OK, what on Earth is the deal with this? I can understand running 60-70 mpw if you have a bit of talent in your bones, but for someone who KNOWS that their genetic potential is limited, isn't it a bit offensive to talented runners to pour endless hours into a knowingly meaningless enterprise? Gifted runners haven't gotten there by fluke -- there have been hours, and hours, weeks and weeks of long, brutal workouts that have gotten them to that point (i.e. HARD WORK!). You can't expect to be taken seriously as a runner if you don't have the biological goods to back it up to begin with. I see this commonly in the corridor. You poke your head out to see the next pack surfing by, and there's always that one lone one off by themselves, praising themselves that they have the goods when the definitely don't. I don't even both to open the door to them.
So yes, train hard if you have the talent, otherwise, be content that it's a hobby.