For those on the list who believe that the "Running Boom" has caused some
dilution in focus and a lowering of standards for the serious distance
runner, please find a copy of Heinonen's "Road Racing" and read it. The
title is something different than that, and I apologize, but can't remember
it.
The book was written in 1979 (deep in the heart of the "boom") ... when
Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers were real heroes to real runners everywhere
in America. You will see the same type of training advocated that the
world's best do today (except fewer days off than the Africans routinely
take).
Mileage buildup of 110 mpw ... twice a week intervals during the pre-comp.
period ... and frequent track racing to get in shape for your key races.
Tom Heinonen was himself an excellent runner, and his career spanned the
boom from start to finish, more-or-less. He was a 2:18 marathoner and a top
performer in the Big-10 in College. His son is a top HS distance runner in
the state of Oregon and was #2 in the nation last year in the 5000m.
Those who have never competed in distance running probably have no clear
idea what is contributing to its decline (in America) relative to the 1960's
and 1970's. Those of us who HAVE competed have a pretty clear idea: THE
GUYS IN THE 70's RAN MORE.
The dropoff in performance NOW vs. 20 years ago is due to the dramatic
difference in outdoor activity that the typical American experiences as a
child compared to the typical level in the 50's, 60's and 70's.
Malmo has pointed it out many times, but nobody seems to grab hold of it:
the high-water mark for American distance running was 1983. Why? Because
those 20-somethings GREW UP IN THE SEVENTIES!
And for the last time, African distance runners have been competing at the
world class level since THE 1960's. They did not "emerge" in the 70's.
They started to really dominate at the world level in '87-'88.
The great ones in the 70's (Rono, Bayi, Nyambui, Kimobwa, Yifter, etc.) were
PRECEDED by Gammoudi, Bikila, Temu, Wolde, Keino, and Biwott in THE 1960's.
Lots of different African nations, in both decades. The difference between
the 60's/70's Africans and the 80's/90's version is that in the earlier
period the rest of the world was right there with them (13:15 5k's and 27:30
10k's). Now, in 2001, if you are a non-African you are 20 seconds back in a
5k.
That is not a result of the running boom though ... The other sports that
require a HUGE amount of practice and training have experienced a similar
downturn in the US (swimming, tennis, cycling ...) in the last 20 years.
-Brian
