Ultramarathon Daily News, Wed, Apr 22

Probably my new favorite ultramarathon race format: BINGO! How’d it go for this fella?

Sometimes you read the header to a story and instantly know you’re not going to like it. This was one of those times.

“…Because despite a veneer of scientific rhetoric, food fads are ultimately about devotion to dogma; religion, not science…”

Holy cow! This guy ran his first marathon in April of last year. Since then, he’s run a world record 370 more.

Senor Roes discusses bridging the gap between runners and non-runners. And he’ll be at Mt Marathon this July (though just watching.) My prediction is that 2016 sees an impressive list of elite runners up there tacking that mountain.

Distance running: Where anyone has a chance at winning, or at least leading the same race.

Inspired by VolState, this relay across Missouri (map is confusing!) sounds like fun. And if you’re looking for a throwback interview about VolState, check this one out for sure. One of our favorites.

Ian’s looking at breaking the CR and 16 hours at Leadville this year. I wouldn’t bet against him.

What does the puzzling rise of nearsightedness have to do with the outdoors? Kids are spending too much time in front of screen. Get them outside!

Anyone want to guess Boston’s completion rate? Don’t peek.

Heather bought a URP sticker and wound up with a sweet Run Hard Drink Beer shirt as well.

Great essay about this sport of ours and the effort we pour into it.

19 Responses to "Ultramarathon Daily News, Wed, Apr 22"

Chris says:

April 22, 2015 at 6:10 am

I wouldn’t bet against him either, but Carpenter’s record has stood for so long, it’s somehow eluded some stellar athletes over the years. When you look at who has toed the line at Leadville in the past 10 years, it gives you a proper perspective on just how incredible Matt’s record run really was. I mean, where else is a record standing for this long in the era of Killian (and others)? Impressive to say the least.Reference

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1. eric schranz says:
  
  April 22, 2015 at 6:18 am
  
  It’s quite a goal, for sure.
  In terms of records, IMHO Fordyce’s 50 is the stoutest.
  
  Reply
  1. Paul says:
    
    April 22, 2015 at 7:05 am
    
    In my not so humble opinion (imnsho)
    
    +1
    
    waiting for Ryan Bak, Pat Smyth, etc to give that one a go
    
    Reply
    1. eric schranz says:
      
      April 22, 2015 at 7:17 am
      
      4:50:51 for 50 miles. That’s 5:49/mile pace. Un-freakin-believable.
      Bak, Max, maybe Josh Cox are all contenders, but my money would be on Zach Bitter to get the closest.
      
      Reply
      1. Rich says:
        
        April 22, 2015 at 10:45 am
        
        I’ll stir the pot some more. First, I’d certainly bet against Sharman breaking the record. Carpenter’s record is incredibly stout and it was set when he was focusing solely on Leadville. Ian has had two great runs at Leadville, but I can’t see him dropping 40mins after already running Western—just as he’s done in the past. I’d argue that the only way Ian has a remote chance at breaking Carpenter’s CR is if he focuses solely on Leadville, skipping earlier 100 milers.
        
        As for the 50mi record, I’d have to agree with something Matt Flaherty said on the podcast a few months back—Bitter isn’t fast enough to run sub-5hrs, at least not yet. 5:12 is a very long way off from sub-5. Unfortunately, none of the top ultra guys focus on flat, road 50s/100ks. As a result the top times are incredibly weak. I think Max, Sage, Laney, Varner, Krar, Smyth, Gray, Ornelas, and a handful of others could go sub-5 but they seem to have no interest in doing it (or incentive). My bet is that Tyler Sigl is the next American to go sub-5 when he gives the Fall 50 another shot again in October. I’d also love to see Ornelas build off his recent US 50k road championship by attacking a fast road 50.
      2. Meghan says:
        
        April 22, 2015 at 5:25 pm
        
        Who did a 5:49 pace for 50 miles? and where?
Chris says:

April 22, 2015 at 6:15 am

Every time I see a story like this, I can’t help but think back to the old Pearl Izumi ad campaign that stirred up a storm a few years back.

