I hope everyone who has ever had big running dreams reads this.
Many people refer to America's distance running "problem" and the fact that we lack athletes among the uppermost echelon of the elite track runners, the 13:00 5,000 runners, the sub 3:50 milers, or the 2:07 marathoners.
There is a very simple reason for all of this. We impose limits on ourselves. A 2:20 marathoner reading this now has that thought in the back of his mind that he'll never run 2:06, or 2:10, or even 2:15. He may not admit it to himself, but all glimmers of hope are quickly shattered when someone reminds him of this, or the newest jackass evercise physiologist comes out with, "Well the Kenyans have thicker capillary beds," or some other such bullshit.
Steve Scott ran a 3:47 mile. He trained 110 miles a week for 10 years. Bob Kennedy ran a 12:58 5,000. He ran 130 miles a week for 8 years. Ditto for Salazaar, Rodgers, Shorter, and eventually for Meb, Goucher, and Culpepper. These guys consistently and methodically went at their goals, whatever they were. No they didn't run 3:43 or 12:39 or 2:05:38. But they ran THEIR personal best.
They also did not set preconceived notions about what they could or could not accomplish. I got news folks. 3:47 is still one of the top 10 times in the world today. As is 12:58. Just because you're not Kenyan or because some a-hole tells you you'll never make it or don't have the genetics doesn;t stop you from pouring into running your whole heart, body, and soul.
Don't set limits. If you want a world record or an Olympic gold medal, then don't stop at 50 or 70 miles per week because "you can't do it!" You'll NEVER know unless you try.
Life is full of monstrous surprises. No one need look further than 9/11. If you were told on September 10th that the WTC's would fall the next day, you'd either ignore, laugh at, or get pissed off at the person who told you. And yet it happened. So why not train as hard and as smart as you can. You will surprise yourself.
There's always a wiseass who will say, "oh, no limits. So you're saying we can run 2 minute miles or 8 minute 5,000's?" This type of person will NEVER achieve their full potential.
GO FOR IT! You will never know what you can do in this sport until you give it everything you have. If people did this more in America, Kenya and Ethiopia would recieve no medals in ANY distance running events in ANY major championships.
That's the solution to the "problem." Shorter and Rodgers didn't run 2:05. Malmo and Hodgie didn't either. But they gave their running everything they had, and there are few people in the world that can say that. Geb can say it, Tergat can say it. Kennedy can say it, Khannouchi can say it. One day Goucher will be able to say it, Cox will be able to say it, and Wejo and Rojo can say it.
Let yourself be able to say it too.