What challenges remain?

pc11

We've had North Pole and South pole Marathons, Ironmans, Dec Ironmans, 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, Badwater, Malin to Mizen, god knows what. We even have a round the world run going on right now.

What's left? What enormous or just distinctive or unique challenges can we still dream up?

shels4ever

pc11 wrote: »

We've had North Pole and South pole Marathons, Ironmans, Dec Ironmans, 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, Badwater, Malin to Mizen, god knows what. We even have a round the world run going on right now.

What's left? What enormous or just distinctive or unique challenges can we still dream up?

Do them faster

tunney

Go faster rather than longer?

Irish Ironman record is still not sub nine.

Why relentlessly pursue longer distances?

TheRoadRunner

Moon marathon or an Atlantic swim all under water.

pc11

The problem with going faster is that very few people can even consider going for a speed record, but a lot more people can try for an endurance achievement.

Look at Gerry Duffy, he is awesome but he will never win Kona or break the Irish IM record. What callenges are there for the 'ordinary' person who has guts, determination and imagination like he does.

zico10

Sub 2 hour marathon. I'd love to see the day. It'd be like being alive for the first sub 4 minute mile.

biker41

is it safe to say that most people can complete long distance events, its just about slowing things down. i'm sure it must be more a mind game than a fittness thing.well done to all out there doing super mad events.

tunney

pc11 wrote: »

The problem with going faster is that very few people can even consider going for a speed record, but a lot more people can try for an endurance achievement.

I did the Wicklow 100 at the weekend. Took 5:20. Did it with my father in law. he took up cycling in his mid 50s only 8-9 months ago. A cold and miserable day and he suffered like a dog. But he got around the whole 104km, then promptly nearly collapsed from tiredness and the cold.

When he warmed up did he immediately start talking about the Wicklow 200 next year? Or L'Etape? Or riding around the world? Nope - he wants to come back next year and do the same event but faster and stonger.

He'll never win the Tour, he'll never set any Irish or World records, but you can be pretty sure he will get as fast as he can.

The challenge for the average bloke isn't in breaking world records in terms of time, nor should it be "well I'm slow and talentless so I'll just go longer than everyone else". Be the best you can be at whatever distance. you don't need to go longer to feel good about your achievement and just because if you say "I didn't a sprint triathlon" someone turns around and says "Mah, I did an double deca hexa ironman backwards" - that doesn't diminish what you did - just shows the character of the person who tried to put you down because you're event was shorter.

RayCun

How about "Winding Up Tunney by Talking About Distance instead of Speed"?

Not much a challenge, I know, but that makes it all the better - it's a mass participation event where everyone is a winner!
Remember, its the taking part that counts, so get your sponsorship cards today!

griffin100

Sub 2 hour marathon. I'd love to see the day. It'd be like being alive for the first sub 4 minute mile.

...........and if you do it for charity you'll be a 'hero'

tunney

zico10 wrote: »

Sub 2 hour marathon. I'd love to see the day. It'd be like being alive for the first sub 4 minute mile.

A mate of mine did an ultra. A marathon - mah, thats yesterdays news. Come on people challenge yourselves.

dev123

tunney wrote: »

A mate of mine did an ultra. A marathon - mah, thats yesterdays news. Come on people challenge yourselves.

Is a sub-2 hour marathon not an attempt at improving speed rather than increasing distance?

Fair enough, the distance is not short but I would consider a sub-2 hour marathon as an example of someone striving to increase speed instead of distance.

menoscemo

tunney wrote: »

A mate of mine did an ultra. A marathon - mah, thats yesterdays news. Come on people challenge yourselves.

I agree with most of what you say, but sometimes people who do an ultra, a deca Ironman or whatever actually have a time/place goal and aim to improve next time. It's not always just about completion for people who do an endurance race

Pisco Sour

Some cracking comments here. Why does it always have to be who runs the longest?

How about the following?

