How do elites feel now that hobby joggers have MUCH higher profiles than them?

I doubt elites care very much. I can't really see Meb sitting at his computer going, "Dang it! Why don't I have as many likes as Ginger Runner?"

I don't see why it can't be both ways, though. I'm a mid-packer myself, and I enjoy podcasts such as Marathon Training Academy, Runners World, and The Negative Splits, all of which usually cater to runners like me. Lots of great tips, and stories that are easy to relate to. On the other hand, I enjoy reading about and following (and on occasion, meeting at expos) the elite runners. I enjoy being a marathon "fan" almost as much as being a runner. I mean, where else can you literally "race" against the world's best? I can't drive my car at Daytona and get lapped by Jimmie Johnson, but I recently ran a race "against" Shalane Flanagan (Rock 'n' Roll San Diego). Granted, she beat me by about 45 minutes, but still...

really ? wrote:

HobsJog wrote:

As a hobby jogger who jogs with other hobby joggers, I notice a lot more hostility towards fast runners, than the other way around. Despite the perception that fast runners are snobs. The above is a classic example.

I've checked out /r/running, Runner's World forums, and other online "hobby" hangouts and I've never seen anything that remotely resembles the anti-hobby jogger threads on this forum. What kind of hostility are you talking about, exactly? "That a**hole thinks he's hot sh*t" or something on that level? Do they have their own derogatory term for faster runners? That would be humorous.

Ouch, someone's self esteem is fragile! This really struck a nerve with you. I don't see hobby jogger as being a derogatory term, it's a fact that's what I am so I wear it with pride!

As for examples of hostility, are you kidding me? I actually provided a quote by some troll who demonstrated hostility towards anyone running a 14 minute 5k. Come on, in order to make a counter point you first need to have comprehension skills.

Surprise! wrote:

He has 23k followers. How is that in anyway a staggering amount? He makes "good" money selling t-shirts? Really? How many t-shirts do you think he's sold? 100? 200? This guy doesn't have a high profile.

I would guess he makes less than $1000 a year from his online persona. How is that higher profile than an elite runner?

You are wrong. One of the popular female running bloggers makes $500-800 for every product they mention (averaging 4-5 a month). Hungry Runner Girl. These bloggers are pulling in big money. Good for them, they worked their angle. The Non-Olympic elites shoyld be jealous.

HobsJog wrote:

As for examples of hostility, are you kidding me? I actually provided a quote by some troll who demonstrated hostility towards anyone running a 14 minute 5k. Come on, in order to make a counter point you first need to have comprehension skills.

Wait, you call "no one gives a sh*t about a 14m 5k" hostility and I'm the fragile one? LOL. I didn't even notice that statement as being angry. My comprehension skills on LRC are tuned for pure hate, not some basic level passive aggressive crap like that. If that counts for hostility then you live in a much more pleasant world than mine.

Surprise! wrote:

He has 23k followers. How is that in anyway a staggering amount? He makes "good" money selling t-shirts? Really? How many t-shirts do you think he's sold? 100? 200? This guy doesn't have a high profile.

I would guess he makes less than $1000 a year from his online persona. How is that higher profile than an elite runner?

I have no idea how much he is making, but I think it is a lot more than $1k/yr. Just getting comped at a bunch of races get one close.

I've shown up to a few of their #werunsocial events ( I think that is the name) --everybody is super supportive and there are some pretty hot chicks running with them, kind of an opposite Letsrun world. All of you stalker/women hater/Jamin types should check one out. Nothing wrong with hanging out in the back of that pack and watching the ponytails bounce.

4000/mo MAX, is not big money.

A perfect example of the poverty mentality in running that enables everyone but the athletes to make money.

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

4000/mo MAX, is not big money.

A perfect example of the poverty mentality in running that enables everyone but the athletes to make money.

Especially if it's pre-tax dollars...🙄

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

4000/mo MAX, is not big money.

Okay fancy pants, but if you "work" 25 hr a week running, being fit, and creating an online presence, you probably have another 40 hr a week for a full time job. Spending 3 hr/day on weekdays and 5 hr/day on weekends running and blogging would be a sweet side gig.

I would like to see Shalane Flanagan be the next Jeff Galloway. There is no reason that elite runners can't relate to hobby joggers. They are destined to become hobby joggers.

And to the guy that says a 14:10 runner thinks he's hot chit - trust me, when you have to fight like heil to not get lapped in a 10K, you are quite aware that you are definitely not hot chit.

