Steve Spence continues his 37 year streak of sub 5:00 min. mile tonight with a 4:52.9 Story Inside!

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  • Stating the obvious
    registered
    7 years ago 08/24/2012 2:24pm CDT
    re: London12
    Forum Index
    Dead on. I'm 52 too and I can't get over how slow I've become even though I keep running. Its awful.
    I met Steve in the mid 80's (ran with his coach) and he is just the nicest guy. And funny too.
    I remember watching him place in the Pittsburgh Marathon one year (didn't win but good prize money) and the first thing he said was something like "Get to keep the Bmer for another year!". Great guy.
    Big props to him for all he's done.
    London12 wrote:

    I'm 52 and I haven't missed a week of exercise since I was 14. I'm fit. Not running fit but pretty fit given that I weigh 210lbs and row more than I run. I ran 3.5mi in 6:05 pace after a few months of intervals and 3-4 days a week running w some cross training thrown in. So my point is that you can run 6-7min pace for reasonably long periods for a long time. BUT RUNNING FAST IS VERY HARD AS A 50YR OLD. When I did the intervals I'd swear I was running 65sec quarter pace and I was running 73-74. I can't see myself run so you go on effort and since speed/reaction etc...go way before strength and endurance your body is tricked into thinking you are running much faster. Believe me guys...5min pace at 50 is very fast. So try to enjoy your speed workouts while you can still do them at a respectable pace!!
  • Ghost of Ashenfelter
    registered
    7 years ago 08/24/2012 2:52pm CDT
    re: Ship Alumni
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    My friend Stuart Calderwood of New York City has a similar streak (I think he's at 38 years and counting). He would, however, humbly tell you that Steve Spence is far more impressive. In my book, it's a damn impressive streak, regardless of whether it's accomplished by a former WC medalist or a former LBHS letterwinner.
  • cvb
    7 years ago 08/25/2012 12:29am CDT
    re: Ship Alumni
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    I'm not impressed.
  • ghost of penny cook
    7 years ago 08/25/2012 1:01am CDT
    re: cvb
    Forum Index
    Not impressed. He used a rabbit after illegally training with his team in July. Investigation will follow.
  • get the facts
    7 years ago 08/25/2012 9:00pm CDT
    re: ghost of penny cook
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    He was running with members of the ship team who were working at his high school cross country camp July 21 to 26 which is permitted.
  • nothappy1
    7 years ago 08/25/2012 9:15pm CDT
    re: ghost of penny cook
    Forum Index
    Does everything have to turn into an argument on Letsrun? It's so typical...someone posts what seems like an innocent article or story then someone brings in a negative viewpoint. 100 posts later, ppl are arguing something unrelated.
  • FogRunner
    7 years ago 01/11/2013 8:05pm CST
    re: Ship Alumni
    Forum Index
    MD-DC-VA Regional Runner Rankings.
    Steve Spence is in the 50-54 age group.
    http://www.racepacket.com/rsltwrap1.php?id=2535
  • not my normal self
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 7:31am CST
    re: cvb
    Forum Index
    for the unimpressed, he did it again, 4:55 https://t.co/zuPeNnSTFu, 40 years and counting.

    dang!
  • Wow....
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 8:31am CST
    re: not my normal self
    Forum Index
    Extremely impressed. The fact that he did this year's so late in the year says what? Was he struggling to get in shape until this point and finally did it, meaning the streak could be close to an end? Or is he always in sub 5 shape and just chose to make it official this late? Or does he ways do it on a specific date? These answers are probably in the thread that I'm too lazy to read. I wonder if he'll knock one out early in Janury to get 41 out of the way.
  • Turtle Souper Duper
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 8:56am CST
    re: not my normal self
    Forum Index
    From the photo lower left it appears he did it in trainers, Jason Rexing style?


    not my normal self wrote:

    for the unimpressed, he did it again, 4:55 https://t.co/zuPeNnSTFu, 40 years and counting.

