I think he’s “so slow” because he picked up training as an overweight mid 30 years old. But at least one of his 1.12 halfs showed way better potential -the start (the first k’s) was allegedly super slow because of a blockage of slow runners in front of him…
Talk about missing the point...the Ingebrigtsens are the best evidence available that genes aren't everything. They dispel all the old tropes- they aren't East African, their parents weren't athletes, they have wildly different builds, etc. The main reason Jakob is an incredible runner is that his 'training' started at the age of 5 doing indoor ski laps of a car park every single morning. His running training has been very professional and extremely methodical from childhood. The fact that Kristoffer can't just get off the couch as an adult and run a 65 minute half marathon is further evidence that the three running brothers worked extremely hard to get where they are; they aren't merely genetic freaks (remember only 3 of the 6 siblings became athletes).
Talk about missing the point...the Ingebrigtsens are the best evidence available that genes aren't everything. They dispel all the old tropes- they aren't East African, their parents weren't athletes, they have wildly different builds, etc. The main reason Jakob is an incredible runner is that his 'training' started at the age of 5 doing indoor ski laps of a car park every single morning. His running training has been very professional and extremely methodical from childhood. The fact that Kristoffer can't just get off the couch as an adult and run a 65 minute half marathon is further evidence that the three running brothers worked extremely hard to get where they are; they aren't merely genetic freaks (remember only 3 of the 6 siblings became athletes).
Uh, the Ingebrigtsens completely validate that genetics are pretty much the most important factor. Even the “non-running” siblings can run faster times on minimal training than most people could if they trained their entire lives.
not all brothers have the same athletic genes. there is extreme variability within groups of siblings.
Well, I think you are right (based on what I have read about genetics). But the Ingebrigtsen siblings don’t seem to affirm that narrative:
1. Kristoffer: Not super fast/good as a child/youngster. But neither was Filip, and he has a bronze in WC. But from what I have seen Kristoffer do (his rapid progress) since he left the couch I think he could come very close to e.g Nordås’ PB of 64.57 (and he was a pro athlete that prioritised the long events some years) if he can overcome his (maybe psychologically plateauing, maybe because of strains from the family conflict).
2. Henrik: Euro champ and fifth in Olympics 2012 1500m with a huge kick that got him only a meter or two behind the bronze medalist.
3. Filip: Double Euro champ and bronze in the WC.
4. Martin: Soccer player. But anyone who has seen his athletic body (by far the most impressive in the family) could imagine him being in the elite in some individual sport.
5. Jakob: Huge accomplishments, huge potential.
6. Ingrid: The one with the most classiest stride in a family of class.
7. William: A Jakob lookalike, also when he is running.
Uh, the Ingebrigtsens completely validate that genetics are pretty much the most important factor. Even the “non-running” siblings can run faster times on minimal training than most people could if they trained their entire lives.
I assume by non-running siblings you mean Kristoffer. In what world is 80+ miles a week 'minimal training' for a hobby jogger?
If I wanted to disprove genetics being everything in distance running, the real world experiment would look something like the Ingebrigtsens.
- take two completely non-athletic parents with zero sporting prowess and zero genes/altitude etc that we already associated with running greatness.
- of the six kids, give three of them the most insane training protocol from childhood ever delivered
- see if consistent non-flashy work over years and an absolutely obsessed coach of a father can get them to the Olympics
Uh, the Ingebrigtsens completely validate that genetics are pretty much the most important factor. Even the “non-running” siblings can run faster times on minimal training than most people could if they trained their entire lives.
I assume by non-running siblings you mean Kristoffer. In what world is 80+ miles a week 'minimal training' for a hobby jogger?
If I wanted to disprove genetics being everything in distance running, the real world experiment would look something like the Ingebrigtsens.
- take two completely non-athletic parents with zero sporting prowess and zero genes/altitude etc that we already associated with running greatness.
- of the six kids, give three of them the most insane training protocol from childhood ever delivered
- see if consistent non-flashy work over years and an absolutely obsessed coach of a father can get them to the Olympics
Laszlo Polgar tried this with chess, with remarkable results so you may think it’s the same with running. However, the challenge is in meeting the initial premises, since you can’t determine the natural sporting ability/genes of people. But you would never get a world class athlete from anyone who didn’t have exceptionally rare genetics.
Talk about missing the point...the Ingebrigtsens are the best evidence available that genes aren't everything. They dispel all the old tropes- they aren't East African, their parents weren't athletes, they have wildly different builds, etc. The main reason Jakob is an incredible runner is that his 'training' started at the age of 5 doing indoor ski laps of a car park every single morning. His running training has been very professional and extremely methodical from childhood. The fact that Kristoffer can't just get off the couch as an adult and run a 65 minute half marathon is further evidence that the three running brothers worked extremely hard to get where they are; they aren't merely genetic freaks (remember only 3 of the 6 siblings became athletes).
