what is the "1" distance that shows overall ability?

EVERYBODY's overall ability at what? Sprinting or running distance? You aren't being very specific, which makes it hard to give a real answer.

If it's overall athletic ability, I'd say 400H. It's a long sprint with an agility requirement. If there was a ~1k steeple, I'd say that would do a much better job, but that event doesn't exist.

If it's for only sprinting vs. distance running, I'd say 800m.

If it's for mid distance/distance running (re: 800m-Marathon talent), I'd say 5k.

If it's for mid distance/distance TRACK running (cutting the top end of the spectrum down from a Marathon to 10k), I'd say 3k.

Given your reference to a mile used in many P.E. classes as a golden standard, I'm assuming you're only talking about distance running (because it's only used in P.E. classes to gauge aerobic fitness, as it usually takes average kids ~6-9 minutes to finish and it's easier than getting them to run for 1.5-2 miles, which would be an even better indicator - even the military understands that as they use 1.5 miles in many cases), which means either 3k or 5k.

Cross-country long race, where the greatest of all distances used to meet.

Physiologically speaking? Proof?

VO2 max (pace you can hold for 6-9 minutes) is largely an inherited trait. To also gauge training adaptability I'd prefer a slightly longer distance. For example, a Cooper test - how far you can run in 12 minutes - is a good test.

Using a fixed distance doesn't really make sense. An 8 minute 3k runner will work totally different systems than a 20 minutes 3k runner.

The warrior's distance is 800 meters. You can run fast but still be big and powerful wielding a spear or axe.

An 800 runner can easily outrun any sprinter with only a few seconds head start, and outrun any distance runner who doesn't have a much bigger head start. Juantorena would only need 2 seconds to stay ahead of Usain Bolt for good. But Wilson Kipsang would need probably about 15 seconds to escape from Juantorena.

The important role of running in battle is to pursue or escape. Nobody charges into battle except in the movies, they move slowly and organized. But when the enemy is defeated, then it is time for the enemy to run, and 800 meters is the critical distance. The victor will not pursue farther than that because it disrupts his line and makes it vulnerable to counterattack. So the 800 runners in the defeated army will escape, and the 800 runners in the winning army will kill or capture the most fleeing enemies.

It is true that a distance runner could eventually run down an 800 runner, but then what? When Wilson Kipsang catches Juantorena, El Caballo will just beat him up. Overall ability involves weighing more than a woman.

scuzz!!! wrote:

physiologically speaking, this is also the distance the phys ed teahers across the country use to show overall fitness.

Not in here. It's the 12 minute run that is being used everywhere (schools, military, etc)[quote]scuzz!!! wrote:

Bad Wigins wrote:

It is true that a distance runner could eventually run down an 800 runner, but then what? When Wilson Kipsang catches Juantorena, El Caballo will just beat him up. Overall ability involves weighing more than a woman.

Anybody who needs less energy and water to move could eventually catch Wilson Kipsang. Walking is more economical than running.

Is there anything here you haven't written a dozen times before?

I have never written anonymous chicken shit like "tired of bad posters" in the name field even once

Bad Wigins wrote:

I have never written anonymous chicken shit like "tired of bad posters" in the name field even once

Anonymous posters, wahwahwahwah!

Bad Wigins wrote:

I have never written anonymous chicken shit like "tired of bad posters"

i have

Whine? I'm belittling you, you pansy. You have no balls. Or if you're a girl, you stink.

Now quit ruining OP's thread with your dickless troll attempt.

Why don't you quit ruining lrc with your endless repeats of boring twaddle?

When Kipsang eventually catches Juantorena then Juantorena is harmless at that point, too exhausted. That's the point of persistence hunting.

Dan Lieberman claims that the original hunter-gatherers were more like today distance runners. The more robust types emerged with farming as you need some absolute power as a farmer in contrast to being a persistence hunter.

1k shows both speed and endurance to identify pure talent across the board. Talent identification is something special and only a few have the gift.

I agree that the mile best shows overall running ability.

You need an equal dedication to speed and endurance to run the mile at the highest levels.

For example, a miler is best built for running away from the cops.

Good foot speed for the initial getaway and can far enough at a good rate to completely lose them.

I think something like the following is humanly possible and would show the best overall running ability:

100m - 11.00

400m - 47.00

800m - 1:42.00

1500m - 3:29.00

5000m - 13:10

10 000m - 27:30

That's pretty close to Said Aouita's PRs.

1:43.86

3:29.46

12:58.39

27:26.11

11 flat and 47 flat were surely in his realm.

He held the 1500 m world record for 7 years.

100m dash