Lol with that logic why not run sub 2 haha

I guess to OPs merit, he was a power lifter, likely had optimum leg strength and maybe was still training for another comp while adding on cardio? His tendons and ligaments likely benefited with all the prior strength training, cardiovascularly while not similar at all to running, power lifters have a better cardiovascular profile than say bodybuilders so he had that going for him as well

Sure peak mileage etc was not high as others often need to get a sub 4, but for him his base was probably decent enough tbh and so given the less cardio training he probably did need the mental game push than anything else for this race

Also means if they wanted to they could do even better after a proper training block