Freddie, The point I tried to make is that we don't have enough data for comparison for most young runners unless their performances are good 'for anyone at any age'. My example is Mary Decker. Her 2:02-2:03 800 as a 12 year old must be good for that age because it was/is good for a female of ANY age. Unless a performance is noticable for ANY standard, then it is hard to compare it when there are so few out there.
Greg Hill,
Very interesting post. Kind of different to see an early runner like yourself become neither a great runner nor a non-runner.
Considering you ran a 2:46 marathon and a 16:19 5K and even a 4:38 mile, it seems odd that you only managed a 10:35 2 mile. Wonder what happened there? Seems to me that someone who ran a 4:38 mile ought to be able to just break 10 in the 2 mile. Oh well, guess not every distance is for everyone.
Greg, seems like a 4.38 miler with zero speed should be able to run a sub-2.35 marathon with some serious training. Ok, 70 miles a week might not cut it, but 90-100 might, if done right.
You have a think about it, cause you obviously love running.
Just the Facts,
Thanks for the reply.
Stepay, I later did run under ten for the two (and about the time my mile PR got down to 4:38), but not in high school, when my mile PR was just under 5 flat. So you make a good point - a 4:38 mile should translate into something under ten for the two.
As to Mary Decker, I believe her marathon time at age 12 - in the only marathon she ever ran competitively - was 3:13 and it was coincidentally at PV Marathon. I believe it was 1972, 1973 or 1974.
Yes, my marathon PR should be faster, based on my other PR's. I'm now training to lower that PR before my age becomes a factor.
As to whether I'll let my kids run long distances, I will. My wife is also a distance runner. But I will not tell my kids how to train or race. If they ask me, I will give them my opinions, which may not be the best. My parents never pushed me at all and in fact, told a few people who wanted to coach me when I was nine or ten that they did not think it was appropriate. I'll try to follow my parents' example since I do want my kids (I have two) to enjoy the sport, both for the racing aspect and the training benefits/lessons. I think running is healthy in many ways.
Just the Facts, if you are doing a serious study, I can put you in contact with other "child marathoners" like myself (Ann Bensch, Kent Brandemeyer, Mike Marckx, Roger Booth) who I am still social with over the years. Alot of us grew up together in Palos Verdes, CA and now have families, etc., but we stay in touch. I'm the only one still running "seriously," but most of us ran in high school. The four people listed above ran well in high school, much better than I did, but no sub 9 two milers or sub 4:15 milers.
Greg
OK. That makes sense, because in high school by PRs were 4:32 for 1600 and 9:48 for 3200.