Boston Marathon: How do people run this fast!?

It's called "training".

You guys make me giggle.

And yes, those runners do amaze me. What really amazes me, though, are the world-class marathoners who are not Kenyan, who don't look like Kenyans, nor are super short rubber-band-like whippets ...  and yet they are quite nearly as fast (and in some cases, as fast).

agreed these guys train hard but there is much more to it than that.  most people no matter how much/hard they train would never come close to those splits.. genetics play a huge part of it.  they can thank their parents!

I dont take supplements.

There was never any doubt in that regard.

All the genetics in the world don't mean a thing if you're not dedicated to the goal.

Wow... I think fast is just being able to qualify for Boston 8).  A larger number of folks can obtain that than... a sub 5:00 mpm pace... 8)

True...but "dedication to the goal" will not get you those times if you are not gentically blessed.
just sayn

I can average a 4:35 pace....for about 100 yards. OK, maybe 75.

Why am I not getting updates on him!!!??? GRRRRR ...

I'm quite sure I can't run 1 mile in 5:15, let alone 4:35 or whatever.

My friend Sophia is on pace for a 3:02.

Men's winner done in 2:05:xx ... new course record.

Women's winner won in 2:26:xx.

Amazing.

Q is running, too:
5759	Giles, Jeffrey J.	35	M	Tampa	FL	USA
Checkpoints 5k 10k 15k 20k Half 25k 30k 35k 40k 0:22:13 0:44:15 1:06:09 1:28:22 1:33:13 1:50:46 - - - Finish Start Time Offset Pace Projected Time Official Time Overall Gender Division - 0:07:09 3:07:19 - - - -

And for the record, I'm a huge Meb K fan. Finished with a visible limp, too.

Holy crud is all I can say, honestly, I probably cant even run a half marathon that fast...

Congrats to Hall and Meb though, Americans took 4 and 5 with some good times.

Johnnykay is Mr. Consistent with almost identical 23:XX splits through 30k!

And 9th.

Another BTer and D3 coach:

Bib	Name	Age	M/F	City	State	Country	Ctz	*
3736	Dillard, Mark	44	M	Englewood	CO	USA
Checkpoints 5k 10k 15k 20k Half 25k 30k 35k 40k 0:20:56 0:42:50 1:03:49 1:25:33 1:30:02 1:46:41 2:08:39 2:30:43 2:53:07 Finish Start Time Offset Pace Projected Time Official Time Overall Gender Division 00:01:46 0:06:59 3:02:57 - - - -

Edited by skarl 2010-04-19 12:00 PM

Initially, it's genetically gifted athletes.  THEN it's years of training to develope those gifts...  Sort of like how someone can hit a 90mph fastball 500' for a sub 10 second 100 m dash.

Or was it a rhetorical question?

but I do have to admit, that's hard to comprehend.  Would be VERY hard pressed to run ONE mile at 4:35.  In fact, running an 800 in 2:17 is probably not doable.  I would even have to see if I could run 400 in 1:09 without throwing up...

Aaaaand Jeff is in!

My friend Matt from Chicago ran it in 2:41:43 and placed 246 overall.  Even though I know him I still cannot comprehend running that fast for that long!