notme wrote:
When should a 3:38 1500m guy give up and start a career outside of running?
LetsRun.com Update: We have written an article on this topic showing that the oldest first-time Olympian in the pro era for the US is 27-year old Jason Pyrah in 1996: When Should You Give Up
The (Olympic) Dream? We Tell You - The Oldest American First-Time Olympians Revealed
Funny that Pyrah was brought up.
In 1996 I ran 3:42 to qualify for the Olympic Trials.
I was out after the first round. I was about to turn 26 and I knew I had run my last race with full time training.
I gave it up.
On the morning of the 1500m finals, I ate breakfast at the table with Jason Pyrah and Jim Sorenson.
Pyrah said "I barely slept last night." and Sorensen responded "You slept?"
I thought- these guys are going to run terrible today.
Well, with a mad dash and diving at the line, Pyrah finished third and Sorensen second.
All heart, for both.
Pyrah went on to get the Olympic standard and compete in the Olympics, while Sorensen fell short, giving Brian Hyde the third spot.
Sorensen was 29, by the way - so he would have been the oldest first-time Olympian.
He ran 3:38.65 in pursuit and needed 3:38.00.
Here's the race:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg6JFLLy7eM