Ed Whitlock suggests he’s running today because he missed Games
If Ed Whitlock had joined his English contemporaries at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, would he still be running (and demolishing records) today? The M85 distance god’s answer appears to be no. He says in a great new video that had he gotten the right training and guidance, and avoided injury, he might have gone to the Games (although he doesn’t specify which one). As a result, he thinks he might not be motivated to run now. He also tells Canadian Running Magazine that he hopes to run to 90 “or beyond.” That’s great news to his fans — and scientists who should continue studying his remarkable mind and physique. But do you agree with my theory that many masters today are those with “unfinished business” of yesterday?
13 Responses
I tend to agree with your theory. While there are some exceptions, not many Olympic athletes seem to compete in masters events. I imagine that after years of intense training and competing at a world class level, the motivation to put in the training may be hard to find.
For most I believe it just fills a competitive void. Plus when it is all older people nobody looks at you like you are crazy. I just like to high jump either alone or with other people.
I also agree with this theory. I invited several former professional athletes to join the masters, but they react negatively. They don’t want to hear about competing at masters level, even if some of them still continue to do some exercises, jogging, etc.
The love of competitive sport has gone. Just ashes, no fire anymore.
I am the opposite case – after mediocre results in the youth years, now I feel motivated to train and compete, get medals, set PBs, etc. That is why masters athletics is a great phenomenon. It enables people to “finish their unfinished business” at an older age. Life does not have to finish at 30. It may start at 35 (or even 65, 75, etc.).
A lady W45, marathon runner, said she feels depressed when reading about the records of Ed Whitlock in M85 (she can hardly reach his times). Of course, she jokes. For me, Ed is a proof that God has messengers on this Earth. As such, he can only be an inspiration for the other masters.
For pre-Title IX women, there were very few opportunities to compete in track and field compared to what is available to young women today. So for many older women, it is not a matter of completing unfinished business; it is a matter of participating in an activity that was largely denied to them in their youth.
I second Rob’s comments about pre title X women. Also a factor are those who qualified for the Olympics in 1980; and never got a chance to compete again. I personally know of an individual. Conversely; the same can be said for Eastern Bloc individuals who boycotted us 4 years later.
Yes, Rob (#4) has certainly hit on something. My aunt (76) had to watch her older brother (my uncle) receive all the HS/College accolades and T&F medals in the 1950s. She is now making up for that lack of opportunity by setting HJ/LJ age group records at the South Dakota Senior Games, as well as the W75 4×100 relay record at the 2015 National Senior Games (unfortunately USATF Masters is non-existent in South Dakota). Also, I have “run” into several members of the 1980 US Olympia Team that were barred from competing in the Moscow Olympics for “reasons” that were entirely contrary to the Olympic “spirit.”* I don’t see how masters competition could ever make up for that.
* See: http://ortmanmarchand.com/fs12.html
I like to compete at my level just to understand how is hard for great champions to train everyday to reach the graal to be on box at great Championship
Dave (comment #5),
Regarding the early lack of track and field opportunities for woman…in addition to being a great athlete, Irene Obera in the 1970s petitioned the USATF to offer as many competitions and age divisions for female Masters as for men. It took years, but she finally won.
Becky Sisley, a Master who no longer competes, is another pioneer. She was the first women’s athletic director at the University of Oregon and was responsible for implementing Title IX there. Her efforts were used as a model at other colleges and high schools.
So, female track and field athletes competing today owe a debt of gratitude to women like Irene and Becky who fought to expand the sport to women.
Ed ran 12:13 5 years ago. 3000. Wonder if he has any plans to go after the M85 3K record:
14:13.4 Julian Bernal Medina
Bonus for those who read comments. I was curious about Ed’s heyday. Here’s a Q&A:
Me: Which Games might you have competed in had you trained properly and not been injured?
Ed: I think I would have been too young for the 52 games, more likely the 56. By those years I was in Canada and not competing
Me: What were your injuries in your prime?
Ed: In my second year at university (1951) I developed achilles tendon problems
Me: What event or events would you have raced at the Olympics?
Ed: Likely 5000m
4. What were your all-time bests in those events?
3 miles 14: 54.4
Me: Did you ever compete in the British Olympic Trials?
Ed: Never competed in trials
Me: Do you ever throw old shoes out?
Ed: Not often
Me: What major meets or road races are you now training for? What records are left for you on the track?
Ed: I am hoping to have a good indoor season starting next month. Indoor and outdoor mile are possible.
It is quite likely that top athlete’s loose their interest in training so much every week. Training is fun but also stressing when results go down. But what they forget is that at the age of say 50, you are obliged to train less because recovery is taking more time. So being a top masters athlete is easier. Join the club.
“unfinished business.”
Does it depend on the sport? The level of achievement?
I swam competitively until high school. Was a Regional champion and made the Provincials but bombed out. I was so disappointed I took the year off and never went back.
I’m now 41 and running for fun and fitness but would never even remotely consider returning to swimming even though I live within walking distance of the pool where I had my initial successes.
My mother reminds people that I could have been a contender for the Olympics but it has no effect on me. I simply have no interest in swimming (even for fun).
NY Times discovers Ed:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/12/28/sports/ed-whitlock-marathon-running.html?_r=0&referer=
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