Great content as always, I took up running in my mid forties after a bad break up and poor mental health etc, I'm nearly 51 now and it's helped me become a better, healthier and kinder person.
I dont mean to oversimplify things. But surely beneath all the layers, you just need to enjoy the physical activity of the run, in the same way a painter likes to paint, a climber likes to climb. Whenever i stop enjoying running, i know its because im not enjoying the ACTUAL running, and I need to focus my attention and be more present in the run. Whether this is possible at an elite level is a different matter I suppose, but I do strongly believe that if you give anything too much 'outcome focus' in life, it really kills the enjoyment of the process.
Have you never felt that feel good factor a couple of hours after a race where yoiu have given your all ? That great feeling is the enjoyment of running and giving it your all. My main interest in mountain mrathon running and if someone asked why I choose to do that form of gruelling running, I dont suppose I could give a very coherent answer - I dont need to know why I want to do that form of running but I do know that is what I want to do and that is sufficent for me - I would say over analysis is the passion killer.
I am 67 and have recently been diagnosed with arthritis in my knee which explains why I have had some much running problems with the knee - but so what, life isnt fair for lots of people and I am going to keep running and especially mountain running which is my preferred running form as long as I can - I will be doing two races in Sept in the Wolrd Master Mountain Championships at Canfranc in the Spanish pyrnees !
I just get out and run, it makes me feel like I'm a rockstar and I started off the couch at 52. I missed my marathon last year picking up an illness just 12 hours before the event and all I wanted to do was participate. That certainly sucked but I still get to run and it keeps me off of meds and keeps me out of the pub. I get another crack at my marathon in a month, the goal is simply to make it to the starting line and enjoy.
I am a very amateur runner. Running is part of my social life. I am always preparing for some ultra trail race where my goal always is to be fit enough to have fun most of the time. Usually I succeed 😊
Completely agree, I think it’s important to remember to enjoy when things are going well. Completely agree that the chasing of the ‘cake’ blinds you from this. Some of my best memories of this year are some long runs in Mallorca where I felt like I could have run forever.
Your words and your videos are currently help me push myself to my spandex limit. I started out praying maybe I might break the 3hr59.59 goal for chicago 24. Hit 4.01 in Philadelphia last year. I've listened and listened to your mental philosophies and just completed the Antrim Coast in 1hr37.30. The next 4 weeks are crucial and your wisdom us certainly making this 52 year give this marathon his best effort. Stephen, you are a legend.
I got injured during a training block for a marathon time goal I had. I had been chasing that time goal for a year already (after failing to get it the first time). When I realized that the second attempt was a no-go it was pretty annoying, especially because I was at peak fitness. However, as the weeks of no running dragged on, and the time goal (and the chance of participating in the race) faded into a complete impossibility, and as my fitness decreased, all I really started caring about was being able to run. I just missed running. I didn't care about the time goal anymore, despite how obsessed about it I was. I didn't care about the lost fitness. When I returned, jogging around at 6:30/km brought me so much joy. For me, this lesson taught me that its ok to be obsessed about goals, but showed me that at the core of what I'm doing is just a love of travelling across distance using my legs as a mode of transport. I love failing at the goals, I love succeeding, I love training hard, I love the runs that I hate, and to be honest, I've never thought about "fairness" when it comes to running, even when I got injured. I think if you love running, everything else is just a bonus.
Mindset for a pro or just an average Joe should not be the same. I'm an average Joe. In my 20s i wanted to be fast and I was. I spent my 30s chasing my 20s times and getting injured, months without running. Running brings me joy, months without running is no fun. Now in my 40s, my aim is to run year long. I don't do races now. I'm working on a triathlon, where my 10k time won't matter as much. It won't be my best, but who cares. Cross training will help me run without injury.
I’m only 29 and have the same approach. Only running treadmill now to reduce injury and to put in consistent mileage year round. Already done the marathons and hard races…it’s all about longevity at this point because I want to enjoy this sport as long as possibpe
Turning 41 today (running for 5 years now) I'm probably fitter than 15 years ago :). I didn't enter the game to quit ;). There's so much to explore in running.
Enjoy the process and be process orientated rather than goal orientated. Never have I considered if it's fair it's just something I do to test myself and greatful I can still do it at 60 and hopefully beyond.
