\"How did I know you ran the mile in 4:30 in high school? That's easy. Everyone ran the mile in 4:30 in high school.\"
Frank Shorter said that in 1969 and its truth still echoes today. When an athlete is young, high school is the most important thing in the world. But once you graduate, it all disappears. What did you do in high school? It doesn't really matter – unless you want to be that 28 year old who still goes to high school parties.
The best bet for any athlete is not to train so hard in high school that he falls apart in college. Shorter, who has been hailed as the greatest American runner of all-time, took this to heart. As a teenager, the Olympic gold medallist never ran under 4:30 in the mile. He was more interested with the ski team. He didn't blossom until his senior year at Yale.
Learning from the past
Take a look at Alan Webb, he did upwards of 100 miles a week in high school, and last weekend he ran the 800m five seconds slower than his PR. Alan Webb is still a fantastic runner, but he doesn't know how to race. He spent his entire high school career in front, and when NCAA's rolled around, he didn't know how to attack Don Sage and Josh Spiker.
Ever heard of Tim Danielson? Didn't think so - he's one of four prep runners to break 4:00 minutes in the mile. Last I heard he was an aerospace engineer.
I'm not saying that if you are fast now, you'll be slow later. That's ridiculous. What I am saying - and more importantly - is that those who want to be great need not worry if they are logging average times and aren't going to the Footlocker National Cross Country race.
Mark Wetmore, the head coach at Colorado, once said that having a team full of Footlocker champs is the worst-case scenario. Some of the best runners have never even seen a Footlocker race.
For an example from way back, Roger Bannister -- the first man to break the 4 min barrier (for those of you living in a cave) - only ran 4:53 in high school. Now that's some improvement!
Look at the results from past Footlockers. Sure some of the big guns are there, but not all of them. And many of them have burnt out since. Ever heard of Brendan Heffernan? He won it just ten years ago. He's 27 years old right now and should be in his prime.
Finding a niche
Anyone can log ridiculous workouts and countless miles, but only a few can handle it without risking injury and fatigue.
For example, I was out running with a prep senior last week. He's a decent runner who has a lot of potential. But he told me he wanted to go to Wisconsin. After reminding him that it's the second best distance team in the nation, I let it go.
There are always going to be guys who win State, Footlockers and World Juniors. But for everyone else, there is a need to progress at your body's own pace. Face it; a runner won't completely develop until his mid-twenties.
So do your moderate mileage in high school and run as best you can. Don't agonize in you senior year because you're not Alan Webb. When the big show comes to town, you'll be ready.