I was wondering if any elites who are on the board can comment on my chances of obtaining some sort of contract. I've run 4:01 for the mile. If I break 4 min do you think I'd receive anything, even just clothing? I'm looking to continue my career but obviously haven't run the times that the top guys in the nation have but still have run fairly decent. Any thoughts?
Thanks
you can run for some running clubs who might be sponsored by companies, if ur good they will buy you clothes shoes etc.
qualifying for the Olympic trials is a pretty good standard for getting sponsored. You will only see 1-3 guys in each field with no support.
Hey man I've run low 13:40s for the 5k and I'm lookin for a way to keep running. Joining a local running club will prob be your best option. It's what I've doing for now and I'm just waiting to prove my self this next track season. Good luck with your running.
post college runner wrote:
Hey man I've run low 13:40s for the 5k and I'm lookin for a way to keep running. Joining a local running club will prob be your best option. It's what I've doing for now and I'm just waiting to prove my self this next track season. Good luck with your running.
are you just not willing to move? There is no way a guy running 13:40s can't get some sort of money/gear, etc. It still may not be enough to be your full time job but probably enough to get a part time job to make ends meet.
I actually haven't been approached by any group whatsoever, except for the local running club. I thought I had run quick enough to join some type of group but it wasn't become the case. I am willing to move and work part time but no solid opportunities have come my way.
Did you contact any coaches yourself? You are definitely good (original poster and the 13:40 guy) but running is not like baseball, you aren't going to get drafted.You have to pursue it if you want it. Contact Hanson's or find the other groups and contact all of them and see what they say.they aren't going to come to you.
post college runner wrote:
I actually haven't been approached by any group whatsoever, except for the local running club. I thought I had run quick enough to join some type of group but it wasn't become the case. I am willing to move and work part time but no solid opportunities have come my way.
i know a few guys that have run 13:30 range and sub 4 and are getting no help from sponsors. You would all be amazed how hard it is out there to get help. I have run 13:55 myself and can find no one to help me out with even just gear and shoes
If you are not willing to give up complete control of your running, it can be very difficult to find sponsorship, and almost impossible to find good sponsors. Luckily there are groups out there offering opportunities, but from experience, if you don't fit the mold that they're looking for, it can be quite hard to keep at it.
I've been able to keep running and improving by living with family and friends who understand the dream and support it, but my plan is to go to grad school and continue doing things my way. There are a lot of groups you might be able to apply to:
McMillan Elite
Indiana Elite
Zap Fitness
Team USA MN
Team XO(changed name?)
Asics Aggies
Probably not Hansons for the mile, but for a 13:55 guy wanting to move up to the marathon or longer road racing...
Best of luck, keep working.
While I cannot offer any experience as a true professional, simply because I never made it to that level, I am happy to offer any of you free support from a physiological viewpoint in your quest to get there.
My specialization is basically designing weight training programs for runners. I am not a full-time coach, but a university professor in exercise physiology with competitive experience, and my research is all geared towards elite performance. Additionally, I am just getting a new lab set up, and for anybody in the Pennsylvania area, I can likely provide some lab performance testing in the next few months.
A while ago, I did have a good prospect of some financial support to start sponsoring athletes for a team, but that fell through. It may come again in the future, but it definitely will not be until the New Year.
So, as of now, I can't offer free goods or a stipend or a group to train with, but rather I think I can offer some other tools that can help you along the way if you are interested. Hope that helps!