Post Collegiate, what would you do?

One freakin' question-Who is "Hanson Member"? At the weekly meeting last night, the question was asked, and it was no one who was at the meeting. Previous member? Absent member? Feel free to fill me in as to your identity, "Hanson Member". I won't even try to touch on the subject of "completely devoting" onesself to running. Be sure of this fact however-anyone thinking of the Hanson's program only has to prove how dedicated they are to three people-themself, Kevin and Keith Hanson.

Water Paint Boy:As we have debated this subject on many an occasion, my opinion has not yet changed.2:25 is not a time worthy of worship, praise, or professional consideration. Certainly, a 28:30 collegiate guy should pause to reflect on reality's words rather than those of Pinocchio. Like the art that drips from a cheap hotel, reality can be ugly; the silver backed glass does not distort the truth.

runningart2004 wrote:

Why 28:30/13:45/4:00? I think the entry standards, though flexible, for Hansons and Fila and some of the other groups are something to the order of a 2:25 marathon. If you're fast enough to get into one of these groups then by all means do it and focus on your running 100%. You never know what might happen until you give 100% focus to your running. Look at Carl Rundell. He keeps getting better and better and better.

Alan

"Only the spoon knows what is stirring in the pot."

They should start calling this board, "The Democrat"; for many posters here live in a world of entitlement and fancy as opposed to the world of the silver backed glass. Telling an average college runner to keep running is akin to turning a memorial service for a senator into a pathetic and shameless partisan pep rally, with the class and dignity of trailer trash. Then again, since the Clintons were there, one wouldn't expect much more than trailer trash. For Democrats, nothing is sacred. Same goes for this board, the reality which is reflected from the silver backed glass; instead of being revered for its uncompromising adherence to universal truths, is distorted, twisted, bastardized for posters' own self image and purported self advancement. The truth, although continuously reflected, is only seen by those willing to look at the reflection.

Not saying 2:25 is a great time, but it's a good start. Jack Foster ran 6 marathons in one year going from 2:22 to 2:12. He started running at 32 and went from the 2:30s to 2:11 at age 41. There have been a lot of average or even poor college runners to end up running great in the marathon. Rodgers and Beardsley were both 2:40-2:30 marathoners at one time. Fact is 2:25 at the end of the year would be top 100 in the US. You can still win $1000-$2000 by running 2:25 in a race. Nearly anything is possible in the marathon with a determined focus.

Why are people so pessimistic?

There is a reason they call them "Development Programs". It means that you come in with say a 2:25 Pr and you "Develop" into something better. Why is there Minor League Baseball? To develop talent. It doesn't matter if the programs are accepting 2:20, 2:25, or 2:30, what is important is that there are groups out there that will flat out hook you up. If you are given the opportunity to train with a bunch of guys with the same single-minded focus then why not do it? Just because you're a 2:20, 2:25, or 2:30 marathoner does not mean you will stay that way forever.

Alan

Great, and but is it true that you can live off of $4,000 a year?

Reality bites, but so does the barking dog.

Who says you can only run 2 marathons a year? Who says those are the only money races you'll run? Why not run 4 marathons a year? Why not 6? Didn't seem to bother Jack Foster or Elly Rono to churn out more than 2 marathons a year. Who says while doing this you are also not working a measily job at a running store. No one said you had to quit working. True professionalism in this sport exits for only for the Olympic Athletes and big time race winners. Most everyone else has at least some type of other employment.

So, you stated: "2:25 is not a time worthy of worship, praise, or professional consideration" Apparently others see differently as there are Development Groups out there that welcome such runners.

Alan

runningart2004 wrote:

Who says you can only run 2 marathons a year? Who says those are the only money races you'll run? Why not run 4 marathons a year? Why not 6?

Indeed, why not Alan?

Hey I'm with stupid,

You still haven't answered the question. How many guys fall into this category? 1. Sub 28:30 2. Running is not their main focus. I have come up with ZERO.

Come on man,

I never said that it would not be their main focus, I said they do not have to be completely focused, surely there is a huge difference. Using that parameter I would say there are a good amount of people that have ran those times but do have some other obligations, family, coaching, school, job, website.

OK I'll use your new guidelines. I believe that most people with those credentials (that planned to continue running competitively) would have chose to be completely dedicated to their running but that life may have taken a left hand turn. If I am wrong give me specific names of sub 28:30 guys (keep in mind you said there will be several) that are currently graduating that fall into the NOT COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO RUNNING category. Please do not feed me names of past athletes as that would not be pertinent to your original question (If you were graduating now.....?)

Man, what is your problem, that was my original guideline. Anyone in college who is running that can or will run those times is not completely focused unless they are going to some school for the handicapped. There are other stresses that they encounter everyday that take away from their complete focus. I also never stated there would be several runners that could do this, I said at least 5 to 10 runners who could run those times with plenty just a hair slower. This does not necessarly mean the 10k time, you mean to tell me you do not think there will be at least 5 guys running about 13:45 who will be graduating this year. You mean to tell me that there will not be 5 other guys graduating that can run a 4 min mile? Have you been following college running lately? Do I really need to go and name these people? I could probably find 10 that could realistically do this. If a person has to worry about test and projects in the classroom they are not completely focused on running, simple concept, that is my thought on the idea of being completely focused, only thinking about and doing what will make you a better running minus all the b.s.. If you cannot understand this than I am doing a horrible job explaining this or you are not quick on the uptake.

