Is it possible to be a good runner without running at the collegiate level

what are your times?

14:42 and 31:14 as a freshman

The hard part is having direction and (possibly) training partners.

Spiney Norman, 28:30, 2:11:09.

trackhead wrote:

The hard part is having direction and (possibly) training partners.

That's Bull, he can be a good runner. it is only here in America that people have to go through collegian system to be good. a lot of great African Runners didn't have a college background whatsoever, i am talking about mostly Ethopian/Morocan's/South Africans to name the few.

nyariki wrote:

trackhead wrote:

The hard part is having direction and (possibly) training partners.

That's Bull, he can be a good runner. it is only here in America that people have to go through collegian system to be good. a lot of great African Runners didn't have a college background whatsoever, i am talking about mostly Ethopian/Morocan's/South Africans to name the few.

trackhead didn't say he couldn't be good, he just pointed out the potential rough spots.

motivation is the #1 reason why distance running falters in this country.

Is it possible to do this? What are the difficulties in doing it?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Of course it is possible. What you have to balance the decision against is: What is making me want to quit? These factors may make you want to quit running "on your own" also, or you may be better off. Probably you are the only one to know the answer.

Also, if you think it was discouraging to not PR for 2 years amidst a coach you don't like, and low finances, wait until you have no training partners, no schedule, no collegiate competition and you have added 20-30 hours of work a week to the schedule. It may be worse, at least for your running.

the problem is that you have financial probs and can't make money with 14:40 and 31min.Otherwise i would say that best is to stay in college but not running for the Team.

A job takes even more energy and time, if you can survive financially with a 20h job, you should do it.

suffering college runner wrote:

My question is that is it still possible to a good runner even if I don't run outdoor track my junior year, and don;t run my senior year. I have long term goals of qualifying for the trials in the 10K and marathon. Is it possible to do this? What are the difficulties in doing it?

Yes, it's possible.

My ex-wife, Karen, didn't start until she was 26, ran in two OT marathons, won Detroit marathon 4 times, and so on. Difficulties...juggling desire w/other life resposibilities unique to your situation.

Ann Marie Letko ran pretty darned well while attending Rutgers, but didn't run for the school. She ran independently.

Also, Priscilla Welch, the masters record holder in the marathon (2:26 or so) didn't start running until her mid-30s. Nevertheless, she managed to win the NY marathon and finish, I think, 6th in the 1984 olympic marathon.

Not only is it possible, but if you can get a good group to run with, it may even be preferable. You wouldn't have to race the grueling collegiate circuit, where you have to peak 3 times in a 9 month span (impossible to do well). You would get a chance to build up your mileage and then race when you are ready. But again, this is only going to be the better plan if you stay committed and can find some good training partners. Good luck.

Yeah, I think you could do it. There is an athlete from the area where my school is at that didn't run in high school or college and he has a qualifier in the steeple. Good luck with your decision, I can relate to what you are going through.