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From: Simon Cotton
Date: 7/10/2004
Time: 10:10:06 PM
Remote Name: 62.254.0.34
I agree 29 minutes for 10K is mediocre if you are a cyclist, but for an athlete these days it’s remarkably good and deserves credit! I’m quite confident I could run sub 28:30 next year for 10K if I quit work and had no social life or any other interests and lived at altitude! Unfortunately this is not very realistic and so what if I run 28:30 for 10K anyway! We have to face the fact that making total commitment is a gamble and not worth the sacrifice to all but the most talented athletes with endless financial resources to back them up! Realistically what we have to do is balance athletics with our other commitments and accept a lower performance level as being excellent!
To the matter of UK distance running standards declining it is no surprise and this will get worse for sure. There will always be the exception pushing athletics boundaries further but the obstacles of 21st century living significantly outweigh the technological advantages. Greater opportunities provide far more distractions and the fact that there is far less competition especially in training also puts the current athlete at a major disadvantage! I could go on but I am sure you can see what I am getting at and i need to get back into my oxygen tent!!