Professional runners that were slow in high school

A few words on your "didn't take it seriously" comment. Perspective. Perspective. Perspective. High school runners who think they take their running seriously or think they're "dedicated" to running usually have zero perspective on what that really means. Judging from your explanation for your 1600 PB, if you became a great pro runner I'd put you in the "didn't take it seriously" category. Instead of thinking that the work you're putting in is hot shit and hoping it magically takes you to the next level some day, seek out your peers who are already on the next level and compare what they're doing to yourself. The "I work so hard but I'm still slow" mindset is nearly always a safe little place for the ego to hole up so it's protected by things like reality and constructive criticism.

2:10 marathoner Jeff Wells was just a 4:36 miler in high school.

Steve Scott had a high school PR of 4:16.

Bad Wigins wrote:

Steve Scott had a high school PR of 4:16.

That's not slow for HS... that could still win state champs in many divisions.

Hardloper wrote:

Bad Wigins wrote:

Steve Scott had a high school PR of 4:16.

That's not slow for HS... that could still win state champs in many divisions.

Check the California State Championship Standards. It was considered a mediocre time back then, and Steve ended up in Irvine because UCLA didn't want him.

On the other hand, check the results of Vin Lananna's athletes at Stanford that didn't do shit after college compared to Steve.

coach d wrote:

Check the California State Championship Standards. It was considered a mediocre time back then, and Steve ended up in Irvine because UCLA didn't want him.

Wow, the largest state in the country is tough to win?

Brian Diemer was 4:13 for the 1600 (so 4:15 mile), 9:16 3200. No one ever thought of him as slow or an especially late bloomer, I mean he still won state champs in Michigan. Maybe these guys are slower than the average medalist but by hardly a shocking amount.

Hardloper wrote:

That's not slow for HS...

It's slow for future AR setters. Compare to Webb or Ryun.

Think of it this way, Scott improved by nearly 30 seconds. That's like a 4:30 guy getting to sub-4.

Bad Wigins wrote:

Hardloper wrote:

That's not slow for HS...

It's slow for future AR setters. Compare to Webb or Ryun.

Think of it this way, Scott improved by nearly 30 seconds. That's like a 4:30 guy getting to sub-4.

You are missing the point. A 4:16 HS runner is placing high, and is often winning the state meet. The times the OP posted wouldn't win a dual meet.

To the OP, I'd look to a guy like Matt Elliot for inspiration. He wasnt good in HS, but he's turning in some great times now.

Miles Batty was a 4:24 miler in high school

A guy I ran with back in Ohio was a 4:33, 9:48ish guy and now is a 2:13 man in the marathon

Reid Coolsaet.

EZ10Miler wrote:

The times the OP posted wouldn't win a dual meet.

OP also asked about people slower than 4:25-4:30, who if they improved as much as Steve Scott would be running 3:55 and low-rung pro level.

the OP needs to either work harder and run faster, or continue being mediocre and running bad times. or just quit.

Ed Eyestone just kept working at it in high school, and finally had the courage to leave his "safe little place" and try and run with the lead pack one day in an XC race. That performance inspired him for the rest of his career, according to his story in the My Best Race e-book. In that same book, Jon Sinclair did "the opposite" in his breakout high school race.

Scott ran 4:15 and 1:52 in HS

coach d wrote:

On the other hand, check the results of Vin Lananna's athletes at Stanford that didn't do shit after college compared to Steve.

Can't you just feel the love every time coach d posts?

Hugs are on the house!

high schooler needin inspirati wrote:

I'm just your average varsity 18min 5k runner (albeit with a few injuries this year) who hasn't broken 5 in the 1600 yet (injuries, vacation, sick, etc) and has hit around 11 min in the two mile. I feel like I'm finally about to break through (junior) but frankly it's unlikely I will end up running as a freshman on the team for the schools I want to go to, who are elite and have mostly very good cross country and track teams. I'm looking for a little inspiration. Is there anyone who didn't break 4:25-4:30/9:50-10:00 like me who went on to have good running careers? I'm not talking about people who only did track/xc for one season or people who didn't take it seriously.

Thanks!

You are actually doing VERY well. I don't think any girls have run sub 4:30 in the mile in HS. There are a good few 17min 5kers so work on your distance.