I a m67 and have been diagnosed with arthritis in my knee and my attitude is ake the very msot of my running now whilst I can...and I still want to do a pb at some kind of distance in the next 12 months
Awesome video!! I love how open you are with everything and being able to be honest with your craft. I am wondering if you would ever do a video on your shoe rotation and why you like them? that would be a great one I think
Thanks Stephen, great video! This year has sucked for me, running wise and mentally wise… I had multiple injuries that has put an halt to my training and even made me cancel all my planned races. Last one being a tibial stress fracture, I haven’t r❤done any run for almost 2 months and I don’t feel good at all. I fear to have lost my love for the sport and scared to get back to it ven if missing it a lot… A little bit lost at the moment…
Excellent video, sometimes can be difficult if ya don’t reach your goals, yeah there is plenty to be grateful for in running, just getting out running on the trails, & enjoying going on a holiday to all the running events, is something that people that don’t run are missing out on, thanks Stephen ✅👍🏃🏽♂️👊🏼👣😀🌲
Hey Scully, awesome video. This hits my feelings spot on. I ran competitively in college in the States, and now I'm scared to enter a race because of the uncertainty of the outcome. I need to focus more on the process and find the reward in getting to the start line fit and healthy instead of the finish line
Absolutely love your channel, your pro tips, your knowledge, your dedication, and your incredibly humble and caring attitude. I also love that you made your merch reasonably priced to make them accessible. Love the designs. Maybe most of your audience is male, but chance you will have women's racing shorts or another in the future? Might just have to cop a tee but was curious. Keep up the videos 🙏 Appreciate you!
Although new to running, having come from a cycling (thus endurance) background, the suckiest/unfair thing has always been the inability to recreate the really good days. Maybe that’s what makes those days so much better along the journey.
Ive always used running to help with my mental health and to keep the weight down..I take 3-4months of the year off with little to no running which sucks, But helps keep the injuries at bay especially since Im 40 now.
As i approach 70 i realize how much we undermine ourselves with delusions, and the "unfairness" of running is often our misinterpretation what really is going on. Deluded and confused is the common state, and we call it unfair to assuage our ego.
Go look up the "fun scale" or "3 types of fun". This was originally conceived within the frame of mountain climbing and similar adventure sports, which, I would argue are much more unfair due to so many more factors outside our control. Looking at your "running sucks" this way can be a valuable perspective.
I just ran the Saint George Marathon hoping to go sub 3. It was my worst marathon yet. I trained more and harder then in the past, but by mile 8 I knew I wasn’t going to make it. So frustrating.
Im on training block for my third FM for this year. But im struggling with fatigue, tired legs and most probably with injury with plantar fasciitis. Feel sucks as i couldn’t hit my target mileage.
Is it fair? Who knows, but it does inhale profusely from time to time. But as long as we can maintain the mental state of "these are the circumstances" vs. "This sucks", we'll be headed in the right direction. Similar to miles 19-25-ish. The lights are flashing, but it's just data coming in that allows us to make informed and intentional decisions to keep us in the driver's seat. We can't control everything, only the decisions we make about how we respond to the situation. Keep your chin up dude. /hugs.
Hi Stephen, I have begun to incorporate a good amount of strength training in my week and wondered what sort of weight and reps you do for say, deadlifts and squats? Would like an idea of what someone at your level is lifting. Thanks as ever for the videos.
I know it's no comfort, but I have trained like a mad man for 30 years without any real progress. It's certainly unfair. Some have the genes for it, some not. But unlike me, you are one fantastic athlete, I bow my head in awe.
If you have trained for 30 years and have seen no real progress, then you need to have hard look at the way your train - genetics have nothing to do with it. I am 67 aand am still looking to do pbs
elusive'ity is exclusivity - which is the ultimate human desire, that has a way of disguising itself as the most basic of needs hence the joy of pursuit is so important in such endeavours, because once attained, you value it only through the lessons learned via the journey you took to get there - thus the whole concept of 'earning' it, because that implies a voyage undertaken to arrive at that particular point
Running is too hard, training for my first marathon from zero experience. All goes well for the first 4 month. Then I get hit with injury in the left leg and had to cut back training, now my endurance is in shits and my full marathon is in 10 days lol Injury still not healed but fk if gonna push through and give up running after 😂
@@sohamjoshi9527 no. it is about Olympic dream . Unfair that someone dedicated all his life for that dream and could not qualify, but some one got there just by mistake. She is olympian but he isn’t. That’s unfair
@@denisdvadtsatov I am sure nobody considers raygun an Olympian though :) scullion may not have qualified but has the respect raygun will never have despite being in the Olympics.
