Oh, so he lives in Upstate New York. Maybe Chris Fox?
Oh, so he lives in Upstate New York. Maybe Chris Fox?
In fairness, the coach in question hasn't agreed to any of this thus far.
Possibly once he meets this guy, then he will either 1) turn and walk or 2) agree with a more realistic target goal.
However, no idea what coach of this calibre would want to team up with this guy - what's in it for him? Let's be honest, the story is going to either go one of a few ways:
1 - he realises the absurd nature of the goal and quits
2 - he gets injured which is very likely given his early reports but this also doubles as a nice back out excuse
3 - he adjusts the goal and achieves it
However, the world doesn't care about a 40 something dude running a 4:48 mile. It barely cares about someone running a sub 4:00 mile.
Mike84 wrote:
In fairness, the coach in question hasn't agreed to any of this thus far.
Ya, don't kill the coach for agreeing to meet with a potential client.
Even if the coach takes him as a client, I wouldn't be too hard on the coach if he's honest with the guy:
client: "I will pay you money to coach me".
coach: "you have no shot at 4 min, but I can coach you to improve and run your best mile".
I see nothing wrong with that.
Suboptimal wrote:
"what a dum bass"
-Sweet, sweet irony strikes again.
No it doesn't. The filter will not allow you to write "dumb ass". Or "ass", for that matter. It will, however, allow you to write "dum bass". I do know how to write the combination of "dumb" + "ass"
Anyone remember that men's health blog about 5 years ago? about a guy trying to break FIVE minute mile. His training plan was devised by some x-fit goof who said long runs should not exceed 2-3 miles. The plan was largely based on intense intervals.
The guy quickly got sub 6 mile (no surprise he was athletic type, not too old), but plateaued in the mid 5:20s. After a rash of injuries the blog stopped getting updates. Not sure where it ended up.
There was no test/analysis of his 400m or 3k/5k time for prediction/training purposes, no respect for the fact that some milers (Steve Scott) ran upto 100 miles a week, long runs over 10 miles, no discussion of energy systems or what long vs short training does. So...maybe he could have done it with better training....
...but a point *was* made: even sub 5 min mile is hard for average Joe!
5 min mile blogger? wrote:
Anyone remember that men's health blog about 5 years ago? about a guy trying to break FIVE minute mile. His training plan was devised by some x-fit goof who said long runs should not exceed 2-3 miles. The plan was largely based on intense intervals.
The guy quickly got sub 6 mile (no surprise he was athletic type, not too old), but plateaued in the mid 5:20s. After a rash of injuries the blog stopped getting updates. Not sure where it ended up.
There was no test/analysis of his 400m or 3k/5k time for prediction/training purposes, no respect for the fact that some milers (Steve Scott) ran upto 100 miles a week, long runs over 10 miles, no discussion of energy systems or what long vs short training does. So...maybe he could have done it with better training....
...but a point *was* made: even sub 5 min mile is hard for average Joe!
All true. This guy will have problems breaking 6 minutes. I ran under 1:47 in the 800, and after moving up and several years of high mileage/increased training volume, I still couldn't break 4 (I did manage a 3:45 1500). And I am one of hordes of guys like this. But we were still able to outrun almost any of the pure milers over one lap. Sub 4 is tough, my hat's off to the guys with the talent.
Hey guys, maybe you can give me some tips too! I am an 70 year old trying to run a 1 hour half marathon. I also have an idiot son who wants to run a sub 4 minute at over forty and I have a grandson trying to break the world record in the 800m and a great-grandson, he's ten, trying to break the beer mile record.
Mike84 wrote:
It barely cares about someone running a sub-4:00 Mile.
Now, you tell us!
http://bringbackthemile.com/whyHow did you get past the filter?
You've just made my point. The very fact that it's called 'bring back the mile' just highlights how the nation barely cares about the mile. Let's be honest, the nation isn't exactly up on running and so my point is that even if this guy did manage to get a 4:00 mile, it wouldn't mean anything to the average Joe. Think about it, this guy himself obviously doesn't understand the greatness of it hence he actually thinks it's possible and of course he's being entertained by folks around him such as his dad, friends etc who are equally ignorant.
Most folks don't know the difference between a 5:00 mile & a 6:00 mile because most folks can't do either.
Nice website btw and it would be great to see this event given more coverage and the respect it deserves!
Well my comment got published on his blog:
"Ok, I’m going to serve this one to you straight. You have more chance of setting foot on the moon than you do of running a 4 minute mile.
Running a 4 minute mile is not something that can simply be trained for through hard work alone. You really need to have a lot (and I mean a lot) of natural ability. Most reasonably fit people could not run 100m at the pace a 4 minute mile requires. You need a lot of raw natural speed – 100m in around 11.5s or better range but certainly a 400m time of around 51s.
