Excellent points. Here’s what I have observed from watching and talking to few African runners over the years.
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They are very relaxed, particularly so when running. Have you ever noticed that even running at world record pace, there appears to be no strain on their faces at all. Compare that to other European or North American runners who always seem to be labouring and showing the strain some how. Not sure how you can quantify this, it’s just what I have observed.
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Their attitude is very easy going, win, loose whatever, they feel it is ultimatly in God’s hands if you ask them. Paul Tergat is incredible. He lost just about every major race with Gebersallsie, often by 10ths of a second, yet when interviewed afterwards was always very upbeat and full of praise for Gebersallsie.
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Their does appear to be some connection between genetics and how well the east Africans do. A ridiculous number of the top 5,000m, 10,000m and Marathon top times all come from a small population of tribes and people in Ethiopia and Kenya.
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The one thing that the Africans do, that has been identified as possibly being a contributor to their success, is they spend more time running at race pace or faster, than other runners. This has been backed up somewhat with lab work. Do this and you will elevate your LT, and all things considered, you will run faster.
Fleck