Is anyone interested in starting a distance project training group for the sub-elite/not as talented?

There are lots of groups to take 2:22 guys and try and turn them into 2:15 guys. Who on earth would fund a group with the goal of getting to 2:22-2:30?

The handful of guys I've known with PRs in that range did it while working full time jobs, and many of them raising kids. I won't tell you to give up your dream of running faster and get a job just because you're not elite, but just don't expect any special support.

Get that 2:22 and then see if you can get in a group like you described.

No offense to you, but a 2:30 marathon is the equivalent of a 2:00 800, 4:25 mile or 15:23 5K, according to the McMillan calculator. If that's the level you're aspiring to, go for it. But it hardly seems necessary to live at altitude or start some training group to do it - dozens and dozens of guys in the U.S., both now and the in the past, have run 2:22-2:30 while working full time.

You guys don't get it. A lot of dedicated runners, not as talented, will never reach 2:30 even off the best training. It's not as if you can WILL yourself to a 2:30. The OP has an honorable idea....My dream is to be able to run 15:23, 4:25, and 2:30.

gunnerty wrote:

You guys don't get it. A lot of dedicated runners, not as talented, will never reach 2:30 even off the best training. It's not as if you can WILL yourself to a 2:30. The OP has an honorable idea....My dream is to be able to run 15:23, 4:25, and 2:30.

No, we get it. I've busted my butt to achieve lesser goals, and agree that it's honorable. However, I did so while working full time and meeting all the obligations in my life.

To put one's life on hold, and worse, expect others to go with you, and support you, for such goals, is unrealistic at best. Frankly, if the OP could run 2:25 in the situation he described, he could probably run 2:27 while working full time, building a career, and preparing himself to be a husband and father. In the end, he'll be much more proud of the latter option.

But, back to my original point, I wasn't debating the merit of working hard for sub-elite times. I was simply saying that expecting this type of support is unreasonable. Even if he could find a half dozen other guys to go with him, who's going to pay for it? Do you just hope one of the guys is independently wealthy and will carry everyone?

I achieved a 2:30:43 on 85-105 mpw, full time job, and no coach.

If you want to run a 2:20, it would not take much more than what I did.

Dedication, focus and the willing to make some lifestyle changes. and, probably get with a workout group once a week.

I never did, and never got any faster.

yep, just blame it on not having as much..."talent"

First of all, nowhere in the original post does he mention anything about recieving financial support for this "group". He may imply it, but doesn't outright state it. So if that's the main argument against something like this, it may be irrelevant.

Second, and I may be in the minority in this, but I don't believe that you run any faster by not working. Sure you may get that time during the day to rest and recover while other folks work...but If you're not motivated to run, not working isn't going to change that. If you manage your time well enough, you can still get in big mileage (100+) while working 40-45 hrs/week and getting 8 hours of sleep every night. I'm living proof of that.

I would love to live like a hermit, train my ass off to see how fast I could possibly get...but I really don't think it would be any faster than doing what I do right now. Balancing working, running, and social life is all part of the fun for me. I'm almost 2 years removed from college with the team atmosphere, etc. and I'm still running faster despite everyone else around me either quitting or slowing down.

But maybe "putting his life on hold" will bring him to 2:20. I guess you never know.

It's each person's business how he/she lives his/her life. I think that in the 70's more people put their lives on hold after college to run 2:20 or sub 30:00, whatever.

It wasn't frowned upon back then. I even think some "grown ups" admired people who did that- for sports, music, art, whatever.

Now, too many young people are in too much of a hurry to settle down and start saving for retirement.

If I was 25 again and could run 2:28-2:30 I'd think about dedicating my life to geting better.

runn wrote:

I think that in the 70's more people put their lives on hold after college to run 2:20 or sub 30:00, whatever.

It wasn't frowned upon back then. I even think some "grown ups" admired people who did that- for sports, music, art, whatever.

I find the opposite to be true: the greater depth in the 70s was a function of more people recognizing that you didn't need to be a full-time runner to run a strong marathon (2:15-2:30ish, let's say). Too many current runners believe you need to be focused full-time on running to reach that level and give up on pursuing the elite level in the sport when there's no sponsorship offer or training program out there to support them.

If the OP wants to become a full-time runner and has the means to do it, that's great. But it's not a prerequisite for running the sort of times he seems to be aiming for.

Duncan Fyffe wrote:

Is anyone interested in starting a distance project training group for the sub-elite/not as talented?

like a group where we can move to train like elites, live in a house at altitude, etc. to explore our limits and what's possible...even though we're not elites and probably never will be, but we may get pretty close off 100mile wks (2:22-2:30 marathon). Does such a group exist? anyone interested in starting one?

I have 1:59 talent, but my PR is 2:28 because I dick around. Can I hang with you guys?

2:25 is elite. Not world class but elite.

To put one's life on hold, and worse, expect others to go with you, and support you, for such goals, is unrealistic at best. Frankly, if the OP could run 2:25 in the situation he described, he could probably run 2:27 while working full time, building a career, and preparing himself to be a husband and father. In the end, he'll be much more proud of the latter option.[/quote]

Its not everyone's dream to build a career and be a husband and father. Some people are perfectly happy working for the sole purpose of having money to spend on their personal goals. He may never be an elite runner, but who are you to tell him what to do with his life?

The way i read it, he wants to live in a house with a few other like minded individuals, work to pay for the necessities, and enjoy his life the way he wants to, not the way he has been told to.

You might gain your joy from climbing the corporate ladder, mortgaging the house with the white picket fence and buying your little offspring whatever they want. Not everyone wants that life.

Don't read this as an angry rant, just a different viewpoint.

I would be interested in this, especially if it was located at altitude.

Would be living with my girl, but would love to have a group to train with everyday while working part time.

This would be doable, but everyone in the house would have to have a job.