Comments on: Back to the Drawing Board

By: Athletic Program

Athletic Program — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:01:31 +0000

Useful post and great responses. You put a nice twist to it. Congratulations again on a good job Max.

By: mike arnstein

mike arnstein — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:59:09 +0000

At the top levels of trail running I think there is a lot more ‘luck’ involved, or maybe I should say ‘bad luck’. The difference between what you and another top guy can do on a crazy trail course is limited to how much RISK someone is willing to take. And in this sport when you’re running 12+ mph down some insane trail you’re literally risking IT ALL – which is idiotic in my mind. I don’t mountain bike or do ironman anymore because for guys like us that go really really fast, the sport isn’t sport, it’s gambling with our bodies and lives at times. Not worth it! Wait until you are 45 years old, then you can come and take all the risk you want with a carrier in the retirement phase.
Go fast man! FAST running is awesome! I’d trade in some ‘fast’ ultra for a sub 2:20 marathon anytime! Make Money! Get Paid – go run and win tons of marathons brother! The dirt and broken bones will be waiting for you anytime. There isn’t a guy in trail running with your cardio engine, not even close!

By: jjking

jjking — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:25:57 +0000

Max, it has been great to see you american runners here in the basque country. We love our mountains and our races and it’s great to share that love with you. I think that the fact that our trails are usually quite technical, makes most of us skilled to that. And as you say playing in the mud is fun. I hope you will be back with better weather conditions, and we will be there cheering you all. I didn’t run the race this year, but you all the runner made that day really special.

By: Max

Max — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:25:38 +0000

Hey Mike, I totally agree, although I don’t know about the quasi Ryan Hall. But on the other hand why be just another marathoner making some money when I can make an attempt at being the best trail runner in the world. Plus, marathons are kind of boring. What I did on Sunday, albeit not my best course to run, was such an epic experience. The racing I do now is what keeps me motivated and enjoying the sport. If I did marathons all the time I’d be done in a year. Playing in the mud is fun, and if it’s not too much mud, I’m still pretty dang fast.

By: Mike Arnstein

Mike Arnstein — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:09:20 +0000

Max, every single person you met in Europe would trade in their running ability for your leg speed in a second. 2:14 marathon ability??? Dude, are you kidding? What the heck are you playing in the mud for man? You could be sweeping the mid city marathon races coast to coast and pulling down close to six figures if you worked on marketing yourself as a quasi Ryan Hall American marathoner who won’t ever be an east African, but sure can run faster than most other white boys!
Go for the American 50k record, run a sub 5 hour 50 mile, bring back the fast times and forget about breaking your wrist in the woods!

By: Thurs, May 24 | UltraRunnerPodcast.com

Thurs, May 24 | UltraRunnerPodcast.com — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:22:13 +0000

[...] Max King is going back to the drawing board. [...]

By: Ian Corless

Ian Corless — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:58:40 +0000

Great write up Max and you well and truly sum the race up. Great to read you being so honest and for anyone else reading this, he does not exaggerate one bit! Nikki Kimball did actually break two bones in her hand…
The European courses are tough and technical. We have courses in the UK very similar. Now that you know what is in store for you, hope you get back to the drawing board as you say and come back with the potential to kick butt. As you said, you have the pace!

By: Paul Bateson

Paul Bateson — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:49:20 +0000

Hi Ian, you did pretty well to get 15th, maybe the UK type weather helped:) if you want to try more of this you should try Sierra Elvira, 27km in May and a killer, Jarapalos mountain marathon another killer in Nov, AAUT if you want 5 days of tough and high temps and UF160 in October. many more of the skyraces down here plus Pico Veleta in august which I think you could manage, only 50km uphill:) also Ronda101. I also have a new event in mind which will be a beauty.
See you and Niandi one day.
Paul