On roads, however, it can be harder to know exactly what athletes are doing and how it fits into the broader context of training theory. On trails, we have Kilian Jornet publishing his training logs and Strava files, doing podcast interviews, and sharing every secret. When the margins separating athletes at the top level are so narrow, how can someone put a Grand Canyon between themselves and their competitors? I love digging into the training of the GOATs while they are at the peak of their powers. If you could draw up that perfect marathoner in a simulation, the result would be Eliud Kipchoge. It took an athlete at the 99.99th percentile of humanity in talent and toughness and focus. The study indicated that what seemed physiologically impossible just a few years ago actually just required years of training, otherworldly talent, and work ethic to put it all together. A 2021 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology examined the physical characteristics of a sub-2 hour marathon and found that it requires holding an extremely high percentage of an astronomically high VO2 max, with metabolic/aerobic efficiency near the limits of what is conceivable. Marathons are captivating because they are physiological and psychological nightmares. This is Sandy Koufax in the 1960s mixed with Michael Jordan in the 1990s mixed with a malfunctioning ATM machine that keeps spitting out $20 bills. He also broke 2 hours in an unsanctioned event, and almost broke it another time. His two slowest times during that timespan WON OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS. Since 2013, he has won 17 of the 19 marathons he has entered. On Twitter, coach and writer Steve Magness summarized Kipchoge’s accomplishments. How can you fully understand the context of history when you’re living in the middle of it? Kipchoge isn’t just great. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!Įliud Kipchoge is so dominant in the marathon that I think his brilliance might even be underappreciated.
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