It is said that Phelps is 6"4 and has a 32" inseam. (wears length 32 pants)
Near zero chance. Swimming and running are completely different sports and different muscles. If he devoted himself to training for 1 to 2 years he'd have a shot.
Bolt has a much better chance.
My friend was on a decent college swim team and they'd do land training, and he said it was amazing how bad they sucked at running...getting passed by fat joggers, etc.
Probably not.
Olympic butterfly medalist from UK, Stephen Parry, went on BBC's Superstars program. I recall him being worse than pathetic for in the 800m. Over 3mins.
Of course he can because he's Michael Phelps, and Michael Phelps can do anything come on now kids
Stupid stuff wrote:
Of course he can because he's Michael Phelps, and Michael Phelps can do anything come on now kids
You couldn't rule it out with years of middle-distance running-only training during which his physique would change, but I'm not sure that this is the question.
Lots of people seemingly unaware that fitness is highly specific.
I think he can because he is Michael Phelps.
No way Phelps could do it. he has the legs of a person who is about 5'6'' and the upper body of someone 7'0'' tall. and clown feet.
He would be like the first fish or amphibian who pushed up on its belly and fins and became a land animal.
only if he uses the cups on his ass muscles! then he can even run sub 3
Let me just put this to bed for all you little high school boys. ANY world class athlete that does two hour runs can break 5:00. This is from an interview with Phelps:
Talk us through your average day in training…
"I eat around two hours before I hit the pool, and then spend four hours swimming and also building muscles. Then I break for lunch, do some weights and have a run for another two hours."
Is running a big part of your training?
"I run a lot. It was something I really started to do intensely before Beijing [2008], and I have really seen the benefits of it."
I take it you are joking, giving you the benefit of the doubt. He must mean 2 more hours of swimming. Perhaps he is using the verb "run" in the same way my mother might say "run out to the store" when she intends to drive the car. I am 56, have been involved in distance running for 43 years, and have competed on many international squads and in world championship events. I am not a "little high school boy." And I do not believe he runs 2 hours a day. Or at all, unless it's raining and he is running to his car in the parking lot after swim practice.
lights out wrote:
Let me just put this to bed for all you little high school boys. ANY world class athlete that does two hour runs can break 5:00. This is from an interview with Phelps:
Talk us through your average day in training…
"I eat around two hours before I hit the pool, and then spend four hours swimming and also building muscles. Then I break for lunch, do some weights and have a run for another two hours."
Is running a big part of your training?
"I run a lot. It was something I really started to do intensely before Beijing [2008], and I have really seen the benefits of it."
Phelps couldn't break 7 minutes in a mile right now. Maybe sub 6 with a year of training
RunnerTeacher wrote:
Could Micheal Phelps break 5 in the mile?
Dunno, "Teach," but I'd bet he could spell "Michael" correctly.
Can we rename this thread:
Could Michael Phelps break 6:30 in the mile?
No way in hell Phelps breaks 5.
No. Freaking. Way. For comparison, check this out about Katie Ledecky: From http://wapo.st/28Sv67q (Washington Post article)
WAPO wrote:
When Bruce Gemmell first began coaching Ledecky in the fall of 2012 — taking over after Suguiyama left for a job at the University of California following the London Games — he was surprised to find out she couldn’t do three unassisted pull-ups or run a nine-minute mile.
It sounds like she added 2 running days a week to her regimen. I'll bet she could run a 7-minute mile.
Michael Phelps claims to run "a lot":
http://www.shortlist.com/olympics/michael-phelpsTalk us through your average day in training…
I eat around two hours before I hit the pool, and then spend four hours swimming and also building muscles. Then I break for lunch, do some weights and have a run for another two hours.
Is running a big part of your training?
I run a lot. It was something I really started to do intensely before Beijing [2008], and I have really seen the benefits of it.
Here's a video of him "running":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqZK5yBFLgII'm guessing 200m track with a 36s 100, so he is running at best 9:00 pace. Obviously he could run faster, but if that's his training speed, that should give you an idea about his race-specific training. I couldn't find any mentions anywhere of him doing strides or repeats or anything.
No.
He looks like a fish out of water
Have you noticed his ears? They are like fully deployed parachutes- the wind resistance alone would stop him. No way he breaks 5 min.