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Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

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Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#51

Post by majelix »

d--b wrote: post #31

This article angers me. 1. the guy is only an example. Willpower alone will not make you run 100 mile-race. You need the right body as well. 2. most people don't try and run 100 mile-races because they have better things to do 3. willpower and success: seriously this is really self congratulatory. running 100 miles does not make anyone a more succesful person. 4. no mention of endorphines and running addiction?

This article is less about specifically running 100 mile-races and more about doing something that requires self-control; and the claim is that doing so will make anyone a more successful person.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#52

Post by jpmattia »

jmull wrote: post #28

I'm sorry, but this is all gobbledygook. Nice ad for "sword" sportfood products, though. For one thing, running 100 mile races isn't a very good standard for willpower or self control. There is virtually zero use for this capability, so whether you spend 5-10 hours a week to do so or not isn't really a question of self control. It's a question of what activities/hobbies you want to pursue in your free time. Staying f…

> Nice ad for "sword" sportfood products, though.

Not even. At the top of the sword page:

> FORGET SUGARY SPORTS DRINKS The simple solution for hydration and fuel is here.

Follow the link to find the ingredients:

> Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Fructose, Citric Acid, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Natural Flavors

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#53

Post by atom-morgan »

kentt wrote: post #44
ErikAugust wrote: post #38

I run ultras and mountain races. I ran one this Friday night into Saturday morning - a 12 hour overnight trail race where I managed 100K (62mi) in 11 hours and 23 minutes. Anyway, let's throw out willpower and even genetics for a second so I can bring up something: In today's age, virtually no one is even remotely close to their physiological limits. Literally, hundreds of people (elite marathoners, a few ultra marat…

> 18 minute miles is walking pace. Thank you for pointing this out. I'm so sick if people telling me they ran a marathon only to find out they walked. I'm totally fine with that being an accomplishment to finish, but it's entirely dissimilar to those who were racing.

Marathons? I have people tell me this for 5ks.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#54

Post by kvhdude »

d--b wrote: post #31

This article angers me. 1. the guy is only an example. Willpower alone will not make you run 100 mile-race. You need the right body as well. 2. most people don't try and run 100 mile-races because they have better things to do 3. willpower and success: seriously this is really self congratulatory. running 100 miles does not make anyone a more succesful person. 4. no mention of endorphines and running addiction?

i agree. i had will power to run a marathon just by myself - no event. I now have cervical herniated disc. No amount of my will power is useful. I just wish i had exercised common sense when my neck used to hurt after every long run.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#55

Post by jmull »

JackFr wrote: post #37
jmull wrote: post #28

I'm sorry, but this is all gobbledygook. Nice ad for "sword" sportfood products, though. For one thing, running 100 mile races isn't a very good standard for willpower or self control. There is virtually zero use for this capability, so whether you spend 5-10 hours a week to do so or not isn't really a question of self control. It's a question of what activities/hobbies you want to pursue in your free time. Staying f…

> There is virtually zero use for this capability, Oh really? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance_running_hypothesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistence_hunting "Lacking guns and even bows, they could hunt only by digging traps or pursuing prey across the mountains until the animals collapsed from exhaustion. Dmitry built up astonishing endurance, and could hunt barefoot in winter, sometimes returning to th…

I understand the evolutionary role, I mean in today's world.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#56

Post by sushisource »

ErikAugust wrote: post #38

I run ultras and mountain races. I ran one this Friday night into Saturday morning - a 12 hour overnight trail race where I managed 100K (62mi) in 11 hours and 23 minutes. Anyway, let's throw out willpower and even genetics for a second so I can bring up something: In today's age, virtually no one is even remotely close to their physiological limits. Literally, hundreds of people (elite marathoners, a few ultra marat…

Yeah, it's a little frustrating to have some person say to me "Oh yeah, I ran a marathon too!". Ok, yeah, you completed it... six hours slower than I did. You walked a marathon.

I'd disagree though that the grit/toughness thing to me is too emotional. My marathon time is 3:38 - reasonably fast for an amateur, but nothing blazing. ~8 minute pace. I know that getting that time faster is 100% about my commitment level. I know I could be faster, but I just don't want to invest the time and pain in it. I enjoy running, but I'm not trying to be super competitive.

So I think it is emotional for 99.9% of people. Only those .1% of people you mentioned are hitting the physical limits, as you said.

In other words, I agree with your facts, but I think the interpretation is wrong (or I'm misunderstanding). The key ingredient is the willpower, the consistency, and that comes from an emotional place.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#57

Post by logicallee »

ErikAugust wrote: post #38

I run ultras and mountain races. I ran one this Friday night into Saturday morning - a 12 hour overnight trail race where I managed 100K (62mi) in 11 hours and 23 minutes. Anyway, let's throw out willpower and even genetics for a second so I can bring up something: In today's age, virtually no one is even remotely close to their physiological limits. Literally, hundreds of people (elite marathoners, a few ultra marat…

>Literally, hundreds of people (elite marathoners, a few ultra marathoners, cross country skiiers) out of billions of people are bumping up against physiology

The human race didn't fight tooth and nail for 40,000 years to give everyone education, a code of laws and civilization, safe lives that include both work and leisure, so that I could bump into the limits of my physiology. How is that a normative goal?

There are no mountain lions chasing me whose escape pushes me to the limits of human physiology - and I for one prefer to keep it that way!

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#58

Post by [deleted] »

jackmott wrote: post #33
jontas wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Source? I participate in these kinda of events.. I'd be interested to know where you are getting your information.

look up the average pace of the finish, do math. note: people have brought up aid station time, which, yes if you spent like 30 minutes at each this would being mid pack finishers up into the 'mostly running range' but its still amortized walking pace. This isn't meant to suggest that 100milers are easy or dumb, just that if you imagine someone actually running 100 miles straight and think that sounds nearly impossib…

[deleted]

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#59

Post by sushisource »

d--b wrote: post #31

This article angers me. 1. the guy is only an example. Willpower alone will not make you run 100 mile-race. You need the right body as well. 2. most people don't try and run 100 mile-races because they have better things to do 3. willpower and success: seriously this is really self congratulatory. running 100 miles does not make anyone a more succesful person. 4. no mention of endorphines and running addiction?

Nonsense. Unless you have some kind of disability anyone can run a 100 miler. That is completely true.

You need to get in shape first, obviously, but unless you have a condition that prevents you from doing that, you can do it.

I get the impression you haven't done much distance running, because the article is spot on when he says it's almost exclusively about determination.

#2 just seems like you're being a dick. #3 is unprovable, and #4 is something I rarely hear any serious runner talk about, and it certainly isn't the reason I run at all.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#60

Post by gaius »

ErikAugust wrote: post #38

I run ultras and mountain races. I ran one this Friday night into Saturday morning - a 12 hour overnight trail race where I managed 100K (62mi) in 11 hours and 23 minutes. Anyway, let's throw out willpower and even genetics for a second so I can bring up something: In today's age, virtually no one is even remotely close to their physiological limits. Literally, hundreds of people (elite marathoners, a few ultra marat…

hundreds of people (elite marathoners, a few ultra marathoners, cross country skiiers)

I'd add elite soldiers to that list, which would take it up to tens of thousands maybe.

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