Keely Hodgkinson says running is horrible

looks like she and Athing have something in common!

As a former 800m guy, I certainly enjoyed the training required and racing that distance specifically. But I will say I have a harder time imaging what it takes to prepare and be fit for that distance year round. It's one thing when it's just a few months a year for track season is HS or college.

But I do hope that when she retires she's able to remember why she got into the sport in the first place. Because even if it's purely for the health and wellness of the sport, she's not so relieved to be "free" from running that she abandons is completely. Whether it's running or any other sport, I think we've all seen athletes let the pendulum swing too far the other direction when they no longer face the pressure to constantly ride that knifes edge athletically.

True 800 runners hate jogging

Not sure why she’s going for the sympathy points. Maybe some misplaced guilt over her work ethic, talent and success? The ones who really seem miserable to me are the ones trying to catch her.

its her job, most people hate their job... the coach seems to be very effective.. she's not going to change so she has more fun...

Plus there is a good chance you will fall at some point cycling. This could be a horrible injury. Prob won't happen running on the roads. And unless you live somewhere good, you deal with traffic the entire time you are road cycling. Running, you go somewhere there aren't cars.

This is (supposedly) the main reasons why people say they cannot in good faith support Athing Mu. Yet for some reason you got downvoted here.

Many of you are so stupid that it is appalling. For those who say you cannot support Keely because she doesn’t enjoy running, if she hadn’t said it you wouldn’t know it, so what difference does it make? IF you enjoy a band’s music, and the band members said they don’t enjoy creating new music, or even performing it, what the hell difference does it make? This is a pointless thread.

Something tells me you wouldn't be any less bitter even if everyone ITT agreed with you

Bitter? I am not bitter. I simply don’t care whether a woman I don’t know enjoys running or not. Why would I?

I thought it was more the lack of racing that's referenced when it comes to Mu. No love of the game is just a reason she's given to explain why.

If Keely continues to race despite the comments she's made here she won't get the same reaction.

If you read my comment again you'll see I made no mention of Keely. Maybe try reading it slower.

In what way is she going for sympathy points? The reporter asked when she fell in love with running; she replied that this isn't an accurate way of characterizing her feelings about running - that she doesn't "love" the actual act of training, and in fact finds it quite unpleasant. She didn't take an ad out in the paper (or even make a post on social media) to announce that she hates running. She just responded truthfully and thoughtfully to a reporter's question.

This is a pretty good illustration of why so many athlete interviews are mind-numbingly boring and formulaic. Whenever an athlete ventures away from the usual cliches, someone is ready to get offended.

It is important to put the article in context, it was published in the "style" section of the Sunday Times, I'm not sure what an American Equivalent is, but possibly like appearing on Conan O'Brien.

She was "modelling" various clothing items ,and talking about "girly" stuff ,going to weddings, nights out and her last relationship, Definitely not aimed at an athletic audience, but still plenty to take from it.

From what I have heard, she maintains a good work-life balance, she blew off the Olympics closing ceremony to go on a family holiday.

Because she was achieved so much so young I'm not sure she will have an extended career, but I would predict when it's over you will need more than fingers and toes to count all her major championship appearances. She is definitely aiming to do the European/World indoor double next year, and I'd say winning the Worlds in Tokyo is the ultimate aim. If she wins both worlds I'd say she might reassess, but the champs come thick and fast and most Britons will look forward to the Commonwealths in Glasgow in 2026 that could be the last edition ever due to finances.

Oh please, it's a few minutes of discomfort a few times a week.

The hard part of her life is the other stuff she has to deal with that can be stressful for hours. The running part should be a relief from all of that other stuff.

No it’s because Mu never competes. Keeley may hate the training but she’s on starting lines a lot.

From what I've read recently, Georgia Bell loves running and is a pretty fair 800 meter competitor. She also has the same coach as Keely Hodgkinson. Perhaps going to Cal and getting lost in the wilderness for a lot of years improved her attitude. I don't wish that on KH, though.