Obama/economy to blame for slowing of running times across country?

Seems like you'd have more time to train.

The economy's improved consistently ever since Obama's policies started to come into play. Imagine if he had been able to add significant job programs after the first two years, fixing infrastructure, etc..

This may be the most ridiculous I have read.

The opposite is true.

When I was really nailing my road races, I was mad as hell at the economy. When I secured employment, though I kept training, the killer instinct wasn't quite there.

I'm working on getting it back.

It's basically because 95% of "races" aren't races anymore. They are viewed by the public as charity events and nothing else.

Also you have many more people entering "races" just to lose weight. These folks are not obsessed with times or being competitive. They just want to do a 5k run and have a great time. You would hardly ever see this group running at all 10-30years ago. With obesity skyrocket people need a way to lose weight and feel accomplished doing it. Add to this groups like underarmour and crossfit and their push for toning BS fitness and you can see why it's beginning to look the way it is today

didn't WSJ have an article about how the recession pushed more people into post-collegiate running?

The opposite is true. As the economy declines, disenfranchised citizens that were 4:10/8:30/30:30-collegs-types that are unable to find employment will say: "hey, if i can't make much working, i might as well keep training hard" and 1 in 4 of those people becomes a 'Jason Hartmann'.

It's called 'opportunity cost' - a term liberal-america has attempted to remove from the conversation.

Now, abstract this concept to a 14-yo east african with a starving family and you might add a tad of reserve to the genetics conversation.

The fart I just ripped stinks. I blame Obama. Because the beef I had for dinner... idk, it's just his fault.