Former Pro Tennis Player Justin Gimelstob Gets $10,000 if He Runs 4:45 or Better in NYC

This was in fact covered at other websites

And 4:45 is slow enough. Anyway you look at it a charity is getting $10,000 and that's a good thing.

What do you have against charities, wejo?

Thanks for the article, Wejo!

Any able-bodied (or even semi able-bodied) male should be more than able to do what he has set out to do. He's tall, yes, but obviously very lean. His two biggest physical concerns are his oversweating and his back problems. The sweating he can counteract by drinking tons on the run to replace electrolytes. Other than that, it's in November and it should be reasonably cool out, which will help him in that regard. If he takes care of his back --PT, NSAIDS, whatever-- and gets a semblance of regular training in, he'll do fine.

He's a professional athlete-- I say he cracks 4, easy.

He won't crack 4 because that's not his goal. He COULD break 4 but we won't see it. 445 should be doable for a great athlete of any sport. I used to read this guy's SI column and boy is he a tool.

5:25:00 He will fall to pieces.

I read the headline and figured it was 4:45 for a mile. 4:45 for a pro athelete can't be hard. A friend of mine ran a 5 flat at age 23 with zero history of any physical activity and about 4 months of training. If he takes walking breaks he should have no problems. I wish more pro athelets would take challenges like that. Good for all sports and a good example. By the way what ever happened to that poker player who was trying to run a 4 something mile on a bet? That was more interesting.

I don't think he can run a 4:45 mile.

wejo wrote:

So instead of just discussing his chances what training advice would you give him? I think that's where we could help him the most. With a little advice on how to go about the training I think we'll really help his chances. It might be good to know how fast he's running his 11 miles now. He's got to average 10:52 for the marathon. If he's well under this now for 11, then he just needs to increase his long runs a bit and I think he'll have it. Post away.

I'd say he could reach his goal if he had a good support crew with him. He needs to at least get to 15-18 miles in training whether it be run/walk approach. Not sure if he still plays tennis or has been active in cross training but that should help him. As for the sweating, he could just wear his head and wrist bands and have his crew carry salt tabs/packets or other electrolyte fluids.

It doesn't sound like from the article that he likes to lose a bet, therefore he still has his competitive/stubborn skill that will help him through this challenge.

Wishing him nothing but the best, Go Justin!

He's already at 11 miles. He could 13 in 2 weeks, 15 2 weeks later, and 17 2 weeks later and still have a few weeks before the marathon.

stuck in the mud wrote:

What do you have against charities, wejo?

My, you charity people are a touchy bunch aren't you?

The girl who just set the world record for the youngest person to run a marathon in every state is Justin's trainer.

They just had their first two runs this week.

http://www.50by25.com/

The Dense Fog wrote:

This was in fact covered at other websites

Yes, yes it was.

I had 4 weeks training off the back of 100/200m track work, longest training run was 7miles, result was 4.08. It was ugly though, 89min through 1/2, then uncontrollable cramping, and a tedious walk/jog to the finish. I'd be shocked if he didn't go under 4hrs, 4.08 seemed like a ridiculously long time to be out there. I only saw elderly and disabled runners with me, i didn't see any pro tennis players at the back of the field.

He should eat a big pre-race meal. I did a marathon on no training and I was dying from starvation at mile 10. I managed a 3:30. Fuel up!

Oh, and band aids. You don't want to be that guy with the blood stains.

result?

here after 8:00 p.m.:

http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/Results.htm

justingimelstob‎: Unofficial time is 4:09:58 - official time to be confirmed late this evening!

kudos to that man: he beat Amani Toomer. did any other celebrity in this years marathon run faster than his 4:09?