We talked about this thread a lot on the podcast and also debated Fisher vs Donavan Brazier in terms of talent and career. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
Also says that he's "coached guys with better lungs and better blood values" but Grant's "best quality is his brain."
Footlocker Champ as Jr and Sr
Broke 4 in high school before super shoes were a thing
First American underclassman to win NCAA 5000 in 28 years
American Record holder in the 3000, 5000 & 10000
From one coach to another: Mr. Scannell, if you've coached so many guys with better lungs and more talent than Grant, you're doing a horrible job developing them!
Grant has always been a massive talent. And he's been successful no matter who coached him or what his priorities were outside of running. Yes, he's intelligent and has the ability to stay focused/relaxed while under considerable distress; he sounds like a real pleasure to work with, but to think he's not massively talented physically/physiologically as well is really a slap in the face of literally every other top American that has ever run the 3000/5000/10000 considering Grant is better than all of them.
Also says that he's "coached guys with better lungs and better blood values" but Grant's "best quality is his brain."
Footlocker Champ as Jr and Sr
Broke 4 in high school before super shoes were a thing
First American underclassman to win NCAA 5000 in 28 years
American Record holder in the 3000, 5000 & 10000
From one coach to another: Mr. Scannell, if you've coached so many guys with better lungs and more talent than Grant, you're doing a horrible job developing them!
Grant has always been a massive talent. And he's been successful no matter who coached him or what his priorities were outside of running. Yes, he's intelligent and has the ability to stay focused/relaxed while under considerable distress; he sounds like a real pleasure to work with, but to think he's not massively talented physically/physiologically as well is really a slap in the face of literally every other top American that has ever run the 3000/5000/10000 considering Grant is better than all of them.
TBF he coached him in high school too.
But yeah he is obviously a talent and sub-50 is pretty fast for a 10Ker.
Broke 4 in high school before super shoes were a thing
First American underclassman to win NCAA 5000 in 28 years
American Record holder in the 3000, 5000 & 10000
From one coach to another: Mr. Scannell, if you've coached so many guys with better lungs and more talent than Grant, you're doing a horrible job developing them!
Grant has always been a massive talent. And he's been successful no matter who coached him or what his priorities were outside of running. Yes, he's intelligent and has the ability to stay focused/relaxed while under considerable distress; he sounds like a real pleasure to work with, but to think he's not massively talented physically/physiologically as well is really a slap in the face of literally every other top American that has ever run the 3000/5000/10000 considering Grant is better than all of them.
TBF he coached him in high school too.
But yeah he is obviously a talent and sub-50 is pretty fast for a 10Ker.
Scannell is obviously a brilliant coach and I am aware that he coached him in high school
Having coached a few Foot Locker kids in high school as well I know that coaching makes a huge impact, like absolutely massive life-changing difference for some kids, but with these top talents the biggest thing is getting out of their way and helping them do the same
Props to coach Scannell for doing just this, and in case my previous sarcasm wasn't clear I obviously don't think he's poor at developing athletes
If Grant had been focusing on the 400 over the past 8-9 years, he'd probably be sub-47 for a 4x400 leg and weigh about 10 pounds more. Whatever he's been doing is working, if that means he can't crack 50 in the 400 on 24 hours notice, who cares right?
Quick follow up, I prob took Scannell out of context initially
As mentioned previously, I've coached a couple Foot Locker kids myself
But only 1 of them was a top-5 that I'd say has the same physical talent as Grant
That kid went to a prestigious college, ran 60-70 miles a week, drank at least half that many beers per week, showed a couple flashes of brilliance but never did anything of substance of course
To this day he is essentially doing nothing, but has zero desire to finally go all-in and build up to 100+ mile weeks to find out if he too can get a medal like his college teammate and close friend
It's honestly so frustrating to watch it all happen in seeming slow-motion; youth wasted on the young once again
In that sense, I agree Grant's brain is what really sets him apart from those who do in fact have the same physical talents as he does
Ok, I'm gonna reach out to that kid again. It's maddening standing by as someone avoids doing what they are naturally best at. The regret in later years when it's no longer possible is agonizing. "What if?" are literally the two most heartbreaking words to spring up in one's mind.
But yeah he is obviously a talent and sub-50 is pretty fast for a 10Ker.
Scannell is obviously a brilliant coach and I am aware that he coached him in high school
Having coached a few Foot Locker kids in high school as well I know that coaching makes a huge impact, like absolutely massive life-changing difference for some kids, but with these top talents the biggest thing is getting out of their way and helping them do the same
Props to coach Scannell for doing just this, and in case my previous sarcasm wasn't clear I obviously don't think he's poor at developing athletes
If Grant had been focusing on the 400 over the past 8-9 years, he'd probably be sub-47 for a 4x400 leg and weigh about 10 pounds more. Whatever he's been doing is working, if that means he can't crack 50 in the 400 on 24 hours notice, who cares right?