Anyone who is running for the result and a "return in investment for the hours you put in" should pick a book on stoicism and really dig in to the topic. Good recommendations are: - Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism by olympic gold medallist speed skater Mark Tuiter - The little book of stoicism by Jonas Salzgeber
@@amblincork Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tuiter outlines in his book that stoicism was the key foundation in his life to winning Olympic Gold. I really don't see why you would see stoicism important only after you stop running.
@@Spartan117FS I best correct myself then, I dont see reading about stoicism as having any value at all - I a ma long distance trail and mountain runner...I really dont need to read about stoicism...
Hi mate, BetterHelp you promoted recently is a bit dodge no? Selling private patient information to facebook for targetted ads and underpaying staff? Maybe worth looking into. Not sure its the kinda thing you want to have your name to
Great content as always, I took up running in my mid forties after a bad break up and poor mental health etc, I'm nearly 51 now and it's helped me become a better, healthier and kinder person.
I dont mean to oversimplify things. But surely beneath all the layers, you just need to enjoy the physical activity of the run, in the same way a painter likes to paint, a climber likes to climb. Whenever i stop enjoying running, i know its because im not enjoying the ACTUAL running, and I need to focus my attention and be more present in the run. Whether this is possible at an elite level is a different matter I suppose, but I do strongly believe that if you give anything too much 'outcome focus' in life, it really kills the enjoyment of the process.
That’s absolutely accurate, and the more simple (likely the more beautiful it can be).
Have you never felt that feel good factor a couple of hours after a race where yoiu have given your all ? That great feeling is the enjoyment of running and giving it your all. My main interest in mountain mrathon running and if someone asked why I choose to do that form of gruelling running, I dont suppose I could give a very coherent answer - I dont need to know why I want to do that form of running but I do know that is what I want to do and that is sufficent for me - I would say over analysis is the passion killer.
I am 67 and have recently been diagnosed with arthritis in my knee which explains why I have had some much running problems with the knee - but so what, life isnt fair for lots of people and I am going to keep running and especially mountain running which is my preferred running form as long as I can - I will be doing two races in Sept in the Wolrd Master Mountain Championships at Canfranc in the Spanish pyrnees !
I just get out and run, it makes me feel like I'm a rockstar and I started off the couch at 52. I missed my marathon last year picking up an illness just 12 hours before the event and all I wanted to do was participate. That certainly sucked but I still get to run and it keeps me off of meds and keeps me out of the pub. I get another crack at my marathon in a month, the goal is simply to make it to the starting line and enjoy.
keep it up king
Inspiring. Running teaches humility, grit and resilience and contributes so much to personal growth.
I am a very amateur runner. Running is part of my social life. I am always preparing for some ultra trail race where my goal always is to be fit enough to have fun most of the time. Usually I succeed 😊
"Not fair." That is the best way to put it. Thanks!
Completely agree, I think it’s important to remember to enjoy when things are going well. Completely agree that the chasing of the ‘cake’ blinds you from this. Some of my best memories of this year are some long runs in Mallorca where I felt like I could have run forever.
Your words and your videos are currently help me push myself to my spandex limit. I started out praying maybe I might break the 3hr59.59 goal for chicago 24. Hit 4.01 in Philadelphia last year.
I've listened and listened to your mental philosophies and just completed the Antrim Coast in 1hr37.30. The next 4 weeks are crucial and your wisdom us certainly making this 52 year give this marathon his best effort. Stephen, you are a legend.
Good luck Joe!
@@seancullen99 thanks my man. Appreciate the encouragement
Push yourself to your spandex limit?
Spandex limit?
I got injured during a training block for a marathon time goal I had. I had been chasing that time goal for a year already (after failing to get it the first time). When I realized that the second attempt was a no-go it was pretty annoying, especially because I was at peak fitness.
However, as the weeks of no running dragged on, and the time goal (and the chance of participating in the race) faded into a complete impossibility, and as my fitness decreased, all I really started caring about was being able to run. I just missed running. I didn't care about the time goal anymore, despite how obsessed about it I was. I didn't care about the lost fitness.
When I returned, jogging around at 6:30/km brought me so much joy. For me, this lesson taught me that its ok to be obsessed about goals, but showed me that at the core of what I'm doing is just a love of travelling across distance using my legs as a mode of transport. I love failing at the goals, I love succeeding, I love training hard, I love the runs that I hate, and to be honest, I've never thought about "fairness" when it comes to running, even when I got injured. I think if you love running, everything else is just a bonus.
