalist but by no means able to compete with state champions.
Now since I like to be proven wrong, you could have a major breakthrough and be an aerobic monster pumping out 50-70mi/week and then running low 15 this year after high volume, strength work, and some good workouts. There are exceptions to high volume but generally if you ask any college xc runner they will tell you high milage is the way to go. I could ask 10 people right now, and all 10 of them would say they do at least 60-80+ miles a week. I wish you best of luck.
Theres not enough history to say for sure. Its like trying to plot a graph with 1 data point, you dont know where the curve will go. Run properly for a year and ask again.
I think when your body is developing it's key to push it quite hard so the organs, tissue etc that are key to running develop properly and to their maximum potential. For example lungs, vo2 max etc probably depends to a degree upon what you did as a kid. If you were sedentary they wont be as big or efficient and no amount of exercise later in life will make up for that.
sub 13:30 5km, from the UK, never done gym, been half arsing it for a year, started running more seriously 4 months ago and dropped 5km from 19:45 to 17:50
The guys who eventually run 13:30 were probably capable of 17:50 with no specific training when they were 14.
I'm 16 and have been running properly for about 4 months, I took my 5km from 19:45 to 17:50 in that time span. Is it too late for someone of my age to become an elite runner providing I have the ability?
Your 5K time is equivalent to about a 11:00 3200m and there are middle schoolers that can run faster than that after 4 months of training.
There have been some elite runners that have gotten a later start like Ryun and Nenow, so your level of talent is far more important than you being 16.
I think when your body is developing it's key to push it quite hard so the organs, tissue etc that are key to running develop properly and to their maximum potential. For example lungs, vo2 max etc probably depends to a degree upon what you did as a kid. If you were sedentary they wont be as big or efficient and no amount of exercise later in life will make up for that.
Not true for healthy young people. Lung capacity and VO2max aren't 'developed' by training, just by normal growth and metabolic function.
Elite distance runners have a lucky combination of medium aerobic and anaerobic capacities, but nothing exceptional in either.
You are the same person who recently posted "What is my potential" using a different name. Same times and PRs.
You are unlikely to ever be elite. Someone from my HS started at 16 and an 18:00 5k. But here's their deal: they were already running a 2:00 800m in gym class and were then recruited from tennis to running. That person improved to 16:20 5k by 18 - very good but not elite - with a 1:52 800m. They went on to college and eventually became an NCAA All American and qualifying for the U.S. championships (still not elite by LR standards).
Forget a 13:30 5k. Odds of that are sub 1%. Find a coach and training group. Spend 6 months running at 40 mpw with quality workouts. If injury free (a single higher mileage week does not mean you can handle the stress of repeated high mileage weeks plus workouts) then increase to 60 mpw. See how much you improve. With luck you can run in the UK club system and maybe get a scholarship to a US university to expand education options.
I think when your body is developing it's key to push it quite hard so the organs, tissue etc that are key to running develop properly and to their maximum potential. For example lungs, vo2 max etc probably depends to a degree upon what you did as a kid. If you were sedentary they wont be as big or efficient and no amount of exercise later in life will make up for that.
Not true for healthy young people. Lung capacity and VO2max aren't 'developed' by training, just by normal growth and metabolic function.
Elite distance runners have a lucky combination of medium aerobic and anaerobic capacities, but nothing exceptional in either.
Many of elite runners have a VO2 max in excess of 80 which I would consider exceptional. An elite also needs good top-end speed and stride efficiency.
Just to let y'all know Imma prove you all wrong, Imma post every time I pb, never doubt anyone
Dont listen to anyone (which would include me, but I digress). 4 months is way to short a time period to determine your future. Clearly...anyone running a little for 120 days getting a 17:50 is not a bad sign. Just not much to go on yet. Your running age is 4 months, so dont compare yourself to the best 16s in the country. You will get there. There are indeed 11 y/o girls who run 18:00, but they are are usually running for a few years and of course have talent as well.
Thanks man, I've been minimally training for the 4 months, but I swear, Ik I have the ability, I've been dropping my pb by 20 seconds ever run, Ik Imma be elite, thanks for the encouragement, I was losing hope tbh but imma start working hard!
Not true for healthy young people. Lung capacity and VO2max aren't 'developed' by training, just by normal growth and metabolic function.
Elite distance runners have a lucky combination of medium aerobic and anaerobic capacities, but nothing exceptional in either.
Many of elite runners have a VO2 max in excess of 80 which I would consider exceptional. An elite also needs good top-end speed and stride efficiency.
Yea i agree, whats exceptional 100 VO2? Elite runners have elite physiological characteristics, its measurable. Even 70 or 80 clearly exceptional.
OP, do you have a garmin or apple watch? I know the garmin will follow your workouts and give you a VO2 number over many races and workouts. Its not a lab but a good ball park. Might be interesting..is it 50, 60, 70..?
Many of elite runners have a VO2 max in excess of 80 which I would consider exceptional. An elite also needs good top-end speed and stride efficiency.
Yea i agree, whats exceptional 100 VO2? Elite runners have elite physiological characteristics, its measurable. Even 70 or 80 clearly exceptional.
OP, do you have a garmin or apple watch? I know the garmin will follow your workouts and give you a VO2 number over many races and workouts. Its not a lab but a good ball park. Might be interesting..is it 50, 60, 70..?
I have a Garmin, it says 60, what should I aim to get it too?