So recently it has occurred to me that 415 has become the average time for both a high school and college runner. If you haven't reached these times as of now, you should throw in the towel.
So recently it has occurred to me that 415 has become the average time for both a high school and college runner. If you haven't reached these times as of now, you should throw in the towel.
That's stretching it pretty far. Actually there are probably less 5 minute milers than there were 30 years ago. And less 10:20 two milers. The kids that aren't stars early on don't dedicate themselves as much today. At least what I've noticed.
30 years ago my high school team had 9 runners under 17:30 for 5k cross country (including one under 15:00 and 2 more under 17:00) and we didn't make it out of small school sectionals. Teams that size today with a team like that make it to state and finish top 10.
The big difference is the depth at the top. 30 high school kids in the country break 9:00 and 4:10 today versus about 6-10 30 years ago.
I would say that 4:04 is the new 4:09 and 9:00 is the new 9:10.
George Atlas wrote:
That's stretching it pretty far. Actually there are probably less 5 minute milers than there were 30 years ago. And less 10:20 two milers. The kids that aren't stars early on don't dedicate themselves as much today. At least what I've noticed.
30 years ago my high school team had 9 runners under 17:30 for 5k cross country (including one under 15:00 and 2 more under 17:00) and we didn't make it out of small school sectionals. Teams that size today with a team like that make it to state and finish top 10.
The big difference is the depth at the top. 30 high school kids in the country break 9:00 and 4:10 today versus about 6-10 30 years ago.
I would say that 4:04 is the new 4:09 and 9:00 is the new 9:10.
Our team finished second to last in the D1 state meet for cross in the rough period of 2000-2010 in our slightly above average state. Our fastest guy was 16:02. Our slowest guy was 18:40. The winning team's slowest varsity guy was at about 17:05. You can make states with MUCH slower than 17:30 times. Well, in the vast majority of states.
i'd say 5:00 is the new 4:30
people are getting slower more than the fastest are getting faster. average times are getting worse even if more people are 4:0x and sub 9
reed wrote:
i'd say 5:00 is the new 4:30
people are getting slower more than the fastest are getting faster. average times are getting worse even if more people are 4:0x and sub 9
Yep. You have to look at the overall picture. On the local high school level there are far fewer 4:45 milers and 10:20 2 milers than in the past. The high school conference I competed in has had only 3 sub 10:00 two milers in the last 13 years. 30 years ago we had 3 every year and one season had 4 do it at the conference meet. And a lot of guys between 10:00 and 10:30.
The national scene is definitely improved greatly with depth at the very elite level.
It takes a commitment to be an average talent and dedicate yourself to get down to that 4:30 and 10:00 level in high school. More guys did it 30 years ago just like 150 Americans used to break 2:20 in the marathon and in 2000 only 28 did.
When I was in high school our coach had the whole team meeting before school for morning runs and in the off season would drive us out to a course in the country for a 12-15 mile Sunday run. Even the 19:00 cross country runner were doing it. Some of those guys became 4:30 and 9:40 runners by their senior year. Its a tougher sell to get that out of the majority today.
teamjerome wrote:
So recently it has occurred to me that 415 has become the average time for both a high school and college runner. If you haven't reached these times as of now, you should throw in the towel.
Good point. But I think that you are behind the times. I coach high school track and I kick anyone off the team if they are not on pace to reach 3:55 by their senior year. Anyone else is simply not worth my time.
FR: 4:15
SO: 4:05
JR: 3:59
SR: 3:55
or you are out of here buddy - go back to gym class where you belong.
i hope your kidding right? i posted this to just see how out there letsrunners are with thinking that the average pace is even close to 415
When exactly was 5:00 as uncommon of a feat as 4:15 is today? 1908?
415 isn't even average pace for a 400m nowadays.
415 isn't even average pace for a 400m nowadays.
415 isn't even average pace for a 400m nowadays.