Seventh at USA XC. Assuming one of the top six don't go to Worlds, it looks like he made another USA team.
From the steeple to an ultra, this guy will wreck you. I know the whole "blue collar runner" thing is a bit cliche, but this guy fits the profile to a t. Good job today Max!
Are you aware that he's a chemical engineer? Is that "blue collar"?
Blue collar Cornell boy.
Okay so he's not mining coal or anything, but who else in the top ten works a full time job? Runs races on any surface, at any distance, and is successful at them all? Trains alone 95% of the time?
Maybe "old school" would be better than "blue collar." Or maybe we should just call them "Max King runners."
Ummm he doesn't really work a full time job. He has actually been given really flexible hours, extra time off, etc. in order to train. But he still gets paid like he works full time.
big red bear wrote:
Okay so he's not mining coal or anything, but who else in the top ten works a full time job? Runs races on any surface, at any distance, and is successful at them all? Trains alone 95% of the time?
Maybe "old school" would be better than "blue collar." Or maybe we should just call them "Max King runners."
You are dead on with that. I respect how he actually goes out and races the best ultra guys instead of sitting back and acting like racing 50 km - 100 miles is a joke as many, much slower, folks on this board do.
No talking, just running... fast.
I love that the guy runs road races of all distances, plus trails, XC, ultras. Super badass.
He runs up big mountains too... legit at any distance and in any type of racing. He went to the World Trophy this past year for the mountain team... good to see him out there competing in all events.
I've always been a big fan of Max - he has a tremendous work ethic and some mad talent. It's good to see him continue doing well.
Just curious how fast he is at 800/mile. I'd assume he's been capable of a sub4, even if he hasn't done it.
Probably the most versatile runner we've got. People will inevitably say that there are others that might be able to do what he does if they tried, but I doubt many faster runners could handle the mountains like he does...and most would get injured if they tried.
He may not ever be our best, but he can earn a spot on any team.
big red bear wrote:
Okay so he's not mining coal or anything, but who else in the top ten works a full time job? Runs races on any surface, at any distance, and is successful at them all? Trains alone 95% of the time?
Haile Gebrselassie
Agree that King is probably the most versatile runner we have. And while I hope the top-6 go to Spain, Max will be a great replacement if someone decides not to go. Most impressive to me is his 16th place finish at Mountain Worlds last year when mountains aren't really his specialty. As previously states, he's solid in any race regardless of distance or terrain.
beastmode wrote:
Probably the most versatile runner we've got. People will inevitably say that there are others that might be able to do what he does if they tried, but I doubt many faster runners could handle the mountains like he does...and most would get injured if they tried.
He may not ever be our best, but he can earn a spot on any team.
Hope he does the marathon trials, it'd be a waste not to.
bobby e. wrote:
Are you aware that he's a chemical engineer? Is that "blue collar"?
so chemical engineers & other scientist don't work as hard as a construction workers, road workers, carpenters, etc?
sh*t i'm just a grad student in molecular & cell bio, and I know I work 10X as hard (in terms of long hours, effort, thinking about work 24/7 even when not in lab, whatever) as any of my friends with "blue collar" jobs.