NAMES ? Since I am not very quick on the uptake. Help me out. Give me names. Then we will see if those athletes fall into your qualifications. Once again you tell me there is 5 to 10 of these athletes. I keep harping back to the 10k because your original post said that the athlete was interested in the 10k on up. Just to recap:

1. Athletes interested in the 10k on up

2. 28:30-13:45-4:00 (that are interested in the 10k and above)

3. Not completely focused on running.

Do not generalize, give me specific names. I need your help since I am so ignorant to the current college situation

Let me add something to my previous opinion. Anyone who is picking a grad school or even major, solely (or even primarily) based on the training opportunities is perverting the purpose of grad school. Those folks should look for the proverbial part time job at a running store. But if the hypothetical person can handle having meaningful goals in more than one thing in life, grad school and training is nearly ideal.

Similarly, in the context of the original question, if the runner doesn't want to be a coach later in life, the runner shouldn't waste an assistantship that an actual student could use.

Dirt,

Here are the guys that have the times or are more than likely going to have the times due to how close they are.

The mile:

Sean O'Brien Sr American-DC 3:41.29 5-10

Scott McGowan Sr Montana 3:42.25 4-20

Tom Parlapiano SR Villanova 3:42.69 5-17

James Bowler SR Nebraska 3:42.85 5-3

Tommy Bonn SR(TxAM)..... 3:43.64

5K

Jorge Torres SR Colorado 13:26.00 5-3

Daniel Lincoln SR Arkansas 13:36.12 3-29

Fasil Bizuneh SR Arizona State 13:51.88 4-19

13:52.80 *Mark Menefee (Ks).....

10k

Edwardo Torres Sr Colorado 28:43.28 5-3

Chad Pearson SR NC State 28:43.52 3-29

28:18.21 *Tom McArdle (Dart)......

3k, shows the potential I am talking about.

8:01.73i *Chris Miltenberg (Gtn)..

8:03.26i *Jesse Thomas (Stan

8:04.25i *Isaiah Festa (Wi

Out of the people I mentioned above, there should be at least 5 that would like to focus on the 10k and up. If they are not much faster than 13:45 than the 5k is probably not their future. Out of the milers, maybe one of them will move up to the 10k, probably not but there are guys that will be graduating in the future that run as fast or faster than those guys and run the 10k as well. I am sure that more people will come out of the woodworks and some of these guys will not improve for whatever reasons. All these guys probably love running, at least we hope so, but all of these guys are still in school and have their focus spread over a couple things even if they do not want to have it that way. Tear it apart now, please, I have nothing else to do.

Your list is obsurd. If a guy is a senior with a fast 3k time and not either a 5 or 10k that is in the same ballpark, then they are not interested in the 10k and up. Your 1500 guys are certainly not in that 10k and up category. Which leaves us with your 5k and 10k list. McCardle is definitly going to make running his primary focus (read his logs). Torres Bros. (my teammates) have a house they have redone just outside of Boulder with the purpose of focusing 100% of themselves on running after school. I can't speak for the others on your list but I will be willing to bet that someone will defend their honor as well. Menefee, Bizuneh, Pearson have not yet met your time goals we will check back with them on their attitudes after they have. Your list is now one, Lincoln. Can anyone tell me whether Lincoln plans to continue his running career after college and if so does he plan to make running his main focus? Your list really does suck.

Proud buff,

I named the people that were close to or hit the times I mentioned. One of those guys might move up in the future, maybe not. Ritz and Jorge are fast in the mile and they run the longer stuff, it makes sense to. Probably none of those guys will move up though. I am glad you live with those guys at Colorado. I know that both Torres as all the guys on the list love running and are focused on it. If they are going to class, which college kids do, then they have some distractions. That is all I am saying, are you retarded, this is crazy. No one in school can just run and have no other stresses or they will flunk out because they never go to class or do the work. Its not hard to comprehend. I am a serious runner as well and but I know that I have stresses in my life that get in the way a little sometimes. I never said that the people on the list were not going to make it their primary focus after school, I said while in school they cannot completely focus on running. Simple idea. Of coarse after school those guys will focus soley on running, I hope they continue to kick butt. I never was knocking them man. My list still stands at least 5 strong with people that have the times or about the times I stated and that will probably run after school in the 10k and up. Just remember, I never stated that they were not serious about running and never said they would not be in the future. The have some distractions now that will be gone in the future. You are an idiot if you cannot comprehend this.

You guys have issues. You all sound like a bunch of 13 year old girls. Going and researching times to prove a point to someone you don't even know???? Sounds like you guys have way too much time on your hands. I have to go, I can feel myself becoming a loser the more I respond to this.

The silver backed glass shows no reflection in the dark.