What do pro runners do all day?

A couple guys from up north used to crash on our couch in college (Florida) during the winter.

They’d run in the morning, sit on the couch and watch Star Trek all day, then maybe hit the track in the afternoon.

They also drank a lot of beer, but I imagine did less of that in season.

Depends where geographically.

Some pro athletes in US eat/sleep/run/gym/tv/rest/massage. Pro athletes in parts of Africa keep themselves busy doing farm work and take lots of naps in between to rest up. In the end Americans wonder why Kenyans don't do much core work in the gym, yet they are so strong. In reality they're getting their core work out in the farm working the land.. etc.

They sleep a couple extra hours to recover and then have to work on their social media, podcast, online store or whatever gets them the sponsorships if they're not world-class elite. That would most likely not be a full-time job by itself but would still take a few hours every day. Training + extra sleep + self-promotion + massage and stuff like that would probably sum up to more or less the same amount of hours as a 9 to 5 job and they won't have any unreasonable amount of time to burn.

what do you do all day?

I send a bunch of pointless emails and use data to defend already-made decisions.

get of your high horse Galt

zizek wrote:

I send a bunch of pointless emails and use data to defend already-made decisions.

LOL! You just described 90% of office jobs with disturbing accuracy.

At least their 'job' ocassionally provides entertainment for a few spectators. Most of us probably sit in meetings twiddling our thumbs and reorganize things that didn't really need reorganizing.

It's not really a job wrote:

Especially those that aren't in the elite, but are sponsored by the likes of Hoka, or Salomon. What do they do all day? Obviously they'll go for a run, usually in the morning I'm guessing, but then what? Just sit around trying not to get hurt while putting the rest of the day in?

Most of us are able to fit our training around our daily lives that include working, so it's hard to see the need for a "professional runner".

Most run twice a day, so that already eats into your point. They have time for more of the secondary things that keep people healthy and strong that most runners ignore (core work, injury prevention exercises, strength work, etc.) that can take up to an hour.

The rest of the day they play video games.

When Gags had the Enclave he wanted his athletes to have a part time job or to go to grad school.

A lot of them do have part time jobs. Molly Seidel worked at a coffee shop, Jake Riley works as a math tutor, etc.

A lot of them coach other runners too, which can take a lot of time.

they're either working, studying or watching porn.

-meal prep - elites never have to rush a meal or get food to go, they have the time to make whatever healthy dishes they want

- sleep - elites don't have to set an alarm to get a run in the dark before work

Try to get more likes

They sell me shoes at my running shop in-between their grad school classes. They also nap almost daily.

Most of us don’t pity them because we still work 60 hour weeks and are somewhat competitive at big races and meets...but if you factor in two runs and weights most days, it is a necessity to avoid having a time consuming job if you intend to medal.

The ‘Chasing The Dream’ pyramid of success:

Train your butt off

Work at a running shoe store

Coaching (wether paid or volunteer)

Anyone who judges them or thinks they are a "waste" because they don't have a "real job" is a laughable excuse of a human being.

They get paid to do what most of only do for a hobby, and they get paid to go to races and compete, whereas most of us have to shell out large sums of cash to run at a big marathon.

Anyone who looks down on them is projecting their own insecurities. The ones who are really making it are quite literally "living the dream." Nothing but respect and admiration for people who throw all their effort and energy into one thing and make it to the top. Most of us just dwindle in mediocrity.

My experience with Pro runners is that they don't do much of anything.

Seriously, just take your college training- having to go to class= pro runner typical day.

Their job is to be ready on race day, not clock a 9-5er daily. I'd say their biggest hassle is travel (during normal circumstance.)

There is a lot of down time, but then there is just enough responsibilities that I think it would be difficult (not impossible) to pursue another degree, or side career.

Kvothe wrote:

-meal prep - elites never have to rush a meal or get food to go, they have the time to make whatever healthy dishes they want

- sleep - elites don't have to set an alarm to get a run in the dark before work

Back when Meb and co used to post some videos of their training day this was something that caught me off guard. I guess I'd never really thought about it but they were meeting to do their morning 10-12M at like 930. I guess I'd always pictured them running at the crack of dawn, but really there's no need for that, especially in the cool weather.

you could ask the same question of any professional sportsperson. Just because they're a runner and earning less than the NBA and NFL superstars, doesn't mean they can't and don't enjoy their spare time in the same ways

cope harder until you get a fatter wallet