I'm talking about something different.

There are many people for whom a lifetime of hard work will not result in a 5 minute mile, and there are many people for whom a lifetime of hard work will not result in being a great programmer.

I know this is an unpopular viewpoint, but it's what I believe. And I have spent many years both running and programming. I am really good at both those things, but neither Ryan Hall good at running, nor John Carmack good at programming.

Perhaps because you do both, ya? I bet if you only programmed you could be John Carmack good at programming and John Carmack good at running.