Youre a 3:38/13:20 guy who just graduated. What's next???

Learn to hurdle and do the steeple. Try to make a U.S. team there. With that set of flats PRs you're better than Cabral (3:40/13:22), and just off Huling (3:37/13:18) and probably a better 800m runner than both of them, indicating that in a sit-and-kick championship race you could snag a spot. Those are also better flat PRs than Canadian Matt Hughes. If you get really good at hurdling, and steadily improve over the next few years, you could be a low-8:1x's guy or maybe even crack 8:10. The year before Jager ran 8:06 (looking at 2011 PRs) his PRs were 3:38.33, and 13:22. It wasn't until 2013, a year after his 8:06, that Jager ran 3:36/13:02.

Imagination Time wrote:

Here's a a sceneriao. You've just graduated with prs of 1:48, 3:38 and 13:20. Obviously good times but not quiet world class.

What is your definition of world class? I reckon the running the World Champs or Olympics qualifying time makes you world class.

Isn't that somewhere around 1:45.5, 3:36-7 and 13:20?

So I'd say 3:38 is close to world class. 13:20 probably is world class.

Does it really take something like 1:44, 3:32, 13:00 to be world class?

Wrenwood wrote:

Imagination Time wrote:

Here's a a sceneriao. You've just graduated with prs of 1:48, 3:38 and 13:20. Obviously good times but not quiet world class.

What is your definition of world class? I reckon the running the World Champs or Olympics qualifying time makes you world class.

Isn't that somewhere around 1:45.5, 3:36-7 and 13:20?

So I'd say 3:38 is close to world class. 13:20 probably is world class.

Does it really take something like 1:44, 3:32, 13:00 to be world class?

1:48, 3:38, and 13:20 aren't winning any major international races and won't get you into any finals. 3:38 and 13:20 are national class times. Competitive at the NCAA level but not beyond that.

aqaqakqnsjwndwjfwfhbe wrote:

Learn to hurdle and do the steeple. Try to make a U.S. team there...

If that doesn't work out migrate to race walking.

13:20 would probably be at or near the top of the US list at the end of any year prior to supplement injections, excuse me, the internet.

Boats and ho's, man. Boats and ho's.

great post! one of my favs ever - thanks for that!

what are you doing here wrote:

Your 3:38 marathon PR isn't all that bad, but you will have to do some more training if you want to achieve the goal of qualifying for Boston. But don't worry I think you can make it with a bit of luck and good race conditions. Have you tried Jeff Galloway's walk break method? This program is designed for new runners, like yourself, that are looking to break into the sport. Just give the process time and don't get discouraged. Make sure you get some good gear s well.

Good Luck you can do it!!

And feel free to come on here and get some advice. I have a 3:36 PR, but think I can help you to improve.

Imagination Time wrote:

3:38 and 13:20. Obviously good times but not quiet world class.

You're right. Running national elite track times in college just won't cut it with today's sponsors. Marathon for you buddy.

The Dingo wrote:

1:48 (flat) speed on a 13:20 guy would be pretty exceptional I think. How many top college guys now (Jenkins, Ches, Rotich, Campbell) could run both of those times? Not many, I don't think. That would be a pretty good kick in the 5k on the national scene if the race is slow. I'd work on my kick and try to make a team there.

Assuming normal speed, I see what you mean. Get a part time job, live at home for a year, and try to put yourself on the map with a fast 5k or 10k for a sponsor. If that doesn't happen after a year or two, you might have to give it up.

Everyone thinks they can just move up. Very few do it and are successful. The odds of running a 3:35 1500m, 13:05 5k , 27:20 10k or a 2:12 marathon are probably about the same for this guy. You can debate what is more likely to get you on an olympic team.

What was my best finish in NCAA cross country?

With those times, I would get a real job and quit running seriously after college.

Smooth Daddy wrote:

With those times, I would get a real job and quit running seriously after college.

Galen Rupp (3:39/13:18)

Dathan Ritzenhein (13:27)

Matt Tegenkamp (3:41/13:30)

Chris Solinsky (3:43/13:27)

Bob Kennedy (3:38/13:22)

Too bad these guys did not know when to quit. They should have got real jobs, right?

spend a year road whore'n for some cash and then end the summer at some invite track meets to try and lower your pr's and maybe get a contract.

The US (well, Nike, actually) does a pretty good job of giving opportunity to the highest-level guys coming out of college, and this guys is at that level. (New Balance seems like it it's a reasonable alternative for some of the highest-level women, too.) He most likely ends up with one of the Nike groups, training as a 5k/10k guy.

I think a more interesting question is what to do you do if you're a 3:41/13:35-:40 guy. The US needs to do a better job of making it financially viable for guys at this level out of college to stay in the sport; we don't know how many potential "diamonds in the rough" we're losing because they're not fast enough at 22-23 to get a good contract because they were poorly trained in college, or dealt with a string of injuries, or who didn't do any of the little things because they were too focused on academics (or, shit, partying).

You know that 3:38 (3:55 mi) is World class so try a little harder to be serious.

He said not quiet world class; you misread him.

I would take an ESL class and learn the subtle difference between quiet and quite.

these times are similar to eric jenkins (338, 1318) not sure his 800 time though. my guess is al sal make some nice nike $ do some traveling and pop some pills. I'd be down

Just Another Hobby Jogger wrote:

Smooth Daddy wrote:

With those times, I would get a real job and quit running seriously after college.

Galen Rupp (3:39/13:18)

Dathan Ritzenhein (13:27)

Matt Tegenkamp (3:41/13:30)

Chris Solinsky (3:43/13:27)

Bob Kennedy (3:38/13:22)

Too bad these guys did not know when to quit. They should have got real jobs, right?

No. But they definitely should have gotten real jobs.