American distance running and the future

Ryan Hall has run 2:04.58 since you posted this, and Rupp has won some medals at the olympics.

Who is Tom Schwartz?

He started this thread 18 years ago.

And it was correct then and now.

Uhhhhh.... ever heard of Tinman???

Tom Schwartz wrote:

I think we have plenty of talented distance runners now. We don't need thousands to be more competive. We need dedication and time to develop. Look at Frank Shorter or Jack Batchelor of the late 60's and early 70's and their contemporaries and you would realize that they kept cranking out the miles while doing some intensity and did so for a few years without let up before they were competitive on the world scene. We don't need tapers or peaking until (I repeat until) we (the guys wanting to be top-shelf) reach new heights of conditioning. Time is key. Volume is key. Strength and experience are key. Go for it, young hearts and lungs. I believe in you. Sincerely, Tom Schwartz

American distance running seems to be on an upswing but the reality is the best American athletes mostly don't gravitate towards distance/endurance sports. True in cycling too. We still represent pretty well in Olys but not compared to the sprints, mid d, throws, and jumps. ...US is much more dominant in it's non-endurance sports. Nico, Mantz, Fischer and Klecker look really promising though!

I remember years when the USA couldn't even qualify three runners for the Olympics or Worlds in the distance events. Now I can't wait for the trials. Europe has practically given up on the longer distances, but our team consistently runs up front with the East Africans. Never have we had such depth at long distance. Never.

Jeffro wrote:

I remember years when the USA couldn't even qualify three runners for the Olympics or Worlds in the distance events. Now I can't wait for the trials. Europe has practically given up on the longer distances, but our team consistently runs up front with the East Africans. Never have we had such depth at long distance. Never.

If you remove mid d from the equation, we've only had Rupp at Olympic medal caliber.

Despite the insane times getting thrown down this year and the apparent "depth", there isnt any heir apparent to Rupp yet. Not with actual racing results against the Kenyans, Ethiopians, or the Ugandans. Time trialing, intra-squad "races", and US Championships do not equal Oly success, or DL success either.

Grant Fischer's 13:04 from last week would not even get him on the U20 jr world's team in Kenya.

Despite the depth and fast(er) times recently (shoes?!), I would he shocked if any American runner gets on the podium in Tokyo this summer in the 5/10 k.

Rupp in the marathon, however....

Jeffro wrote:

but our team consistently runs up front with the East Africans.

If you can't beat them, join them!

Ignored for 18 years then suddenly someone comments? Was it Tinman himself bumping this thread?

Nice bump. Get out there 63 second pace for world record 10k.

Watch the race!

Everyone on here should be able to AT LEAST run 63s for a mile.

Top high schoolers should be able to run 63s for 3200. Top collegiates should go 63s for 5k. It’s that simple.

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