Even if we assume that you have talent in buckets (which is highly unlikely based on your 7:00 mile clocking in school); you just don’t have the years of running in your legs to achieve this feat. 4 minute milers have usually been running consistently (I cannot emphasise this word enough) for years – typically 15 + years. They have endless miles in their legs (thousands upon thousands) and not all at comfortable running pace – they have busted themselves running thousands of intervals from 100m to mile repeats in paces that you can only dream of. They have done hill reps, temp runs, fartlek sessions, progression runs and not to mention lots of gym work. They weren’t out enjoying Mexican food with their wives but carefully monitoring their diet to ensure maximum performance.
Finally, they also have honed their peak conditioning through hundreds of races from 400m to longer XC races. Having a time in your legs is one thing, executing it is another – please refer to Roger Bannister here.
Simply put, you’re too late to ever achieve this now; the biological clock has chimed for you I’m afraid.
The final nail in your coffin is that 4 minute milers are a tough old breed – they’ve run thousands of miles; flooded their systems with lactic acid; run until they are sick; run in all weathers; come through injuries. You have demonstrated absolutely none of this mental toughness to join this club. Jogging about a track listening to classic rock doesn’t even come close to what these guys have endured to get a 4 minute mile.
Now I suspect that you will likely think this is all good motivation for you but like I said, you have zero chance of achieving this so my advice is to focus your efforts on something more realistic like a sub 5:00 mile (maybe even a 4:30 if you have talent and work your absolute socks off) or perhaps a solid marathon time – a sub 3:00 is certainly not impossible for a guy your age who is willing to work very hard.
But a 4 minute mile…. well that is just insulting to every guy who has ever toed the start line of a mile race.
Do your research and learn some respect for this historic event."
Mike84 wrote:
. . a solid marathon time – a sub 3:00 is certainly not impossible for a guy your age who is willing to work very hard.
Still in the game!!!
I am about to turn 40 as well and it's crazy how similar my life goals are with Mr Quest for Sub 4. I was going to to try out for a professional football team (any but the Redskins). Now I don't actually have any experience in football. I passed a nerf turbo like 45 yards a few years ago which really opened my eyes to how much untapped potential I have at this. I know people will think I am crazy but I think I could be one an All Pro NFL player once I get the chance. If anyone as NFL contacts let me know.
You go girl!
Mike84 wrote:
But a 4 minute mile…. well that is just insulting to every guy who has ever toed the start line of a mile race.
Do your research and learn some respect for this historic event."
After commenting about how nobody cares about the mile, you go and post this eloquent snobbery. I'm sure the mile has lots of new fans now.
The only thing historic about the mile is that it is (again) obsolete.
Mike84 wrote: You have demonstrated absolutely none of this mental toughness to join this club.The quest was ridiculous to start with, but when I read his blog and saw he bagged his very first planned run because it was raining, I knew the whole thing was a nonstarter.
Mike84 wrote:
Well my comment got published on his blog:
"Ok, I’m going to serve this one to you straight. You have more chance of setting foot on the moon than you do of running a 4 minute mile.
Running a 4 minute mile is not something that can simply be trained for through hard work alone. You really need to have a lot (and I mean a lot) of natural ability. Most reasonably fit people could not run 100m at the pace a 4 minute mile requires. You need a lot of raw natural speed – 100m in around 11.5s or better range but certainly a 400m time of around 51s.
Even if we assume that you have talent in buckets (which is highly unlikely based on your 7:00 mile clocking in school); you just don’t have the years of running in your legs to achieve this feat. 4 minute milers have usually been running consistently (I cannot emphasise this word enough) for years – typically 15 + years. They have endless miles in their legs (thousands upon thousands) and not all at comfortable running pace – they have busted themselves running thousands of intervals from 100m to mile repeats in paces that you can only dream of. They have done hill reps, temp runs, fartlek sessions, progression runs and not to mention lots of gym work. They weren’t out enjoying Mexican food with their wives but carefully monitoring their diet to ensure maximum performance.
Finally, they also have honed their peak conditioning through hundreds of races from 400m to longer XC races. Having a time in your legs is one thing, executing it is another – please refer to Roger Bannister here.
Simply put, you’re too late to ever achieve this now; the biological clock has chimed for you I’m afraid.
The final nail in your coffin is that 4 minute milers are a tough old breed – they’ve run thousands of miles; flooded their systems with lactic acid; run until they are sick; run in all weathers; come through injuries. You have demonstrated absolutely none of this mental toughness to join this club. Jogging about a track listening to classic rock doesn’t even come close to what these guys have endured to get a 4 minute mile.