Give some proof and examples. LINKS OR IT DIDNT HAPPEN Never heard of this

And to the guy that says a 14:10 runner thinks he's hot chit - trust me, when you have to fight like heil to not get lapped in a 10K, you are quite aware that you are definitely not hot chit.[/quote]

Exactly!!!! This is the truth! That the joggers didn't understand and never understand. Running 10K in low 29 or high 28 you need a lot of work and then you are struggling to run away from lapping by high 27 runners who are running from low 27))))

Sara Palin wrote:

Okay fancy pants, but if you "work" 25 hr a week running, being fit, and creating an online presence, you probably have another 40 hr a week for a full time job. Spending 3 hr/day on weekdays and 5 hr/day on weekends running and blogging would be a sweet side gig.

Sure. Go for it. 36 weeks in and you need to post *something* or meet someone and you just aren't up for it happens. It doesn't seem so sweet then.

Sara Palin wrote:

I would like to see Shalane Flanagan be the next Jeff Galloway. There is no reason that elite runners can't relate to hobby joggers. They are destined to become hobby joggers.

Some athletes aren't wired for all the socializing/soft sales/customer service required. They sure can run though..

the Brosjos could probably make decent money doing events that include a hobby jog/beer mile. But, they don't bother because it's hard work on top of the work they are already doing.

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

the Brosjos could probably make decent money doing events that include a hobby jog/beer mile.

This website IS media presence, if not social media presence. I know it isn't easy to run this site, but they must be pulling down some cash.

Hobby Jogger Elite wrote:

I follow this guy on Twitter, PavementRunner. He has a staggering amount of followers, earns good money from selling his own shirts to adoring fans, and gets free race entry, travel, etc. He's been around for a while, like about 10 years blogging, taking selfies, etc. Nothing wrong with building a profile like what he's done, I'm not faulting the guy.

But the thing is he's not even close to fast. I'm not sure if he's even broken a sub 3:30 marathon. For one thing, how do you explain that runners like this get so big (he's not the only one, there are 100's of others, mostly women)? And why do elites or sub-elites not raise their profiles in similar ways, if they're always scraping from the bottom of the barrel? I don't get this.

What would you call this, an elite hobby jogger?

You are correct.

It is called an elite hobby jogger. There are entire articles written about elite hobby joggers.

For example:

You numbnuts do realize ultra runners are exponentially more interesting than track runners don't you?

While the average ultrapacker could never run a 6 hour 50 miler, what they have in common is the COURSE. They run,jog, or walk the same mountains the elites did. A 400m track has absolutely no chance against a 50 mile trail.

Every finisher has a unique story to tell. How much of a story can you tell about circling a track 25 times?

The interest factor.... wrote:

You numbnuts do realize ultra runners are exponentially more interesting than track runners don't you?

While the average ultrapacker could never run a 6 hour 50 miler, what they have in common is the COURSE. They run,jog, or walk the same mountains the elites did. A 400m track has absolutely no chance against a 50 mile trail.

Every finisher has a unique story to tell. How much of a story can you tell about circling a track 25 times?

There are a few average ultrapackers in Flagstaff (e.g. Rob Krar).

The problem with ultra-hobby jogger/campers is that their incredibly boring 'unique stories' go on and on forever. They are "ultra long and ultra boring" stories.

For example:

rjm33 wrote:

The problem with ultra-hobby jogger/campers is that their incredibly boring 'unique stories' go on and on forever. They are "ultra long and ultra boring" stories.

For example:

https://www.facebook.com/hypo2/photos/a.181731141864880.32731.154386924599302/1114066455298006/?type=3&theater

The best keep it in that sweet spot of 7 to 12 minutes. On the other hand, a great interview will take about an hour.

'Member the 80's, when those boring long races were called hikes instead of ultras?

Ohhhhh yeah, I 'member! :)

Expert on Stuff wrote:

Hobby Jogger Elite wrote:

How do elites feel now that hobby joggers have MUCH higher profiles than them?

I think pretty much the same way that scientists feel now that the Ignorant And Damned Proud Of It crowd is in charge.

Couldn't agree more.

Sara Palin wrote:but they must be pulling down some cash.

Yeah, some. Ad revenue is only declining. Like the guy that is the topic of the thread, it's a business that is there but for passionate people, not for "making money."

The list of people making real money is pretty short, USATF, Nike, the worldwide clothing/shoe brands and a few running event promoters. USATF has it easiest with their monopoly.