Posted by Alma Ramos on March 09, 2007 at 15:39:41:
In Reply to: two things for the critics posted by The Flash on March 09, 2007 at 09:51:16:
Whoa! Take it easy Flash. You sound as if I personally attacked your running prowess. Notice I stated in my message "what has happened to the USA times in fast races like the mile as well as the male/female USA marathon times."
My message was related to the status of overall USA times falling in the young runners age group. I didn't specifically mention you or SI runners, so take it easy. Many races in the USA are weak in the young open category. That is below age 25, so your being 27 puts you out of the bracket to which I was referring.
All you have to do is open up a magazine or newspaper that lists age group times for many races in the USA to see that the masters & senior divisions are stronger than the young open divisions. I'm not reinventing the wheeel, I'm just stating a fact when it comes to running in the USA.
There are young college students or students not in college who have alot on their plate. Beginning school and/or beginning new careers, studying, making friends (which would involve hanging out), being on their own for the first time, learning the ropes fo their new life, etc. Many were great stars in high school that got burned out by the time they got to college. Over zealous coaches? too much training? Only they know.
If they run, that becomes secondary to living their new lives. There are some that really focus on running, however, and I give them credit but we need more up and coming young runners to bring the USA up to par with other countries. Again, my message was to the USA runners, not to you or anyone on SI.
The question was asked in relation to the NYC running community and I answered in relation to the USA community. I thought my first few sentences made that clear. I never said that I thought the times in the mile were bad. I personally think that they were fast, but - again, my post was related to the status of the future of running in the USA for young athletes.
Many states now have youth programs going, which is what the CYO and NYRRC are doing. Giving kids a chance to have fun running while they're young might help them to keep running as they get older. This, in turn, would help the USA's running future to improve.
Keep running up Cat Hill. Keep training and running with SIAC in all kinds of weather. Keep doing what you do. I never said there was anything wrong with that.