Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[Andrew Steer]

Thanks Andrew 

Could of sold a couple hundred of these at the expo if we had sufficient stock... hindsight is a lovely thing. I do enjoy the slogan and it clearly resonates with people.

[Gr3mlin131]

The back to back is a big carrot, after that it will take quite some convincing to get some runners back.

 

Has it been clarified yet if the two down runs will still count as back to back?

[Andrew Steer]

I love Comrades because it's the cornerstone of the running culture in this country... we have endless races and options every weekend because people need events to prep for it. Every sport even remotely linked to running can give thanks to this event for endlessly stimulating the market and making running so easily accessible and variable in this Country. 

And it is a big deal, it is historical, it is incredibly unique. That's without even getting into how special the actual day is for every person that takes on the journey between Durban and PMB... this mass participation sufferfest that tests everyone and unites everyone... it's a thing of beauty in my books.

 

I also certainly don't subscribe to the notion that you're not a runner if you haven't done it, it's a big distraction for more serious runners and a huge chunk of a season out the way. So you have to way up your battles. I will though tell you, you are missing out on something special, just like I know I am missing out on something in not yet doing 100 milers or Epic trail runs, or adventure racing, or the Munga etc. There is so much out there, and it all grows us and nurtures the soul. 

We all have different goals and capabilities, do whatever makes you happy - because that at the end of the day is all that matters.

[Lexx]

Could of sold a couple hundred of these at the expo if we had sufficient stock... hindsight is a lovely thing. I do enjoy the slogan and it clearly resonates with people.

Are you going to sell it online as well?

 

Dont worry, saw it  now online..

Edited June 19, 2019 by Lexx

[Andrew Steer]

Are you going to sell it online as well?

It is up online... still in production though, so will only start getting sent out around the 28th of this month

 

http://weardirect.co.za/shop/running/vizi-ultra-longsleeve-shirt-men/

[Lexx]

It is up online... still in production though, so will only start getting sent out around the 28th of this month

 

http://weardirect.co.za/shop/running/vizi-ultra-longsleeve-shirt-men/

Will def order one. Thanks Andrew.

[ScottCM]

Has it been clarified yet if the two down runs will still count as back to back?

 

Why wouldn't it? The medal is for your first two consecutive runs off the bat as a novice. The fact that Comrades made the decision to  change the route doesn't mean that they can penalize the runners, especially when they are trying to draw a larger than ever crowd. 

[Edgar]

On that topic.... 

 

https://twitter.com/runningmann100/status/1140627311324217345

 

Removing the JW side of the rant. As cyclists I think we are more skeptical about the doping than most. The facts he presents on doping and testing in this article are short sighted and inaccurate. I read that, they get tested therefore they are clean. I think he needs to do more research on this topic before shooting his mouth off and potentially looking ignorant at best. If you look at his list of top 20 men's times, very few of those are questionable and i'm sure that would be repeated on the down run. (not pointing fingers at Gatebe).

 

On the JW side, it was his stated goal to go all out for the 50 mile record. Also, JW has been vocal around more testing in Ultra and Trail running by USADA. He openly recognises that there is a lack of testing and has repeatedly asked for more active testing protocols. JW also pointed out correctly that the comrades record is subjective as the route and distance changes constantly. It wasn't just the doping he questioned.

[Craai]

Why wouldn't it? The medal is for your first two consecutive runs off the bat as a novice. The fact that Comrades made the decision to change the route doesn't mean that they can penalize the runners, especially when they are trying to draw a larger than ever crowd.

I don’t think it’s about penalizing; by definition the back 2 back medal is for an up and down. From Comrades site “The Comrades Marathon Back-to-

Back medal was introduced in 2005 and henceforth was awarded to

novice runners who complete an

'up or down run' in succession”.I do think you will still get a back 2 back even for 2 down runs, as was the case in 2009/2010.

[Iron]

I love Comrades because it's the cornerstone of the running culture in this country... we have endless races and options every weekend because people need events to prep for it. Every sport even remotely linked to running can give thanks to this event for endlessly stimulating the market and making running so easily accessible and variable in this Country. 

 

And it is a big deal, it is historical, it is incredibly unique. That's without even getting into how special the actual day is for every person that takes on the journey between Durban and PMB... this mass participation sufferfest that tests everyone and unites everyone... it's a thing of beauty in my books.