No.
Sorry, you can't train an aerobic monster from 50.x to sub 47!
Grant is an extreme talent. the issue is most don't understand how to quantify all areas of distance running talent. He's not just an average talent with a good brain. that's ridiculous.
those here who have had the opportunity to coach a "rare talent" don't kid yourselves. that rare talent is still not on Grant Fisher's level. Maybe they could put in hard work to get between 13:00 and 13:30, but that's not life changing talent. that's good enough to do really well in college and then move on with the rest of your life. Or, if you really love running, you keep running after college, grinding your ass off trying to run 13:06, but really it is probably less financially sensible than moving on with your life and becoming a dentist or a lawyer or whatever.
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
Coaches love to downplay talent to runners. It is a good strategy as the alternative is to tell them they will never be that good but can make some small improvements. Better to let them chase the dream and improve more than they might have otherwise.
What percentage is 3 or 4 people out of 7 billion. Id say hes doing fairly well considering his "lack of speed". Also, Im not sure I could give credit to any one facet of his physical being such as his brain.
Coach Vigil sums it up to 4 things, 2 of which you have some control over. 1. Genetics. 2. Environment. 3. The plan. 4. Motivation
The only other factor that can be realistically considered when it comes to world medals is plain and simple timing in history. Who was there?
Grant is an extreme talent. the issue is most don't understand how to quantify all areas of distance running talent. He's not just an average talent with a good brain. that's ridiculous.
those here who have had the opportunity to coach a "rare talent" don't kid yourselves. that rare talent is still not on Grant Fisher's level. Maybe they could put in hard work to get between 13:00 and 13:30, but that's not life changing talent. that's good enough to do really well in college and then move on with the rest of your life. Or, if you really love running, you keep running after college, grinding your ass off trying to run 13:06, but really it is probably less financially sensible than moving on with your life and becoming a dentist or a lawyer or whatever.
You would rather be a dentist than a 13:06 runner? A 13:06 runner would have a chance of moving up to the marathon and making the U. S. team. Mantz has run 13:10. Should he give up running to become a lawyer?
Quick follow up, I prob took Scannell out of context initially
As mentioned previously, I've coached a couple Foot Locker kids myself
But only 1 of them was a top-5 that I'd say has the same physical talent as Grant
That kid went to a prestigious college, ran 60-70 miles a week, drank at least half that many beers per week, showed a couple flashes of brilliance but never did anything of substance of course
To this day he is essentially doing nothing, but has zero desire to finally go all-in and build up to 100+ mile weeks to find out if he too can get a medal like his college teammate and close friend
It's honestly so frustrating to watch it all happen in seeming slow-motion; youth wasted on the young once again
In that sense, I agree Grant's brain is what really sets him apart from those who do in fact have the same physical talents as he does
Ok, I'm gonna reach out to that kid again. It's maddening standing by as someone avoids doing what they are naturally best at. The regret in later years when it's no longer possible is agonizing. "What if?" are literally the two most heartbreaking words to spring up in one's mind.
A good definition of "frustration," is whan a coach and an athelete want different things...
Grant is an extreme talent. the issue is most don't understand how to quantify all areas of distance running talent. He's not just an average talent with a good brain. that's ridiculous.
those here who have had the opportunity to coach a "rare talent" don't kid yourselves. that rare talent is still not on Grant Fisher's level. Maybe they could put in hard work to get between 13:00 and 13:30, but that's not life changing talent. that's good enough to do really well in college and then move on with the rest of your life. Or, if you really love running, you keep running after college, grinding your ass off trying to run 13:06, but really it is probably less financially sensible than moving on with your life and becoming a dentist or a lawyer or whatever.
You would rather be a dentist than a 13:06 runner? A 13:06 runner would have a chance of moving up to the marathon and making the U. S. team. Mantz has run 13:10. Should he give up running to become a lawyer?
Connor Mantz is a national champion. Not somebody who ran for 6 years after college so they could finally achieve a 13:06 in the b or c heat in Boston.
AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT GUY. That person is chasing a dream. But it's not illogical for that level of talent to "give up on their dreams" and move on with their life.
You would rather be a dentist than a 13:06 runner? A 13:06 runner would have a chance of moving up to the marathon and making the U. S. team. Mantz has run 13:10. Should he give up running to become a lawyer?
The above poster mentioned it is more financially sensible to become a dentist, which is definitely true.
There is something to be said about chasing a singular goal (running performance) being more rewarding than a good career you are not overly passionate about.
I stopped competitive running at 22. I would never have been a top runner, but i was running right around a four minute mile in college (never under). I went into medicine and I'm surely financially better off than had i pursued running as a vocation for another eight years. With that said, there is always a little "what if".