New American 100 mile record was just set. He averaged 7:12 minute miles the entire time !

calm down buddy,

If this is what gets you riled up and upset you must be having a tough, stressful time with actual life problems.

Listen. I didn't say he should publicly apologize. I just wanted to emphasize to all those less knowledgeable hobby joggers that this is not at all as "amazing" and "unreal" as the original poster had eluded too. Alright? Is that ok with you Mr. uptight ultra Defender?

Yes I realize that running 100 miles is probably quite hard. So is all those ridiculous "feats of endurance". Like the guys who stand in one position for days on end or the "pole sitters" back in the '30s. It's hard because it is such a ridiculously long distance. It's not healthy in any sense of the word and to call this a World Record is stupid. I'm not asking for an apology from the actual runner but maybe one from those who glorify this like it is an actual sport.

They should have a new sport "Ultra Crossfit"

You one legged squat, kip & kettle ball clean your way through 100miles.

This person shalt be known as the Super Fitness World Record holder of all time and be dubbed the Fittest man alive.

Yes, BUT, what would happen in an attempt at the 100 mile on a track record? From how many laps back could someone conceivably come back from?

You're right - your big win at the local Turkey Trot next month will show everyone what a real running accomplishment is.

Remember kids, engaging them only encourages their behavior.

Thanks for your concern, but no, I'm not having a tough, stressful time with actual life problems. I'm not riled up, and I'm not upset. I just have an ingrained habit that when I see somebody say or write something utterly moronic that might persuade somebody else to think the same moronic thoughts, if I have time, I'll try to write a counterview. I don't get all jacked up about it, because I realized a long time back that for the most part nobody reads it, and of those that do, most don't care. I just feel an obligation to try to do my part to nudge people towards more sensible thinking.

Your writing, for example, is filled with errors and fallacies. I don't like the thought of somebody with a sub-average IQ and a smug, superior attitude (such as yourself) thinking they are the arbiter of what is laudable and what is stupid in the world of running. For instance, take a couple of your sentences:

It's hard because it is such a ridiculously long distance. It's not healthy in any sense of the word and to call this a World Record is stupid.

Think:

Did anybody say it was healthy?

Did anybody call it a World Record?

When does distance change from "long" to "ridiculously long"? Is a marathon the longest acceptable distance? For some magical reason, the distance from the Princess's bedroom to the finish line on the track of 26 miles 385 yards makes perfect sense, but running 100 miles is stupid? Do you have no imagination whatsoever? Have you never gone for a run and wondered how long you could keep going? Have you never thought it would be an interesting challenge to run to a quite distant point, say, 100 miles away?

(regarding "is it healthy", I don't know that very many races of any distance are particularly healthy in and of themselves, but in general, I would guess that people who contest 100-mile races are in better health than the population as a whole)

So, was this performance "amazing" or "unreal"? I guess that is in the eye of the beholder. To me, it is a great run. You act like you are doing a service to those you snidely describe as "hobby-joggers" by interceding to announce "Nope! Hold it! Running 100 miles in 11:59 is in fact neither amazing or unreal. Happens all the time in Ethiopia. Any decent runner can do it." What would he have had to do for it to be "amazing" in your hard-to-impress eyes? Sub-11? Sub-10? Or have you just been conditioned to reflexively criticize any run outside the "standard" world of running events as sub-standard?

Very well said Gamera. These guys should run a 100 miler before they talk. I did, after years of national class marathoning, and loved it.

The benefit from greater intrinsic speed diminishes as the race distance increases,especially beyond the marathon. Ian Thompson and Alberto Salazar, two fast marathoners have run ultras for example. While successful, they are not record holders. And a mediocre-at best-runner like myself (2:48 marathon best) beat many sub-2:30 runners at the 1985 RRCA National 50 Mile Championship in Chicago. Potential does not win races, though it helps. Statements deriding the new American 100 mile best time are foolish. The ability to run a fast marathon is only part of the talent set needed to run a good ultra.

@gamera Very eloquently written, but why even bother with these morons? Anyone who doesn't think that averaging 7:12 pace for 100 miles is impressive is a damn fool. I don't think anyone is claiming it to be the greatest accomplishment in the history of Western civilization, but there's no denying that it's an awesome run.

Very well said Gamera. These guys should run a 100 miler before they talk. I did, after years of national class marathoning, and loved it.

Why, thanks, SlipperyPete13! I agree that there is probably no real point in battling with the most numbskulled posters on the message boards. It is not like there is really any chance of "converting" such people to your point of view. Arguments are never really "won", as far as I can tell. But sometimes it just seems wrong to leave such ignorance uncontested.

Someone broke the 100 mile american record? That reminds me what's the record for hitting oneself in the face with a frying pan?

Thanks for your posts - they nicely encapsulated my reactions, so it saved me the effort :).

Gamera wrote:

But sometimes it just seems wrong to leave such ignorance uncontested.

Right on, I feel that.

Gamera wrote:

But sometimes it just seems wrong to leave such ignorance uncontested.

Absolutely! I wonder about the folks who express such ignorance. Do they remotely approximate in ANY endeavor in their lives the level of excellence and commitment required to run 100 miles under 12 hours? Even remotely?

If so, are they really just that narrow minded?

If not, are they really just that conceited?

hmm no I think they do approximate it. Probably any person on this board who was ever even a decent collegiate runner approximates it. I wonder how many people contest the 100mile race compared to the 100m , or mile or high jump or even 10k?

If the world represents track than I'm guessing something the population of Buffalo represents the 100mile.

So yes the work and commitment this "American record holder" put in is about the same to a decent collegiate athlete. Yes I don't argue that it is a lot of work and a difficult task but no more difficult then a decent collegiate athlete so quit overhyping it!!

I never said it was bad or shitty. I just said way overhyped and not even within a sniff of the accomplishments of a true american or world record holder in track.

Look, any race longer than the 40-meter dash is technically an endurance race. For the 100m one has to save energy and then kick. Ditto the 200, 400, 800, ..., 5000, ....

reallybetterbekidding wrote:

This record has probably been smashed a zillion times by your average ethiopian runner out for an extra long training run or cruising around the hills to the next village.

First, it's Ethiopian with a capital. I know the education system is failing in the U.S. but really now. Second, Ethiopians do not do long runs even close to 100 miles. A friend who spent time at a running camp in Ethiopia met Haile Gebrselassie and when he told Haile he has done 300km weeks Haile was speechless, than made a scowl and slapped him on the back of the head and told him not to be stupid, that kind of mileage will only lead to failure.

reallybetterbekidding, you're an idiot

That's impressive. I believe Yiannis Kouros ran 100 miles in 11:46 on the road which is the road world record. To get that close to Kouros' best time is very good. Track record is 11:28 by Oleg Kharitonov, I believe.