potential

spam jam said:

Potential check -- I'm going to start training myself as
a runner/triathlete and am looking for goals to shoot
for. I come from a competitive rowing background where I
was an overachiever for my size, and now I'm looking to
get involved in sports that better suit me. I placed in
the top few overall and 1st in my age group in a stair
race up a 94-story skyscraper. I've done a few road races
with no comparative success, so I want to get better at
running. My 10k is 39:08, with basically no specific
running training and ran when I weighed over 10 pounds
more than I do now.

My stats are -22 years -5'8", 132 pounds (down from 145 in
my rowing days) -2-5% body fat -vo2 max estimated in the
70s -270-300 watts at threshold when in form

I'm going to relocate for a job and start running
consistently with a solid training program working my way
up over 50 mpw. What's my potential as a runner?

Who knows ? Quite a lot faster than 39 for 10k. Several
minutes faster. How many minutes ? I don't know. I have
improved 5k performance by about 1 minute per mile compared
to my starting point. My 10k time has improved by even more
(because it is even worse without training)

Quoted message said:

Could I eventually start placing high in regional
road races?

Yes, especially if you build up to a consistent 50mpw.

Where I live -- even 39 minutes is good enough for a top 50
showing in smaller races (in NY, "smaller" just means that
not all the top club runners come out -- there are still
over 3000 runners in the race).

For a trophy, you would need to be in the low 37s for 10k in
your age group (but you'll be able to do that with training)

Quoted message said:

Should I stick to uphill specialty events?

If you like. But road races are held much more frequently,
so it makes sense to enter these.

Cheers,
--
Donovan Rebbechi pegasus.rutgers.edu~elflordOpen ↗