In reply to Days on Rock:
> (In reply to The New NickB) Agreed-especially sees as Alistair favourite post-training 'snack' is, apparently, a Fray Bentos pie. But would a fell-runner, albeit a record breaking one, be the face of Visa? Probably not. Even the poster boys of ultra running are relatively unknown (Jez Bragg etc.) and they're about as high profile as the sport can push them. Amazing what one 3hr TV slot every 4 years can do for you; how many had heard of the Brownlee Bros. pre London 2012? Not in anyway knocking their achievements, it's just a shame that that kind of talent isn't being channelled into fell-running.
I know to a point.. but fell running doesn't want promoting in that sense..
The FRA are very keen on that.. when they say they promote fell runners, they mean to existing fell runners.. they don't want to encourage more.. so the likes of inov8 have had to diversify..
Crossfit, road running etc.. fell running on its own is too small to sustain professionals or large companies which is what people seem to want..
In this country we have few mountain running events, on the continent there is much more money so it can sustain the frosts, wyatts etc.. but frosty is as much about her (and solomans) savvyness.. ability wise she's strong, but her fame extends that because of her personality which is just awesome, but also she is savvy, she's an excellent promoter.
Good runners, of the brownlees standard should shy away from fell running. I always tell the young lads to do the same.. maybe the odd fell race but you can do that once you've ran your 29 min 10k's..
Just been training with a Lesothoan (is that what you call a person from lesotho), classs runner, from a mountainous area.. 'do you mountain run?' I asked.. 'God no, I want to be a fast runner.. maybe once a month I go for a long run in the mountains as it can help make you stronger, but regular mountain running makes you slow'..
He's looking at sub 65 mins at Berlin Half, so pretty good.