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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

#91

Post by [deleted] »

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…

[deleted]

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

#92

Post by bstrong »

mirkules wrote: post #39
Swizec wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone currently training for the SF Marathon, here's my perspective on low carb and glucose packets. Low-ish carb is great. It helps you endure long runs overall and it's a good habit in general. Especially for recovering after the race and getting all those calories back. During the long run itself however, glucose packets are absolutely necessary. You run out of glycogen stores every 45 minutes or so. That's w…

The first time I tried a packet (GU gel) in a practice run, I nearly puked. It tastes like liquefied bubble gum and the taste stuck with me for the next 30 minutes. Which ones work well for you?

I highly recommend Honey Stinger Gold. I had trouble with every other gel I've tried, but I can digest the honey just fine, even without water.

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

#94

Post by rickpmg »

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.

What an elitist comment. People do marathons for different reasons. Time is just one factor. Some people actually (gasp) do marathons to prove something to _themselves_.

It's one thing to be proud of your own time, it's entirely unsportsmanlike to criticize someone not as good as you.

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

#95

Post by Swizec »

schrodinger wrote: post #89
Swizec wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone currently training for the SF Marathon, here's my perspective on low carb and glucose packets. Low-ish carb is great. It helps you endure long runs overall and it's a good habit in general. Especially for recovering after the race and getting all those calories back. During the long run itself however, glucose packets are absolutely necessary. You run out of glycogen stores every 45 minutes or so. That's w…

I actually feel my best when I do my long (10-12 mile) runs in a fasted state around 11 am. I'd much rather eat after the run.

It depends. Do you measure your runs?

I can run a 13mi run, and maybe some extra, without gels. Even without water. But in my experience I can't do it for a 20+ mile run.

And my fasted runs are generally slower than nonfasted runs regardless of how I actually feel while running it. For example, when I train every day, my morning runs before a full day of eating are abysmal. My evening runs are nice and fast.

Worse still, when training every day, I've noticed that what and how much I eat the evening before, has a huge impact on my morning run as well. (I tend to do my long runs early in the morning because fitting a 4h run in the evening is tough)

Maybe my problem is the every day training part. It makes nutrition crucial so I can get enough recovery out of my body.

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

#96

Post by LeifCarrotson »

proee wrote: post #80
sushisource wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.…

Well then I'm sure it's frustrating when a professional who runs a Marathon in close to 2 hours, hears you say the same thing.

I'm no 2-hour-marathon pro, just a has-been mediocre collegiate runner, but there's some understanding of the effort levels and dedication that are required, no matter the accomplishments. But there are runners, and there are joggers, and there are joggers that call themselves runners and post "26.2" stickers on their cars.

By analogy, there's a difference between an HN celebrity, someone who does programming for a living at a typical skill level, and someone who claims to be an engineer - but cannot complete FizzBuzz.

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

#97

Post by pcunite »

dogruck wrote: post #46

I have finished six or seven 100 mile races. I've observed that the only apparent constant among all finishers is above average fitness, a reasonable approach to food and drink while racing, and a total commitment to finishing. Every race has some bare foot runners and some Hoka devotees. You see fat people and thin people. Old and young. Every finisher suffered tremendously, yet he or she refused to quit.

Every finisher suffered tremendously, yet he or she refused to quit.

I'm touching these words on my monitor. I can feel the pain. Ugh ...

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

#98

Post by tedmc »

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…

Sure, experience is a factor (and GMA helps with this), but training when you're tired, but need to, when you don't want to, or when you're sore from the speedwork or doing a b2b run takes self control. Not putting the wrong things in your mouth, takes self control. In a race, it takes self control to not go out too fast, to eat when nothing looks appetizing, and to keep moving when aid stations look like bombs went off from all the people laying down.

Badwater is (more) brutal now that it has a night start, and experience only counts for so much...

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

#99

Post by revelation »

mirkules wrote: post #39
Swizec wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone currently training for the SF Marathon, here's my perspective on low carb and glucose packets. Low-ish carb is great. It helps you endure long runs overall and it's a good habit in general. Especially for recovering after the race and getting all those calories back. During the long run itself however, glucose packets are absolutely necessary. You run out of glycogen stores every 45 minutes or so. That's w…

The first time I tried a packet (GU gel) in a practice run, I nearly puked. It tastes like liquefied bubble gum and the taste stuck with me for the next 30 minutes. Which ones work well for you?

You don't necessarily need gels, and admittedly most of them taste terrible

Try something like flapjacks or even rice cake [1]. It's more suitable as bike nutrition because of the ergonomics but at the end of the day it's all just carbs.

If you don't like any of that or the solid food is difficult to swallow in a race, you can try just water mixed with maltodextrin. It's a very slight sweet taste.

1: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/izone...

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

#100

Post by olleromam91 »

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…

Exerting your willpower and self control is where the enjoyment comes from for many people. Proving to yourself that you can do something you never thought you could.
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