Quote Originally Posted by Stolly View Post
All of thats true Nick but I think there are far more important important factors, like when you took up the sport in the first place for example. I think I was 46 when I ran (very very very badly) my first fell race . Also way back last century when I was at school, although I did quite enjoy cross country running for a while and do okay at it, I was mainly into team sports (football and rugby) and later after that karate and hong kong fuey, none of which particularly helped me improve at running. I suspect that now, aged fifty flipping five, I'm a far superior runner than I ever was at school or probably anytime since. Had I given running a proper crack at the time though I could have ended up being miles miles better than I am now. Peer groups when you're young and what you go for, from the wide range of interests open to you, probably dictate more than anything how you'll end up and what things you might get good or not so good at. In the scheme of things genetics are but a small fraction
Stolly, what you say is true. Training, diet and lifestyle play a critical part in maximising what you've got, but the ultimate glass ceiling is what you've got, and I still argue strongly that there are considerable differences between people. You say you started to take running seriously quite late in life, but when you ran cross country at school you enjoyed it and did OK (presumably meaning you didn't finish last). There's the clue: you have a decent degree of inate ability- possibly average, but still decent. Not everyone does. My recollection of all running when I was at school was misery, discomfort and finishing last every time. It didn't come naturally to me, let me tell you.

During my 16 years (so far) of regular running and taking part in events most weekends, I've read many anecdotes from different people of how they got into running - early starters, early dabblers and late starters, whatever - and seen many people come into the events I've been doing. Even starting as a walker it soon becomes apparent over a year or two of someone's natural ability. Not slowing down as much as others is a good indicator. If/when they take up running, these people who don't slow down also happen to finish quite well up the leaderboard. I would venture to suggest that their glass ceiling is higher than the average. Those whose ceiling is lower have to work and train harder, closer to their max, to achieve the same result as someone with a higher ceiling who's taking it easy on less training. This is what I have observed over the years.

This is a good discussion topic that deserves its own thread. I'm sorry it's taken over this one you started. I applaud you for doing what you're doing to make the best of what you've got. Keep it going, Stolly. I can identify with you, although I can't claim to run every day.