tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post1151832889815723516..comments2024-03-01T06:33:20.145-07:00Comments on The Running Man: In Defense of Ultrarunning: When Our Sport is AttackedWyatt Hornsbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14224514798393011001noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-21090841389258151572014-01-12T03:10:10.337-07:002014-01-12T03:10:10.337-07:00Its not comparable was my intention with that stat...Its not comparable was my intention with that statement. If you have 70, 75 or 80 in VO2 that doesn't say anything about your abilities in the marathon, 24 hour race, 800m, 5000m etc. Its not a good number to compare athletes against each other, as its not a good predictor of running performance.<br /><br />Theres plenty of guys with higher VO2 than Lance Armstrong, are they ever close to the level he was at before he started using PEDs (assuming he didnt when young)? No. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-28452638287661939842014-01-12T03:07:57.893-07:002014-01-12T03:07:57.893-07:00Far too much letsrun crap? Ultrarunners are barely...Far too much letsrun crap? Ultrarunners are barely mentioned on letsrun, dont think I've ever seen MC and Jornet etc mentioned in there. <br /><br />I have never said Shorter could have ascended Pikes in 2:01, I have never said Shorter could have run MC's time at Leadville? I am not speculating at all. Also, there is nothing in my comment that indicate anything about my knowledge about trail running. <br /><br />What I sad was that Shorter was a better athlete, in the same way Usain is a better athlete than MC. Not because Usain can run Leadville faster, but because Usain have the better performance. <br /><br />Shorters performance is better than MC and Jornets performances. Thats what I said. You seem weirdly defensive as you pretend I said anything about Shorters abilities in ultra/trail running. <br /><br />That being said, do I misunderstand you or are you actually arguing that trail/ultra are at the same level (performance vice) as the marathon? <br /><br />Like I said, you cannot use VO2 to measure someones fitness. Theres guys whos hardly trained more than the hobby jogger who has 80+. Cam Levins, if youve ever heard of him? Has below 70. One can't compare Shorters (or anyone else as elite as him) VO2 against someone else in the same sport or different sport and use it as a measurement about the fitness level. Its not comparable. Running is far more about efficiency than VO2 for example. Like I said, everyone at elite level have above 60+, most 70+. But after that it really doesn't mean much. <br /><br />If you disagree, look no further than Letsrun. The science and experience from top runners can be found there, and many other places. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-56748616922651203852014-01-11T15:29:39.581-07:002014-01-11T15:29:39.581-07:00Agree 100%, GZ.Agree 100%, GZ.Wyatt Hornsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14224514798393011001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-12372874413612099112014-01-11T15:28:35.818-07:002014-01-11T15:28:35.818-07:00Anonymous: I think you've been reading too muc...Anonymous: I think you've been reading too much Letsrun crap. How can you say Shorter was a "far better athlete" than MC and Jornet when he was a road guy and MC and Jornet are trail guys? How can you be so sure Shorter could have ascended Pikes in 2:01, which MC has done? How can you be so sure Shorter could have run MC's time at Leadville? Dude, you are speculating. It is clear you don't get trail running. That said, I totally admit that Shorter would smoke both Kilian and MC in a road marathon. What you do in a road marathon doesn't always translate to trail racing and vice versa. We just had a 2:30 marathoner go sub 12 for 100 miles, setting a new American record. Show me an elite marathoner who could do that.<br /><br />Also, VO2 max is part of the equation, but it's a critical part. You're not going to ascend Pikes in 2:01 unless you are pretty stout on the VO2 max front.<br /><br />WyattWyatt Hornsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14224514798393011001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-1661725266575710402014-01-11T10:11:46.552-07:002014-01-11T10:11:46.552-07:00The statement V02 doesn't mean anything in run...The statement V02 doesn't mean anything in running is just silly. GZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623054918799881730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-27901154582624735322014-01-11T07:17:24.444-07:002014-01-11T07:17:24.444-07:00Btw, this part:
