I've heard announcers(Larry Rawson in particular) say that Slattery ran 48 in HS. He's a good runner, but I've never considered him as someone with a devastating kick. It seems like if he ran that fast for 400 in HS his speed would have improved some more since then, and he should be able to kick almost any distance runner down. This doesn't seem to be the case though. What gives?
I don't know whether Slattery ran that fast in HS, but I do know that, quite often, the best kickers aren't the guys with the best 400 speed; they are guys who have 400 speed which is "good enough" (49s or so in the 5000) who are the strongest aerobically. Those are the guys who are able to close in 53s, or roll out a sub-26 for the last 200.
3200guy wrote:
I've heard announcers(Larry Rawson in particular) say that Slattery ran 48 in HS. He's a good runner, but I've never considered him as someone with a devastating kick. It seems like if he ran that fast for 400 in HS his speed would have improved some more since then, and he should be able to kick almost any distance runner down. This doesn't seem to be the case though. What gives?
He could have run a 400m in 40 and he still wouldn't kick down "any distance runner". You don't seem to appreciate how hard it is to close 200m in the bell lap. (It's not easy).
I realize you have to factor in endurance as to how good someone's kick will be at the end of a race, but natural speed sure helps.
3200guy wrote:
I realize you have to factor in endurance as to how good someone's kick will be at the end of a race, but natural speed sure helps.
True. Its the same reason that I can chase down and pass 54 second 400 guys in an 800. And my fastest 400 is about 57.
Not An Expert wrote:
I don't know whether Slattery ran that fast in HS, but I do know that, quite often, the best kickers aren't the guys with the best 400 speed; they are guys who have 400 speed which is "good enough" (49s or so in the 5000) who are the strongest aerobically. Those are the guys who are able to close in 53s, or roll out a sub-26 for the last 200.
Actually, more often it's the guys with the best 400 speed who have strength AND "loose" musculature, more elastic. Often times runners who appear to have dense muscularity along with speed lack in the kicking department.
I ran against steve in high school, and yes, he could split :48 in the 400. Most anyone who can run under 4:00 in the mile can run under :50 in the 400. Steve is a great talent with amazing range.
Do you mean 4*4 split or open 400?
Poster Formerly Known asGoober wrote:
He could have run a 400m in 40 and he still wouldn't kick down "any distance runner". You don't seem to appreciate how hard it is to close 200m in the bell lap. (It's not easy).
Um....what the hell are you talking about? Close 200m's?? Obviously no one is talking about someone making up 200 meters over the last lap....don't think that's ever been done in a real race unless someone tripped.
And it is not hard to kick in the last lap at all. it's hard to kick when you're already taxed. There is a big difference. slattery could probably dust a lot of guys in a race that hit the last lap at 400 1500 pace, but if it's at 342 pace going into the last lap, and he's only capable of 342, then obviously he's not going to be kicking at all. While a 334 guy even if his 400 time is slower, would be able to kick home much faster.
Mrr82 wrote:
Um....what the hell are you talking about? Close 200m's?? Obviously no one is talking about someone making up 200 meters over the last lap....don't think that's ever been done in a real race unless someone tripped.
3200guy wrote:
Do you mean 4*4 split or open 400?
Don't drink and post