Back in the day, there were more people layin' it all out on the line, busting out high volume training, hard intervals and relentless (what we now call tempo) runs. Do you guys think that more people should wake up and say, "Hey, I'm going to see how far I can go with this sport", or just be happy where they are??
Sorry, I'm bored today
I think everyone needs to decide for themselves.
One thing that irritated me a little was it seemed in the '90s we had a lot of road racers in this country who seemed more than happy to point out that they weren't taking the sport too seriously, just having fun. What irked me was at the time these were some of out top runners.
I admit I envy someone who can work 40 plus hours a week at a real job and run 85 miles a week and go 2:13 for a marathon, but I'll admire the guys who are putting more into their running and laying it all on the line, even if they run slower.
Of course there comes a time when you have to be practical and decide if it makes sense. If your on your own with no family to support I guess you can live your life however you want but if you've stagnated for a long time you have to know when to call it quits. Running as your sole focus for 99% of national class runners will put you behind everyone else in the job market out there who have built up resumees over the years with things other than "training for the Olympics, two-time national team member, etc."
Can you do both, I guess it depends on what line of work you get into, but I don't think anyone has a shot in hell of cracking the world top-ten in any event unless running is number one and I don't think any employer will cut anyone a break to do this nor do I think they should.
Therefore, there probably shouldn't be any more or less people "going for it."
If you don't want to go for it, then admit you are in pussy
land and join the long line of non-productive early
ejaculators.
Not a problem.
It is working pretty well for me.
i say go for it, you never know what could happen - i cant run again and which id taken the opportunity when i was able to run.
You Bet! I went for it too. After running 13:21 and 27:53 in college I said goodby to all that running and started my own business.
why should we think for other people? Don't ask such foolish questions. A better question might be, how can we inspire more people to go for it.
Good stuff Jimmy
awww, man!!
I forgot that the little kiddies like fred didn't have school today, so instead they are stuck at home surfing the net on mommy and daddy's computer. I guess I'll wait to ask my questions until little "freddy" goes back to first grade on monday and continues to learn how to color in-between the lines.
Grow up, dude.
It depends on your definition of 'go for it' and on what level. I think I 'go for it' in that I am always thinking everyday about my workout(s) and how to improve. I run 80-110 miles/wk on avg. That said, I'm 39 and a 2:40ish marathoner who's goal is to continue to get faster despite approaching 40. I never was and never will be a national class runner but do enjoy competing on a regional level and am looking forward to being a very competitve masters marathoner next yr and going in the high 2:30s. I didnt take running seriuosly in college and didnt realize how much it should have meant to me back then.
Thus IMHO, it's not your baseline level of ability that determines if/when you should go for it. And the "It" also is different for all of us - it depends on what demons you want to chase.
going for it in running bodes well in going for it in less absurd pursuits where your actual talents lay. i also find the absurdity of running helps with that most irrational slice of life, women. you know, sometimes you can put in a ton of work, and get nowhere; yet other times you can succeed without knowing why.
i think in posting and positing the question you've already made up your mind though.
Why even bother asking the question. Either you're training
hard or you're gallowalking. What the f*** is wrong with
you?