Now I suspect that you will likely think this is all good motivation for you but like I said, you have zero chance of achieving this so my advice is to focus your efforts on something more realistic like a sub 5:00 mile (maybe even a 4:30 if you have talent and work your absolute socks off) or perhaps a solid marathon time – a sub 3:00 is certainly not impossible for a guy your age who is willing to work very hard.
But a 4 minute mile…. well that is just insulting to every guy who has ever toed the start line of a mile race.
Do your research and learn some respect for this historic event."
Not arguing your post, but Roger Bannister had 15 years of running before he broke the mile barrier? ??
jack mehoffer wrote:
Hey guys, maybe you can give me some tips too! I am an 70 year old trying to run a 1 hour half marathon. I also have an idiot son who wants to run a sub 4 minute at over forty and I have a grandson trying to break the world record in the 800m and a great-grandson, he's ten, trying to break the beer mile record.
Hmm I think your grandson has a great deal of potential. We'll be in touch soon to offer a sponsorship . Also a free hat could be involved. We ask that if beer mile worlds are sponsored by Nike he write a blog post in lieu of going though.
What's the "money" he keeps talking about on his blog? Does he think his quest or even accomplishing it will bring him lots of money?
get real wrote:
"I’m 41, and while I doubt I would be the oldest man to ever run a sub-4 minute mile, time is not on my side"
Not the oldest man, but the oldest american. The 40-44 AG record for the mile was set by Bill Stewart on 1/22/1983 at 4:11.00. Lagat lowered it to 3:54.91 on 2/14/15 at age 40.
Eamonn Coghlan ran 3:58.15 indoor at 41.
Go Paul! You can do it!
You are bit off on your comments. Indoor and outdoor are considered different records. Based on your comment 4:11 to 3:54, you are looking at USA masters indoor times only, and that should have been stated. Tony Young's times were all indoor and superior to Stewarts 4:11, but not eligible for record purposes since they were on oversized indoor tracks.
If you are talking about USA Masters outdoor record, then its Lagat at 3:57.91, who broke Jim Sorensens 4:04.98. The list below has the top indoor and outdoor mile performers and performances all time for 40+ individuals, all the way to Stewarts 4:11.00 indoor in 1983.
Looking at the list, we realize thant only 8 individuals have ever even broke 4:10 at age 40+
1 3:54.91i Bernard Lagat 40 2/14/15 New York USA
x 3:57.91 Bernard Lagat 40 7/25/15 London (OS) USA
2 3:58.15i Eamonn Coghlan 41 2/20/94 Allston IRE
3 3:58.79 Anthony Whiteman40 6/2/12 Nashville GBR
x 4:01.39i Eamonn Coghlan 40 2/26/93 New York IRE
4 4:01.62 Vyaches. Shabunin 40 8/21/10 Joensuu RUS
5 4:02.53 David Moorcroft 40 6/19/93 Belfast GBR
x 4:03.18 Anthony Whiteman41 6/01/13 Nashville GBR
x 4:03.28i Eamonn Coghlan 41 2/06/94 Fairfax IRE
x 4:04.55i Eamonn Coghlan 41 2/04/94 New York IRE
6 4:04.98 Jim Sorensen 40 7/06/07 Lisle USA
x 4:05.27 Jim Sorensen 40 6/27/07 Bloomington USA
7 4:05.51i' Tony Young 42 3/05/05 Seattle USA
x 4:05.95i Eamonn Coghlan 40 2/05/93 New York IRE
x 4:06.39i' Tony Young 41 2/14/04 Seattle USA
8 4:06.7?? Larry Almberg 43 7/29/90 New York USA
x 4:07.14i' Tony Young 41 1/31/04 Seattle USA
x 4:07.25i Eamonn Coghlan 40 2/07/93 Fairfax IRE
x 4:07.25 Tony Young 41 6/14/03 Shoreline USA
x 4:07.27 Tony Young 43 6/04/05 Nashville USA
x 4:08.21i' Tony Young 41 3/06/04 Seattle USA
x 4:08.38i' Tony Young 42 1/29/05 Seattle USA
x 4:08.49i Eamonn Coghlan 40 1/31/93 Gainesville IRE
x 4:08.60i' Tony Young 40 1/18/03 Seattle USA
x 4:09.48 Eamonn Coghlan 40 7/05/93 Stockholm IRE
x 4:09.61 Tony Young 40 6/08/02 Shoreline USA
9 4:10.43 Steve Scott 40 5/20/96 Eugene USA
10 4:10.62i John Bermingham ?? 2/05/93 New York AUS
11 4:11.00i Bill Stewart 40 1/22/83 Ann Arbor USA
i = indoor
i' = indoor, oversized track