Why do some runners train like a pro even if they only run a 15 or 16 minute 5k?

What else are we supposed to be doing with our lives?

Training takes 10-15 hours per week, tops, and it comes with a lot of mental/physical benefits outside of the sport.

Because if they didn't, they'd be 17 or 18 minute 5k runners.

But seriously, perhaps they enjoy running. It gives them an outlet and something to strive towards outside of the monotony of their day job.

What are you doing with your time that's so special?

It’s no skin off my apple if someone wants to play make believe pro runner.

Why do they do this? It makes them feel special and not just another 9-5er.

I think it's pretty great that people want to do their best at something regardless of how fast pros run.

Distraction.

Why not?

Why do some people paint even though no one would ever buy their paintings?

Why do some people play guitar every day even though they can’t keep time?

Curious what the pr is of someone that posts something like this.

Why do you bother keeping yourself alive when it's very time-consuming and takes a lot of energy, yet you're going to die anyway?

I derived a lot of enjoyment and fitness despite being "only" a 1:58 guy for 800 m, a 3:57 guy for 1500 m, and a 15:30 guy for 5K. I'm in my 60s now and began running training at age 15. It's one of the best things I chose to do in life. If I could re-live my life, sure, there are many things I would try to do differently, including how I ran. As far as running, I would double down, only starting earlier and with all the training knowledge I've learned since my youth. I never did raw speed development or threshold running until very late in my running career. I didn't start strength training or jump training until college. Never used a foam or similar type of roller until my 20s. Today I eat healthy foods (perhaps "food additives" applies) including flax seeds, chia seeds, baby kale, molasses, turmeric - foods that I heard little about until mid-life. I remember eagerly awaiting the arrival each month of my print issue of Track & Field News. Today I can interact with folks on LetsRun and ask particular questions about training and get answers within minutes, hours, or a few days. Or I can watch a race again and again on YouTube and maybe even glean insights from the comments. We have so much more information, and have it at our disposal so much faster. Yes, some of the information is data smog or worse, but there a gems and jewels, too - the 5x60 m thread and some of the LetsRun threads on double thresholds, for example.

15.00-16:00 -5k is still probably faster than over 90% of the world's population.

There are chess players who would kill to be better than same population statistic, 90% would be worse at chess than him/her.

I was a very average college runner, Division 2, PSAC, 8:57 (3000), 15:12/5000, 32:22/10,000. Back in 1980-83.

I got recruited (to Mansfield State college, Pennsylvania, under coach Ed Window, based on my road racing times, 52:03 (10 miles), 1:50:49 (20 miles, Finchley '20', 1978). All that on 45-60 mins per day. Progressive runs, no track or speed work, ever.

Before going to college, I was running 30-35 mins a day, and achieved 15:41/5000 on that, hardly a blip in a day which has 24 hours.

In Summation you don't have to train like a pro, to be better than average.

I expect the trade off OP implies is that if one devotes a certain amount of time to become at least quite good at something, there should be greater remuneration.

E.g., a significant portion of that training and recovery time might be spent on excellence in one’s career, which can reap further rewards.

Of course, even though time is limited it’s not exactly a zero-sum game: different people have various priorities and get to decide for themselves what makes them happy.

What would you suggest they do instead?

I would argue it's not "some", almost all of them are training like pros to achieve that. If you don't and still run 15min 5K than you are special.

Personally I'm high 18 guy, but I still train "like a pro". One, because, as another poster said, I would be 21 min guy if I don't and other reason is that this soaks up time and energy which I would otherwise spend in decaying on my coach scrolling social media and eating to death. I know myself well enough and I know that if I don't occupy my free time with training I will do stupid stuff.

So does all your self stimulation.

So if I’m not the best at every thing I do in life I should just quit? Sh!tty mentality to have

Because they want to? Plus, a 15-or 16-min 5k gets them glory at smaller or less competitive events.

Wut.

Dude, I don't know how fast you are. Or the average user on this board.

A 15' 5k, if not 15:59, is not pedestrian. At all.
Specially if you carry some muscle weight or, well, simply being a person with an average build but low body fat.

During my best years, these times were WAY beyond my ballpark.

You mistyped 99.99%.