Kilian Jornet will try to break the toughest ultra record in the books

TheOhioState wrote:

Sledge_Hammer wrote:

"Ultra toughest record" is a oxymoron. Guys like Kipchoge and prime Bekele could destroy it in their sleep.

No money. Just guts.

"I just ran a marathon, and I'm way ahead of Jornet! How much further?

"About 162 miles. Hang in there!!"

And that's assuming Jornet can break 188, which, of course he can't.

Neither can Kipchoge or anyone else.

Maybe with some special shoes and secret transport.

You're a simpleton to not think that Kipchoge could destroy this record. Kouros was a 2:23 marathoner at best. Perhaps he didn't set this record clean even, but more talent can still win. People are clueless to not even consider that some of these ultra records might be from runners on PEDs. Kipchoge on a track in carbon super shoes could jog 190 + miles in 24 hours while taking long rest breaks.

TheOhioState wrote:

TheOhioState wrote:

No money. Just guts.

"I just ran a marathon, and I'm way ahead of Jornet! How much further?

"About 162 miles. Hang in there!!"

And that's assuming Jornet can break 188, which, of course he can't.

Neither can Kipchoge or anyone else.

Maybe with some special shoes and secret transport.

[quote]Xgen8er wrote:

You're a simpleton to not think that Kipchoge could destroy this record.

Kouros was a 2:23 marathoner at best. Perhaps he didn't set this record clean even, but more talent can still win. People are clueless to not even consider that some of these ultra records might be from runners on PEDs.

Kipchoge on a track in carbon super shoes could jog 190 + miles in 24 hours while taking long rest breaks.

Facts!!!

It's funny people are comparing him to Rupp in the sense that the true elites may question both of them.

Is his reputation damaged at all with the public? Did the Everest allegations and the EPO crap ever hurt him?

If any random marathoner at sub 2:10 could beat this 24h record, why dont they just do it..?

Why stick being a top 200 in marathon instead of beating a world record and start getting sponsorships from the ultra community, such as Salomon and all other hipster trail companies? Seriously? There is much more money, fame and legacy at beating this 24h record than being a 2:06 marathoner that no one remembers?

therminator88 wrote:

There is much more money, fame and legacy at beating this 24h record than being a 2:06 marathoner that no one remembers?

I wish it were different but there is zero money and fame in the 24 hour record right now.

Maybe some shoe companies would pay a nice bonus but in the bigger picture nobody cares about the 24 hour record. Just a few people, basically the ones who have done it.

therminator88 wrote:

If any random marathoner at sub 2:10 could beat this 24h record, why dont they just do it..?

Why stick being a top 200 in marathon instead of beating a world record and start getting sponsorships from the ultra community, such as Salomon and all other hipster trail companies? Seriously? There is much more money, fame and legacy at beating this 24h record than being a 2:06 marathoner that no one remembers?

Is there though? I was early 20s when Kouros was winning these things, granted there was no social media back then, but still no one, zero, zilch, if anyone I know myself included had ever heard of him. Maybe these days it's different as Kilian would likely get a it bombarded over Facebook.

If anyone can bring attention to this event, it's Kilian. He's at the crossroads of trail, mountain, ultra, endurance feats, FKTs, adventure, even a bit of road running these days. All his public like to see him try new feats, it doesn't really matter what. That's his marketing pull. He made mountain FKTs cool, which resulted in his Everest project - who else is doing or can do that with the same exposure?

But this event is a strange one for him, especially coming off injury. 3 weeks to train is just mind blowing. And in such cold conditions. How much energy is he going to waste keeping warm or managing layers... He obviously felt very good about his 80k trial run but still...

A nice preview from Sage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXL4Xu2fIu4&ab_channel=Vo2maxProductions

Coach Sage... You gotta be kidding...

Sage Canaday has gone full circle and turned into an LRC troll.

I remember the days when he was bringing speed to trail ultras, when he was going to do great things at Western States or UTMB. I used to root for him.

