Now on a different spin on the '83 thread. The difference between now and then is in 1983 we were out Training and not posting on message boards. Even if there was internet I was way too tired to sit around till 2 am posting. Now drinking beer till 2 am that was refueling. Beer is good food.
Ain't it true, fatoldguy?
I never would have imagined knowing of more than a dozen hard core runners, let alone trading stories with them and sharing info. Funny world this. Eventhough I'm more of a dedicated whiskey drinker these days, I still profess that a Guinness is way better than a meal.
Monty
And in 1963, we trained, worked and slept in that order. Those were the days!
And in '83, I cried, nursed, and slept, in that order. THOSE were the days...
1983
Runners reveled in the fact that they were "outsiders".
Runners routinely ran big miles.
Runners gave thanks for the two free pairs of shoes they received each year.
Runners squeezed workouts around full time jobs.
Runners drank copious amounts of beer.
Runners had three TV stations and Atari.
"Massage?! Only Athletics West guys can afford that."
"2:08!!! That's freakin' incredible. What a stud!"
2003
Runners whine about their lack of mainstream acceptance.
Runners always looking for low mileage shortcuts to success.
"Free shoes?! Where's my cash payments you cheap bastards!"
Runners avoid work or collect welfare to "maximize" rest between training sessions.
Runners seek out latest "voodoo" science energy drinks with questionable ergonomic aids and ingredients.
Runners spend countless hours in front of 500 channel cable and Playstation 2.
"Massage. I can't run fast if I don't get one every other day."
"2:05!!! That's only possible with drugs. Damn doper!
old people. can't live with 'em...
wait..
I'm 24, work full time, get big miles in, am very happy that I can get free shoes, drink large amounts of beer, only get 4 channels (I do have playstation2), can't afford a message, love being an outsider (I love to go to a nonrunner party with some hardcore runners, no one can handle us).
My hardcore runner friends and myself are trying to be old school in our running and living!
Wow! And in 1963, we had not been under 2:14
83' Interwho?
03' Internet and Letsrun.com
83' 8th grade dreaming about breaking a 2:25 800m
03' Looking back at career the sacrifice and hard work
83' Fatboys, Run DMC, Breakdancing
03' Nelly, Emenim, break your neck
The Fatboys!, damn Roc, The Fatboys are back!
83: summer of 83, was the summer before my senior year in High School, dropped other sports and became full time runner. XC team went on to finish 3rd at our state meet, highest up to that point, and still the highest up till now.
03: after up and down running career since college, re-motivate for possible marathon debut in 04, inspired by postings of Hadd, the man just makes sense to me. Lots of miles ahead but off to a solid start.
The Fatboys....
Olderguy wrote:
Wow! And in 1963, we had not been under 2:14
Yeah, the world's records have dropped through the years. Stop the presses.
Might suggest that you wiseasses type this guy's name into your search engine - some of the results may surprise you. Although I'm sure that if your entire focus will be on comparing times of another era to today, it probably isn't worth your time.
I was actually hoping that this guy might stick around; might be an interesting perspective from somebody who's actually been there...
Yes even at an advanced age I still live and run. Look at what Bill Rodgers is still doing! Olympian Boston New York anf the dude just still keeps going. I think he is the Energizer Bunny.
"Runners squeezed workouts around full time jobs."
"Nobody with a full-time job will ever beat me in a race"- Bill Rodgers, pre-1983
rev wrote:
"Runners squeezed workouts around full time jobs."
"Nobody with a full-time job will ever beat me in a race"- Bill Rodgers, pre-1983
Still. it's worth noting that only once did BR run a faster marathon without a job than he did when he was working. And his PR is only 2 seconds faster than Ron Hill's and 53 seconds slower than Derek Clayton's, both of whom had full time jobs while at their peaks.
When Rodgers ran 2:09:55, he was working a part-time menial job in a hospital.
As impressive and admirable as Hill and Clayton were, Rodgers career was far longer at the top level. He (and Shorter) provided the template for today's professional runner.
Didn't Hill run in three Olympic Games (64, 68, 72)? I don't think you can have a much longer top-level career than he did, certainly not far longer. His career was earlier, though, and there were not the professional opportunities available in the 70's and 80's, especially for a runner in the British system.
Ron Hill @ Olympics
64 64 - 10k: 18th, 29:53, marathon: 19th 2:25:34
68 - 10k: 7th, 29:53:2
72 - Marathon: 6th, 2:16:31
Also
62 Euro - Marathon: DNF
66 Euro - Marathon: 12th
69 Euro - Marathon: 1st, 2:16:48
71 Euro - Marathon: 1st, 2:14:36
70 Comonwealth - Marathon - 1st, 2:09:28
also
70 Boston: 1st, 2:10:30
71 Manchester UK - 1st, 2:12:39
Hill also holds the UK veterans marathon record of 2:15:46 which he set in 1979 at New Orleans-Metairie (though I gather there is some debate about the course accuracy)
Pretty long career I reckon - and he's still runnning.