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Highly trainable that (says Wikipedia)
“Running Economy can vary by as much as 30% between runners of a similar V̇O2max[1]. The two charts below show the V̇O2max and running economy of Paula Radcliffe over a 10 year period[2]. Over that time Paula Radcliffe’s race performance dramatically improved even though her V̇O2max did not. This suggests that for elite athletes at least, improvements in running economy are critical. It’s generally believed that Running Economy is more “trainable” than V̇O2max in athletes that have been training for years[3].”
Paula Radcliffe’s V̇O2max 
Paula Radcliffe’s Running Economy (V̇O2 consumption at 16 Km/hr, 6:00 min/mile)
Yes, but only up to limits, some contributions to low economy are completely untrainable, and everyone has low economy when not trained, so it’s very “trainable”, certainly more so than vo2max which you reach quickly (although obviously most can actually reduce weight to improve it independent from training)
You also have the problem that 15km/h is fast running, and can often be faster than a pace which an athlete could ever be efficient - take the extreme of a 6year old, they’ve likely got your VO2max (as in most of them), they could train to maintain that for long enough probably - but there’s no way they’re running 15km/h without actually sprinting if at all, which will have much worse economy. And most of the reason they haven’t is of course that they’re really short, so require too many steps, that’s not trainable.
So are you in the “less than 50% of men could ever run a sub 3” camp? Interesting isn’t it & I guess we’ll never know.
I guess on one hand you have stuff like learning to play a Bach concerto on a violin, which almost anyone could do but hardly anyone does because it’s really hard. On the other hand you have stuff like being 6 feet tall, which even with the best will in the world you can’t train yourself into. Running a sub3 feels to me like a good mix of those two things. Well, not those actual two things, but you know.
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For me, it depends on the starting age. Setting the goal as a young child - yeah, I think over 50% sub 3 is doable for males but I wouldn’t be super confident on any individual - but setting the goal at 20 or 25, we’re not going to be able to train away the “choices” that the body has already invested in.
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Exactly this, and I need to remind myself, who actually cares if I run a sub 3 marathon or finish at Kona, the only person in the world that this makes any difference to is me. It’s nice to receive a bit of validation, and it does matter for me, but seeking validation in this way demonstrates some form of personality disorder.
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If you could treat people like race horses, so genetics were the only variable factor, I’d say much more than 50%.
Like a professional runner?
No, I believe they have free will and freedom.
I get it, high frequency training, very gradual progression, unwittingly doping. Racing but being held back so they don’t win to increase the odds for next time. 
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that sounds so familiar… 
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cancel all appointments…
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yes, but…
yes, but…
you need to swap these…
So, there is academic evidence that improved* technique improves efficiency and that drills improve technique…
but linking this to injury is far harder due to the long term nature of any study…however there is if not evidence based, certainly an evidence inspired case that improved technique* reduces the risk of injury…
(*depending on your start point)
I have a free on-line running presentation coming up in a couple of weeks…
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As a side note, I do wonder if ST have a secret thread about us.
They just make Dad jokes and post pictures of their feet. What about triathlon?
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TT was mentioned on a thread a few weeks ago. A Lionel thread iirc - there is so much shite chatted here it must be a bit bizarre to anyone on the outside
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And indeed to those on the inside 
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It’s all about the meta. Who needs original sources anyway?
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6ft tall violin runs a 3:20 marathon.
Not quite sub3, but I reckon that GWR is there for the taking
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There are so many of these GWR records that look very easy IMO. I must say, i’ve been tempted in the past, just for lolz. But i just cba with all the admin! haha
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Do you?
I hope that @joex was planning on embarking on a millennia of selective breeding, where only current sub3 marathon runners are allowed to reproduce.
Eventually, there will come a point where all males will run a sub3 in their lifetime.
It’s a perfect combination of nature & nature.
Imagine, both Dad’s can run a sub3, they bring you up,
You’re gonna be a runner. You have to be. If you want to reproduce. After an epoch, we have a population who can all run a marathon under three hours.
So yes, I’d say that it’s possible that 50% of males could run a marathon in under three hours.
Just not at this moment in time.
There are far too many “short” people for that be possible.
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