It seems so logical that
taller ----> longer legs ----> longer stride ----> faster over distances
but I know it's not true. My non-runner friends always make comments about how some guy must be faster because he's taller, and I (as a short guy) don't know how to counter that statement other than mentioning that the fastest marathon runner is 5'5", the fastest 10k runner 5'6", etc.
Explain to me the science.
stride rate X stride distance = speed
makes no difference how tall wrote:
stride rate X stride distance = speed
Of course, but you're implying that shorter guys have an easier time running with a faster stride. Is that the case?
Show them this:
Yes of course shorter legs mean a faster stride rate.
Tell them the guy who ran 26:17 for 10km and 12:37 for 5km is about 5'5".
there are a lot of tall fast guys.
My coach use to say if your feet reach the ground, you are tall enough to run.
Easy, are the fastest cars the one with he biggest wheels.?
Bekele is 5'5" just tell them that.
Riemann Integrable wrote:
makes no difference how tall wrote:stride rate X stride distance = speed
Of course, but you're implying that shorter guys have an easier time running with a faster stride. Is that the case?
NO, I am implying that height makes no difference. A tall person could have a short stride and a short person could have a longer stride.
The OP was implying short people run faster by mentioning the heights of the marathon and 10k world record holders.
Show him any video of Leo Manzano's last 100 meters. Like this.
Riemann Integrable wrote:
but I know it's not true. My non-runner friends always make comments about how some guy must be faster because he's taller, and I (as a short guy) don't know how to counter that statement other than mentioning that the fastest marathon runner is 5'5", the fastest 10k runner 5'6", etc.
Why do you care wht they think?
Randy Oldman wrote:
Show him any video of Leo Manzano's last 100 meters. Like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85AZgX3bpiI
That's an example, yes, but I want to have a logical explanation.
Mr. Obvious wrote:
Riemann Integrable wrote:but I know it's not true. My non-runner friends always make comments about how some guy must be faster because he's taller, and I (as a short guy) don't know how to counter that statement other than mentioning that the fastest marathon runner is 5'5", the fastest 10k runner 5'6", etc.
Why do you care wht they think?
I don't care, since the results prove themselves, but I'd at least like to have a scientific explanation of why short guys like me can run fast.
Because length of legs doesn't dictate stride length. Since our feet don't both touch the ground at the same time, your leg length doesn't limit your stride length. Stride length is a function of power as well.
A shorter person can develop the power to have a longer stride, while also having the benefits of a) lower weight to move and b) shorter legs to cycle through the stride. So they have the long stride AND the advantages of short legs.
You think non runners know who he is
analyze that wrote:
Bekele is 5'5" just tell them that.
Show them a video of Greg Oden running. What a mess.
poorgradstudent wrote:
Show them a video of Greg Oden running. What a mess.
As I've explained for the millionth time, "showing" isn't mathematically proving.
I don't really have an answer to the OP, but I do have a related story:
Being 5'11", I am neither "tall" nor "short." I am in that weird zone where it really depends on who is around. I never really feel tall, even if I am the tallest in the room, but i do often feel short. Back to the story...
I was out running this weekend and passed a guy who was probably 6'3" or 6'4". He looked to be a decent runner but I am guessing that he was going about a minute-per-mile slower.
As I passed, he said, "I should be passing you with these long legs of mine." I just kind of smiled and kept going, but I thought it was kind of an odd thing to say...
Riemann Integrable wrote:
Mr. Obvious wrote:Why do you care wht they think?
I don't care, since the results prove themselves, but I'd at least like to have a scientific explanation of why short guys like me can run fast.
Some would says that statistical analysis is a form of science.
Leg length by itself doesn't matter much. What matters most is leg length compared to upper body length.
99% of world class distance runners have longer legs than their upper bodies. This is one visible, easily measurable thing that differentiates them from the average population.
Seko, the great japanese marathoner was one exception. He had a long torso and short but powerful legs. But, look at film of any world class event and analyze the leg length/upper body ratio's of the competitors.
Some people have claimed that Bekele has short legs but if you look closely they are still longer than his upper body. He doesn't have the long slender giraffe legs with a compact short upper body like many Kenyans, so Bekele's look short in comparison. But don't be fooled. His legs are still longer than his upper body.