After prior posting on shoe laces and knots, I wondered how even this mundane topic can result in someone dedicating their time and energy to research, develop content/product, and market/monetize it (and having enough consumer interest to support it). Is there anything left in our civilization that does not have a formal (and economically driven) education process, consultant, branded methodology, and related printed or video media? I do not think so anymore – I grasped for such natural to life aspects as breathing, pooping, walking – and even these have some type of businesses that market “enhancement” or “correct” technique.
No wonder that even one of the most natural aspects of human live - running – has a whole slew of branded approaches and methods. I know (and hold my tongue) about such classics as Nicholas Romanov’s Pose Method (hey, I can’t begrudge fellow countryman his desire to survive in a cold capitalist world) and Danny Dreyer’s ChiRunning. But little did I know that marketplace for such instructional “howsiness” (my compound of ”business” and “how”) is growing widely: The Art of Running, Balanced Runner, The BK Method, Evolution Running, Newton Running, The Nirenstein Gravity Running Technique, Radiant Running, Stride Mechanics… The punchline is that most of them are very similar, after all, you can not diverge too far from the Running Commandments (upright body posture, slight forward body lean, high rate of leg turnover, not overstriding, landing under the center of mass). Is there a real need to brand and copyright what is essentially someone interpretative idea about correct running form and technique to teach it? Has this need not been served well enough by the traditional running coaching and mentoring process?
But we know what was said about consumers (P.T. Barnum’s “There’s a sucker born every minute.” and Menken’s “No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.”), while brand names continue to impress, and everyone is willing to pay to become injury-free or faster…
Stage 1 was 33K (21 miles) and included about 15K of very severe stretch of steep dunes at Erg Chebbi, 10K of stony plains and more big dunes toward the finish. Note that this stage should have been already day two of the race but first day was cancelled due to unbelievable conditions – race venue saw more rain in 3-4 days than any locals remember for decades. All Lifers finished and seemed to be doing well.
