If you listen to the BITR podcast you'd think Thomas was a 2:30 marathoner. Dude makes fun of "slow" runners, anyone who doesn't wear Tracksmith/Saysky/Bandit, people who race in trainers... and then runs 5+ hours at NYCM. Neither he nor Robbe have ever actually qualified for Boston but they get sponsor bibs every year.
Meghan is a legit OTQer (borderline, would have made the old B standard of 2:45 by 60s) and is humble and smart. The boys are not as credible.
If you listen to the BITR podcast you'd think Thomas was a 2:30 marathoner. Dude makes fun of "slow" runners, anyone who doesn't wear Tracksmith/Saysky/Bandit, people who race in trainers... and then runs 5+ hours at NYCM. Neither he nor Robbe have ever actually qualified for Boston but they get sponsor bibs every year.
Meghan is a legit OTQer (borderline, would have made the old B standard of 2:45 by 60s) and is humble and smart. The boys are not as credible.
well not quite. 2:45:02 for her PR at Chicago '23. Would have just missed the old standard (was going for the 2:37 '24 standard and was off of it early).
I really only like two YouTube running “influencers.” Sage Canaday, because he’s knowledgeable, experienced, and actually has decent running credentials. The other is Kofuzi, because he doesn’t try to promote himself as an elite runner, but does say fairly good job with shoe reviews and cinematography. Everyone else I find cringeworthy. Ben Parkes is OK.
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After Kofuzi runs London and Berlin on a free bib, you won't be able to say he took someone's spot. Already got NY and Tokyo out of the way on a free bib. The majors will no longer be important to them, only showing up with a brand for social media engagement part of it.
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Now that the opening races are over, it's time for the main event, running influencers at Boston.
Meghan Murray from Believe in the Run: went through the half at 1:25, then promptly blew up and is running 7 minute miles.
Thomas Neuberger from Believe in the Run: ran a flying 28 minute opening 5k. This a dude who trains in $300 shoes. To run 9 minute pace! He should just go buy a pair of Brooks Ghosts!
The BITR couple (they’re married) are hilarious for their racing “performances.” They live the lives of professional runners, but it’s maybe just not the sport for them. My favorite race report was from Meghan at CIM when she said she “took a swing” for the OTQ… her splits revealed she was on OTQ pace through mile 1, and off of it by mile 2. Ran 3:00. That’s barely stepping into the batters box! Luckily the whole BITR crew is sort of notorious around here, so it’s easy to smirk. They sure do get the nicest shoes, though!
source: live in Baltimore, see these guys filming reviews (?) in and around Fells all the time.
I think Thomas runs well relative to his level and doesn’t make unrealistic interpretations of his fitness. He is at least twice Matt Choi’s age and has no major time goals. I think he could be left out of time comparisons.
On the other hand, Meaghan is completely out of this world with her goals. She attempted to run an OTQ time of 2:37 last year, and she claimed her half marathon record is 1:20. Furthermore, her times for shorter distances are very slow. Wouldn’t it be better for her to first try to run perhaps a 1:15 half marathon, and then start publicly speaking about 2:37 times?
The BITR couple (they’re married) are hilarious for their racing “performances.” They live the lives of professional runners, but it’s maybe just not the sport for them. My favorite race report was from Meghan at CIM when she said she “took a swing” for the OTQ… her splits revealed she was on OTQ pace through mile 1, and off of it by mile 2. Ran 3:00. That’s barely stepping into the batters box! Luckily the whole BITR crew is sort of notorious around here, so it’s easy to smirk. They sure do get the nicest shoes, though!
source: live in Baltimore, see these guys filming reviews (?) in and around Fells all the time.
I think Thomas runs well relative to his level and doesn’t make unrealistic interpretations of his fitness. He is at least twice Matt Choi’s age and has no major time goals. I think he could be left out of time comparisons.
On the other hand, Meaghan is completely out of this world with her goals. She attempted to run an OTQ time of 2:37 last year, and she claimed her half marathon record is 1:20. Furthermore, her times for shorter distances are very slow. Wouldn’t it be better for her to first try to run perhaps a 1:15 half marathon, and then start publicly speaking about 2:37 times?
I got you but I think Thomas has been pace-shaming and people here and on Blogsnark have called him out. Meaghan may be off time-wise too (it now seems everyone is trying to improve at 26.2 without getting faster at the shortest distances) but she seems to be more accepting of all paces.
I tried to watch a BITR video but it's not for me.
I haven’t watched many (besides watching them being made live, I guess) and wasn’t aware they had a full regular podcast. Their vibe (in person and on instagram) is very “adult running bro” which just doesn’t come across well. I don’t think many like them in the Baltimore running scene, though from what I saw in Boston, they do seem to have a decent fan base.
Frankly, I don’t really understand running shoe discussion, to start (reviews, okay, but how do you turn that into regular programming? They’re just shoes?!) and their attitude is definitely off-putting. I can’t imagine being talked at by Thomas endlessly.
