How do the fastest runners in the world become the fastest runners in the world

by running faster than everyone else

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich wrote:

After genetics I think the commitment level is the biggest variable. There are a lot of people out there who have the natural talent but to be the best you have to center your life around training. It's amazing how bad talented runners can get when they don't train. Here are the most important variables in order from most important to least IMO

1.) Genetics (natural talent)

2.) Commitment (are you centering your life around it? or do you do this after work?)

3. )Coaching (training plan)

4.) Environment (altitude? good weather? good places to run?)

5.) Nutrition

6.) Competitors

That sounds about right to me.

haywardd wrote:

So based on that logic, Kenenisa Bekele has worked harder than anybody else in world in terms of training.....

I didn't say they work the hardest, I said they wanted it more.

Mt.Runmore wrote:

haywardd wrote:

So based on that logic, Kenenisa Bekele has worked harder than anybody else in world in terms of training.....

I didn't say they work the hardest, I said they wanted it more.

How in the world could you know they wanted (desire) more than anybody else??

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich wrote:

1.) Genetics (natural talent)

2.) Commitment (are you centering your life around it? or do you do this after work?)

3. )Coaching (training plan)

4.) Environment (altitude? good weather? good places to run?)

5.) Nutrition

6.) Competitors

Great list. I would add culture. You won't see many great distance runners coming out of urban areas in the US, but you will see some of the best team sports athletes from there. Think of the running culture in Iten Kenya, Eugene, York High School, Boston area in the 1970/80s. Much of this is due to a few coaches but also the traditions and appreciation of the sport there.

Secondly, I would add physical resistance to injury which may be genetic. Does anyone disagree that Ritz, Adam Goucher, and even Kenny B would have been even better if not for their histories of injury?

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich wrote:

After genetics I think the commitment level is the biggest variable. There are a lot of people out there who have the natural talent but to be the best you have to center your life around training. It's amazing how bad talented runners can get when they don't train. Here are the most important variables in order from most important to least IMO

1.) Genetics (natural talent)

2.) Commitment (are you centering your life around it? or do you do this after work?)

3. )Coaching (training plan)

4.) Environment (altitude? good weather? good places to run?)

5.) Nutrition

6.) Competitors

I would also add running form or technique. This could come from coaching or just a result of random process

Being healthy all the time is the most important, and not being injured.

Having good parents or guardians who look after you and protect you is important, i.e. they don't hit you, shake you, yell at you or do anything else that injures your body or mind.

Taking good care of yourself is extremely important.

Being smart with your diet and training is extremely important.

Being around the right people is extremely important.

Regular Poster wrote:

Regular Poster wrote:

Choosing good parents helps.

I want to amend this. People who cite "genetics" and move on strike me as Sour Grapes. Read The Sports Gene. There are a TON of genetic factors, but not all genetic factors are what you would assume. For instance, Improvability seems to be genetically linked, but some people never train long enough or push hard enough to find out if they are part of that genetically gifted group.

Sure. And some people show up at high school, do the same training for 4 years and one runs a 4:09 mile and the other does a 4:37. Then in College the 4:09 does the same rough training with 4 or 5 other 4:09 runners. He runs a 3:45. The other guy runs a 3:40. Yes most people don't train to come close to their genetic limits. But that doesn't mean that genetics is a major factor in who makes it to the top and who doesn't.

Doctrine of the Trinity wrote:

Genetics + training + doping

TomJimmyJacobyJulianSully wrote:

God - always thanking him and praising him after every race. It's required to be fast. No God = slow

"My doping is my training, my doping is Jesus..."

I've noticed the faster runners always work harder, are more committed, don't give up when they're going through bad patches or injuries, have more faith, can focus more easily, train intelligently, listen to their bodies. Maybe it is genetics that contributes to some of these qualities but I feel like the genetic contribution to pure physical talent is vastly overrated. Culture/environment also plays a big role.

Serious answers only please. The OP is likely 9 or 10

I know Paul Chelimo personally:

One word...Blessed.

I will tell you:

Relatively speaking, lots of genetically-gifted people could become national and world class, but to truly be at the top of the world, you need to be obsesses with winning. It's a 24/7 job. This is also the reason that so few fast people are successful over long periods of time. It takes a toll on your mind, it's not only chronic fatigue syndrome. People are running faster now, because science is allowing for better workouts and better recovery, but I tend to think that the very top athletes will always be the mentally tougher of the genetically-gifted bunch, not merely the most extremely genetically-gifted athletes.

good weather, an alarm clock and a little hard work

Much in the same way that the dumbest post on lets run become the dumbest post on lets run.

Read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Let me know who this guy is that ran a 3:40 mile. Whatever he's doing is what it takes to be the fastest runner in the world.

Malcolm Gladwell is a great writer...but makes a poor scientist or science journalist. The Sport Gene is the best source for this question. But unlike the commenter above, the overwhelming message of The Sport Gene is...It's genetics all the way down.

Lindgren also told people that he magical powers and that he could float above the ground. So.... I would have to add Magical Powers to that list.