Yes it is possible.
Yes it is possible.
Of course.
Start now, work real hard, like yo love the sport.
Race all you can, and whatever time you get is your time.
Your potential
Don;t be into this bs they do here where they give a month training program and then we all guess your performance. Just go out there and race.
As Bill Parcells said, "You are only as good as your record."
Own your stuff
curious or delusional, or both wrote:
I probably am delusional, but just looking for confirmation. What are the chances I'd hit what my genetics allows me for 400m/800m if I started training right now from scratch at the age of 28, compared to if I had started training when I was 15 or 16?
For example, let's say my lifetime potential is (and to say I'm being wildly optimistic here is an understatement lol) 52/1:57. Would starting at 28 make it impossible to reach those times?
Appreciate any help
I am hoping you can because I am looking to get back into competitive running myself. I am 25. I ran in hs and a couple years in college. and have not done too much for two years now
I started running 4 years ago at 35. Ran a 2.17 800 within about 6 months. Last summer broke 2 for this first time with a 1.59.0.
I do wonder what I could have ran in my mid twenties. I’m guessing a bit faster but not by a huge amount.
It is possible depending on genetic factors and life choices. One of the reasons people at that age rarely sets world records at shorter distances are not only because they loose their fast twitch fibers, but because they reach their ceiling earlier and because you can only do high intensity training for so many years before your cells will malfunction-depending on genetics. A mma professional will get worse after 6 years at the top level but a nordic skier or a cyclist can keep on for a long time because they are training more aerobic.
At your age I suggest lots of cross training to start with. Do ploys and cycling on fast gear or other aerob activity to build speed, strength, flexibility and endurance. It is also good to combine two activities in the start like running for 40 min and biking easy for 30
not your lifetime potential, but perhaps within a few seconds.
i was a 400m/800m specialist in high school and college and needed all of high school up to my very last race in college to run my fastest 800m race.
you just need to be running fast for years otherwise you don't develop your potential. it's like the marathon; you need years of healthy running under your belt to make the big advancements. and maybe some psychology to know you're running out of time like i did in my last college race.
btw, my fastest ever 800m race was the last time i raced one.
That was good, rational advice! Just don't forget to mention that the person would surely need a good coach in order to use the training time efficiently. People who try to train themselves for too long usually wind up injured or hitting a training plateau that they don't know how to get out of. :)
Hurricanes Fan wrote:
That was good, rational advice! Just don't forget to mention that the person would surely need a good coach in order to use the training time efficiently. People who try to train themselves for too long usually wind up injured or hitting a training plateau that they don't know how to get out of. :)
That's exactly what happens with coached athletes too.
Not sure about the 400/800, but Kenneth Mungara won the Hong Kong Marathon at age 44, and started in his 30s.
Just a quick update, 3 weeks in now and been doing easy running with strides and once-twice a week resistance/bodyweight/plyometric work. Feeling decent so far, hitting 15-16 seconds on the 100m strides without pushing it over the top. Will start phasing in some tempo runs soon!
It's been a year and a half almost, but thought I'd give an update for anyone bored out of their mind and stumbling across this.
I've been running in 12-16 week cycles since I posted here, taking 2 weeks off after every cycle. My last cycle finished in beginning of August, and I time trialed a 25.6 200m and 57.02 400m. I'm sure I could have sneaked under 57 if I had done more specific 400/800m training.
I started back up again a few days ago, and went today to time trial a 200m again to establish a baseline and to say the least, I was shocked: I ran a 27.9 lol. Is it normal to lose this much after a month off? (didn't intend to take a month off, I planned on the usual 2 but took another 2 off due to work related reasons and to clear up any remaining niggles.)
Thanks for anyone who takes the time to follow/offer advice!