Training For a Sub 4 Mile -- Jacob Burcham

Even if he breaks 4, what major program would want to give this kid the full ride he probably wants? He is the type of guy that isn't fond of running and will likely discover thirsty Thursday and a friday night frat party as much more enjoyable than a good night sleep before a race. I do have to admit though, I like that he is brutally honest and wants to use his talent of running to gain a scholarship and degree from a good school, which might not have been possible. In a weird way, I am a fan, but my suggestion would be to sell yourself worthy of 4-5 years of free education, as opposed to coming off with this nonchalant attitude (atleast in public). Say he runs 354 and wins an NCAA title and makes a us champs final in 2016, that attitude could greatly effect his bank account.

Honestly,

If anyone close to him sees this - Work on his core strength and biomechanics!! Its going to hold him back if this isn't addressed soon. His pelvis is tilted anteriorly and his backside mechanics are so pronounced. Very inefficient...

And if anyone says "well its working for him so why mess with it?" - everyone can benefit from mechanics... ask salazaar or any other high level coach. Its physics.

Its simple to address too so for the sake of his development, get him focused on it! He's 'b' skips showed his ignorance to the importance of it.

darnright1144 wrote:

Part of being a professional athlete is your positive, wholesome, image. That brings the real value to the company, not just your times on the track.

Having the public personality of a wet sock hasn't done a whole lot for Galen Rupp.

fsdfasdflkj wrote:

[/quote]

Harsh? By his own admission, he's only running because he's good at it. And he doesn't enjoy it. He folds when the going gets tough and he always will as long as he has no passion.

Cares only about material possessions. Tool.

Unable to man up when it counts. P*ssy.

Feel free to disagree. Giving him a scholarship will be 100x's worse than importing a talented Kenyan.[/quote]

I disagree. Go easy on the kid. He's got a talent and is exploiting it. You think every Kenyan runs for the pure love of it? Athletics is the ticket out for many, many people.

Jack Daniels once did a survey of Olympic runners. I don't remember the exact percentages, but something like 50% started running because they failed at other sports (notably Jim Ryun), another 20% got into it for conditioning, etc. There were some other categories but the bottom line is that only 20% or so began running out of love for the sport.

Burcham will go as far as his talent and motivation take him. That's up to him, not you. Any college coach who offers him a scholarship is making a fully-informed, self-interested decision -- it's none of your business.

It can go either way. Without the reward of being the big fish maybe he stops trying. Some people rise to challenges, others shirk from them.And if he expects to make any money in running (other than a college scholarship), he is in trouble without the passion. Heck even with it he is in trouble. You pretty much have to be top 5 in your event to make a living in most events

Curtis wrote:

This supposed lack of interest could be a blessing. You don't run 4:02 as a

Sure, it is a little off putting to give a scholarship at a top D1 school to a guy who says he is not interested, but I think his attitude could easily change. College football is big in WV and college running is not. Meanwhile he easily beats anyone from his state and most people from outside his state. Put him in a situation where running is more respected, where he is part of a team of hardworking guys that are as fast as he is, where he has to work hard to win even smaller meets, and suddenly it may hold his interest more.

Actually, you're right, calling him a p*ssy and a tool was going a little far. Apologies, Burcham, if you ever read this.

I don't have much respect for his attitude, but it will be interesting to see how he does this season and in college.

At that age I wanted everyone to think that I was not into it. In my eyes that gave me an aloof, above it all, persona. I doubt a kid that age could run 4:02 as a junior and not be into it at least to some degree. After all, he has signs all around his house indicating it is on his mind.

As far as form, he looks MUCH better when in full flight. Some people look and are inefficient unless running fast. I do agree that it is something he should work on in college.

As far as those stating that he will not be highly recruited, are you serious? A 4:02 HS junior will not be heavily recruited? That is faster than 95% of college athletes without improving a second.

I have seen him race and Jacob is a fierce competitor I wish him well.

fsdfasdflkj wrote:

Duke Digem wrote:

here is my awesome parody of this documentary

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q9-FBAfORbE

I had really low expectations, but that is pretty good. The scooter bit was gold.

Burcham has always come off as a big p*ssy to me, and this only confirms it. Remember when he pussed out at NXN? After his "documentary," I don't think I'll ever be able to root for this kid.

this spoof video is amazing.

"who wouldn't want to see somebody doing the sport he doesn't love for all the wrong reasons"

How much you wanna make a bet I can throw this football over them mountains?

So much love for that parody video. Awesome.

Seems like a nice enough guy, but he is utterly uninspiring. Doesn't seem serious or motivated enough in my opinion. The thing where he says he hopes he can make enough money running to buy a racecar did it for me. Should be dreaming about winning NCAA titles not racecars. I never want to see anyone fail and I wish Burcham the best but it doesn't seem like he's all in.

Not a fan, he seems pretty arrogant and cocky. If he went to that lengths to make a video then he's a douche

Galactus Rupp wrote:

fsdfasdflkj wrote:

I had really low expectations, but that is pretty good. The scooter bit was gold.

Burcham has always come off as a big p*ssy to me, and this only confirms it. Remember when he pussed out at NXN? After his "documentary," I don't think I'll ever be able to root for this kid.

this spoof video is amazing.

"who wouldn't want to see somebody doing the sport he doesn't love for all the wrong reasons"

+1

Galactus Rupp wrote:

"who wouldn't want to see somebody doing the sport he doesn't love for all the wrong reasons"

QOTY

If you are going to post in a thread under different names, don't use a music group and a lyric from said group.

that was my first post and it was just my way of saying hi to a fellow wu tang fan.

might be wejo wrote:

If you are going to post in a thread under different names, don't use a music group and a lyric from said group.

Exactly. And for all of those saying the parody was "awesome"......low standards much?? That line about doing the sport for the wrong reasons was good, the rest......not so much.

It was mildly amusing at best. Mostly I found it rather odd that they would want to parody something like a quickie film/interview with a HS runner.

But now I am ready for the parody of the parody. Maybe Burcham is up for the task?

Tyrannosaurus Rexing wrote:

But now I am ready for the parody of the parody. Maybe Burcham is up for the task?

He should show up for a big race with a hand drawn "3:58" race number.

I can't believe some of the dumb shit I'm reading in this thread. Most of you need to go back and watch the video. He NEVER said he didn't like running or that he wasn't interested in running as many in this thread proclaim. He ran 4:02 as a HS Jr for God's sake, I think he's interested. He has 4 minute signs hanging up all over his house, I think he is motivated.

At about 7:15 into the video he says "I don't love running as much as someone would think, at this level". He DID NOT say he didn't love running.

The coach talks about how focused he is in training and at meets. You think you know the kid better than the coach?

Some of you losers just can't imagine someone not totally obsessed with running regardless of their talent level. Get over yourselves.