Mindset for a pro or just an average Joe should not be the same. I'm an average Joe. In my 20s i wanted to be fast and I was. I spent my 30s chasing my 20s times and getting injured, months without running. Running brings me joy, months without running is no fun. Now in my 40s, my aim is to run year long. I don't do races now. I'm working on a triathlon, where my 10k time won't matter as much. It won't be my best, but who cares. Cross training will help me run without injury.
Bullshit your mind Set ist from a little Girl cry quit
I’m only 29 and have the same approach. Only running treadmill now to reduce injury and to put in consistent mileage year round. Already done the marathons and hard races…it’s all about longevity at this point because I want to enjoy this sport as long as possibpe
I've put so much pressure on myself to improve to one specific metric/goal. This video helped a whole lot, thanks so much man.
Turning 41 today (running for 5 years now) I'm probably fitter than 15 years ago :). I didn't enter the game to quit ;). There's so much to explore in running.
One of your best videos to date. And I've watched quite a few! Wise words indeed,
Thank you. It's important to appreciate and enjoy the process as much as possible.
Enjoy the process and be process orientated rather than goal orientated. Never have I considered if it's fair it's just something I do to test myself and greatful I can still do it at 60 and hopefully beyond.
I a m67 and have been diagnosed with arthritis in my knee and my attitude is ake the very msot of my running now whilst I can...and I still want to do a pb at some kind of distance in the next 12 months
Awesome video!! I love how open you are with everything and being able to be honest with your craft. I am wondering if you would ever do a video on your shoe rotation and why you like them? that would be a great one I think
You’re a legend, Stephen. Thanks for another great video.
Thanks Stephen, great video! This year has sucked for me, running wise and mentally wise… I had multiple injuries that has put an halt to my training and even made me cancel all my planned races. Last one being a tibial stress fracture, I haven’t r❤done any run for almost 2 months and I don’t feel good at all. I fear to have lost my love for the sport and scared to get back to it ven if missing it a lot… A little bit lost at the moment…
Hang on. No matter what. You’re the same person now that you were when you were running. You’ll be stronger than those who haven’t suffered.
@@Smurchdog thanks mate, appreciate it 🙏🏼 I think that it’s just too much for this year… hopefully 2025 will be better 🫡
Excellent video, sometimes can be difficult if ya don’t reach your goals, yeah there is plenty to be grateful for in running, just getting out running on the trails, & enjoying going on a holiday to all the running events, is something that people that don’t run are missing out on, thanks Stephen ✅👍🏃🏽♂️👊🏼👣😀🌲
Hey Scully, awesome video. This hits my feelings spot on. I ran competitively in college in the States, and now I'm scared to enter a race because of the uncertainty of the outcome. I need to focus more on the process and find the reward in getting to the start line fit and healthy instead of the finish line
No - what you need to do is jsut enter a race and run it and see how you get on. You will be the only one who actually cares how you do
Absolutely love your channel, your pro tips, your knowledge, your dedication, and your incredibly humble and caring attitude. I also love that you made your merch reasonably priced to make them accessible. Love the designs. Maybe most of your audience is male, but chance you will have women's racing shorts or another in the future? Might just have to cop a tee but was curious.
Keep up the videos 🙏 Appreciate you!
Brilliant content! Thanks Stephen 👊🏽
Another great video! Looking forward to getting my running t-shirt =D !
Although new to running, having come from a cycling (thus endurance) background, the suckiest/unfair thing has always been the inability to recreate the really good days. Maybe that’s what makes those days so much better along the journey.
nice vid, thanks. You pushed through that weather
Two words. Well put. So true
Great video mate as always. Athlete or not, you can take so much from your advice!
Brilliant vid as always
Thanks as always!
Thanks for your insights!
Wonder if its coincidence, but you and Jakob Ingerbritsen have a very similar running technique and you’re both very quick? Good video, enjoyed alot
Ive always used running to help with my mental health and to keep the weight down..I take 3-4months of the year off with little to no running which sucks, But helps keep the injuries at bay especially since Im 40 now.
Sport and fam is nr 1 😊 ajd i give erveything for it i love it
Love the content!
As i approach 70 i realize how much we undermine ourselves with delusions, and the "unfairness" of running is often our misinterpretation what really is going on. Deluded and confused is the common state, and we call it unfair to assuage our ego.
Hi, Im watching the video from Argentina. If you put a refference in min/km will be usefull for me. Thanks for this video.
Go look up the "fun scale" or "3 types of fun". This was originally conceived within the frame of mountain climbing and similar adventure sports, which, I would argue are much more unfair due to so many more factors outside our control. Looking at your "running sucks" this way can be a valuable perspective.
Great video.
