This isn’t an “article,” it’s just from somebody’s blog where they are free to post their hot takes. I don’t think it’s particularly click-baity either.
I shared it here because I also don’t agree with it, and I was curious whether it would resonate with anyone here. I’m in a bubble where the thing many people aspire to is to go beyond marathon distance, but there are also plenty of folks in my running club who say then run 10Ks and that’s it, and they don’t feel they have to justify that.
There’s a memorable scene in Dean Karnazes’ Ultramarathon Man (2006) where, after a first night of running through an entire weekend (for a total of 299 miles iirc), he calls in an order for a large pizza pie, an entire chocolate cake and some coffee. The delivery person brings it to him on the highway he’s running, driving alongside him so he can eat and run. When I read it I couldn’t imagine having that much fat swirling around in my stomach while running, but since then I’ve done a few ultra distances and honestly, I get the appeal.
I hope you can break the cycle! It probably doesn’t need to be said, but a PT with a good understanding of running can be a godsend.
I use them, not exclusively, and I definitely see some of the touted benefits. However, I think one “danger” in my case has been that they encouraged a running style where I land fully on my forefoot, which eventually led to some issues around my calf and Achilles tendon. I don’t think they automatically force you into that, though. You have to be conscious of how your running style adapts.
Something completely different: I haven’t participated in it but heard good things about the Spijkenisse Marathon, a little sibling of the Amsterdam and Rotterdam marathons. It’s flat but it can be quite windy I think. https://www.spijkenissemarathon.nl/
Most importantly: it hasn’t sold out yet.
They’re great, but pricey considering the limited mileage you get out of them. That’s a reason I decided to add a budget shoe to my rotation.
The Western States trail in the California Sierras used to be where a 100-mile horse race took place that horse and rider had to complete in 24 hours. At some point in the 1970s one of the riders decided not to take a horse, and he finished in 23 hours on foot. Now it’s an annual footrace that the winner finishes in about 14 hours.
Agree thay Goodr is a good option. My only complaint about them is that their lenses scratch too easily, but presumably prescription lenses would be sturdier so that should be fine.
I agree, but sadly certain anglophone publications like to assume that everyone thinks of a marathon as a 26.2-mile event 🙄
The article seems to be based on a report from December of last year. Unfortunately I can’t find a way to explore the underlying data in greater detail.
Appears to be a conversion issue. Assuming the reported min/mile pace is correct, the UK average pace is 05:34, not 5:50.
(I’m guessing these numbers are means, not medians.)
Haha you mean where I do most my running 😶
It does make sense, but I’ve also read elite runners talk about cutting back on “junk miles” (example).
So why - just why - would any normal person put themselves through all this?
“Imagine being described as normal,” says Britton. “That would be rubbish, wouldn’t it?”
🤣
It’s colder, there’s less daylight, I’m busy at work, and I’m not signed up for any races. Even so, I got four nice runs in this week and I enjoyed them all. I’ll probably sign up for a trail race because I do like working toward something.
Sweat-wicking shirts! Compression socks! Non-bouncing shades! UV-proof hats! Neck buffs! Trail shoes! Gaiters! Racing shoes, carbon-plated! Recovery flipflops! Base layers! Jackets, rain and windproof! Reflective gear! A smartwatch! Training plans! Runners’ memoirs! Club membership! Race signup fees! Gels! Electrolyte mix! Protein bars!
And have you tried spirulina, it does wonders for recovery (so they say)
“All you need is a pair of running shoes!” And another. And another. And another. Ad infinitum $$$
Some good advice here already. Let me add one piece of advice that should help avoid injury in the longer term: strength train! See if you can gather a few people to meet up in a weight room once or twice a week, learn to deadlift, perform weighted squats, reverse lunges, Bulgarian split squats, etc. If that’s too ambitious, working by yourself with a few resistance bands and a bag filled with sand can work almost as well, though in my experience it helps to have folks around you to motivate you and give you advice on your form while lifting weights.