Running Is a Rich Person’s Problem (And That’s the Problem)
3 Marathon Run Myths, HR predicts race fails + Monthly Bad Dad Joke
The Whole Playbook
🤑 Running Is a Rich Person’s Problem (And That’s the Problem)
❤️🩹 Heart-rate “Decoupling” Predicts Late-Race Fade
🥹 Bad Dad Running Joke
🏃♂️Running Is a Rich Person’s Problem (And That’s the Problem)
Why no one in Ethiopia is jogging with a Whoop band—and what that says about us
I just got back from the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa (on the continent of Africa).
Land of distance running gods, world records, and gold medals. It’s got an altitude advantage (2300 meters above sea level) and a culture where running is sacred.
But here’s what hit me the hardest: no one was jogging. No Lycra-clad dads on long runs, Zone 2 grinding warriors, and definitely no group runs with playlists or podcasts. People were out, but they weren’t running for fitness. Instead, they were walking, hustling, and living. Running wasn’t recreation—it was transportation, opportunity, escape.
Meanwhile, over here in the western part of the world (Australia/USA/Europe), we (if you are from here) are all foam rolling between emails and syncing our workouts to three different apps.
A recent study out of the University of Toronto—featured in Canadian Running—found that most runners at major road races in Canada skew toward the wealthier, more educated end of the spectrum. Running, while supposedly one of the easiest ways to get healthy and fit, has quietly become a lifestyle sport. Race fees of $150+ USD, $300+ carbon shoes, and recovery gadgets that are as good as high-end medical equipment from ten years ago all add to the premium nature of it all.
Outside Magazine reports that the average Ironman triathlete earns well over six figures. Because if we’re training 10 hours a week, recovering like a pro, and eating like you work at GNC, it’s not just grit, but instead it’s more like (profit) margin. We have the time, money, and the freedom to choose suffering.
But in Ethiopia? If you run, it’s probably because you’re chasing something bigger. And maybe that’s why the best come from places where there’s nothing casual about it.
So what does that mean for the rest of us mere mortal humans
Maybe we shouldn’t have guilt (I disagree with living a guilty life, it’s exhausting — appreciate what you have).
Instead, maybe have a bit more awareness. No judgement, but think curiosity.
What would it look like to train because we can, not in spite of how hard we think it is?
What if the real flex isn’t who suffers more, but those who notice what they have more?
It’s a privilege to run, and maybe that’s the point.
These 3 Run Form Myths Almost Ruined My Marathon
My form was fine… until I ran slower.
Key Takeaways
Fixing form isn’t about one quick tip—it’s consistent drills and strength work.
Slower running doesn’t always mean better running; form can break down at marathon pace.
Heel striking isn’t always bad—overstriding is the real problem.
It wasn’t the hard workouts that nearly broke me—it was the medium ones. The ones I thought were chill. The “I can hold this pace forever” marathon sessions.
That’s where my form started to fall apart.
I was slightly heel striking. Mildly overstriding. Nothing huge. But over 42.2k, those small inefficiencies stack like credit card debt you don’t check until it’s too late.
The weirdest part? When I ran fast intervals, sprints, my form was solid. Midfoot strike, landing under my hips, no strain. But at marathon pace? My stride got lazy. I’d drift. Heel first. Hamstring strained. I knew I couldn’t stop training. I had a sub-3 pacing goal in seven weeks. So I had to fix it on the run—literally.
It’s a video, a blog, and an audio pod. Pick your flavor here —and take it on your next run.
❤️🩹 Heart-rate “Decoupling” Predicts Late-Race Fade
What separates elite marathoners from the rest? Their ability to control heart rate drift could be key.
What is it?
Basically, researchers looked at how elite marathoners’ heart rates hold up during a race. They wanted to know: do the best of the best still experience heart rate drift (aka when your heart rate creeps up even if your pace doesn’t)? Spoiler: yep—but they handle it way better than us amateur runners.
How can you find out what’s happening & how you can fix it?
Keep tabs on your heart rate during long runs—if it starts spiking even when you're chill, that's drift.
Try holding a steady pace between high zone 2 and zone 3 early on and for the rest of the long run(don’t get spicy too early).
To help build resistance to HR drift: Add long, easy runs to your training so your body learns how to stay cool under pressure (literally).
Why it matters:
If your heart rate stays stable longer, you’ll feel fresher at the end of long runs and races. That means fewer blow-ups, more negative splits, and maybe even a new best time.
Read the rest of the study/article here.
🥹 Bad Dad Running Joke
