Can My Fat Roommate Beat Me in the Mile?

UsedToBeKnowItAll wrote:

I don't think he ever ran 4:19. Even being sedentary and 24 pounds overweight wouldn't slow you down from a 4:19 to 6:24.

It might if you run the first lap in 78.

He probably ran 4:19 for the 1500m and in the years since the race has increased to 1600m to a full 1 mile because of hazy recollection. That being said i wouldn't sleep on his ability. It seems like he has some talent and if he trains properly can give you a run for your money.

If he had more time to train and get his endurance up, I would be worried...but with it being as is, I think he will have a hard time. I would just hang with him for 2 laps and see how you feel. If you are feeling comfortable at 800m, then he has no chance...I just can't imagine he would have the endurance or discipline to negative split, and if you pour it on at 800 it will probably stress him into pushing too hard and he will crap out trying to hang with you.

This thread should enter hall of fame status if you guys follow through and make a video of the race.

the problem is, you know this guy is probably going out fast regardless of whether he really can hang or not. So be prepared to figure out what you want to do when he starts out leading the first lap.

I had a similar thing happen to me about 20 years ago. I was the “runner” in our high school, and a 10 minute 2-miler and ended up running D3, peaking out just above 15 for the 5000. A friend of mine was a great athlete – best RB on the football team, high scorer on our basketball team, and a good lacrosse player. He played lacrosse D3. Could probably beat me at any sport or game imaginable.

A couple of years out of college he started running to stay in shape and started doing some road races. My high school buddies and I were out one night and they started to say this kid could beat me in a 10K. They literally were taking bets with each other, with most people betting on this kid. My best friend asked me what he should do and I told him to bet all the money he could on me. I could run about 32 minutes at the time.

So, the next weekend everyone shows up to watch us run. The gun goes off, he is alongside me for about 150 yards, and says, “holy crap, are you going this fast the whole way?” and drops back. I ran about 33 and he ran about 40 minutes.

But, here is why I am posting. You are going to WASTE this kid, no question, even if he isn’t lying. But, what is going to happen is he will quit early on you and that isn’t any fun. Instead, your goal should be not just to win, but to inflict as much pain on him as possible. Sit on him, get alongside him every once in awhile to push the pace and not give him a break. But, don’t take off until at least a lap to go. Your goal is to make him puke, not just to beat him.

It was completely unsatisfying the way I took this kid on. Learn from your elders…

I totally disagree with letting him stay in the race this long. I would blow it wide open. You are in shape to go hard from the start. Make him regret doing it for every lap and not just the 4th lap. Don't let it come down to chance.

where are you gonna do the race? I live in portland, and this is something i gotta see!

Not the same situation. This guy was a middle distance runner (53,2:00,4:19 seem pretty believable to me) and the question is what type of shape he can gt in a month which is a different question from how well can a sprinter run distance.Given 30 days to train and starting with a 6:24 mile, I doubt he is running sub 5:00.

Slowpokeman wrote:

But, here is why I am posting. You are going to WASTE this kid, no question, even if he isn’t lying. But, what is going to happen is he will quit early on you and that isn’t any fun. Instead, your goal should be not just to win, but to inflict as much pain on him as possible. Sit on him, get alongside him every once in awhile to push the pace and not give him a break. But, don’t take off until at least a lap to go. Your goal is to make him puke, not just to beat him.

This is hilarious. Do this.

Sorry, but I provided your roomate with critical information that, if he uses it, will give him a real chance of victory. That's what you get for coming here with your insecurity.

If he hasn't been running, he doesn't stand a chance. Get it on video so we can see the FAIL

At 5'11" and 184 lbs and 5 years of inactivity, he has NO CHANCE whatsoever in beating you. It is just simply impossible, no matter how good of an athlete he is.

jogging wrote:

where are you gonna do the race? I live in portland, and this is something i gotta see!

i too am interested in watching this epic race.

running is better wrote:

jogging wrote:

where are you gonna do the race? I live in portland, and this is something i gotta see!

i too am interested in watching this epic race.

Sorry guys, we're not interested in making this a public event. Only way to see it is if you get very, very lucky and find the right track on the right day at the right time...

I'm thinking you're a troll now. How many people from LR would come out to watch .... maybe 10? Public event, come on, they'll be more people out walking their dogs.

was: 8/10

now: 1/10

dirty qwerty wrote:

I'm thinking you're a troll now. How many people from LR would come out to watch .... maybe 10? Public event, come on, they'll be more people out walking their dogs.

I just don't want these two guys who claim to be in Portland coming out and "watching" us. That's just plain weird.

Not That Slow wrote:

I just don't want these two guys who claim to be in Portland coming out and "watching" us. That's just plain weird.

Good point. What is not weird, however, is setting up a blog with detailed private information and at the same time posting repeatedly on a message board with a supposedly true story about the personal lives of two roomates.

Yep, you're right.

Watching a race = weird

Detailing your personal life on the internet = not weird