How fast would a completely out of shape Bekele be?

I recall someone saying that he ran 2 miles at atltitude before ever being "trained" sub 9. So probably close to 4 minutes.

Three months isn't completely out of shape for someone who has been running for years, even just four in his case. He played soccer before that, I think he could break 4.

Guy wrote:

Three months isn't completely out of shape for someone who has been running for years, even just four in his case. He played soccer before that, I think he could break 4.

NO WAY!!!

As long as he walked around in flats and not high heels during his layoff, probably 4:11.39. Otherwise 6:51.82.

out of shape? or out of training?

out of shape and a very heavy for a WR holder he would probably be 4:25-4:30. Just out of training for three months but not overweight and not sedentary he would be 4:10-15.

Nobody can run 4:00 off of a long layoff. 4:00 for 1600 or a mile isn't that easy for him when he is in top shape. Sure he could do it in a workout and he runs about 61 a lap for the 5k, but that was a WR attempt. Most of his racing is done at 62 a lap (5k) and 65 a lap (10k). I would bet that most of the year he is capable of a 7:30 3k, and 7:20-25 when in top shape.

So how are you going to run your best 3k pace for 4 laps off a long layoff?

He is the best ever, but he still has limits.

For the sake of argument let's say he's laid up for one year with no exercise beyond walking. On his first day back running i can't believe he'd rip off even a seven minute mile.

You've got credulity problems then. Course he'd be able to!

i've got old legs but a sharp memory. back in my youth i easily lost three minutes plus when i first commenced running after extended layoffs. thing is i made up the deficit very quickly. my legs always went before my wind.

Wouldn't it be far more interesting to learn how fast an IN-SHAPE Bekele could run without the use of the doping products we all know he takes?

I'd love to be able to compare his records to the greats of yesteryear. Sadly, in the EPO (and now Post-EPO) era, such comparisons are impossible...

Kirsner72 wrote:

Wouldn't it be far more interesting to learn how fast an IN-SHAPE Bekele could run without the use of the doping products we all know he takes?

...

NO!

Kirsner72 wrote:

Wouldn't it be far more interesting to learn how fast an IN-SHAPE Bekele could run without the use of the doping products we all know he takes?

I'd love to be able to compare his records to the greats of yesteryear. Sadly, in the EPO (and now Post-EPO) era, such comparisons are impossible...

i agree

Gosh, i'll bet you're the life of the party.

Rip Hamilton could take him.

His out of shape fitness is probably superior to most folks in shape fitness. He was dealt a better genetic hand, that's all. He'd do a sub6 with ease.

I've seen lazy ass 14 year old kids come out for their first year of track and run a 5 minute mile. Bekele would easily run under 4:20.

When i was 11 y.o. i ran the PE mile in 6:40 without anything that look like training unless you count the school turkey trot/jog-a-thon we did every year. (both the same event)So i am sure an over wieght out of shape WR holder could still beat some 11 y.o. in roughly the condition.

I'm not certain about EASILY under 4:20. Is your assessment based on PERSONAL experience?--i.e., what would you do your first time running after a year's lay off?

ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY????????

Hicham El Guerrouj was reported to have done 4:01 for 1500m at the age of 14 without any training, don't think that these machines cant run fast off no training.... give Bekele 3months off and he would still run sub4 for the mile.

i was injured for 2 months with absolutly no running or x training during my soph year in hs and one day i went up to the track to see how bad of shape i was in and i ran 4:50 not 4:00 but im sure as hell not bekele either.