List your crazy improvements + PR's here.

Freshmen year I ran 23:32 in my first xc race. Was our jv number 1 by the end of the year at 19:30.

Senior year I finished my career with PRs of 4:13, 8:58, and 14:45. Ran about 45-50 miles a week my senior year. I found that a growth spurt and a passion for the sport helped me to succeed.

I went from 17:07 to 16:05 5k in one year. The only thing I did was make running a priority. Ran every day, made it the first thing I did, and missed class or was late to class or work if needed to get my runs in w/out cutting them short. Shortly after the 17:07 I ran 1:22:xx for the half 2 years later, just out of college I got it down to 1:15 in my next half marathon.

Not that impressive, some of us just don't have talent.

I went from 17:58 to 17:06 my sophomore year. I spent most of the season running as our fourth man and hanging right around 18 minutes, my best being 17:58. Then at our district meet I finished as our second man, at 17:06.

I suppose you could count my freshman year in college, but that would be cheating. In my first 8K I ran 28:01 and my second 8K I ran 25:03. I got mild heat stroke in the first one, which is why that doesnt really count.

At the beginning of 2015 my marathon PR was 3:56 (I am 49 years old). Using the Hal Higdon intermediate training plan, I ran a 3:38 in June. One week later I began training for an October marathon. This time I used the Pfitzinger 18/70 plan. I finished in 3:17 and made the podium for my age group (3rd place). Out of the 310 people in the race, I was the 16th to cross the finish.

First Marathon: 3:46.

Second Marathon: 3:24.

("Hobby Jogger" by LRC standards, but I much prefer "fast for a big guy")

first xc race = 22:30

6 weeks later = 18:30

end of 1st season = 17:30

start of 2nd season = 18:25

end of 2nd year = 17:10

became dedicated to running

start of 3rd season = 16:53

end of 3rd season = 16:02

then got injured

I just started running and racing full-time starting last year (was previously cycling). 1st 5k in February '14 was a 19:24. Fast forward to October '15, averaged 19:10 5k's for a 15k race. The initial improvement in fitness is awesome. I wish it were always that easy!

thejeff wrote:

First Marathon: 3:46.

Second Marathon: 3:24.

("Hobby Jogger" by LRC standards, but I much prefer "fast for a big guy")

^ fat

1st 4 mile race (@19) - 23:50

Season's best (3 or 4 mo later) - 22:00

1 year, 1 month after 1st race - 21:14 split in a 10K

12 years after that - 20:11 lifetime best

Freshman year of hs 22 minute 5k senior year 17:30

Freshman year of hs 2:20 800m senior year 1:59

I went from running what my followers considered world-class status in my late 20's, running under 3:00 a few times for a 'thon.

Now, in my 30's, thanks to my alliance with the beef industry, my best days are around 3:30.

But, I feel much better today and my leg speed velocity is as good as ever!

Onward and upward!

P.S. Please buy my book

Suck it Dane-0!!!

My first XC race was 19:52

Within 6 weeks I was down to 17:59

Sadly, didn't bet much faster.

Amazing man, any secret tips, nutrition or anything you could share?

First marathon 3:56. Third marathon 3:08. 2:47 pr. When I first started marathons, I never thought I would even qualify for Boston. After breaking 3 hrs, I thought I could break 2:40. Did get there, but it is funny how your perspective on your running abilities evolves over time.

I went from a 4:02 1500m pr to a 3:49 in one race. I also went from 8:00 mile to 4:36 mile in about 8 months my freshman year of high school.

How's that for crazy improvement

Anon wrote:

Amazing man, any secret tips, nutrition or anything you could share?

I wouldn't say anything I did was earth shattering. I started high school at 5'1" and 112 pounds. Ended at 5'9" 130. I out a lot of focus on drills. Doing them like a sprinter. Other than that I wouldn't say I did anything special, I just hated to lose.

Junior year of HS I PRed at 9:18 for the 3k and came in 9th at my district meet. Senior year I ran 8:43 (twice!, once with a huge kick) and won my district meet.

My other times improved a ton in that year too:

4:18 -> 4:06

2:10 -> 2:02

16:44 -> 15:59 (during XC season)

I hadn't increased my mileage much from the previous year, went from about 55 to consistently in the 60s. No injury issues in the past. The jump came from consistently doing tempo runs in the offseason and with a new coach that came in for track my senior year.

First 5k freshman year of high school - 22:30

Second 5k - 19:47

End of freshman XC season - 17:38 probably average of 25 MPW

After a lot of serious injuries my current PR as a college sophomore (not on a team but still take running seriously) is 15:47. I like to think that if I could stay healthy for one year I could see a big breakthrough.