Are You Absolutely Sure That The Race Distance You Concentrate On The Most Is The One That You Are Best At?

er, what?

No. You worry too much. Just run, have fun, be done.

troll

well yeah, i know mine isnt but i also know it isnt worth training 7 times a week and not enjoying it.

WTF? Who gives a crap?

this thread is a major waste of bandwidth

Yes, I'm definitely not concentrating on my best events.

I run 5ks, 10ks, and the very occasionaly half-marathon. But I pretty much suck at all of them. I'm an 18min 5ker on a good day, and without serious training, I doubt I'll ever be much faster. I was a sprinter/jumper in college, and speed over short distances is my forte.

But I'm in my late 20s now, and it's not like I have Olympic caliber speed, so I just don't see any point in racing the sprints anymore. Occasionally I'll put on the spikes and do a speed workout for fun, but I'm just a fun runner these days. If 400m races were organized with frequency on the weekends the way 5k/10ks are, I might feel differently. I suppose I could go compete at college meets during the track season but, like I said, I'm almost 30. I'd feel old and silly. At fun runs, I'm the same age or younger than most participants. So I don't feel like such a loser.

I'm sure that it's not. I'm focusing on improving my marathon times now, basically working on a weakness, but I'm sure I'm a better middle distance runner (let's say 5K and 10K, as I no longer think it's safe for me to race faster, shorter distances).

An interesting question though, because apparently in high school, I focused on the wrong event. I ran long distance, by which I mean the 1600, and 3200, in track, and also cross-country. My senior year in track, the coach need a 4th runner for a 4x800 relay, and I ended up beating 2 of the other runners from my team. So the coach took me out of the 3200, and took them out of the 800, and I finished the year running a distance I hated. But it was by far my best event by relative performance, in spite of the fact that I only ran it for half a season.

I'd rather run 2:30 mary than a 1:48 half.

Thanks for the serious responses so far. This is a serious question, and when I composed it, I was aware that many young runners, HS to Collegiate even, might be "placed" into events, which may not be exactly where greatest strengths lie.

And sometimes we may choose events because we like them more than the event that we may be best at. I love doing 800s, but I suck at it, hahahaha....no speed.

Skuj wrote:

Thanks for the serious responses so far. This is a serious question, and when I composed it, I was aware that many young runners, HS to Collegiate even, might be "placed" into events, which may not be exactly where greatest strengths lie.

And sometimes we may choose events because we like them more than the event that we may be best at. I love doing 800s, but I suck at it, hahahaha....no speed.

Hahahaha right back at ya! Sure you suck at it, but do you enjoy it? Aren't there more important considerations? Enjoyment, what's best for the team, personal fitness, etc.? Of course!

Skuj wrote:

Thanks for the serious responses so far.

You're welcome. (I was dead serious about my previous response.)

Runner Mann wrote:

WTF? Who gives a crap?

I really don't know why people think that this is stupid topic. Chosing the right event to concentrate on is one of the most important decisions that you make as an athlete. More important that most of the things that people discuss on this board. I can take all the advice about suppliments, gels, hydration, nutrition, etc that is available on this board, but if I'm concentrating on the wrong event none of that really matters. It's worth thinking about.

I've been mostly an 800/1500 guy for the past few years. I see myself as more of a miler, but I just haven't been able to get in a long stretch of injury free basework leading up to the track season recently so my 800 has been better than my mile. I like the 800, but I just don't have the speed to go much under 2. If I can get in some decent milage this winter I'll be training for the 1500/5k. I think I'll be concentrating on my best events then.

Skuj,

I guess the question is directed at runners who DO specialize in one (or a couple) distance. I wonder, though, how many runners enjoy preparing for and racing a fairly broad range of distances? Personally, I race everything from 800 to the marathon. Although I'll admit I don't enjoy the marathon distance nearly as much as any of the others.

Back on topic, I've "discovered" fairly late in life that my "best" distances (so far - I've never raced a 400) are 800/1500/mile. Given that I never ran track or XC in university (I wrestled), I didn't get to learn that earlier. Mind you, I don't mind or think I "missed" anything, since I've enjoyed racing 5k-HM.

Harry Kooter wrote:

I really don't know why people think that this is stupid topic.

I guess you have to consider the source.

Harry Kooter wrote:

I really don't know why people think that this is stupid topic. Chosing the right event to concentrate on is one of the most important decisions that you make as an athlete.

That was not the question. The right event is not necessarily the one at which you are best. There are many parameters involved in determining what is "right" for someone.

bump - great question.

Bumping is rude, especially when the thread is still on the first page. If you have something to offer, share it. Otherwise stay in you hole.

Pete wrote:

Back on topic, I've "discovered" fairly late in life that my "best" distances (so far - I've never raced a 400) are 800/1500/mile.

what r some of your various pr's? r u sure 800/mile r ur best? just wonderin whar u r basing that statement on.