Talent is hard to define

Sep 1, 2024, 6:15 PM

On the web a friend (GEORGE) posted as to being an athlete at any age.
You can't be George Walker.
You can be fit at any age.

Is that possible?
Having been around athletes for decades, I have an opinion.

I have been a decent age group foot racer after taking the sport up near 40.
At near 80 and 300 happy pounds, I might be done with lining up against my peers, but ??
I have a plan.

George won the competitive Charlotte Observer Marathon as a kid at UNC-W. He is a solid Clemson Tiger Fan, as is his family. He is a left wing nut, I am a right wing nut.

George was unknown at the time, just lined up as a college student against the great Tony Bateman and hung on for 26 miles and won the day in around 2:20. It was shocking! I am friends with both.

To be one of the best, one needs talents.
George had the talent to train better than his competition, and of course youth was a factor in the race that made him famous. It aint fair, but age bows to youth.

In later years, having "fun"" at track work outs -- George would race my old ### in the 100. All there laughed as we were ridiculously slow, zero fast twitch. Robbie would jog along and encourage us.

In a longer endeavor George and I were competitive with any who would line up. Me in the age group, and he overall. He could go under 15 in a 5K, and I could do maybe 16:30 after 45 on a good day.

At the track workouts I would just sit and watch as ~~?
Those incredible runners would take turns leading repeats. Near the end George would take over and haul them over the last laps to the line because he was training better than them and did not wear down. These guys were the best in the area and showed at the park to do what ever work out George had planned.
Harry Ash and I called them "the heroes".
I know what real runners are, and I am not one. I am a real foot racer.

All of them would line as members of 'Law Enforcement Running Association when needed. Back then team racing was a big deal. One could get things like a free Gore Teck suit, but they saw that as funny and beneath them.
Our LERA team loosing was not possible.

I have never been the best, but I understand it is a mix of talent and hard work.

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Talent is hard to define

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