I just ran the Saint George Marathon hoping to go sub 3. It was my worst marathon yet. I trained more and harder then in the past, but by mile 8 I knew I wasn’t going to make it. So frustrating.
Im on training block for my third FM for this year. But im struggling with fatigue, tired legs and most probably with injury with plantar fasciitis. Feel sucks as i couldn’t hit my target mileage.
Is it fair? Who knows, but it does inhale profusely from time to time. But as long as we can maintain the mental state of "these are the circumstances" vs. "This sucks", we'll be headed in the right direction. Similar to miles 19-25-ish. The lights are flashing, but it's just data coming in that allows us to make informed and intentional decisions to keep us in the driver's seat. We can't control everything, only the decisions we make about how we respond to the situation. Keep your chin up dude. /hugs.
Great content.
You should add a pair of running tight to the collection on the website. Otherwise the stuff on there looks fire.
Albin
Hi Stephen, I have begun to incorporate a good amount of strength training in my week and wondered what sort of weight and reps you do for say, deadlifts and squats? Would like an idea of what someone at your level is lifting. Thanks as ever for the videos.
I know it's no comfort, but I have trained like a mad man for 30 years without any real progress. It's certainly unfair. Some have the genes for it, some not. But unlike me, you are one fantastic athlete, I bow my head in awe.
If you have trained for 30 years and have seen no real progress, then you need to have hard look at the way your train - genetics have nothing to do with it. I am 67 aand am still looking to do pbs
@@amblincork Burnout, Trained too hard
Running, like life, is unfair. But, that is the way of the world. The only option, aim to stay calm and do good.
Awesome video thanks
Live is Not fair!
Stephens running technique looks flawless side on
It is fair....age plays a huge factor. I'm 44 , I've been thru it
Hey Scully, great videos as always! As a fellow left handed runner, what watch do you use?
Running with those expectations reminds me of Caine and Abel ... But He is fair and so is running
It sucks but i ain't giving up!
Excuse me
Who is jack- is he the man running in the black cap? Thanks!
why do we run counterclockwise wise on the track ?
Sometimes your first marathon gets cancelled 48 hours out after you signed up 6 months earlier due to it being "too hot" (it was not too hot)
elusive'ity is exclusivity - which is the ultimate human desire, that has a way of disguising itself as the most basic of needs
hence the joy of pursuit is so important in such endeavours, because once attained, you value it only through the lessons learned via the journey you took to get there - thus the whole concept of 'earning' it, because that implies a voyage undertaken to arrive at that particular point
Gertcha❤
Running is too hard, training for my first marathon from zero experience. All goes well for the first 4 month. Then I get hit with injury in the left leg and had to cut back training, now my endurance is in shits and my full marathon is in 10 days lol
Injury still not healed but fk if gonna push through and give up running after 😂
For me the time is now. Running sucks, really laborous and instead of going forward, Im going backwards.
Make a video on 5k how to get better
I had 10 x 800m this morning. Ouch.
👍
🙏🏽🙏🏽
algo
what really is unfair... raygun was in Olympics, but Scullion couldn't make it
It would be if they were in the same sport.. and scullions spot was taken by her
@@sohamjoshi9527 no. it is about Olympic dream . Unfair that someone dedicated all his life for that dream and could not qualify, but some one got there just by mistake. She is olympian but he isn’t. That’s unfair
@@denisdvadtsatov I am sure nobody considers raygun an Olympian though :) scullion may not have qualified but has the respect raygun will never have despite being in the Olympics.
and why are we lose everything so fast? xD
Cause life is so short.
Anyone who is running for the result and a "return in investment for the hours you put in" should pick a book on stoicism and really dig in to the topic.
Good recommendations are:
- Stoic Mindset: Living the Ten Principles of Stoicism by olympic gold medallist speed skater Mark Tuiter
- The little book of stoicism by Jonas Salzgeber
I a 67 and run for results and to be as competitive as I can - as for reading the stoics, I will do that when I can no longer run -
@@amblincork Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Tuiter outlines in his book that stoicism was the key foundation in his life to winning Olympic Gold.
I really don't see why you would see stoicism important only after you stop running.
@@Spartan117FS I best correct myself then, I dont see reading about stoicism as having any value at all - I a ma long distance trail and mountain runner...I really dont need to read about stoicism...
Because you don't use steroids
Hi mate, BetterHelp you promoted recently is a bit dodge no? Selling private patient information to facebook for targetted ads and underpaying staff? Maybe worth looking into. Not sure its the kinda thing you want to have your name to