Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed" (Page 2)

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2012-11-13 2:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"
ChrisM - 2012-11-13 3:28 PM

"alarming"?   Did they really use the term "alarming" to describe average run times???

That's funny

Why?  After all, we're the "Swiftest of Nations."

 

2012-11-13 2:29 PM
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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"

mad-dog - 2012-11-13 3:17 PM Yes walkers and females as Pops says. Lol

Walkers, women, and fat men. I "run" at a medium walking pace for normal people. 

2012-11-13 2:33 PM
in reply to: #4496896

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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"
Goosedog - 2012-11-13 12:29 PM
ChrisM - 2012-11-13 3:28 PM

"alarming"?   Did they really use the term "alarming" to describe average run times???

That's funny

Why?  After all, we're the "Swiftest of Nations."

 

 

as in....

2012-11-13 2:34 PM
in reply to: #4496907

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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"
ChrisM - 2012-11-13 3:33 PM

 

as in....

Well done, sir.  Well done.

 

 

2012-11-13 3:00 PM
in reply to: #4496592

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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"
trishie - 2012-11-13 1:25 PM

Thoughts on this, BT?

I got this email from Athlinks.com --

_____________________

Tricia -

The past four years have seen an alarming decline in U.S. racing performances in distances across the board. 5K times are off by +1:17, that's a 4% decline! Average Ironman times have increased by +21:54, a nearly 3% decline. I ask you - How could we let this happen to this, the Swiftest of Nations?

 

Average Times for Leading
Race Distances from 2009-2012

 

Distance20092012Change% Change
5K Run30:3031:47+1:17+4.04%
10K Run1:01:011:02:28+1:27+2.34%
Half Mara3:30:013:30:20+0:18+0.15%
Marathon*4:33:184:33:13-0:04-0.03%
Olympic Tri2:52:532:55:55+3:02+1.73%
Half Iron5:59:436:05:49+6:06+1.73%
Ironman12:49:4413:11:39+21:54+2.77%
* Marathon times were the only notable improvement.
Sample Sizes('09/'12): 5K (2,705,308/3,431,895); 10K (834,692/954,978); Half Mar (124,606/98,632); Marathon (474,214/405,624); Oly Tri (78,551/86,849); Half Iron (53,285/61,639); Ironman (17,566/18,429)

I urge you to join us along with your fellow American road racers, trail runners, triathletes, cyclists, and swimmers in making a new commitment to restoring the speed to your own community.

We have already begun work on tools that will help to monitor and report progress across all events, states, genders, and age groups. We will begin rolling out the changes between now and the first of the year. But the first step begins with you and your commitment to training and racing. The second step is encouraging those around you to do the same!

 ____

My guess is that more people are racing and a lot of these people are beginners .. and (generally) newer athletes = slower athletes.

Personally, I don't care that average times are getting slower - that just means I place higher Tongue out

What say you?

Until the times are adjusted for participation to include age groups and gender, these numbers don't mean much to me.  The US population is aging overall, thanks to the Baby Boomers hitting retirement age.  So perhaps the age distribution in these numbers is also increasing?

Along with Trishie's comment on newer athletes, the change could easily be explained.  In fact it may show we're getting faster, when accounting for ages and gender.

2012-11-13 10:47 PM
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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"

In a former life I often used, or misused, stats in an attempt to make numbers support conclusions that the data doesn't support so I share the concern.  We need to make a significant change to stop the slowing of races.

So, I propose we limit all future races to only those who finish above the average time of the previous year.  Sure, nobody will be able to try a new race, participation will drop dramatically, and ultimately every race will just be one juiced up freak of nature.  But we will have successfully solved one of the great tragedies of our times.

Or we can just shrug and go on with life.  I'm good with either.

2012-11-14 5:18 AM
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Subject: RE: Average times are slower and it's time to "restore speed"

My first reaction to Athlinks.com emailing this to ME would have been, WTF Athlinks?  What are you trying to say? Laughing

Sounds like more people joining in, newbies getting in for a challenge, better health, etc, make overall times slower.

Marathon times were the only notable improvement

Really?  A 5 second improvement is notable?  So if I clocked a minute faster, I expect Athlinks.com's owner to do a somersault in celebration.

I also find 'swiftest of nations' to be funny.  We are the 'swiftest of nations' while simultaneously the most obese, according to this article:

http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?articleId=USRTXT3DK#a=1

Yeah America!



Edited by mattramirez 2012-11-14 5:23 AM
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