<<< I still can't understand what motivated Rodgers, Flemming, Meyer, Hodge
and others 20 years ago when
all the road races offered was asphalt and adrenaline. >>>
I can't say what motivated Fleming and Hodge, but in 1981-1982, the
financial rewards for the other two were WAY OVER $100,000 a year. This is
not much money now (at least not enough to get most people to start running
120 miles a week), and it is PALTRY compared to other pro athletes at the
top of their sports.
However, that income level (and MUCH more $$$ for Rodgers) was FAN-tastic 20
years ago. If you don't think that top road-racers made this level of cash
... ask Bill Squires. He used to tell his guys, "You are making $30-50,000
a year on your shoe contracts .... stick some of it away for the future."
Add appearance fees, clinic money, and by 1981 you can add race winnings to
the total ... it adds up to an excellent income.
I don't argue with your point about economic factors being a strong
motivator (for Russians, Kenyans or Americans), that all seems correct to
me. But, you have to consider the top road runners of the early-80's just
as motivated by the same things.
Why do you think Craig Virgin ran those small-to-middlin' road-10k's, the
Boston Marathon, and won the World XC all in six weeks???
Money had something to do with it back then also, just like it does now.