Sub 1 minute 400m
Sub 2:15 800m
Sub 5 minute Mile

How about take up various events in track and field and do a Heptathlon/ Decathlon?

My coach here at the club in Melbourne is brilliant. Rather than picking one specific target he literally competes in every single track and field event, from 100m to Shot to Long Jump to Marathon. Bloody nice challenge having such a range of PB's. 59 seconds for 400m and 3 hours 15 for marathon. In his mid to late 40's, don't know where he gets the energy from to do 6-8 T&F events at each meet.

You can come up with any challenge you want basically.

ecoli

It doesn't matter which you aim for that is a personal preference. The aim of a race is to push yourself beyond what you feel are your own limits. This may be going to a distance you never thought you would be able to get through or doing it quicker than you ever thought possible

Agree with people. Some people will never be record setters that doesn't mean that cant improve on their own personal times

Be it distance or speed the main thing is that we push ourselves to new limits. For some like Geb its the sub 2.04 for others its getting to the line

jeffontour

tunney wrote: »

The challenge for the average bloke isn't in breaking world records in terms of time

tunney wrote: »

Be the best you can be at whatever distance

Both statements of common sense which I'm interpreting as approving of people doing decat-mega-multi type events. Has someone gotten hold of tunneys login details?

With regard to challenges remaining I think for joe public once it fits the 2nd quote above for the person undertaking the challenge then it's their own last remaining big thing. Until they complete it and move on to either going longer, quicker or some other combination of challenges.

In terms of top end performances though I think it's limitless the amount of challenges out there. All you need is someone to suggest something which sparks the imagination of a large enough group of the best in the field to create a race to a previously thought impossible(or frankly previously thought pointless) target. Once there's at least two people passionate about reaching a target and racing to achieve it then it's their challenge. Even if the majority of us may not understand why they are racing to it.

SnappyDresser

For most people that would be huge lifetime achievement in fact "More people have climbed Mount Everest" than ran 100 marathons. For the ordinary punter when faster is not possible that could be an achievable goal that no one could deny was a truly epic effort.

kingQuez

tunney wrote: »

When he warmed up did he immediately start talking about the Wicklow 200 next year? Or L'Etape? Or riding around the world? Nope - he wants to come back next year and do the same event but faster and stonger.

I usually try to avoid the faster/longer debates. I enjoy the training I do and I'll give it my all when I've something I'm targeting, while trying to hang onto a bit of a balance in life. For me I seem to swop between distance/speed as the goal, I just find that I can work for the goal that's caught my imagination best. When I started running it was to finish, then to improve times, then that I might be able to learn to swim and finish a triathlon, then it was to get a better time and try finish something longer. I cant say what it is that will capture my imagination, right at the moment it's going a bit longer.. but at other times it's certainly been to go faster, and I know im planning to get back to running to clock some good times in the next year. I don't think I could ever chase one goal so doggedly to the end of what's possible unless it was still fun and motivating though (be that going faster or longer).

Sounds like your inlaw is getting on great and enjoying cycling, and likes the challenge, and the W100 is still the big challenge in his mind. I think I'd be a bit disappointed if he didnt branch out and try anything else for another 10 years until he had convinced himself he had peaked on that course though.

pc11

This thread is not quite going the way I was intending!:D

I was really wondering what unusual or unique ideas might there be for challenges?

Izoard

tunney wrote: »

Go faster rather than longer?

Irish Ironman record is still not sub nine.

Why relentlessly pursue longer distances?

If the focus is on speed, it can lead to people getting fed up and exiting the sport, as they get older and slower.

I met a couple of people recently who have stopped triathlons and running, because they stopped hitting PBs (both in their late 30's).

Both came across as missing their respective "hobbies", but could not motivate themselves to just "do it for the sake of it".

Each has their own motivation, but I hope to be still doing tri for the next 10 years or so, with a 100% chance of getting slower as I go - but still enjoying it.

tunney

dev123 wrote: »

Is a sub-2 hour marathon not an attempt at improving speed rather than increasing distance?