Remember this one… put it in the Boston newspaper and see what happens!

http://i.imgur.com/xNHVq.jpgReference

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1. Andy says:
  
  April 22, 2015 at 7:49 am
  
  I didn’t expect that high of a number.
  
  Reply
Gary says:

April 22, 2015 at 7:42 am

Had a chance to meet Sage Canaday a while back, and asked if he’d ever go for Leadville 100 record… his response was that he believes Carpenter’s Pikes Peak Marathon record is even more stout than Leadville. Basically, Carpenter was a freak… But, the Leadville record is going down soon… If Krar comes back to Leadville, and there are 3 guys with multiple finishes all pushing each other… that’s what it’s going to take. But, even then… Carpenter ran ALONE the whole way. URP should totally try and interview Matt around the time of Leadville to get his take…

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Mandy says:

April 22, 2015 at 10:56 am

I did, the requirements to qualify are enough to assume most are competitive racers. I’m curious the reasons for the DNF.Reference

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TAG says:

April 22, 2015 at 11:38 am

Same thing was said about Carpenters Lake City 50 CR. Dakota lowered that by almost a solid 30 minutes. Matt was/is an exceptional runner, but all it takes is another exceptional runner to have the perfect day.

Reply
1. JAY says:
  
  April 22, 2015 at 3:41 pm
  
  What folks forget about Carpenter’s 2004 LC50 race was this was his first 50 mile event. His first ultra race. I always wish he’d gone back a few years later to give that course another shot. Give the course similar focus he’d given it the first time he ran it. Anything could have happened but it would have been fun to watch.
  
  Not trying to discount what Dakota did in 2013. I ran it that year and what he did was AWESOME. But Dakota had run the course before. He’d run HR twice. So to compare the two performances as apple to apple isn’t exactly fair to either runner.
  
  Reply
Paul B says:

April 22, 2015 at 11:55 am

I was correct on the boston finish percentage. Someone give me a cookie. The finishing rate is so high because the qualifying standards are pretty tough. It’s not the 1st marathons for people.

I love the PI add that Chris provided the link for. Gets some folks upset and pissed off and under their skin. I love it. It’s different from everyone else and it’s competitive during this age of participation medals all are winners mentality.

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Brian says:

April 22, 2015 at 12:56 pm

So says the assistant professor of Chinese philosophy and religion in an article published at slate.com with several references and links to his recently published book (i.e. blatant attempt to sell his book) “The Gluten Lie..:” At least he admits that Celiac disease is real and is treated by avoiding Gluten.Reference

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1. Jill Homer says:
  
  April 22, 2015 at 2:46 pm
  
  The author doesn’t claim to be an expert of food science, he’s only pointing out that, many times, beliefs held by advocates of certain food diets fail the logical fallacy test. For example, someone claims they used to get migraines before they stopped eating gluten, without any proof that the two are actually linked (and not just a coincidence.) Then, when they get a migraine, they assume that some insidious gluten found its way into their food, and not that their migraines may be caused by some other factor.
  
  Reply
Meghan says:

April 22, 2015 at 3:37 pm

This is INSANE! Did anyone look up his times? Is he just walking everyday? I can’t imagine he can run them all? Either way it’s AMAZING + taking 3 weeks off with injuries! And what he went through as a child?Reference

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Meghan says:

April 22, 2015 at 5:27 pm

P.S.
Eric…. INTERVIEW that guy!

Reply
Zach says:

April 22, 2015 at 8:54 pm

Carpenters record at Leadville requires to perfect race to be taken down. Perfect execution, weather, etc. There’s a reason why it has stood for so long.

I agree with Rich that Ian would need to focus 100% on Leadville to beat the CR or even go sub-16. Live in Leadville (starting now) and get to know the course perfectly.

As someone who is running Leadville this year, I can’t wait to see what unfolds.Reference

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AJ Schirack says:

April 23, 2015 at 8:57 am

In addition to Geoff coming to spectate there a few notable pro’s showing up this year, all headlined by Kilian. So between those two this race will see a large jump in overall attendance this year I suspect.Reference

Reply

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