Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

It is not that hard to run a 6 minute mile. Read the previous posts. There are about a half dozen stories about people running a 6 minute mile.

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

I am a 46 y.o. male would like to point out two things.
One, I have a same-age friend who can even now run a 5:25 mile. He was never an "athlete" in the common use of the term but he raced motocross as a kid. I believe the beneficial effects of motocross riding on overall health (yes including aerobic) are greatly underestimated.
The other thing is that I suspect that whether or not one can run a 6-minute mile is equally a function of running ability, as well as fitness level. Even when I was in top shape on my high school wrestling team at age 17, at 155 lbs. I could only manage ~7:00. Certainly there were others in no better overall (or even aerobic) condition who could probably have run ~5:20 or less, based on my observations of how fast they passed me during workouts (wrestling workouts typically incorporate running), thus indicating superior running ability!

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

If I run a 6:00 mile at 250lbs, what mile time would that be equivalent to if I was 170lbs?

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

6:00.00

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

Very funny.

I wonder how much time I am losing being about 50lbs overweight.

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

>If I run a 6:00 mile at 250lbs, what mile time
>would that be equivalent to if I was 170lbs?

I have often heard the following relationship: 2 seconds per pound per mile. That is, if you lost 1 pound of FAT, you would run your mile in 5:58. Taken to the extreme, if you got down to 170lbs, you would run 160 seconds faster, or a 3:20 mile. Obviously, the formula isuseful only for small reductions in weight. I think I once found a similar formula (in metric units) in Better Training for Distance Runners, by Peter Coe.

[jhc68]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

Cool, so if he got down to about 140 lbs he could break under the 3 minute mile barrier. Why doesn't that Webb kid try that?

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

Webb again...

Webb should not even be mentioned in a conversation about a six minute mile. Things are not that bad!!!!!!!

[DentyCracker]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

I have started some (very light) running in the hope of being able to run a six minute mile by the end of next month. I am so out of shape it isn't even remotely funny. I "ran" a mile recently in >>6minutes. Actually it was more like run/walk about 7 days ago (too embarrassed to say the actual time). 5 days ago I "ran" it again in 2 minutes less than the first time. I am 34, 6'1" 215 lbs. When I was fit I was 175 lbs. I doubt that I'll be able to drop more than about 15 lbs in the next month so I'll have to run that 6 min at 200 lb. Due for another "run" in a couple days' time. Also I figure the more I run the more often I'll be able to run as my aerobic capacity (which at the moment is absolute shite) increases.

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

Based on this thread I decided to find out how fast I could run a mile two weeks ago. I did 5:27 on a 440yds track.

My background is as follows:
* Last Race 10 yrs ago 15:45 5K on the track
* 1500M PR- 4:04 800M PR- 1:56
* Sporatic running during this 10yr period around 1-2X's a week 20-30:00 on the average.
* 31 yrs old, height- 6'5" weight- 235lbs (during my racing days 165-170lbs)

Because of this result I am now getting in shape to run a 4.6mi race and hopefully string together some 6:00 miles.

It is never too late....

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

I see a lot of you are on the heavy side... maybe you should all start running the mile.... seriously.

[Guest]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

Running overweight is extremely taxing. At 250lbs a 3:00 half even hurts a little. At one time running at a six minute mile was conversation speed.

This is why I am giving myself 20 months before I even attempt a 5:00 mile.

A 5:38 mile at a fun run is a start.

[DentyCracker]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

Off topic, I would probably benefit from using Modafinil. Not for performance enhancement, but it has been cleared to treat speep apnoea, which I have. Of course the better thing for me to do is to lose the excess weight, which will help with the sleep apnoea (which by the way makes you excessively somnolent especially in the early afternoon). I blame this condition squarely on med. school, as after the first 4 hour anatomy lecture I basically ceased all athletic activities and started studying, putting on 30 lbs in 3 months . Anyway I would not take it, although I might prescribe it for patients in whom it is indicated and who are not athletes.

[DentyCracker]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

I think it is time for me to start training a bit more. "Ran" the mile again just now. Took another chunk off but still nowhere near where I want to be. The mile course is on the road. I measured it using the RAC map ruler which is supposed to be pretty accurate since it gives 3 significant figures. I then erred on the side of too long. I am going to find a track where I can run the mile on the flat. The road course has a upward slope toward the end of the first quarter mile that really kills me (I never tolerated uphill running very well) I still think the average man can probably run a six minute mile, but realise more now that he has to want to run it. Still too embarassed to reveal the time I ran it in

[Ron Bramlett]

Re: Can an average man run a 6-minute mile

I don't know. Six minutes is tough. I ran track for four years at a D1 school and my one mile pr was 6:15. We had a 2 mile time trial every year and my best was a 13:50. I ran the 110H and I think 6:00 is pretty fast for even a sprinter/hurdler, so I can't imagine every average guy blasting my one mile pr..