Sprint race - My wife vs. a 9 year old?

Question

My wife who is an experienced runner and most recently ran a 3:55 marathon got out-sprinted by a 9 year old boy at the park this weekend. She wanted to know whether or not she should feel like a loser?

Answer 1

no way . . . she's a marathoner ~ slow twitch muscles and endurance . . . all 9 year old boys are good for sprinting and that's about it . . . if she wants to "redeem" herself, have her challenge the kid to an 800m race ~ he'll be done after a 200 (lol) . . . she's NOT a loser and please congratulate her on the under 4hr effort for the 26.2 . . .

Answer 2

Well, she lost, so she is the loser and therefore she should feel like one, at least as far as that one race is concerned. In general, she sounds like a winner.

Answer 3

shes a long distance runner and the kids a boy. we all now that boys naturally are more athletic than girls. I wouldn't feel to bad. especially if the kid was black [no i'm not rascist] black people can run like crazy. Ever heard of Kenyan Runners?

Answer 4

A loser? No! But I know how she feels. I ran a half marathon a couple of weeks ago, finished in 1:50 and I kid you not, a 10 year old flew by me on the last mile! I didn't even know you could run those distances at that age. I suppose it's easy to go fast when you only weigh 70lbs...the wind alone will push you past the finish line. Congrats to her for finishing a marathon in under 4 hrs! I bet you are a proud husband. :)

Answer 5

no she shouldnt she should feel happy because she is a long distance runner not a sprinter (correct me if im wrong there) she should be happyt for the kid she will be running for her country in a few years

Answer 6

I can imagine how she feels, but there are some little kids who can fly.  Check out Rhain Davis on Youtube.

Answer 7

...

I know something of that feeling.  A number of years ago when I was still able to go under 16 for a 5k, my youngest daughter beat me in a 200m race.

Because it was my daughter, I was happy for her.  And I knew that her recent activities in life really prepped her to run faster over the shorter distance than myself, who even in my prime couldn't break 30 in a 200.

Your wife should consider that she is training and racing at an 8 minute per mile or 9 minute per mile pace.  And if she is not doing hillwork or sprints on a regular basis, the fast twitch muscles in her legs are not activated; they are not accustomed to "turning on" and moving her quickly!

In contrast to the 9-year old boy.  Even if he isn't in any organized sports, you can bet a dollar to a donut that he's running around all of the time.

And if he plays soccer, which is likely, then he's in constant training to sprint over short distances.

No, your wife shouldn't feel like a loser, ever!  And especially when different training conditions will certainly distinguish her speed over the short haul from a 9 year old boy's speed.

Regards,

Running_Dad

Answer 8

She should not feel like a loser!  She is awesome, she did a 3:55 marathon!  She is a distance runner.  That 9 yr old would not be able to maintain the sprint for very long. Perhaps next time challenge him in a 10K, betcha he would not last 2K.   There is a big difference in sprinting and Long distance running-LDRunners have way more endurance and able to maintain running where sprinting is a quick short distance run.

Answer 9

......and your question is?