If It's Eyeballs You're After
Why running continues to send me into fits of rage
After reading a recent article suggesting we NEED to watch an upcoming marathon, they continue on about how it’s behind a pay wall.
Here’s my beef with distance running and more importantly, with the governing body, USATF:
There is a big-time, “impromptu”/inaugural marathon with only professionals happening this Sunday. Our sport is desperate for people to watch, support, and promote the sport, right? So what does our governing body do? They make you pay to watch the race live.
Imagine if the NFL or NBA said, we know we want you to watch our post-season games, and you can, you just have to pay $19.99 to see it.
Could. you. imagine.
And if you don’t want to pay for it, we get it, we’ll show you some highlights of the action 12 hours later.
I mean, seriously!
For the majority of you/us out there, you might not have even known a race was happening this weekend…
And that’s my second gripe with USATF and distance running. We have very little means of promoting and supporting professional runners without mainstream support. Wouldn’t it be amazing if a major network picked up the race and showed it in its entirety like a proper football game?
Wouldn’t it be cool if companies were picking up the tab on prize money offered to the runners? [Prize money for this race is $5000, $2000, $1000] Instead of 3-deep money, find a way for companies to give products away, sponsor a finish place, or even live stream the race?
Basically what I’m saying is this: if USATF, track and field, and distance running at large are looking for a bigger audience, then why put all your eggs behind a pay-wall?
I really think I could go on and on for much longer. If you’re asking my wife, she KNOWS I can go on for a lot longer, so I’m going to stop right here.
Thanks for reading - check out the rest of the newsletter!
Friday’s Action Plan:
Map out the remaining 13 days of the year, then plan to hit the ground running in 2021.
Big Events Coming Up:
What’s Got My Attention:
Article: Geoffrey Kamworor’s seven treadmill training tips
Article: Why You Should Watch the Marathon Project on Sunday
Popular Articles on the Blog this Week:
Tips All Runners Need to Increase Their Stride Rate
Plyometrics Routine for Distance Runners
Popular Newsletter Sessions:
My Argument for Being a Morning Runner - Oct 2020
Training & Recovering - Dec 2019
Quote of the Day:
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." - Gail Devers
List of the Week:
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Thanks for following along on the journey! Have something you’d like to add? Have suggestions or comments? Email me: TrainwithMarc@gmail.com
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Marc is a middle school teacher and coach but also works with distance runners online. I help distance runners around the globe by providing support, writing customized training plans, and designing workouts to help them reach their racing goals. I write for my blog every Wednesday morning and newsletter every Friday morning.