Forums >General Running>'splain this for me: science question
Me and Blake
Zola Budd 5'2", 5’5″ Haile Gebrselassie, Joan Benoit 5'2"
By Jim2
"... the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value..." Thomas Paine Dec 23, 1776 The Crisis
Solinsky is the tallest person to run sub 27 for the 10k - he's 6'1". It seems that the longer the distance the more being tall is a disadvantage. Rudisha is 6'3", but it's interesting that he doesn't even try to compete at 1500...
The shorter stride is offset by each stride taking less effort, and less time. This allows shorter runners to compete on an equal basis, or possibly even have an advantage.
Further examples- Minuts Yifter, Mary Keitany, Rosa Mota.
PBs since age 60: 5k- 24:36, 10k - 47:17. Half Marathon- 1:42:41.
10 miles (unofficial) 1:16:44.
Middle Distance Runner
It's not just height, but weight. Back in the 70s the US had an Olympian, Jack Bachelor, who was 6'5" who qualified in the 5,000 in '68 and the marathon in '72.
2013 Goals: Mile - 7:45 (SB 7:53.74); Run first ultra marathon (Sep 21)
My my observation the only time it has seemed to be an advantage to be bigger is for young kids (middle school and younger). For the most part, because the kids aren't as trained, the bigger kids tend to be stronger, and just do better
Old , Ugly and slow
Long distance running is for small framed people. There have been more short good runners than tall good runners.
pr's 5k 20.08, 5 mile 31:20, 10k 41.19 all done in the 80's
2013 goals 1500 miles, 190 pounds
mileage hound
Oh my. I guess I had my Jims mixed up.
You're not the only one. Had me very sad for a second.
2013 goals: Kick some arse. Moreso than 2012.
"If you want to be a bad a$s, then do what a bad a$s does. There's your pep talk for today. Go Run." -- Slo_Hand
"Determined is what I am. Maybe a little sick in the head? Ok who am I kidding ALOT sick in the head" -- rockenmamaof5
Jim2's website, which hillrunner copied and saved, is well worth the read. Jim was a retired engineer who had a way with numbers and analysis. He also worked with Burfoot on the article Amby published in RW on suggesting revisions to BQ times a few years ago.
© 2013 RunningAHEAD, LLC. All rights reserved. | Privacy