Proof that genetics are key - Look at this picture of Asbel Kiprop

Morceli kind of forced that mentality on El G.

The successors to El G were many and not as focused so Kiprop missed out on being pushed into that role.

why the h*ll does everyone on here think you generate power "from your calves"??? or your calves have to be big to be fast. newsflash: thinnner calves are BETTER for distance runners. look are Farah's calves...how does he how the power to run 3:28 and close 10Ks in 52s??? http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-620/h--/q-95/sys-images/Sport/Pix/pictures/2013/4/19/1366378318079/Mo-Farah-010.jpgit's muscle fiber comp & genetics. that's why the greats are great - extremely small bodies + the power to run fast despite looking "small & weak" to the casual observer.

Imitation is flattering wrote:

not david epstein wrote:http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/images/saturday/stdrwduhqboj.jpg

Kiprop is so beautiful.

When I hear Adele sing, i think "that woman was made to sing." When I see kiprop run, I think, 'That man was made to run.'

The pic came from this article:

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000155631/two-time-world-1-500m-champion-kiprop-fires-warning-shot-ahead-of-worlds-trip

Looks too thin and doesn't suggest much power, especially in calves.

I always think runners look at their best from side on in full stride.

This is favourite running pic

http://reasonstorun.tumblr.com/post/30599658267/howtorunfree-classic-seb-coe-my-last-name-is

I don't think running power comes from the calves.

not david epstein wrote:

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/images/saturday/stdrwduhqboj.jpg

Kiprop is so beautiful.

When I hear Adele sing, i think "that woman was made to sing." When I see kiprop run, I think, 'That man was made to run.'

The pic came from this article:

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/article/2000155631/two-time-world-1-500m-champion-kiprop-fires-warning-shot-ahead-of-worlds-trip

I see that guy and I think " Somebody get that MF'r a Steak!"

agip wrote:

my favorite picture of kiprop

http://dt9guucc6nuua.cloudfront.net/media/LargeP/40f32060-4e41-41c5-98a9-ab60ce97154b.jpg?v=-917316529

EPO is a hell of a drug.

This is what old-timers think a miler looks like.

http://athleticsillustrated.com/wp-content/uploads/SirJohnWalker.jpg

Morceli kind of forced that mentality on El G.

The successors to El G were many and not as focused so Kiprop missed out on being pushed into that role.

I see where you're coming from there. And the intensely professional and consistent Kenyan miler, Lagat, was busy turning into an American so he doesn't necessarily work as such a role model for the up and coming East African in the mid noughties.

Kiprop comes from the breadbasket of Kenya, the average figures for Kenya include the drought prone Northern areas.

While genetics almost certainly play a part in running performance, to say 'genetics are key because here's a photo of someone thin' is such a huge display of lack of critical thinking skills as to render you a complete tit.

tiniest leap of logic wrote:

While genetics almost certainly play a part in running performance, to say 'genetics are key because here's a photo of someone thin' is such a huge display of lack of critical thinking skills as to render you a complete tit.

Except that the thin guy in the picture is known to be a gold medalist and 3::27 runner.

elites that look like a freak are usually the fastes guys..Kiprop looks like a freak, Solinsky is much more of a freak, Sebastian Coe too (was about the half of kiprops height), mottram too (giant). Normal looking college runners (fast or not) should just quit the sport and by normal I mean normal height, thin (but not too thin, with muscles, but less muscles than Solinsky). Just look at cheserek, he is short and his legs have a lot of muscles, and he's the best. So my conclusion is that genetics are key, just look abnormal among other elites. Peace out.

Funk-a-Tron wrote:

So even if he were consuming 2,060 Calories while growing up, he would hardly have been starved.

Owned.

This idiot thinks adults who only get 2000 calories a day can feed just as much to each of their 13 children, and even tries to gloat about it!

news flash moron, they don't eat so little just for the hell of it, but because they are POOR.

y p thomas wrote:

Just being honest - I'm a massive fan, he's by far my favourite contemporary runner.

Why? He is apparently a joker in training, loses races by celebrating too early, and supposedly tried to kill his spouse. I don't see how anyone could be a fan.

picture plus performance wrote:

tiniest leap of logic wrote:

While genetics almost certainly play a part in running performance, to say 'genetics are key because here's a photo of someone thin' is such a huge display of lack of critical thinking skills as to render you a complete tit.

Except that the thin guy in the picture is known to be a gold medalist and 3::27 runner.

What's the point of the picture then?

y p thomas wrote:

RunningAntelope wrote:

I'm built just like Kiprop, and I don't come even close to approaching his speed or talent.

Let's see a photograph then.

I've never seen a single runner built like Kiprop in my life. He stands out as a freak even among the other freaks on the world elite stage.

For all his success, Kiprop still looks like an underachiever at this point in his career. World junior cross country champion and 46 second 400m speed is unprecedented, easily has the talent to match El Guerrouj.

"46 second 400m speed"???

Yeah I'd much rather have a body like Webb or an 'old-school' miler than a body like Kiprop.

Then again, I'd rather have Kiprop's speed than Webb's or 99.9% of the rest of the human population.

twin cows wrote:

I don't think running power comes from the calves.

And I think you're an idiot. Read some biomechanics research- normal gait data shows that the plantarflexor moments are not much less than knee extensor moments.

that picture of John Walker has testosterone use written all over him....

Genetics are most certainly key; only the most delusional individuals believe otherwise. The picture exemplifies a freakish stature, i.e. attributes that can only be the result of genetics. If like some in this thread, you believe that Kiprop got legs that long and a pelvis that narrow as a result of diet, you really have serious problems and shouldn't be allowed to post here anymore.