Fair enough, the distance is not short but I would consider a sub-2 hour marathon as an example of someone striving to increase speed instead of distance.

Sarcasm can often be confusing.

tunney

kingQuez wrote: »

I usually try to avoid the faster/longer debates. I enjoy the training I do and I'll give it my all when I've something I'm targeting, while trying to hang onto a bit of a balance in life. For me I seem to swop between distance/speed as the goal, I just find that I can work for the goal that's caught my imagination best. When I started running it was to finish, then to improve times, then that I might be able to learn to swim and finish a triathlon, then it was to get a better time and try finish something longer. I cant say what it is that will capture my imagination, right at the moment it's going a bit longer.. but at other times it's certainly been to go faster, and I know im planning to get back to running to clock some good times in the next year. I don't think I could ever chase one goal so doggedly to the end of what's possible unless it was still fun and motivating though (be that going faster or longer).

Sounds like your inlaw is getting on great and enjoying cycling, and likes the challenge, and the W100 is still the big challenge in his mind. I think I'd be a bit disappointed if he didnt branch out and try anything else for another 10 years until he had convinced himself he had peaked on that course though.

I'm sure he will move onto something longer in time.

I was using him as an example of a view that runs contary to the prevailing view on ART that is "Oh I've done that distance, whats next".

tunney

Izoard wrote: »

If the focus is on speed, it can lead to people getting fed up and exiting the sport, as they get older and slower.

I met a couple of people recently who have stopped triathlons and running, because they stopped hitting PBs (both in their late 30's).

Both came across as missing their respective "hobbies", but could not motivate themselves to just "do it for the sake of it".

Each has their own motivation, but I hope to be still doing tri for the next 10 years or so, with a 100% chance of getting slower as I go - but still enjoying it.

Likewise myself.

My issue is with people thinking that once they have completely a distance one that it stops being a challenge.

Imagine Pharmstrong after his first tour win - "Hey ASO I've won that already can we add some stages to make it more challenging?"

Pisco Sour

tunney wrote: »

Imagine Pharmstrong after his first tour win - "Hey ASO I've won that already can we lower the dosage to make it more challenging?"

Fixed that for ya

kingQuez

pc11 wrote: »

This thread is not quite going the way I was intending!:D

I was really wondering what unusual or unique ideas might there be for challenges?

Things that have crossed my mind (althoug the athletic merits may be lacking..)

I'd love to see a victorian sprint-distance triathlon; swim in traditional clothes with transitions in a bathing machine, cycle on a penny farthing and... well.. the run might be a bit boring relative to the rest.

Also, a malin-mizen or LEJoG relay where everyone sprints 2k flat out. Might take a bit of organizing.. but basically see how fast you can deliver a message from top to bottom by foot (well, many feet).

tunney wrote: »

I'm sure he will move onto something longer in time.

Doesn't need to be longer (I say, thinking of the hillclimbing champs myself)

dev123

tunney wrote: »

Sarcasm can often be confusing.

Oh, you were being sarcastic, gotcha......

ecoli

pc11 wrote: »

We've had North Pole and South pole Marathons, Ironmans, Dec Ironmans, 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, Badwater, Malin to Mizen, god knows what. We even have a round the world run going on right now.

What's left? What enormous or just distinctive or unique challenges can we still dream up?

There is always the 1000 marathons in 1000 days but you would have to hope Tony slows down for you to chase that one :rolleyes:

http://www.theworldjog.com/blog/

Pisco Sour

Or climb to the highest point in the 32 counties in 32 days. May not be too demanding but sure would be some oul craic!

kingQuez

We really should have an egg and spoon race, a three legged race, and a sack race. Boards sports day anyone?

Pisco Sour

kingQuez wrote: »

We really should have an egg and spoon race, a three legged race, and a sack race. Boards sports day anyone?