"Those guys are not only gre...Btw, this part:<br /><br />"Those guys are not only great ultrarunners, but also supremely gifted athletes. Carpenter and Jornet’s VO2 maxes are as high, if not higher, than Lance Armstrong’s—and probably higher than many elite marathoners."<br /><br />Is just silly. VO2 doesn't mean anything in running. It is not an indicator of your performance. Sure, everyone elite has above 60, but after that its really not an important number. Frank Shorter had 71, but he is still a far better athlete than Carpenter and Jornet among many others. VO2 is not a good predictor of running performance or fitness for elites. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-45038398524150263122013-10-12T13:22:13.528-06:002013-10-12T13:22:13.528-06:00I came here when I searched "Why are ultra ru...I came here when I searched "Why are ultra runners annoying?"<br /><br />They are annoying. As annoying as tri-geeks. Not as annoying as Crossfitters, but getting there.<br /><br />Crossfit is the WWE of "fitness."<br /><br />I have done some "ultras" and I wouldn't be caught dead referring to myself as an ultra runner now. Just...."a trail runner." Or "long distance runner." Hell, even the dreaded "endurance athlete" is better.<br /><br />I agree....what is wrong with attacking organized religion? This begs another question...why are those who run so often bible thumpers? If anything should be attacked, it should be organized religion....organized sport can be attacked second.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-7020612445929817152012-03-02T10:40:52.411-07:002012-03-02T10:40:52.411-07:00What's wrong with tacitly attacking organized ...What's wrong with tacitly attacking organized religion?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-69002725938910731482012-02-28T19:57:26.666-07:002012-02-28T19:57:26.666-07:00I can't say whether this is an attack on ultra...I can't say whether this is an attack on ultra runners because I don't yet belong to the group (training for the LT100 now). I was formerly a decent college wrestler at BYU and thought that was hard - training for Leadville is punishing, not only in the training itself, but in the mental and strategic aspects. Fighting through injuries takes incredible patience, perseverance and determination. I'm attracted to the sport because of its ridiculous toughness and because of the kind/humble people who enjoy doing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-69457450203980222162012-02-28T19:56:47.344-07:002012-02-28T19:56:47.344-07:00I can't say whether this is an attack on ultra...I can't say whether this is an attack on ultra runners because I don't yet belong to the group (training for the LT100 now). I was formerly a decent college wrestler at BYU and thought that was hard - training for Leadville is punishing, not only in the training itself, but in the mental and strategic aspects. Fighting through injuries takes incredible patience, perseverance and determination. I'm attracted to the sport because of its ridiculous toughness and because of the kind/humble people who enjoy doing it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-62747672935226370582012-02-27T15:52:59.684-07:002012-02-27T15:52:59.684-07:00Say, is it really so hard to see that Tollefson’s ...Say, is it really so hard to see that Tollefson’s article was meant to be funny?<br /><br />Now granted, his attempt at satire was a bit weak, but an attack on ultra running it was not.<br /><br />Lighten up, people!Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802380462713592586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-60334715159561826162012-02-26T18:44:13.539-07:002012-02-26T18:44:13.539-07:00If its so damned easy and we're all so damned ...If its so damned easy and we're all so damned slow, why doesn't he ever sign up his pansy ass for an ultra race?<br /><br />Because he's a blowhard thats why. Just trying to make his own unsuccessful self feel better.Bretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376446409534942024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-76666112261771303762012-02-25T14:23:02.525-07:002012-02-25T14:23:02.525-07:00Thanks for writing this! The FloTrack article was ...Thanks for writing this! The FloTrack article was lame, but not shocking. (Wondering why they allowed this guy to write for them, for one thing, considering he lacks any sort of writers voice!) But to get to the point: I think the people the author is referring to are in existence, definitely. But they certainly aren't the truly elite runners. I watched Mike Morton (very modestly) slam Hinson, and watched Geoff race SBER100. Shoot we even hung out for awhile after his 15 hour finish and my 32hr death march. No elitism there whatsoever, and both of those men are quite the athletes. HOWEVER, I have also met a lot of people who are doing pretty well in our sport, winning local ultras, etc, and many have a gigantic PRAISE ME and LOOK AT ME type of persona. It comes down to the individual, and their amount of narcissistic tendencies, I guess. Definitely not the reflection of our sport as a whole. I think the saddest part of this is that this poor guy, whoever he is, thought he was writing a really funny article, when absolutely NOBODY gets his sense of humor. Too bad.Ashley Ringo Walshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698782138915606897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-16727278982372089732012-02-24T17:42:39.356-07:002012-02-24T17:42:39.356-07:00It's the attack those who are successful trend...It's the attack those who are successful trend that's sweeping the nation. What's sad is that it's now coming from the successful. I admire ultrarunners and marathon runners. I want to be like them, not resent them.<br /><br />By the way, Karnazes, although inspirational, does a great deal of humblebragging. He has an entire chapter in Run that's fan mail and a chapter written by his children saying how great he is.