Twins: distance runner vs sprinter

Just came across this photo of identical twins. Otto, on the left, trained as a distance runner. He is predictably scrawny and weak-looking.

Ewald, on the right, trained as a sprinter and thrower. He is nicely muscled. Yes, he is posing for the camera in the top picture, but the difference is stark. The bottom picture shows you a more natural pose that reveals the difference in the musculature of the upper back and shoulders. They are basically the same height but look at where their shoulders stand!

There's nothing wrong with being a distance runner if you are okay with being weaker and less useful -- not to mention less healthy and with a higher probability of osteopenia or osteoporosis in your future.

Distance running is also very healthy as a once-a-week activity.

But the vast majority of training should be geared toward sprinting and lifting.

I really wish we had a picture of female twins like this. Then women would see that being a sprinter doesn't mean being grotesquely muscled, unless you are an Olympic-caliber sprinter and you take steroids.

Takeaway from this, other than bashing distance runners: environment is way, way more important than genes.

Hat tip to Art De Vany for posting this photo originally.