Sub XX, The arbitrary time, a help or a hinderence?

ecoli

When trying for PBs many of us aim to break certain arbitary figures perhaps sub 11/12 in the 100m or sub 37/40 in a 10k or 3 hour barrier

Do these time "barriers" hurt or help us?

On one side I want to take the 4 min mile. This was seen as a monumental achievement, 3 weeks later it was broke again and from there the floodgates opened. Nowadays it is the sign of an elite junior as oposed to worldclass time.

In this case you could look at arbitrary figures such as sub 4 min mile or sub 3 hr marathon (or sub 10 sec 100m) as being an extra weight on people limiting potential until a "genetic freak" debunks the theory that it is not possible.

This was my original way of thinking but it got me thinking. Do these numbers also create extra motivation? The idea of working harder to break an arbitrary figure as a test of will power over the human body could actually help a person get that extra 2% out of themselves needed. People begin thinking outside the box and not only push themeselves but also the methodology of current training trends.

To give an example would it be harder or easier for a person to go from say 18.02 in 5k to 17.58 or 17.58-17.54.?

pconn062

I think it's a case of people liking round numbers! It's better to say you are trying to break 20 minutes for 5k or a 5 minute mile, and having these round numbers in mind is going to motivate you to try and achieve them.

Mothman

ecoli wrote: »

In this case you could look at arbitrary figures such as sub 4 min mile or sub 3 hr marathon (or sub 10 min 100m) as being an extra weight on people limiting potential until a "genetic freak" debunks the theory that it is not possible.

I've just informed my 8 month old of this and he's all set to break it....:D

Sorry not my intention to derail thread, but I couldn't help it.

Back on topic........

ThePiedPiper

From my own experience, time goals can be both a help and a hinderance.

I'd a very close shave with a sub-3 marathon in 2008. In the following race, I ran 3.05 when targeting 2.55. I was absolutely miserable after it, disgusted at myself, completely inconsolable and kicked myself for months. My attitude at what was a reasonably good time was terrible. I took a bit of time off after that and decided to back off chasing sub 3 for a bit and just enjoy the marathon as an experience. When I did break 3, I was delighted and emotional, I still cared about the goal, but probably not to the point of obsession.

Setting time goals can be great for focussing yourself in training, but if they're too ambitious, they can definitely lead to sub optimal times in races. I am 100% sure that I was in better shape for DCM last year than I was for my sub 3 marathon, and I ended up running 3.07. I suppose the trick is to train for a time goal, and then race for a time a little bit slower instead of a little bit faster.

Outside

I feel its very important to be aware that the body is a very complex thing. Any mental doubt can manifest itself physically and lead to an under performance in relative to one's training. I feel it's very good to have a goal in your head to aim for. In my case I like to have a goal a little too ambitious. it takes some of the pressure off failing to reach my goal in the first place but if I get anywhere close to it I'm very happy!

On the Elite side of things, this is where it gets interesting. Usain Bolts defied all logic to run as fast as he did but maybe it was down to him ignoring perceived physiological limits and believing he CAN run that fast. Very interesting article on the "Usain Bolt Effect".
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-bolt-effect-how-chasing-usain-bolt-made-the-world-run-faster-7582603.html
When the other elite sprinters saw that someone proving it's possible to run that fast, they ended up running marginally faster themselves! I don't believe this is purely down to more developed training techniques. The mind is a very powerful thing and people underestimate it's control of your own physiological limits!

dna_leri

I think it can be a help when the target is far away but maybe hindrance as you get closer. When you are at 21 mins a 20 min 5k goal makes sense but when you get to 20:10 its time to reset for something tougher. At that stage the head starts getting in the way.