Tool That Lead the Boston Marathon

Not Impressed wrote:

I wouldn't have been as annoyed as I am if Seth hadn't been bragging all over Facebook and to any media outlet that will listed about how great of an achievement this is.

Exactly. I actually don't really have much of an issue with him going out hard. It was excessive, but I would have passed it off as maybe he was super fit and wanted to go out hard... who knows?

Once he began talking about how he was doing a speed workout followed by a long run due to a soccer injury and all that crap, it started to annoy me. I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt but he ruined that (I doubt he or anyone else cares).

I'm "friends" with him on FB. His wall is plastered with congrats and links to articles with comments about how amazing his feat was.

There is even a picture of him holding a sign that says "daddy was #1 at Boston, he paced Meb!" .

If Altra wanted some marketing exposure they sure got it (btw the Olympus sucks and with zero drop as your slogan for shoes you really can't make much).

I think the worse part was that he cited dropping off the lead because he didn't want to risk further injury (yeah right!).

Finally, everyone who's run Boston knows the first 3 miles are a blazing fast downhill. Sub 5 miles are a lot easier to spit out on that course at the start. If he pulled this stunt at Chicago he would've only lasted 1-1.5 miles.

Old Kids wrote:

What is more impressive is that he has a 5+ page about him on Let's Run. His dream really has become reality.

Props to him. All you jealous 3+hour hobby joggers can stick it.

Ummm, he actually finished with some of those same hobby joggers that had a good day.

He's no better than those naked guys who run on the field at major league baseball games.

From his blogpost about how he got injured before the race;

"Unfortunately Saturday’s game was quite physical. Meagan wound up with a serious concussion"

Concussion in a family game of indoor soccer?

strokemeter wrote:

Finally, everyone who's run Boston knows the first 3 miles are a blazing fast downhill.

Exactly, many a first timer has done the same thing this idiot did and blown their whole race up.

The difference is they regretted their mistake, this guy used it to promote himself and is reveling in it.

He is a product of the times we live in. Kind of like Khardashian/Paris Hilton being famous for being an idiots. Neither doesn't care that she is truly an idiot, just that she's famous. She then surrounds herself with enablers that tell her how wonderful she is, make money off her stupid behavior, and they they don't care what anyone says, as long as their own little world of idiots they gain approval.

This^^^^^

No problem with him going out hard like that. Toolish, sure. But plenty of people have done it before, whether it's for TV time or just to see what it's like to run with the greats. As long as he doesn't get in anyone's way, fine.

Big problem with Altra using that picture on their website, however. That is disingenuous, plain and simple. As a serious runner, I would not even consider buying a pair of their shoes based on that picture, which screams dishonesty.

This kid's a clown and is seriously being overrated as a runner.

There were 100s of better runners at Boston this year and probably 50 of those form the MA/Boston area. None of which felt the needed to get some camera time. And absolutely none are bragging about their times on their facebook pages.

He ran a 2:22 in 2009 years ago on a course THAT DROPS 1200 feet ! What's his fastest flat course? Like 2:36 from 2012? What's his fastest time recently? I'd be surprised if he could even break 1:10 in the half.

Course Map

http://www.marathonguide.com/coursemaps/elevationchart.cfm?MIDD=1600140517

https://www.athlinks.com/athletes/115846525/Profile

observer of this thread wrote:

Big problem with Altra using that picture on their website, however. That is disingenuous, plain and simple. As a serious runner, I would not even consider buying a pair of their shoes based on that picture, which screams dishonesty.

+1

I dunno dudes. I wear Altra shoes because of the wide forefoot - seems to help with some foot problems I've been dogged with. I think the guy should not have done what he did (kind of disrespects the other runners out there that ran their best race and 'only' ran a 2:49). I'll probably hold my nose and keep buying the Altra shoes .. but I might not.

Altra: take down that photo.

Response from Altra to email telling them I thought it was a classless publicity stunt...

Hi xxxx,

I know it may seem like a publicity stunt, which it was not intented to be, but you're welcome to read it from Seth's perspective and decide for yourself.

sethwold.blogspot.com

Thanks

Marni

Altra Footwear

Weak response from Altra. The letter writer never would have contacted the company if an opinion had not yet been formed. When you have embarrassed yourself nationally as this company has, a more appropriate response is required.

Not a Fatty wrote:

Response from Altra to email telling them I thought it was a classless publicity stunt...

you're welcome to read it from Seth's perspective and decide for yourself.

sethwold.blogspot.com

Thanks

Marni

Altra Footwear

I have, and yes he's a tool.

I did something similar, although on a smaller scale. I was on the starting line of the 2013 and 2014 Shamrock Shuffle races.

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/58089_2052758355769_1400920536_n.jpg

Now, to be fair, I was part of the Elite's (though I had zero chance of running sub 25 in the 8k), but it was to my advantage since my time was based off of gun time and not chip time.

There was this guy http://youtu.be/6zDFItXus3s?t=42s he looks so damn happy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0jYFDv8kSc

I also approve, for many of the reasons already mentioned. I'm a slow starter most of the time, but I don't see the problem. I've run and also have won many races where a bunch of high school kids take off really hard at the start. It never bothered me one bit. They want to experience what it's like to lead - good for them. One time I did take off at an all out sprint with a kid in a local race, knowing he wouldn't be able to hold it for long. It got me out to a big lead early that I held for the rest of the race. I guess I used him as a "tool", but thankfully, not disparagingly!

In bike racing, taking early breaks or turns at the front by the less strong in the field are actually encouraged. I see no reason why it should be bad in running. It's actually more of a potential interference/collision hazard in cycling. Like someone else said, if 20 people want to try this at each marathon, so what? Those guys are not going to be at the top in the final standings, so why does it bother you? And what's wrong with getting a cool experience for someone like cgary or Wold and getting a chance to run in the front of the race with the top guys for a few miles?

How about even faster runners taking off at a hot early pace, like Josephat Boit? He ran with Meb and helped him get away. Is a tool too? Why are you all so judgmental? Is anyone who doesn't even or negative split a tool now?

zzzz wrote:

How about even faster runners taking off at a hot early pace, like Josephat Boit? He ran with Meb and helped him get away. Is a tool too? Why are you all so judgmental? Is anyone who doesn't even or negative split a tool now?

He didn't run with the group. He went out and put himself in the very front and center to get time on TV and a chance at a big giant photo that he could use on his Facebook page and Altra could use on the website to push their lame shoes. They got everything they wanted...

He wasn't looking to help anyone but himself. He wasn't out there for the experience. He was out there for one reason - to show everyone how absolutely awesome he is. This is why he's a tool. He's passing himself off as world-class and he's not. He's not even national class, but to read the comments on his FB page you'd think he was.

selena gomez has unfrendied taylor swift !!!