I think there is nothing wrong with Nels Matson's run.
He just slowed down a lot because his pace was unsustainable. Now he has a daily average of 58.6 miles. I hope he takes more time of to recover better. Otherwise his run across the country might be over soon.
The only thing I’ve seen that raised my eyebrows was that one day earlier in the run where his elapsed time and running time were essentially the same. It was quickly pointed out that Strava algorithm sometimes does this, but I’ve never seen it happen to nearly the extent that it did that day and it hasn’t happened on any other of his runs since. What was it about that one day that made Strava act in that way?
I do think he is doing it, but that anomaly is not entirely explainable.
Is there a problem just downloading the data and looking at it? It's obvious if you actually bothered that he just took very short breaks that day and Strava dumb data smoothing basically erased this
Is there a problem just downloading the data and looking at it? It's obvious if you actually bothered that he just took very short breaks that day and Strava dumb data smoothing basically erased this
I did look at the file and it does indicate short breaks. However, as a data guy, I like to understand why the data presents as it does and I also like to be able to repeat these results in the real world. I tried to do it, I tried to make Strava interpret some of my runs like Nels and I couldn’t. Since you have so much confidence that the data shows an absolute result, then it should be easy for you to direct me on what to do on my next run to verify that this was purely Strava data manipulation.
If I stop and fidget for about 25-45 seconds or so, I can get Strava to do it, but please don’t give me that for an answer because it seems pretty implausible for 15+ hour run, especially since it’s never happened since. As I said, I think he’s doing the run legitimately, but it is an odd anomaly and I’m a curious person. So if you can give me a repeatable action to apply for my run to test your theory out, I’m all ears.
If I stop and fidget for about 25-45 seconds or so, I can get Strava to do it, but please don’t give me that for an answer because it seems pretty implausible for 15+ hour run, especially since it’s never happened since. As I said, I think he’s doing the run legitimately, but it is an odd anomaly and I’m a curious person. So if you can give me a repeatable action to apply for my run to test your theory out, I’m all ears.
Stop and fidget for about 25-45 seconds or so. That's literally what Nels' Strava data download shows for numerous times during the day and what Strava's dumb data smoothing deletes. You are making it a lot more complicated than what reality is, just like you guys did to Goodge and PJ.
There has been a lot of talk on this thread about 'downloading data'. I'm not a tech expert so could someone answer the following question please:
Is it really possible to download the data sent by the watch to Strava on an account which is not your own? If it is, then how do you do it?
Just to emphasise, I'm not trying to imply any wrongdoing with this run- the simplest explanation for his Day 3 elapsed time being identical to his moving time is that he didn't make any stops for longer than the shortest time Strava considers a 'stop'. (I don't know what length of time that is).
Project Campbell's Call Day 8 Tomorrow, September 16th, would have been Chris Campbell's 50th birthday. I encourage you to go out do a 5k, 50k, 50 mile run or ruck. Or go out and do a 5 mile swim. Do it thinking of Chris smiling through the pain with you! Another day of endless roads, but a lot of beauty on those 20 mile stick straight roads. Got my first bloody nose running today. This elevation likes to beat up on the Florida man, but starting to get back into my groove. Just trying to get a little better each day. I really have the most amazing crew. Ella Lombardi is with me for the first 10 days and has made constant great adjustments. I went to a very dark place a couple days ago and she helped get me out and kept me on track. ••• Distance62.20 mi Pace13:48 /mi Time14h 18m
There has been a lot of talk on this thread about 'downloading data'. I'm not a tech expert so could someone answer the following question please:
Is it really possible to download the data sent by the watch to Strava on an account which is not your own? If it is, then how do you do it?
Just to emphasise, I'm not trying to imply any wrongdoing with this run- the simplest explanation for his Day 3 elapsed time being identical to his moving time is that he didn't make any stops for longer than the shortest time Strava considers a 'stop'. (I don't know what length of time that is).
On Strava it's real easy to get the data after Strava processes it. On the exercise in question just select the "..." in the bottom left and export. From there you can select TCX, and get 1 second interval data.
Thankyou for your answer SCUDHJ, but when I click on the "..." I am given 3 options- Flag, Save Route and Export GPX. Save Route invites me to apply for a free trial, so maybe the free accounts don't allow a TCX download. Anyway, I think this journey is becoming a very good, honest but not record breaking one that could realistically aim for 50-55 days.
As an aside, when I first glanced at his website, I thought it said "Campbell's Cat"
Sometimes numbers say a lot more than a lot of words. There will be no record.
It’s ok to set difficult goals, have a crack and fall short.
Yes, but, if I went out and said I'm gonna have a crack at the 800m world record after running a 49s 400, I should rightfully be mocked.
If I ran a 49 400m, I'd be way more qualified for an attempt at the 800WR than this guy is at getting the transcon WR. His goal was either comically lofty or he's a liar.
Why are the majority of armchair runners on LRC so cynical? He’s not going to get the record and that has been apparent from the first few days. That said, why are so many of you almost gleeful about it and why do you feel the need to mock or continue to seriously analyze the reasons why?
Are runners this insecure? Needy of attention? Do they revel in the failure of others? Is this just a Let’s Run thing or is it universal?
It’s ok to set difficult goals, have a crack and fall short.
Was it ever really a goal?
He said he wanted to break Pete Kostelnick's record. Of course that was never possible just looking at Nels previous performances.
After 9 days he is averaging 59.36 miles which is quite a lot lower than Pete's 71.9 miles per day.
What I will never understand is, why so many promote these outrageous goals and fall short within a couple of days. But I guess these runs look a lot easier on paper than it actually is. 60 miles a day? How hard can that be if I can do 100 in less than 24 hours. Turns out, it's a lot harder because you have to do it every day.
What a choice for declaring a run for a record! Not a reasonable attempt at a race record that can be done, lost or won, in seconds, minutes, or within an hour or day, but an interminable days and weeks long agonizing slog in a demonstration of a mistaken undertaking! Maybe all the ballyhoo and protracted speculation, bets and banter make for an *entertaining* ongoing circus, but isnt the basic design sort of sad and misguided? But as I said, maybe the novelty and entertainment make it worthwhile for many folks. I think Im just going to duck out of it though and stick to the shorter forms of competition theater.
He said he wanted to break Pete Kostelnick's record. Of course that was never possible just looking at Nels previous performances.
After 9 days he is averaging 59.36 miles which is quite a lot lower than Pete's 71.9 miles per day.
What I will never understand is, why so many promote these outrageous goals and fall short within a couple of days. But I guess these runs look a lot easier on paper than it actually is. 60 miles a day? How hard can that be if I can do 100 in less than 24 hours. Turns out, it's a lot harder because you have to do it every day.
He has been very up front about why he is promoting his goal. His goal is to raise public attention and get a desired number of donations to the wounded warrior project. All to fulfill a killed soldier's wish.
He said he wanted to break Pete Kostelnick's record. Of course that was never possible just looking at Nels previous performances.
After 9 days he is averaging 59.36 miles which is quite a lot lower than Pete's 71.9 miles per day.
What I will never understand is, why so many promote these outrageous goals and fall short within a couple of days. But I guess these runs look a lot easier on paper than it actually is. 60 miles a day? How hard can that be if I can do 100 in less than 24 hours. Turns out, it's a lot harder because you have to do it every day.
He has been very up front about why he is promoting his goal. His goal is to raise public attention and get a desired number of donations to the wounded warrior project. All to fulfill a killed soldier's wish.
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