<br /><br />Love your stuff, Wyatt.Trent (Scott) Lorcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16838546029305513134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-5269972572608003532012-02-24T17:31:40.531-07:002012-02-24T17:31:40.531-07:00you should check out the post and comments here......you should check out the post and comments here... http://www.meghanmhicks.com/2012/02/24/dont-steal-pleaseAndrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05162538464436020664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-6250392800044065352012-02-24T16:35:44.595-07:002012-02-24T16:35:44.595-07:00There is plenty to laugh at in ultrarunning -- som...There is plenty to laugh at in ultrarunning -- some of the Xtranormal videos are hilarious (and some letsrun comments as well) -- but neither of Tollefson's articles were good satire. So I'm offended as an ultrarunner, but even more as a fan of good satire.mike_hinterberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02817872376341966540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-61319875601061811232012-02-24T16:04:31.498-07:002012-02-24T16:04:31.498-07:00He's just trying to get people's goat up t...He's just trying to get people's goat up to draw traffic. For me, if you want to get in shape by spending your day going backwards on a pogo stick, so be it. Just don't pee on my wave.Kieran McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11606919516884153997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-57806953220252476272012-02-24T15:35:00.965-07:002012-02-24T15:35:00.965-07:00I liked his first column. Thought it was funny. I ...I liked his first column. Thought it was funny. I do find that some ultrarunners take themselves and the sport too seriously and forget to laugh now and then about the silliness of it all. Hell, how many discussions about shoes have we all seen in the blog world? Even the hardest of hardcore among us have to admit that everyone has heard enough about New Balance shoes and Hokas. <br /><br />Heck, maybe my response to your post...or even your post...is evidence that we all need to lighten up and laugh at ourselves a bit. There's plenty to laugh at, eh JT?Jim P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06566980370651311505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-40843475993343441212012-02-24T14:38:42.941-07:002012-02-24T14:38:42.941-07:00I don't think Tollefson knows the difference b...I don't think Tollefson knows the difference between satire and what he's doing, which is basically like mocking some kid in school, then saying "Oh, lighten up! It's a joke, can't you tell?"<br /><br />And then he says he's critiquing the "us vs. them" mentality. Rich.<br /><br />I don't understand a lot of things other people do, but I keep my mouth shut, assuming they have their reasons.mtnrunner2https://www.blogger.com/profile/10974435572236740294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-72313159792261248672012-02-24T14:14:43.306-07:002012-02-24T14:14:43.306-07:00Bleh. Runners have feelings too, but who cares?Bleh. Runners have feelings too, but who cares?GZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12623054918799881730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-30684541002743210132012-02-24T14:03:42.676-07:002012-02-24T14:03:42.676-07:00He should just rename the blog post to "I am ...He should just rename the blog post to "I am jealous of a casual runner who made more money on a book than I do from sponsorships. Also, I hate CrossFit and frat boys."Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02013380302447895237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-57605802830123587032012-02-24T14:01:03.587-07:002012-02-24T14:01:03.587-07:00I think he was trying to be funny. He wasn't f...I think he was trying to be funny. He wasn't funny but what do you expect from a top road guy.chris mcpeakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15488479732649522465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-77657325581355050582012-02-24T13:55:07.747-07:002012-02-24T13:55:07.747-07:00These articles along with Flotrail stealing Megan ...These articles along with Flotrail stealing Megan Hicks' photo for their banner make me like The Flotrail folks less and less. But the attitude doesn't surprise me - "elite" runners have often held that view toward middle of the packers, and in Tollefson's eyes, ultra runners are mid-packers.Pete Rodrigueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07186258272332754879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-51924330714894709552012-02-24T13:49:46.423-07:002012-02-24T13:49:46.423-07:00Ha! So first of all, he is bagging on Fox News an...Ha! So first of all, he is bagging on Fox News and then defends his horrible blog by citing the number of hits and calling it a "success". Sounds to me like he ought to apply for a job with Fox News. And he complains about an "us versus them" mindset and then rips on the number of elites in an ultra field? I would think a man of "science" would have a basic understanding of numbers. Ultra fields are usually quite small compared the 5k - marathon fields. Perhaps the lack of "elite" runners in an ultra event is a direct relationship to the number of entrants?AJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03256410616083520026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4979545333979747089.post-86768239364991759942012-02-24T13:37:12.866-07:002012-02-24T13:37:12.866-07:00Pretty funny articles. Kind of like the letsrun m...Pretty funny articles. Kind of like the letsrun message boards, except the dude can actually haul ass.browniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505392867686096325noreply@blogger.com