This is one of your best posts ever. I have been running marathons and ultras for 40 years and in recent years I have seen people with good intentions who have no idea what they have gotten into. That is especially true for trail ultras. I hope that they read today's blog.
This kind of attitude has infiltrated running and trail in particular of people who have never run and sign up for an ultra because they’ve seen someone do it on TikTok (and most of the time they walk the entire thing so it’s a pointless exercise).
It’s just completely disrespectful to the sport, environment, other people and the individuals themselves
Yes and I think a lot is on tiktok/instagram. I wrote a few posts ago that I do believe influencers should be more transparent in their training. When I say I haven't run lately, I mean zero miles. But there are some people that just mean they are running less...which could still be a lot.
Excellent post. I really appreciate you adding the perspective of how it impacts others. I think too many people only think a casual or reckless attitude toward a big race only affects them.
I think of races kinda like Comic-Con. The runnerds all gather together around this beautiful gift that almost everyone we know ignores. We love it and think about it all the time — even if we suck at it. Races are a chance to finally be around other people who love it as much as we do — whose eyes don’t glaze over when we talk about hr zones and nutrition and recovery and taper. Runnerds know we’re really talking about the discipline that prepares a person to get more caught up into special efforts.
For the unprepared: There is something deeper in enduring that we want you to really experience — not merely witness. Come back, but only when you’re able to fully benefit from a race.
For me the prep is all. I mean, I’m proud when I finish that race, but the race was just the reason to do the training. It is the motivator to work harder, to go out in whatever weather. Knowing I put in the effort to make my (very slow really) goal time is the best feeling. That’s the real prize. People who don’t train for it won’t ever get that feeling and they are selling the whole experience short.
This is one of your best posts ever. I have been running marathons and ultras for 40 years and in recent years I have seen people with good intentions who have no idea what they have gotten into. That is especially true for trail ultras. I hope that they read today's blog.
What a compliment Doug and I appreciate that. I agree, I think people usually start with good intentions but don't know what they don't know.
Finally someone said it!
This kind of attitude has infiltrated running and trail in particular of people who have never run and sign up for an ultra because they’ve seen someone do it on TikTok (and most of the time they walk the entire thing so it’s a pointless exercise).
It’s just completely disrespectful to the sport, environment, other people and the individuals themselves
Yes and I think a lot is on tiktok/instagram. I wrote a few posts ago that I do believe influencers should be more transparent in their training. When I say I haven't run lately, I mean zero miles. But there are some people that just mean they are running less...which could still be a lot.
Excellent post. I really appreciate you adding the perspective of how it impacts others. I think too many people only think a casual or reckless attitude toward a big race only affects them.
Yes, I wish people understood how if effects others.
Great essay!
I think of races kinda like Comic-Con. The runnerds all gather together around this beautiful gift that almost everyone we know ignores. We love it and think about it all the time — even if we suck at it. Races are a chance to finally be around other people who love it as much as we do — whose eyes don’t glaze over when we talk about hr zones and nutrition and recovery and taper. Runnerds know we’re really talking about the discipline that prepares a person to get more caught up into special efforts.
For the unprepared: There is something deeper in enduring that we want you to really experience — not merely witness. Come back, but only when you’re able to fully benefit from a race.
Yes, you cannot truly enjoy a race and everything that goes along with it if you are not prepared.
Great newsletter and topic! Be smart, not irresponsible!
For me the prep is all. I mean, I’m proud when I finish that race, but the race was just the reason to do the training. It is the motivator to work harder, to go out in whatever weather. Knowing I put in the effort to make my (very slow really) goal time is the best feeling. That’s the real prize. People who don’t train for it won’t ever get that feeling and they are selling the whole experience short.