Week 37: IM Championships, Gravel Racing & A Unicorn

Tweet of the Week:

Marathon Time: 2:57:31

First Marathon ✅
Boston Qualified ✅
Pain & Suffering ✅

When I started running in March, I set an ambitious goal to run a sub 3-hour marathon within 6 months.

1,200 miles of grueling training later, I got it done.

Let’s. Go. pic.twitter.com/9z3FDc7nPz

— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) September 10, 2023

Race Results of the Week: presented by Sportstats.One

1. VinFast IRONMAN World Championship - Men

2. IRONMAN Wisconsin

3. IRONMAN 70.3 Wisconsin

Tidbits

G’Day Mate! The Sydney Marathon is hoping to become the next Abbott World Marathon Major: 2023 will be the second year that the Sydney Marathon is considered a Candidate Race to join the six other storied events. To bring media attention to Sydney, they’ve assembled the fastest elite field in Australian history.

✅The It Girl of the endurance world: Everyone is ditching their Zipps and hitting gravel. The pros are doing it, slow ass age groupers are doing it, your mom’s doing it. Read why gravel is the new It Girl.

✅Rep New Balance for Coco’s win: Coco Gauff is having her moment, and rightfully so. She’s the 19 year old that just took home a $3 million check for winning the U.S Open. If you wanna be like her, your chance is now.

✅Good competitors still exist: Read this Tweet that’ll choke you up a bit. Sports, and how we choose to compete, is a direct reflection of who we are as people. Be better, do good.

✅The Unicorn of marathoning: Boston Marathon apps are happening this week - but why the heck is the mascot a unicorn? Basically - nobody knows and they just rolled with it since 1887.

🏃Bucket List Recs

Big training week behind ya and want to add something to your bucket list? Need something to kick your butt into high gear? Check out our endurance bucket list recs below and sign up for something you’ll probably regret when you’re doing a 20 mile training run in August in the Midwest.

• Boston Marathon: This one wouldn’t normally hit our list, but if you’re fast enough to qualify for Boston - don’t forget applications are open 9/11-9/15. See how quick you need to be to hit the streets of Beantown.

• Arkansas Graveler: If riding your gravel bike for 6 days and over 300 miles through the Arkansas backcountry sounds like a blast - this one’s for you. Banjo music not guaranteed.

• Tour Du Mont Blanc: The Sound of Music wasn’t filmed here, but it’s just as scenic. 3 countries (France, Italy and Switzerland), 5 major mountain passes, 7 valleys, 105 miles. Click if you fancy some trail ASMR.

• Iron rung 1.5 mile trail built by the CCC: Now that fall is upon us, and the leaves are starting to turn - the Beehive Loop Trail presents the most unique view for autumn colors. If you’re biggest fear is rock climbing without safety, this probably isn’t your jam.

Performance Of The Week(end)