Uh, the Ingebrigtsens completely validate that genetics are pretty much the most important factor. Even the “non-running” siblings can run faster times on minimal training than most people could if they trained their entire lives.
I think he’s “so slow” because he picked up training as an overweight mid 30 years old. But at least one of his 1.12 halfs showed way better potential -the start (the first k’s) was allegedly super slow because of a blockage of slow runners in front of him…
How was he overweight at age 30? The whole rest of his family was active.
I think he’s “so slow” because he picked up training as an overweight mid 30 years old. But at least one of his 1.12 halfs showed way better potential -the start (the first k’s) was allegedly super slow because of a blockage of slow runners in front of him…
How was he overweight at age 30? The whole rest of his family was active.
His overweight is well documented by pictures, videos and his own and others’ sayings. In the TV series “Team Ingebrigtsen” Gjert concludes that Kristoffer is too “fond of good drinks and good food”, and this aligns with Kristoffer’s own words.
But why this eating/drinking fondness? And “Gjert didn’t make him run?”:
1. We know that overeating/drinking for some is a compensation for something, or even a way of trying to heal trauma/things that are missing. And we know that Kristoffer has claimed that his upbringing was physically violent and psychologically abusive.
2. Well, Gjert did make him run. But the violent way he did that spoiled every joy, so his eldest son stopped…
All this according to newspaper interviews with Kristoffer.
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
But you would never get a world class athlete from anyone who didn’t have exceptionally rare genetics.
Hmm, I'd maybe put it the other way around. I'd say you can't get a world class middle distance athlete from someone with bad genetics for running. And I think the further away from middle distance you go (both up and down) the more important genetics are. I don't think Usain Bolt ever could have made it as a marathoner for example, no matter how much he trained. However, the 800-5k sees a staggering amount of variability in athletes; ethnicity, heights, muscle mass, running style, leg swing, arm carriage, knee lift, limb length, etc. Even measures like vo2 max and lactate clearance aren't as uniform as you'd expect.
What will really challenge the genetics theory is if Jakob (already massive in stature and frame compared to most of his 1500m and 5k rivals) successfully transitions to the marathon one day, as you could argue he's genetically much too large for it.
Uh, the Ingebrigtsens completely validate that genetics are pretty much the most important factor. Even the “non-running” siblings can run faster times on minimal training than most people could if they trained their entire lives.
I assume by non-running siblings you mean Kristoffer. In what world is 80+ miles a week 'minimal training' for a hobby jogger?
If I wanted to disprove genetics being everything in distance running, the real world experiment would look something like the Ingebrigtsens.
- take two completely non-athletic parents with zero sporting prowess and zero genes/altitude etc that we already associated with running greatness.
- of the six kids, give three of them the most insane training protocol from childhood ever delivered
- see if consistent non-flashy work over years and an absolutely obsessed coach of a father can get them to the Olympics
Im not sure that you understand how genetics work? The fact that the parents didn't participate doesn't change their genetic potential.
Im not sure that you understand how genetics work? The fact that the parents didn't participate doesn't change their genetic potential.
Good lord, you people. Which of these is the most relevant do you think?
- They trained in the most sophisticated and methodical approach ever recorded in running history, with lactate tests after every single rep and tightly restrained threshold intervals for years upon years.
- Gjert Ingebrigtsen had them do all of this, but it was ultimately pointless because Gjert himself was a genetic Superman and they would have achieved all of this with 60km a week, 80/20 method. Gjert or his wife never showed their superior athletic genes at any point in their lives so you'll have to just believe. Oh and btw, his three kids who didn't do all the training aren't aerobic monsters, some coincidence that.
I can't help but feel you guys are making excuses for your own poor performances/lack of hard work.
Talk about missing the point...the Ingebrigtsens are the best evidence available that genes aren't everything. They dispel all the old tropes- they aren't East African, their parents weren't athletes, they have wildly different builds, etc. The main reason Jakob is an incredible runner is that his 'training' started at the age of 5 doing indoor ski laps of a car park every single morning. His running training has been very professional and extremely methodical from childhood. The fact that Kristoffer can't just get off the couch as an adult and run a 65 minute half marathon is further evidence that the three running brothers worked extremely hard to get where they are; they aren't merely genetic freaks (remember only 3 of the 6 siblings became athletes).
I'm not sure you quite get the "it's not the genes" aspect of this caper.
Enjoyed this one - too bad we didn't get to see the lactate reading after the 19k tempo. Looks like Kristoffer is going to have Jakob on as a guest for next week.