One of California's real lessons in longevity in the sport is Jim Sorensen, who way back in 1986 was sixth in the California State Meet for 800 Meters for Villa Park HS at 1:52.38.  Jim went on to Cal Poly/SLO, and continued his progress, moving up to 1500 meters and winning the NCAA Division II 1500 meter title in 1991.  He was runner-up in the 1996 US Olympic Trials at 1500 meters and had a lifetime best that year of 3:38.91 (worth about 3:57 for a mile).  He has broken four minutes for the mile both indoors and outdoors, and has continued racing at an amazingly high quality during a career that has him now 40 years old!  This past May he took down Johnny Gray's (former Crenshaw HS and Olympic star) US Master's 800 meter record, racing an amazing 1:51.57 at the May 12th Oxy Invite in Los Angeles.

Event 28 Men 800 Meter Run
1 Robinson, Khadevis Nike 1:45.40
2 Shaw, Brandon Otc Elite 1:47.07
19 Sorensen, Jim Sports Basement 1:51.57

Jim teaches Middle School PE in San Leandro with his continued running and racing certainly quite amazing. 

Master's Track Story on Jim
FloCast Interview with Jim this year at Stanford Invite