what is the "1" distance that shows overall ability?

3K - 100% VO2Max

id probably say the 3k too, best combination of speed and strength

(and i know its not the main point...but paul tergat...not the best marathoner ever)

yes, 3k/3200/2mile is a vos max; along with about 100 other track workouts such as 1000m repeats. what is the 1 race distance? are you saying the 3200 is the most ability justifying distance?

100m, asafa is the perfect physical specimen

I'd say that the ultimate test is the 800, even though I'm a 10k guy. You need to have speed and endurance. I would disagree with anything longer because of decathletes. Look what happens when they run the mile, they are still good but nowhere near as good as they are in the other events (granted it's because they are tired). A moderately talented HS runner could take down a world class decathlete in the mile and destroy most over 3k. I don't think you'd have that over 800m.

Perhaps a better choice would be the 400 hurdles.

the430miler wrote:

if there were 1 distance that shows overall running talent, what would it be?...what do you think is the distance that shows EVERYBODYS overall ability?

This is an excellent question about a topic that merits careful consideration. First, I must disagree with your assertion that the mile is the correct answer to this question. My friend Steve who works in Accounting says he ran a 3:30 mile in P.E. class in the 10th grade. Although Steve is an excellent accountant, he is a little on the paunchy side. I just can't believe that Steve represents the archetypal runner. So the mile must be excluded.

After much thought, I have developed a proprietary formula that definitively answers your question. I refuse to share the formula itself--frankly, I fear that Flagpole Willy will steal my intellectual property. I am, however, willing to reveal the results of the application of the formula.

The one distance that best demonstrates overall running ability is:

11.321 miles

this is a terrible thread, even by your standards

The 800 is the closest to a 50/50 blend of speed and endurance.

The training for the 800 at a decent level incorporates everything from long runs to weights, plyos and short speed work. One day you are a sprinter, the next you are a marathoner. A decent 3000 runner can do well by just running distance every day.

I've competed at every distance 100m to 50K. When I run a 3000 I feel like a runner; when I run an 800 I feel like an athlete.

The Mile.

800 meter steeplechase

the 800, in my opinion, is the second best event. i think the mile is the best standard. the 800 is kinda short. by the time the first lap is over, you only have to hang on for 400 more. in the mile you're pretty exhausted after about 600m. (or at least i am). then you must hang on even longer. the distance is still short enough so that you need a good amount of speed. its long enough to prove more guts rather than pure speed. the 1600m i think is the best distance to prove the answer to the original question of which is the best track event for ability. the 1200m isn't an official event but it would be the best event to make the comparisons.

agreed, the 800-1000 meter distance. I would say one beginning 800, then a quick rest of 1 min followed by another 800m. The sprinter standouts will win the first one and die the second one. they will positive split biggy time. the long distance athletes will DESTROY sprinters in the second 800. It wouldn't even be close. they will even split or have a small positive split.

the trick is not telling everyone theres a second 800, teehee.

its so fun watching sprinters fvkin' die. lmao.

that is incorrect according to the scientists at the nike laboratory. they say the mile takes the untimate correlation/combination of speed and endurance.

they say it takes takes the speed of a sprinter and the endurance of a marathoner; which i believe is true. one time i ended up closing in 55.

also science and jack daniels prooves that the 800 is an anerobic (more sprint oriented event) and the mile is more aerobic (distance oriented) event.

For a young, non-runner who's never trained yet: 400 meters.

the one distance that shows overall ability for a distance runner I'd say is your coach saying "alright everyone will run the mile, the top 8 guys won't be cut."

Now there's a good way to see what ability the walk on freshmen have.

The 3477m

Actually I would say the 1K (1000) is the truest measurement of speed and strength. It is not run a lot but this is the closest to 50-50 you can get.

Indeed. The 800 would probably be the closest in terms of anaerobic power meeting aerobic metabolism 50/50 that we see consistently run on the world stage, however, the 1000 would probably be a much closer indicator of this and show who has the best balance of speed and endurance.

sfdsade wrote:

the one distance that shows overall ability for a distance runner I'd say is your coach saying "alright everyone will run the mile, the top 8 guys won't be cut."

Now there's a good way to see what ability the walk on freshmen have.

pretty much, if theyre all distance runners then its all relative