 

I also certainly don't subscribe to the notion that you're not a runner if you haven't done it, it's a big distraction for more serious runners and a huge chunk of a season out the way. So you have to way up your battles. I will though tell you, you are missing out on something special, just like I know I am missing out on something in not yet doing 100 milers or Epic trail runs, or adventure racing, or the Munga etc. There is so much out there, and it all grows us and nurtures the soul. 

 

We all have different goals and capabilities, do whatever makes you happy - because that at the end of the day is all that matters.

Damb Dude, this has even motivated me to want to run this thing ...............

[Jewbacca]

I dunno... I'm not sold on Comrades.

 

The carrot is there as an achievement and bucket list race due to it's history and status locally, but that said, I would rather run Puffer or a 100miler.

 

The views and the places you will get to/see/experience have more allure for the same amount of training.

 

I'm not a roadie though, so I am immediately drawn towards races that tick those boxes. 1 x qualifier and 2 Oceans are the extent of my annual road running calendar!

[Stretch]

Removing the JW side of the rant. As cyclists I think we are more skeptical about the doping than most. The facts he presents on doping and testing in this article are short sighted and inaccurate. I read that, they get tested therefore they are clean. I think he needs to do more research on this topic before shooting his mouth off and potentially looking ignorant at best. If you look at his list of top 20 men's times, very few of those are questionable and i'm sure that would be repeated on the down run. (not pointing fingers at Gatebe).

 

On the JW side, it was his stated goal to go all out for the 50 mile record. Also, JW has been vocal around more testing in Ultra and Trail running by USADA. He openly recognises that there is a lack of testing and has repeatedly asked for more active testing protocols. JW also pointed out correctly that the comrades record is subjective as the route and distance changes constantly. It wasn't just the doping he questioned.

You'll see I commented on that article. The fact that the author says he "blew" makes him come across as ignorant. It was like he had no knowledge of the objective the JW had in mind from the onset. All you had to do was look at his splits to see that. The author seems to have a very big chip on his shoulder about JW that it was clouding his judgement. Truth remains that the up run record is still held by a doper... But I agree with his comments that they're had been intensive drug testing in the last 10 to 15 years.

[Odinson]

I dunno... I'm not sold on Comrades.

 

The carrot is there as an achievement and bucket list race due to it's history and status locally, but that said, I would rather run Puffer or a 100miler.

 

The views and the places you will get to/see/experience have more allure for the same amount of training.

 

I'm not a roadie though, so I am immediately drawn towards races that tick those boxes. 1 x qualifier and 2 Oceans are the extent of my annual road running calendar!

 

I completely understand the allure of Comrades. It's a big test of your mettle as a runner and there is a lot of history, culture and cachet associated with it. 

 

Personally, I'd like to run it once, perhaps twice (up and down), but no more than that. 

 

The race itself is very emblematic about most South Africans' sporting mentality - what can we do to suffer the most? 

 

I'd rather focus on running really good marathon or even half marathon times rather than +10hrs at Comrades (yes, I know, you can do both). 

 

Just my 2c from a beginner. 

[ScottCM]

Damb Dude, this has even motivated me to want to run this thing ...............

 

I know right. I can't wait to read what he has to say about Two Oceans...........

[Andrew Steer]

Damb Dude, this has even motivated me to want to run this thing ...............

Join your wife next year

[Jewbacca]

I completely understand the allure of Comrades. It's a big test of your mettle as a runner and there is a lot of history, culture and cachet associated with it. 

 

Personally, I'd like to run it once, perhaps twice (up and down), but no more than that. 

 

The race itself is very emblematic about most South Africans' sporting mentality - what can we do to suffer the most? 

 

I'd rather focus on running really good marathon or even half marathon times rather than +10hrs at Comrades (yes, I know, you can do both). 

 

Just my 2c from a beginner. 

Absolutely. If you are 'building up' to Comrades it is a huge step up from say, Oceans.

 

If you somehow bypassed that and run a comfortable sub 10 Puffer or can slog out a 100 miles on trail, your running mettle is already tested.

 

Running fast marathons and fast halves is a completely different beast. That sort of suffering comes in the training. Track work, hill repeats, speed work on the road/Fartleks, eating right and making sure you can tick over efficiently without getting any repetition niggles....

 

Fast running is all in the preparation, race day is 'easy' compared to the training.

 

I have left that behind and am comfortable being a donkey. A sub 10 Puffer and comfortable 5 hour oceans/3:40 marathon is perfect for me as long as I can concentrate on the longer stuff and avoid injury.

 

I don't have the discipline anymore to hurt myself on a Tuesday before work.....