Boston Marathon: How do people run this fast!? (Page 2)

Kido - 2010-04-19 1:10 PM 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...

mr2tony - 2010-04-19 10:08 AM

The women are running about 5:15s and the men are running 4:35s.

Did I hear that right??? How does one maintain that pace for that long!? Amazing athletes, they.

Scout7 - 2010-04-19 10:38 AM All the genetics in the world don't mean a thing if you're not dedicated to the goal.

crazyquick23 - 2010-04-19 11:59 PM



Genetics set the bar that you can reach much higher. You can train all you want but if your genetics aren't there you will not reach even close to those times.

By genetics I don't only mean their heart's ability to pump oxygen and ability for their muscles to utilize oxygen but also that they have no structural abnormalities such as flat feet or poor knee angles that would limit their ability to push their body it it's absolute maximum.

It's not just their training.

Scout7 - 2010-04-20 6:08 AM *sigh* I know this. But it's not just genetics either. It's genetics, it's training, it's mental, it's emotional, it's environmental. The fact is, these people are able to do what they do because of who they are and what they have done. All the training in the world won't make you a top athlete without the genetics, and all the genetics in the world won't do it without the training. But genetics is a cop-out. Most of us have no idea what our potential is until we try.

velocomp - 2010-04-20 9:50 AM

Sorry.  Have to disagree.  Most of us do have a slight idea of what we are capable of.  In most cases we know that we don't have the mental disposition to take our training to such a level.  Then of course we know what our genetics are.  I for instance know that with the bone malformations in my feet (that I was born with), that I have suffered juvenille artritis in my ankles since I was 13 yo.  That I will never run a 5 min mile.  I also know that from my current 7:45 pace that I might make a sub-seven mile someday.

I think that realistic expectation and acceptance of what we can do is healthy and more wide spread that is given credit for.

This is just a hobby.

Scout7 - 2010-04-20 9:08 PM *sigh* I know this. But it's not just genetics either. It's genetics, it's training, it's mental, it's emotional, it's environmental. The fact is, these people are able to do what they do because of who they are and what they have done. All the training in the world won't make you a top athlete without the genetics, and all the genetics in the world won't do it without the training. But genetics is a cop-out. Most of us have no idea what our potential is until we try.

rayd - 2010-04-20 7:21 AM


I guess this is about as close as I am going to get to agreeing with you on this one.

velocomp - 2010-04-20 10:50 AM

Sorry.  Have to disagree.  Most of us do have a slight idea of what we are capable of.  In most cases we know that we don't have the mental disposition to take our training to such a level.  Then of course we know what our genetics are.  I for instance know that with the bone malformations in my feet (that I was born with), that I have suffered juvenille artritis in my ankles since I was 13 yo.  That I will never run a 5 min mile.  I also know that from my current 7:45 pace that I might make a sub-seven mile someday.

I think that realistic expectation and acceptance of what we can do is healthy and more wide spread that is given credit for.

This is just a hobby.

mr2tony - 2010-04-20 10:06 AM

Yeah I have a lot of potential I think but no real motivation to actually train to be a top-level performer. Really, though, all the training in the world wouldn't get me a 2:05:xx Boston finish. So I get up and go to work every morning. I can't be good at EVERYTHING!

mr2tony - 2010-04-20 11:06 AM I can't be good at EVERYTHING!

newbz - 2010-04-20 9:52 AM try running 60-150 miles a week for 15 years before you make these guesses;-)

DerekL - 2010-04-20 11:22 AM



You should try being good at something first.

rayd - 2010-04-20 10:33 AM


15-years won't happen at this point in my life. but I did have a pretty good stretch of about 10-years averaging over 40-miles a week...realitively injury free! very structured for that period as well. did I see results...of course. but it never did get me to Boston. maybe I didn't go to my "genetic potential"...maybe I was just being a puss. But at the time I sure felt I was working as hard as a could and that there was something beyond my training that prevented me from seeing any further results.

Anyway, I'm not saying world class runner's don't work hard. I know they do. But "Average Joe" can work just as hard and not see anywhere close to a 2:XX marathon time. Genetics will put a limitation on how we all perform.

newbz - 2010-04-20 11:10 AM I agree part of what you are saying. But i also mean start running like that when you are 12. 40mpw is what many younger high shcool runners are doing. its still fairly low mileage for a runner . A lot of these guys are this fast because by the time they were 16 they were already runnig 50-60 miles a week year round.