FWIW, I know Robbe in another capacity, and he seems a nice dude. But hard to see how these guys are “good for the sport,” in my opinion.
The BITR couple (they’re married) are hilarious for their racing “performances.” They live the lives of professional runners, but it’s maybe just not the sport for them. My favorite race report was from Meghan at CIM when she said she “took a swing” for the OTQ… her splits revealed she was on OTQ pace through mile 1, and off of it by mile 2. Ran 3:00. That’s barely stepping into the batters box! Luckily the whole BITR crew is sort of notorious around here, so it’s easy to smirk. They sure do get the nicest shoes, though!
source: live in Baltimore, see these guys filming reviews (?) in and around Fells all the time.
I think Thomas runs well relative to his level and doesn’t make unrealistic interpretations of his fitness. He is at least twice Matt Choi’s age and has no major time goals. I think he could be left out of time comparisons.
On the other hand, Meaghan is completely out of this world with her goals. She attempted to run an OTQ time of 2:37 last year, and she claimed her half marathon record is 1:20. Furthermore, her times for shorter distances are very slow. Wouldn’t it be better for her to first try to run perhaps a 1:15 half marathon, and then start publicly speaking about 2:37 times?
Thomas can't BQ despite wanting to and having Andrew Kastor as his coach, a sports RD, a sports psychologist, and all the best (free) new gear all the time.
I don't get the whole fandom around these influencers. Maybe I am too old and cynical, but why are folks so "inspired" and "feeling the vibe/energy" or "getting goosebumps" from slow runners with a YouTube channel?
These are not A listers nor do many of them have a truly inspiring story. I would totally get it if someone went from 300 pounds and diabetic to a healthy 150 via running. A cancer survivor or someone from a distressing background? That's makes sense. But most of these influencers are pampered spouses monetizing their hobby, ex-jocks from ball sports that discovered running late, or former high school JV athletes that kept training but now pose as longtime experts on the craft. What's so captivating about trust fund brats and unemployed spouses with time on their hands?
I'm 100 percent with you.
This all supports the fortune favors the bold saying and explains why the world turns the way it does. Put yourself in people's faces and smile enough, say a few nice/catchy/sort of thought out things and a decent number of folks will like you. Probably because they're too caught up in whatever other nonsense life is throwing their way to really breakdown what is being said, and because they appreciate someone they feel like they can relate to.
It's not my cup of tea but I guess it kind of works.
I don't get the whole fandom around these influencers. Maybe I am too old and cynical, but why are folks so "inspired" and "feeling the vibe/energy" or "getting goosebumps" from slow runners with a YouTube channel?
These are not A listers nor do many of them have a truly inspiring story. I would totally get it if someone went from 300 pounds and diabetic to a healthy 150 via running. A cancer survivor or someone from a distressing background? That's makes sense. But most of these influencers are pampered spouses monetizing their hobby, ex-jocks from ball sports that discovered running late, or former high school JV athletes that kept training but now pose as longtime experts on the craft. What's so captivating about trust fund brats and unemployed spouses with time on their hands?
I'm 100 percent with you.
This all supports the fortune favors the bold saying and explains why the world turns the way it does. Put yourself in people's faces and smile enough, say a few nice/catchy/sort of thought out things and a decent number of folks will like you. Probably because they're too caught up in whatever other nonsense life is throwing their way to really breakdown what is being said, and because they appreciate someone they feel like they can relate to.
It's not my cup of tea but I guess it kind of works.
It makes sense why certain people get more likes and kudos on social, good post. It's about presenting yourself...the algo loves it. Even if the data favors an introverted runner, time-wise, etc. The more outgoing runner *SOMETIMES* will get more social media bump due to marketing him/herself better.
I like Miller more than most. She is an influencer through and through, but her motives are pretty clear: sell her brand gear. She is also a decent runner and does actually go out there and race.
I don't like her associating with Nick Bare though. The drug associations never work out for anyone.
Floberg is out with his post Boston video. It ends up with coach saying he should be running sub 2:30 by next year. D'oh kay.
I was floored - pure nonsense. It's like he picked 2:30 because it's a round number and will draw the shoetube views.
I really want to like Floberg's videos because of the production value but the 2:30 goal is a bit much.
Since when does a 2:38 on a net downhill course with a tailwind and a personal pacer equal a 2:33 like the coach claimed? It was 60 degrees, not 70 or 80.
Floberg's two best races have been in races the WR was set and the race CJ Albertson finally broke 2:10 in after years of trying. I don't think he has anything to complain about race condition wise.
I like Miller more than most. She is an influencer through and through, but her motives are pretty clear: sell her brand gear. She is also a decent runner and does actually go out there and race.
I don't like her associating with Nick Bare though. The drug associations never work out for anyone.
Kudos to her for giving props to the BAA Physicians. I know you mentioned it but it was still very sudden the first time seeing that. She ran all out. 100% effort. No snark here--great run.
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