Never again.

Maybe Kipchoge could demolish this record but I wouldn't bet on it.

The jump from a marathon to a 100k (let alone 24h) is huge and the physiological requirements change vastly. Not every great marathoner can become a great ultrarunner just like not every great miler can be a great marathoner.

Sage ended up being limited by the same factors that limited him on the track, road, and marathon.. his variable efficiency is quite poor, granted he admits because of genetics (oversize quads don't help in long distance running), but he has persevered because of his talent and commitment. Where he does shine is in long uphill like Mount Washington... the problem being there are not many races/championships like that any more.

2h45 marathoner here. I could run sub 3h10 marathon every other week like it's a walk in the park but I tried the 100k a couple times going out 30 sec/km slower than marathon pace and when I made it past 55-60 km it was like someone shot me in the legs and couldn't run anymore, just pitifully jog/walk until I decided retiring.

Dobyg wrote:

A nice preview from Sage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXL4Xu2fIu4&ab_channel=Vo2maxProductions

Sage is spot on with his analysis.

Kouros 24 hour record is rock solid and his 48 hour record is even a lot better. They won't fall anytime soon.

tbf it's a good honest and analytical review. he gives lots of props to Kilian and while his achievements are talents are really special, it's going to take something to break this record even for him.

My guess it's part of his try everything phase. The difference is that with all the training in the world, he's not going to break the 10k WR or even come close but, If he gets within 10miles of the24hr record, he will come back and take it seriously.

Sledge_Hammer wrote:

"Ultra toughest record" is a oxymoron. Guys like Kipchoge and prime Bekele could destroy it in their sleep.

Ok then explain why they haven't "destroyed it"?

Why doesn't Usain Bolt try break the 24 hour record cause he is clearly faster than both Kipchoge and Bekele? At his speed I reckon he could run 864 km!

Do you not understand that it's different running for 24 hours and that your body breaks down? It's a huge mental toll too, and you also have to be able to process calories efficiently.

Have you ever run a marathon and then thought of continuing to run the same pace for another 258 km or 6 more marathons?

Like somebody wrote above - running for around 60-70 km is tough, but then everything starts to hurt and it gets real. You really have to use your mind to overrule what your body is telling you. I been to lots of these 24 hours races, people with serious problems like vomiting, passing out, massively inflamed joints, limping. It's not the same as a marathon.

If some 2:06runner beat Kilian next weekend, don't you think that would be the biggest boost in his career? From 2450 followers on Instagram to 350k easily ;)

King Tiger wrote:

Like somebody wrote above - running for around 60-70 km is tough, but then everything starts to hurt and it gets real. You really have to use your mind to overrule what your body is telling you. I been to lots of these 24 hours races, people with serious problems like vomiting, passing out, massively inflamed joints, limping. It's not the same as a marathon.

tbf you can probably see all of that at the tail end of most marathons too lol

I think people are both overestimating and underestimating Kilian:

Pros:

He is used to running 24 hours +

He is the greatest trail Ultra runner of all time (arguably)

He once trained for 5 days without eating till he passed out

If you had to chose somebody to break this record it would have to be Kilian or Jim or Zach. (I actually favor Jim with his more efficient form.)

Negative:

Lack of road experience - does that even matter?

Lack of experience running 24 hour around a track - This is the biggest red flag, every race you do like this you learn and adapt - it's an iterative process.

Nutrition - look at Zach's podcasts on how much thought he puts into nutrition and going ketogenic. You have to be a fat burning machine to do this. Kilian just wants to eat a few bars and gels.

Norway in winter?

Sub optimal preparation - i'm not sure what his mileage per week is leading up to this - look at zach bitter's build up to the 12 hour record.

Anyway despite any armchair criticism at least he is trying!

But no way he gets this on the first attempt IMHO

I get the feeling that this is being done to promote the new Salomon Phantasm, rather than a serious attempt at the record. Anyway he will learn from it.