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Post by marc on Sept 28, 2008 19:47:33 GMT -5
Out of a crowd of 32,486 runners, Haile Gebrselassie improved on his WR by 27 seconds on the same course he set it on one year previous. The guy is 35 years old. Is there any way to keep expecting something like this out of him? www.iaaf.org/LRR08/news/newsid=47859.html |
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Post by flyinghighrunner on Sept 29, 2008 1:48:46 GMT -5
he expects to run 203:30
But he does realize he's racing against the age clock now. It's amazing to think about how insignificant 1 sec/mile is, until it adds up to 27 second WR in the marathon. I don't care if it was a time trial more or less with pacers for 32k....it's still amazing.
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Post by kevinspradlin on Sept 29, 2008 20:36:25 GMT -5
So ... when do the claims of performance-enhancing drugs come into play - if not here, then on the international scene? In this case, as well as Marion Jones and Usain Bolt, I believe he's clean and simply, unbelievably gifted and dedicated. But many, including myself, were wrong about Marion. Do distance runners get more of a pass on this, or would there be less benefit of performance-enhancing substances for a distance runner than a sprinter? Amazing race. You can see most of it free, on demand at www.letsrun.com |
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Post by tommy on Sept 30, 2008 0:20:14 GMT -5
Distance runners don't get a pass, but we're talking about different substances. Steroids and HGH are used by athletes for quicker recovery, in most cases used to allow them to lift/work out without requiring rest days. This allows them to get more powerful in a quicker amount of time. Power and explosion is what sprinters want, it isnt really a tremendous benefit for a distance runner, over say.. the 1500 anyway. What distance runners would be under suspicions for would be EPO or blood-doping, usually associated with cycling, but it would be just as effective for a marathoner. But there are tests for these things, and random checks are made in intertional competition as far as I'm aware. I think most of us would assume that he's clean, because distance running is very much a discipline and hard work sport. But some people are in it for glory, and while they would be amazing runners without doping, that would provide them an edge in high-class competition.
Is he clean? Who knows. Until a test says otherwise tho, let's just assume he is.
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Post by kevinspradlin on Sept 30, 2008 7:15:05 GMT -5
I certainly wasn't suggesting he isn't clean. Anybody know of the last prominent distance runner to test positive for a banned substance? I can't think of any - which might give your position, Tommy, even more weight.
Anyway, it was a fantastic race. People should watch it.
Is there a young buck out there that will go under 2 hours? Is there a limit to just how fast the human body can push itself - meaning, is 1:50 out of the question?
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Post by frojoe23 on Sept 30, 2008 7:17:33 GMT -5
Haile is one of the lucky ones that has escaped doping suspicions for his entire career. Possibly the reason why he has escaped these is not his talent, but instead his personality - he always has a smile on his face and is very friendly to all fans. This is probably the same reason nobody thought Marion Jones could be doping. She was always so friendly to fans, whereas others like Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield have been very quiet people in the media and towards fans.
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Post by Justin on Sept 30, 2008 21:40:45 GMT -5
I agree with Jaron about his great personality keeping him free of suspicion.
If you think about the marathon record, it really shouldn't be surprising. The guy has had a long career as arguably the greatest distance track runner of all-time. With his age increasing he would lose speed first, which is apparent by his track races recently. Overall though he has had a pretty long career free of most major injuries, so just think of the lifetime miles in his body. It is primed for the marathon. The record is a 4:44 mile pace, which for us mere mortals is mind-boggling, but considering his 5k pace is right around 4:04 and his 10k is 4:14, 4:44 isn't unbelievable. If he can stay healthy I wouldn't be surprised if he could keep it up for a couple more years. It would be very interesting to see how his training has changed in the past 5 years or so.
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Post by wvrunner on Oct 1, 2008 12:50:56 GMT -5
Several years ago I stumbled across an article detailing his training leading up to the world record 10K. I found it very interesting that many of his easy days were very easy, some close to 8 minute mile pace. He also included a lot of race-pace specific workouts (10 x 1000 meters at goal 10K pace was what he called his key workout). It would be interesting to see how he changes his training when he prepares for a marathon.
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Post by kevinspradlin on Oct 1, 2008 14:48:43 GMT -5
I think some of us "mere mortals" forget to take it easy on our easy days. I know I do, anyway, and it comes back to hurt me. 4:44 for 26.2 miles. wow.
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Post by Justin on Oct 1, 2008 14:58:06 GMT -5
Kevin,
I personally think that is the most common mistake runners make. I was lucky to have a great coach early in my career which stressed proper recovery. If anything in my running career since then I've been criticized for going too easy on easy days by others.
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