Can an ex elite runner make a serious comeback

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  • registered

    Runnerrunner45

    Member since 12/24/2023.

    1 post. Last post 6 months ago.
    6 months ago 12/24/2023 11:15pm EST

    Big debate in my own head if it’s possible. Nation champion, representing nation and running at elite levels from a young age to 23 approx.(middle to long distance)

    I had a bad hamstring tear in my tendon just before covid hit. I lost a lot of love for the sport during this time. Went down a path of partying, smoking, drinking etc. but looking back now wondering if I regret not hitting the targets I once set myself.

    do you think it’s even possible to compete back at them levels again(with the right commitment)Currently at fitness where a 10 minute run has me out of breath.

    I worry athletics has progressed so far in these 4 years of inactivity (literally no runs) and at the age of 27 it might be too much damage done. What are your thoughts?

  • Go for it

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/24/2023 11:27pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    The simple answer is yes, it can be done.

    Give it a go and good luck.

  • lol lol lol lol

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/24/2023 11:30pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Runnerrunner45 wrote:

    Big debate in my own head if it’s possible. Nation champion, representing nation and running at elite levels from a young age to 23 approx.(middle to long distance)

    I had a bad hamstring tear in my tendon just before covid hit. I lost a lot of love for the sport during this time. Went down a path of partying, smoking, drinking etc. but looking back now wondering if I regret not hitting the targets I once set myself.

    do you think it’s even possible to compete back at them levels again(with the right commitment)Currently at fitness where a 10 minute run has me out of breath.

    I worry athletics has progressed so far in these 4 years of inactivity (literally no runs) and at the age of 27 it might be too much damage done. What are your thoughts?

    Provided your hamstring is OK and you don't have any other new physical problems you certainly should be able to return to at least near your previous level. It will take years to get there, of course, but you presumably already know this.

  • triplethreshold

    Member since 02/07/2023.

    648 posts. Last post 1 day ago.
    6 months ago 12/24/2023 11:31pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    It will comeback soon enough. 27 is still very young.

  • Slapafool

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/24/2023 11:32pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Do it. sounds like you’ll regret it otherwise. Plus it will be fun!

  • registered

    Silky Johnson

    Member since 08/12/2009.

    434 posts. Last post 1 week ago.
    6 months ago 12/24/2023 11:45pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    It’s certainly possible. Ben St. Lawrence did it:

    12wbt.com
    Ben: From Average Joe to Elite Runner
    12WBT Staff
    Watching Olympic athletes compete it’s hard to imagine a time when they weren’t in peak condition. They seem born to...
    Link:12wbt.com/community/ben-st-lawrence-fr...

  • Qwuu

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 12:21am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Steven scullion

  • registered

    Runner10287

    Member since 10/19/2017.

    3,087 posts. Last post 5 months ago.
    6 months ago 12/25/2023 6:18am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Quentin Cassidy did it

  • Out of interest

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 6:58am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    How fast did you run?

  • registered

    COACH WIZARD 1

    Member since 11/03/2021.

    1,822 posts. Last post 2 days ago.
    6 months ago 12/25/2023 7:16am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Come join my great effective Dancan system and you will have a comeback you right now just can dream of.

    Magic power Santa coming to town!

    🎅🎅🎅🧙🏼‍♂️

  • If You Want It

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 8:53am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Google "Tommy Hughes". He's a 60+ runner that was a 2:13 marathoner in the 90s. He's overcome some very serious setbacks and should provide you with a lot of inspiration.

  • Faithful Runner

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 9:58am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Runnerrunner45 wrote:

    Big debate in my own head if it’s possible. Nation champion, representing nation and running at elite levels from a young age to 23 approx.(middle to long distance)

    I had a bad hamstring tear in my tendon just before covid hit. I lost a lot of love for the sport during this time. Went down a path of partying, smoking, drinking etc. but looking back now wondering if I regret not hitting the targets I once set myself.

    do you think it’s even possible to compete back at them levels again(with the right commitment)Currently at fitness where a 10 minute run has me out of breath.

    I worry athletics has progressed so far in these 4 years of inactivity (literally no runs) and at the age of 27 it might be too much damage done. What are your thoughts?

    Yes with the right spiritual focus you can recover. God is great and Christ is king.

  • long distance dedication

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 10:05am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    I think yes but I think it's more likely in long distance than middle distance.

  • registered

    a dog

    Member since 08/21/2015.

    44 posts. Last post 6 months ago.
    6 months ago 12/25/2023 11:00am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    The company’s vice chair told the story of a young man who had asked Mozart about how he could begin composing symphonies

    Mozart told the man that at 22 years old, he was too young.

    “You were writing symphonies when you were 10 years old,” the man protested.

    “Yes, but I wasn’t running around asking other people how to do it,” Mozart responded according to Munger.

  • Stewie MF Griffin

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 11:16am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Whether you believe you can, or believe you cannot, you’re right!

  • the dude abided

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 11:19am EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    How bad do you want it?

  • registered

    runn

    Member since 01/21/2005.

    12,378 posts. Last post 10 hours ago.
    6 months ago 12/25/2023 1:05pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Runnerrunner45 wrote:

    Big debate in my own head if it’s possible. Nation champion, representing nation and running at elite levels from a young age to 23 approx.(middle to long distance)

    I had a bad hamstring tear in my tendon just before covid hit. I lost a lot of love for the sport during this time. Went down a path of partying, smoking, drinking etc. but looking back now wondering if I regret not hitting the targets I once set myself.

    do you think it’s even possible to compete back at them levels again(with the right commitment)Currently at fitness where a 10 minute run has me out of breath.

    I worry athletics has progressed so far in these 4 years of inactivity (literally no runs) and at the age of 27 it might be too much damage done. What are your thoughts?

    Go way back in history to the 1980's of the last century- Carlos Lopes. Yes, it can be done.

    Go for it!!!

  • Retired Oakley Rep

    looking_good

    Member since 06/15/2023.

    177 posts. Last post 2 days ago.
    6 months ago 12/25/2023 1:15pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Yes just look at Ben Blankenship

    en.wikipedia.org
    Ben Blankenship
    Ben Blankenship (born December 15, 1888) is an American middle distance runner. He is a world record holder as a member of the 2015 USA Distance medley relay team, of which he ran the 1600-meter anchor leg. Running career Ele...
    Link:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Blankenship

  • registered

    4:20 is not that fast

    Member since 12/24/2023.

    1,622 posts. Last post 2 months ago.
    6 months ago 12/25/2023 2:14pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    What are your PRs?

  • Not Impossible

    Anonymous Poster

    6 months ago 12/25/2023 4:57pm EST
    re: Runnerrunner45

    Yes, it is possible. As others have shown in their replies to you, there have been several outstanding runners who stopped running for several years but then made very impressive comebacks. Here's another example: There was a great HS runner who broke the national high school sophomore class record in the 5,000 back in 2001, but didn't run at all after graduating HS. But then 7 years after graduating HS (after not running a single mile during that time), and at the age of 25, he decided to try to make a comeback. And believe it or not, after just running for about 6 months and averaging only 20 miles per week for that 6-month period, he ran an 8,000 all by himself in a workout, on a track, in 23:14 (and he ran barefoot). And then about 2 weeks later, he ran in the Warf-to-Warf 6-mile road race near Santa Cruz (CA) in 28:12.

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