Wheelbarrow race, and 40 metre sprint on grass aswell.

Peterx

pc11 wrote: »

This thread is not quite going the way I was intending!:D

I was really wondering what unusual or unique ideas might there be for challenges?

http://www.imra.ie/reading/

There's a few in there but the standout one is the Robbie Bryson one. Long and Fast;)

http://www.imra.ie/reading/view/id/7/

zico10

tunney wrote: »

A mate of mine did an ultra. A marathon - mah, thats yesterdays news. Come on people challenge yourselves.

Still not sure what you mean by this, but from following quote I'll take it that it's not praise for my contribution.

tunney wrote: »

The challenge for the average bloke isn't in breaking world records in terms of time,

Anyway, the OP's question was "What enormous or just distinctive or unique challenges can we still dream up?" They said nothing about challenging yourself personally. If they'd asked 'What enormous challenge have you set yourself?', then I'd have remained quiet. Believe me I challenge myself, I just don't broadcast it over the Internet.
For me, breaking the 2 hour barrier for the marathon, would be an enormous challenge overcome for the running world, human race, whatever way you want to put it. Obviously you're average runner isn't going to do it, perhaps the person who will, isn't even born yet. But for me at least, and without taking anything away from anybody, this would be phenomenal and would impress me far more than any of the challenges listed by the OP.

Gringo78

kingQuez wrote: »

I'd love to see a victorian sprint-distance triathlon; swim in traditional clothes with transitions in a bathing machine, cycle on a penny farthing and... well.. the run might be a bit boring relative to the rest.

I actually was thinking a few weeks ago that it would be interesting to see a duathlon or triathlon where the only bikes allowed were the dublin city bikes.

tunney

zico10 wrote: »

Still not sure what you mean by this, but from following quote I'll take it that it's not praise for my contribution.

It is actually.

I was joking about how it seems some people would put more weight on a 5 hour 40 mile ultra than a 1:5x marathon.

tunney

zico10 wrote: »

Anyway, the OP's question was "What enormous or just distinctive or unique challenges can we still dream up?" They said nothing about challenging yourself personally.

Ah I read it as a personal challenge thingy.

kingQuez

Gringo78 wrote: »

I actually was thinking a few weeks ago that it would be interesting to see a duathlon or triathlon where the only bikes allowed were the dublin city bikes.

The rat race! It's something i'd been thinking about during the year.. early morning pool swim, followed by a cycle on dublin bikes, followed by your commute to work (first time to post on boards or something like that is your "finish" time, handicapped by distance to work). On a work day, so you have to get dressed properly

Zuppy

Or a bike messenger style race in morning rush hour. Think of the chaos and whoever finished without injury wins.

I forgot to add - on fixed gear bikes. And with lots of hills

Gringo78

kingQuez wrote: »

The rat race! It's something i'd been thinking about during the year.. early morning pool swim, followed by a cycle on dublin bikes, followed by your commute to work (first time to post on boards or something like that is your "finish" time, handicapped by distance to work). On a work day, so you have to get dressed properly

Person with longest commute wins of course - distance trumps time. I have a 190km commute to work AND I do it for charity* so you'll find it hard to beat me

*not for a registered charity but my long hours make me feel like its for charity. Beneficiary: my boss

kingQuez

ZuppyLurk wrote: »

Or a bike messenger style race in morning rush hour. Think of the chaos and whoever finished without injury wins.

I forgot to add - on fixed gear bikes. And with lots of hills

How about a full contact running race? Anything goes! I knew I should have played rugby as a kid..

kingQuez

On a slightly more serious note, I'd still love to race the train.
http://www.racethetrain.com/

Did anyone hear how the horse vs. human race went? (that was a few weeks ago IIRC?).

ecoli

kingQuez wrote: »

How about a full contact running race? Anything goes! I knew I should have played rugby as a kid..

They have this its called cross country. Some these races can be vicious:D