IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A NEW SPRINTER TO SHAVE OFF MULTIPLE SECONDS IN ONE SEASON?

Also, to add to this post, I’m a female from west Africa originally (in Georgia now) and was wondering if that gives me any genetic advantage at all ( of course I won’t be relying on that only)...because I heard a lot of people from west Africa have “the sprint gene”... I know this sounds stupid but it’s just a question...

Be careful coming onto letsrun discussing genetic racial advantages. You will encourage racists on letsrun. As you may know, US citizens labeled as black average app. 20% recent European genes but US citizens labeled as black are no slower than western Africans without European DNA. If you are high school age, keep training and have fun. Those are 100 & 200 performances will help your high school team.

Thanks for the racial insight! Much appreciated! Also, in terms of my original question, what do you think?

More than one second is likely as you improve fitness and technique, especially since you've just started this year.

Try different distances while you're still finding yourself as an athlete. Look at the 60-400 range as we approach the indoor season. You might surprise yourself into finding new strengths. Also look at the 400m outdoors. Depending on your endurance and built you might be suited as a 200/400 over a 100/200.

If you're high school age, starting looking at the collegiate route. With a track scholarship comes professional-level training and a free education. However, it's very hard work and college kids burn out often so you'll have to be very dedicated and focused to get anywhere.

Should you become good enough to go pro, you'll face the decision of competing for either your country of origin or the USA. Ask yourself, would you rather make good money and get national attention every four years, or make less money as a revered national icon back home? For the latter, compete for your birthplace.

Most importantly, have fun! Track can open a whole new world to you, it's just a matter of how much you want it.

You did not give your age. You did not state which grade. Let's assume your T&F performances were from 9th grade. Let's assume you are in 10th grade. It is a reasonable goal to race 28 or maybe slightly better by your senior season, 200m. Some improve more than what I just stated.

yes it is, but are you willing to put in the work?

its almost oct, if you start base training now, and form drills and plyos in jan, then specific work yes you should be able to drop time.

most here on the LR dont listen to me even after i told them who i was, where im from etc.

freshman in hs my prs were

12.9 hd

27.97

63 (relay split)

soph

23.6 (relay split)

54.1 (relay split)

junior

11.23

22.85

51.99

senior

10.77

21.97

48.25

i wasnt very strong at all, and had a 19" vertical, which for male sprinting is garbage, so how was it possible? lots of form drills, lots of block work, lots of 100m repeats, 75m repeats, 50m repeats, 200 repeats, and yes 400 repeats.

your pr is what 14 seconds? well you start with trying to do 25x100m (slow jog back recovery) in 18 seconds. do that for 6 weeks, then 3 weeks try to take off .5 each week, so week one, all 25 in 17.5, next week all 25 in 17, then the final week 16.5

then for 3 weeks you only do 12x100m (slow untimed jog recovery), and now you try to do them all in 16, next week 155.5, next week 15

then the next 3 weeks you do sprint specific workouts.

get a tape measure and cones, first cones at 25m, second cones 50m, third cones 75m,

get in the blocks and crush 25m all out, walk back into the blocks and do a 100m all out...take 5 min rest, do 4 times

then repeat for 25m/75m, and then 25/50, then if you can finish with 4 all out 25m.

if you can follow that, you will run your PR (hand time yes) or faster on that first 100m.

this workout really gets your body used to the drive phase, and the muscle memory when you hope back in the blocks and do the 100m, your brain is still thinking 25m, so your drive super hard. this is also good for your sprint endurance, able to do prelims, semis and finals that come with track meets and of course if you make it to state.

like i said my vertical was garbage so i was getting killed till about 60m or so, but my form maintained and i was able to continue to accelerate till around 70m while everyone else was tying up. was i super fast? no...but i did make significant gains from how slow i was when i started.

ironside wrote:

Be careful coming onto letsrun discussing genetic racial advantages. You will encourage racists on letsrun. As you may know, US citizens labeled as black average app. 20% recent European genes but US citizens labeled as black are no slower than western Africans without European DNA. If you are high school age, keep training and have fun. Those are 100 & 200 performances will help your high school team.

Right because talking about genetics and recognizing that they matter means you're racist.

Listen to me!!!!

Drivel burp intrinsic first lane 1:39 execrable!

I’m almost 15 years old (in October) in ninth grade and those times were from my 8th grade year (during spring) :)

My gosh this was one of the best replies I’ve ever gotten...thank you so much!!! This is really inspiring and motivating! Mark my word I will come back during the spring with my results!!! :)

Hey troll, do you have an actual gene you want to name?

There is no doubt sprinters with roots to western Africa have advantages when it comes to sprinting, studies have proven this....fact. Then there is just open your eyes, there it is.

Obviously all sports take work regardless of who you are.

Yes with simple maturity and that work you can make dramatic improvements from season to season especially at a young age.

Key to sprinting "speed endurance". The longer you can sustain/maintain your topend before hitting that decelleration phase the better off ya are,

ironside wrote:

Be careful coming onto letsrun discussing genetic racial advantages. You will encourage racists on letsrun. As you may know, US citizens labeled as black average app. 20% recent European genes but US citizens labeled as black are no slower than western Africans without European DNA. If you are high school age, keep training and have fun. Those are 100 & 200 performances will help your high school team.

There is a reason no non African roots sprinters has won the Oly 100n since 1972 (forger 80).

Then there are all the sprint records.