    dang!
  • fred
    registered
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 10:01am CST
    re: Ship Alumni
    Forum Index
    Pretty fluid for 50 plus. The proteins composing his circulatory system haven't stiffened yet.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFX_y8NA50Y
  • fred
    registered
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 10:16am CST
    re: fred
    Forum Index
    http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?video_id=4462
  • Reboot runner
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 1:12pm CST
    re: not my normal self
    Forum Index
    Just awesome. Congrats to him.
  • hOLiDaY ChEeR
    4 years ago 12/12/2015 1:24pm CST
    re: Reboot runner
    Forum Index
    Steve Spence =GOAT Someone please bottle that man's sweat. Would pay top dollar.
  • messi
    4 years ago 12/16/2015 2:27pm CST
    re: not my normal self
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    not my normal self wrote:

    for the unimpressed, he did it again, 4:55 https://t.co/zuPeNnSTFu, 40 years and counting.

    dang!

    Congrats Steve.
    1. He looks like he hits the weights quite regularly.
    2. Based on his running form & decent knee lift, I assume he does a fair amount of stretching, yoga, etc.
    3. The fact that he favors the mile nowadays, I assume Steve hasn't run a marathon (or a half) in quite some time.
    4. Looks awfully warm for Central Pennsylvania in mid-December.
    5. Does Shippensburg require he teach classes as well as coach? Does he have to run the concession stand during basketball games?
    6. Should Steve be wearing a Shippensburg racing uniform since he is not a currently enrolled Shippensburg student?
    7. Only on LetsRun...........
  • Interesting stuff
    4 years ago 12/16/2015 2:46pm CST
    re: Wow....
    Forum Index
    Wow.... wrote:

    Extremely impressed. The fact that he did this year's so late in the year says what? Was he struggling to get in shape until this point and finally did it, meaning the streak could be close to an end? Or is he always in sub 5 shape and just chose to make it official this late? Or does he ways do it on a specific date? These answers are probably in the thread that I'm too lazy to read. I wonder if he'll knock one out early in Janury to get 41 out of the way.

    I was just gonna say what you said in your last sentence, prob easier to just peak for about 2 months every 2 years than peak every year at that age.
  • for age 54
    4 years ago 12/16/2015 2:59pm CST
    re: Interesting stuff
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    what is the record?
  • Arete
    4 years ago 12/16/2015 3:12pm CST
    re: for age 54
    Forum Index
    His time of 4:55 at age 53 age grades to 4:11 and 88%.

    It's pretty much what one would expect for someone of his ability. More interesting for me is the years of the streak and when he first ran under 5:00--I guess at age 14.
  • another 50 plus dude
    4 years ago 12/16/2015 3:21pm CST
    re: Arete
    Forum Index
    Arete wrote:

    His time of 4:55 at age 53 age grades to 4:11 and 88%.

    It's pretty much what one would expect for someone of his ability. More interesting for me is the years of the streak and when he first ran under 5:00--I guess at age 14.

    actually i'd expect better, but he wasn't trying to run as fast as he could. it was an attempt to run sub-5. less preparation, less risk. there was more there to be had if he wanted it. that 4:55 looked... wait for it... relaxed!
  • another 50 plus dude
    4 years ago 12/16/2015 3:23pm CST
    re: messi
    Forum Index
    messi wrote:
    Congrats Steve.
    1. He looks like he hits the weights quite regularly.
    2. Based on his running form & decent knee lift, I assume he does a fair amount of stretching, yoga, etc.
    3. The fact that he favors the mile nowadays, I assume Steve hasn't run a marathon (or a half) in quite some time.
    4. Looks awfully warm for Central Pennsylvania in mid-December.
    5. Does Shippensburg require he teach classes as well as coach? Does he have to run the concession stand during basketball games?
    6. Should Steve be wearing a Shippensburg racing uniform since he is not a currently enrolled Shippensburg student?
    7. Only on LetsRun...........

    1. Yep
    2. Yep
    3. What makes you think he favors the mile? That was not a time-trial and he rarely if ever races, favoring nothing other than family and coaching.
    4. Yes, it's been a delight!!!
    5. 6. 7. Hmm, OK.