Mike Morton absolutely destroys Scott Jurek's 24 hour record, win's world championships!

I know I'm right.

give any world class, top elite marathoner 1 year to adapt to running so many miles and I GUARANTEE they can break these 24 hour records by A LOT. stupid pursuit....waste of time and mobility later in life. sorry to be a hater...but i don't respect these records and exposing yourself to 118 degree heat to run slow miles and potentially die

come on wrote:

give any world class, top elite marathoner 1 year to adapt to running so many miles and I GUARANTEE they can break these 24 hour records by A LOT. stupid pursuit....waste of time and mobility later in life. sorry to be a hater...but i don't respect these records and exposing yourself to 118 degree heat to run slow miles and potentially die

"but I don't respect these records..."

This is going to be a crushing disappointment to Mike Morton when he hears that "come on" doesn't respect his results in the IAU World 24 hour Championship.

FI.

theohiostate wrote:

This is going to be a crushing disappointment to Mike Morton when he hears that "come on" doesn't respect his results in the IAU World 24 hour Championship.

FI.

What are you talking about? Mike Morton is probably on his way back to USA right now balling his eyes out at 35,000 feet because of what "come on" wrote. I am sure that Morton feels like a pansy and less of a man because he can ONLY do 172 miles in 24 hours, while some guy who posts anonymously on a message board types away criticizing him.

Oh! And not to mention that Mike Morton is a former SF operator. What have you done with your life or for our country?! Mike Morton is a true all-American class act!

======dffglskfjgoo wrote:

Oh! And not to mention that Mike Morton is a former SF operator. What have you done with your life or for our country?! Mike Morton is a true all-American class act!

But is he a real man?! LOL

======dffglskfjgoo wrote:

The level of talent in Jordan's prime was much higher than it is today with the exception of Kobe Bryant. Jordan, Pippen, Bird, Magic, Shaq, Barkley, Grant, Paxton, Rodman, Kerr, The Mailman, Robinson, Thomas, Kemp...You just got owned.

Drexler, Ewing, Stockton, Olajuwon, etc etc. You could do the same in any decade though

come on wrote:

give any world class, top elite marathoner 1 year to adapt to running so many miles and I GUARANTEE they can break these 24 hour records by A LOT. stupid pursuit....waste of time and mobility later in life. sorry to be a hater...but i don't respect these records and exposing yourself to 118 degree heat to run slow miles and potentially die

-I only have anecdotal evidence, but I would wager that there are a lot more former hard core road racers (who spent their youths chasing what I can only assume you would deem non-stupid pursuits) who now suffer from lost mobility and various degenerative joint issues as compared to older ultra guys.

-There's more to these races than just basic foot speed and aerobic conditioning. It's a different type of challenge, and most of the people who embrace it, probably including Mike Morton, don't do it to disrespect or compare themselves in any way to those with world class speed.

Having seen Morton running in person (albeit mostly from waaay behind him), it's so impressive to see him moving as fast as he does for as long as he does. I think a lot of people who have never tried to run for 24 hours underestimate how 'easy' it is. Not just any world class marathoner could make the jump and knock 172 miles out, let alone 188 (the world record). Mike is a class act and possibly the greatest ultrarunner the US has ever seen

Ok. My math is that is 8:21 miles for 24 hours straight.

Impressive.

Can someone tell me how this actually works? Ie do you take any sleep breaks? Dinner breaks or do you try and stay on your feet plowing ahead as much as possible.

Also what's Mike Morton's background?

wejo wrote:

Ok. My math is that is 8:21 miles for 24 hours straight.

Impressive.

Can someone tell me how this actually works? Ie do you take any sleep breaks? Dinner breaks or do you try and stay on your feet plowing ahead as much as possible.

Also what's Mike Morton's background?

You should do a story on him. After establishing himself as a top national ultrarunner when he was about 25, including blowing many Westerners' minds with his course record at Western States, he developed an injury and lost about a dozen prime running years. He has come back like gangbusters in the last couple of years, including just missing the Badwater record this summer, running 163 miles in a 24-hour on a trail (albeit an easy trail), and running several 13-hour 100s.

As for strategy, you don't sleep in a 24 unless you just can't help it and grab a quick few minutes (any more than that and you won't be near the top). You eat and drink as you go. Most runners take in very small amounts at a time and, although it's not easy to run 8-10 minutes pace for 24 hours straight, it does make it easier to take in calories than running 5-6 minute pace.

But does Mike Morton eat meat?

Yes. He consumes Chia Pets, taking them live and whole, squeaking in protest!

Yeah Way wrote:

But does Mike Morton eat meat?

Master Sergeant Mike Morton spent 12 years in the Navy before transferring to U.S. Army Special Operations.

iRunFar did an interview on him after his Badwater Ultra run earlier this summer:

http://www.irunfar.com/2012/08/interview-with-mike-morton-2012-badwater-135-champion.html

itsalljustrunning wrote:

You should do a story on him. After establishing himself as a top national ultrarunner when he was about 25, including blowing many Westerners' minds with his course record at Western States, he developed an injury and lost about a dozen prime running years.

That's interesting, both being able to develop the endurance to reach top elite 100 mile level by age 25. And then being able to take more than a decade off (I'm assuming not training like a competetive top ultramarathoner) and still come back and break all sorts of open ultra records. Most track or road runners are still trying to develop their endurance at just 26.2 mile marathon distance around age 25, and certainly if that same someone was able to take more than a decade off and come back at 40 and destroy open marathon records that would be something. Certainly a big difference in what could be doable between the two sports.

wejo wrote:

Ok. My math is that is 8:21 miles for 24 hours straight.

Impressive.

Can someone tell me how this actually works? Ie do you take any sleep breaks? Dinner breaks or do you try and stay on your feet plowing ahead as much as possible.

Also what's Mike Morton's background?

I followed the coverage for much of the day and it appeared that Morton didn't take any breaks whatsoever. He went out pretty hard, as is his custom, and then settled into a consistent pace, which he held for the rest of the run. To be at this level, you would have to eat and drink small amounts constantly, never taking any time off your feet whatsoever. In all honesty, I would guess that he didn't walk at any point.

wejo wrote:

Ok. My math is that is 8:21 miles for 24 hours straight.

Impressive.

Can someone tell me how this actually works? Ie do you take any sleep breaks? Dinner breaks or do you try and stay on your feet plowing ahead as much as possible.

Also what's Mike Morton's background?

The top men and women will only rarely stop and/or walk throughout the race. A few restroom stops is about it. Calories are taken in on the fly.

I recall reading that Kouros had a screen he could run behind in order to evacuate on the fly.

go longer wrote:

The top men and women will only rarely stop and/or walk throughout the race. A few restroom stops is about it. Calories are taken in on the fly.

High Wire wrote:

I recall reading that Kouros had a screen he could run behind in order to evacuate on the fly.

go longer wrote:

The top men and women will only rarely stop and/or walk throughout the race. A few restroom stops is about it. Calories are taken in on the fly.

To get 188 miles in 24 hours.... whatever it takes.