Marathon vs Sprint
Anyone can run a marathon but can anyone run a 4.5 forty?
I drive to work every day using the George Washington Bridge. Known to locals as the GWB, this is the busiest bridge in the world. Tons of cars going to and fro. One thing that I am seeing more and more plastered on each car is the white oval stickers with “26.2” or “13.1” indicating that one has run a full or half marathon. Big whoop! I really don’t care. I want to take White-Out and a Sharpie and make it read “2.62” or “.131”.
I am all for accomplishments but for some reason, I look at these stickers in the same manner as the “My child is an honor student at…”. I just want to vomit. I have visions of Stewie from MadTV shouting, “LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!”
I grew up playing basketball and tennis. Two sports in which speed is essential. It is the speed that requires good reflexes because due to where the ball is and/or the opponent, there is a lot of change of direction. Unlike a marathon, you run in one direction and that is forward. Running and sprinting are two different actions. One is smooth, while the other is violent. One looks effortless and the other looks explosive. One you have to know when to conserve your energy and the other all the energy comes out within a few seconds. There is no time to conserve.
I am not bashing anyone who runs a marathon. I just firmly believe that anyone who puts their mind to it can run a marathon. I also firmly believe that for everyone who has completed a marathon, a majority would not be able to break 5 seconds when tasked to run a 40-yard dash. Train all you want, it is not possible. Five seconds may be asking too much. That would be the bar for most professional athletes. Let’s say 6 seconds. Would an NYC Marathon winner who completes the course in 2 hours and change be able to break 5 seconds in the 40-yard dash? What I want to know is, can anyone put their mind to run a 40-yard dash and break 5 seconds? I’m sure Usain Bolt can run a marathon. Now mind you, he’s not going to run it in 3 hours but he will finish. The point is finishing the marathon versus running 40 yards in less than 4.5 seconds.
My point is that a majority of us can complete a marathon, but most of us can train all we want and will not be able to sniff 4.5 seconds when running a 40 yard dash. Hell most of us wouldn’t break 5 seconds and if I do, I’m not putting an oval sticker on my car that says, “4.9”.
