The Trials and Tribulations of Running YouTubers

I also like him, but also found the recent video a little complainy. Like I get it, you see your situation as harder than others’. He is a father, non-pro trying to run 130mpw; yes this is hard.

But ALSO… there are father, non-pro runners putting in 100mpw with FAR less talent than him just trying to scrape together a sub 2:30, or heck, even slower.

That said, still really enjoy him typically

But why did the carbs make you think to the gills as it seemed in your comment? or are we all mis reading what you meant in that?

yeah true.. maybe the complaints don't really land with us plebs because.. like I have newborn twins, a toddler, heading back to fulltime work in a month, etcetc. really struggle to even run 70km in a week these days.

But I'm sure compared to the people he runs with the complaints feel very justified. For example his buddy Adam Wood has a lot more freedom than him to.. run workouts in daylight lol.

anyways mostly just agreeing with you + myself here.

I’m just speculating and not trying to rain on the parade but I get the vibe that ottesen’s wife is like their PRIMARY caregiver and doing a lot more than him. I could be completely wrong but it’s kinda crazy this guy is putting in time for YouTube, on top of his 9-5, and seemingly doubling often. I know that’s possible and some can make it all work, but honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not the “amazing father” and prioritizing running (and to each their own, if his kids still love him and his wife isn’t bothered then who cares). But based on what he shows, I’m sorta inferring he’s making running a priority and just has a sweet setup where his spouse is likely managing his children when needed and more than she otherwise would. I find his content interesting overall and he’s a fast dude, but some is a bit cringey. I unsubbed a while back but watch his vids sporadically when I see them associated with Adam wood’s vids. Ottesen reminds me of a Smurf or Dr. Seuss character and seems like a good Mormon boy lol

Ottesen is a beast and way better than floberg who has to remind everyone dramatically he has a wife and children and is making core memories and friggin loves the community. Oh and he’s so fit!

if we’re comparing dad runners, give my ottesen every single time. Floberg is insufferable and is just a god to a certain demographic of fans who lack any critical thinking and see someone like them who is “fast” so they become obsessed and drool over him.

Meanwhile guys like ottesen are running 20 minutes faster in the marathon and not making it a cinematic spectacle or an overdramatized event with every social media post or video

Don’t underestimate the Mormon family and it’s network. You can project your made up scenario and tell yourself it’s true like a twitter user if you want, but Ottesen probably has a good family network. He did take his wife on his Japan trip without the kids. I’m sure both of their parents are heavily involved and if they’re like most Mormons, probably their 10 other siblings.

Actually, I would say that is probably the smartest thing she could have done. People are running 3-hour-plus marathons in shoes engineered for those running a minute or more per kilometre faster. Of course, they are perfectly entitled to do so, but I think prioritising comfort and stability, in what is still a shoe you can run decently fast in, makes perfect sense.

yeah 100%. To be fair to them if that arrangement works for them then.. have at it. presumably he makes enough as an engineer that his wife doesn't need to work? Although even then.. my wife (who doesn't work atm) would not be ok basically solo raising kids.

At 6ish hours of running in a week I don't have the daylight hours to give her 6 hours of solo time in the week. I do my best, take 1 to child minding while I run on a treadmill, take them all for an hour here and there.. but ultimately she does more than me and that is one reason why running is a selfish hobby.

Agreed.

Also Asics will likely be wanting to use the shoe they are most likely to sell most of to The Running Channel's audience. Superblast would be way more popular for their viewers than a Metaspeed.

The running YouTube space has really exploded. I think what makes or breaks these channels is authenticity - the ones that show the real struggles alongside the wins get way more engagement than the polished highlight reels. Vo2max Productions and Seth DeMoor come to mind as examples of doing it right. Would be cool to see more content creators covering the mental side of running too, not just the physical training aspects.

how can a 17min 5km be judged a good run? theres only one hill at the start of that loop then a huge downhill.

her being 3rd quickest of the day just shows how little interest most clubs and top runners have in the event these days. there was literally nobody racing who has ran for GB in any xc or other event in at least the last 12 months. it was a proper mediocre turnout

scientifically proven by Bester than you can not run 130 miles per week and be a family man. the kids will have no idea who this chump is and he'll be to wrecked from his self-endulgment jogging to do anything fun with them at the weekends

sensible and consistent?

could also be deemed over-training and burnout. clearly set off way to fast for her ability, blew up and sacked it off to avoid an embarasing finish time.

is she another of these online "coaches" or do she actually have a proper job? she used to be decent at cross country but poor in recent years, probably needs to go back to what she used to be good at

I mean you certainly still get energy saving benefit at low 3 hour pace from wearing something like the metaspeeds - You aren't shuffling at that pace and just the energy saving alone will save a you a few mins over a Marathon.

However I do agree that you should just wear whats comfortable, although in this case i don't think that's what happened...

Probably a week or so late on this. But just listened to the pod FOD did with sirpoc. Was very good. Hoping he can get sirpoc to come back regularly even if he has other people on? I'm sure this was already talked about but it was excellent.

*You mean the doctors, labourers, teachers and plasterers who finished behind him. Unless the one guy from the masses that beat him has multiple careers.

Why do so many people on here have wet dreams over sirpoc? Hes an old boy who had a good run of form, huge background in cycling so which would have got him his huge aerobic engine. Now succombed to injuries and progress is halted

Same tale as pretty much every other runner out there. Yes he does 3 sessions a week but so do many other weekend warriors, hes not doing anything ground-breaking or different to most other people out there. Why the infactuation with him, its just a common sense, low risk, training plan which requires a lot of patience

If I'm running 15 min 5ks in my 40s after succumbing to injury I'll be a very happy man.

Put whatever you think of the training to one side. Now imagine if anyone else we discuss here had launched a book. How many reels Phily, Fenton, Bester, Floberg etc would have made promoting it every bloody day. How insufferable they would be. How every video would start with "I'm a 2:xx marathoner and best-selling author".

That is why I respect Sirpoc.