Still the wrong messages
No, not everyone can decide they’re going to run a marathon and five months later do it. For the third straight season, the finalists of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” ran a marathon as the final challenge of the season. Back in December I wrote about this and how it sends the wrong message. My feelings were enraged even more last night.
While I still agree with my post from then, last night I thought I was going to have to de-friend half of my Twitter followers who thought this was so great. I don’t want to take anything away from the accomplishments – what they did was outstanding. It’s the message that the show sends as they run a marathon … like, did the contestants drink any water? Sure, but you never saw that. I guess the Brita bottles weren’t available and it wouldn’t be very “green” to show them using a few cups. What did the contestants eat the day before, or were they so focused on losing weight that they didn’t worry about properly fueling themselves for a 4 to 6 hour journey?
Just pile these things on top of my previous post and the wrong messages this episode send continue to build.
As for the opening comment, one of the contestants last night said that “anyone” can be sitting on their couch one day and then run a marathon five months later. I’m sorry, but those who are on the show aren’t just “anyone.” Regular everyday out-of-shape people don’t have hours to spend at a gym for four straight months. I’m not trying to dampen anyone’s hopes, but don’t take advice from producer-driven comments. Can anyone run (or walk) a marathon? Yes, but there are much better ways to go about it than what the show portrays.
Speaking of the show and marathons, did you hear about the marathon finisher who didn’t really finish a marathon? I missed that last year when the news came out that it wasn’t true. Read more about it here.
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I really don't like the current Pearl Iszumi ads, however, it is stunts like TBL pulls off that are creating that kind of backlash against slow marathon times.
Very well said. It's just not reality. There was ZERO mention of proper nutrition as it relates to running 26.2…Frustrating to say the least. I think a lot of people are misled by the show and will be either disappointed or injured when they don't drop 10-20lbs a week.
.-= Lonnie´s last blog ..About Running Source =-.
I agree these people are not anyone, they are supervised by trainers and medical staff. It's great that they can accomplish this but it sends a false and potentially dangerous message that it's somehow easy. I couldn't run more than a minute at a time in Januray, I'm training for a half marathon in September (and I may well walk portions), to think that anyone can pull it off who is overweight is just false and their poor bodies if they try, especially with as little guidance as I think the contestants get.
Nothing about nutrition, hydration (although at least Ashley did have a water bottle at one point), or what about them all standing around when they finish, oh that's clever, no cooldown at all?
When I heard about Dane I was livid what a load of crap, seriously. I know it's a show and they are about ratings but blatant lies should not be allowed.
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Feeling a bit like a slug… =-.
Thanks for the comments so far. I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in these thoughts.
I completely agree with you and complained last night about it on Twitter as well. I started running in January - and have been training for a half-marathon on May 30th. 3 weeks ago I over-trained and blew my knee. There is no way I can even walk the half next week. So when Daris said he had bad knee problems from over training, he couldn't have possibly run that marathon in 4'2 - he wouldn't be able to move.
The show does make it look like they had 30 days notice which is insane. For Michael to be walking 20 miles a day - are you kidding? And he "walked" it in 6'26 which isn't a bad time, and certainly is much faster than a walking pace. Something is wrong - either the distance or the clock, but he didn't walk it in that time - that is a decent first marathon attempt while jogging most of it!
I was a little upset with Bob and Jillian's reaction to Daris. Yes, maybe he did sabotage himself. But I would agree that it is hard to lose weight training for and running a marathon. Neither of them has run a marathon to my knowledge and definitely not overweight. I have. I ran one weighing 185, and it was so tough to lose weight during that…my hunger was in overdrive. Ya, that's my rant. But I do like watching the marathon episode, mainly because it makes me want to run another one.
Adding to what Rhonda said, I thought I noticed that Koli's clock was like 5:55 or something close to 6:00, which confused me when Michael crossed at 6:26, since he walked alot and Koli appeared to run the whole thing. I agree that something fishy was going on.
I also was disappointed with their reaction to Daris. I mean, why torment the guy and say "you're sabotaging yourself." Maybe the guy was STARVING from all of the pressure of training for a marathon in 30 days. How about congratulating him for making it that far? I mean, 2 pounds? Maybe he had a few too many salty pretzels the night before? It's not like he gained 10-15 pounds in a month. I fluctuate 2-3 pounds within days, easily.
Debbie, I think the perception that Koli ran the whole time was good editing. After reading about the marathon that wasn't, I'm sure BL doesn't want to risk messing with people's times again.
I am enraged much as you are. I haven't even been able to process my emotions enough to write coherently about it. You're absolutely right, it does send the wrong message. Besides the fact that they never show them fueling or hydrating, etc. It's just not possible to properly train for a marathon in 30 days! Ugh.
I'm not so sure they don't doctor the times. Even after the whole Dane fiasco (that wasn't even during the BL Marathon, it was after he's been voted-off and they were doing his "update"). There was a lot of hubbub about Tara's time and how it was fudged, even so much as her admitting they stopped her clock while she stopped and walked at several different points.
I suspect they did the same and more for Daris. there is simply NO WAY that he ran a 4:02 and change marathon! I watched him run as closely as the editing would allow and I seriously I doubt he ran a single 9:12 mile, let alone 26.2 of them. His leg turnover simply did not add-up. He was NOT running THAT fast. Forget it. I refuse to believe it.
I performed running-specific training for six months prior to my first marathon, with increasing long runs culminating in a 21-miler (not to mention all the speed workouts and shorter distance races including a half-marathon and a 16-miler). Granted, not everything went perfectly for me that day. My first 21.5 miles were run at an average pace of 8:58/mile. I stopped for what ended-up being less than 2 minutes with a calf cramp, and I walked through 3 aid stations, I was able to get running again after 24 and ran my final 1.2 miles in under 9 minutes. Yet I finished with a respectable 4:14:09.
I also find it hard to believe that they were able to "pick it up" for a strong finish on the sand the way they did (especially Daris and Koli with the injuries they were complaining about). I've run on sand. it's difficult to say the least, let alone finishing a marathon on sand! I recently read a race report of someone who had done just that (a sub-3 hour marathoner at that) who found it to be "the most painful and difficult way to finish a race."
I don't want it to sound like a case of sour grapes, because it isn't. In fact, the Biggest Loser was part of my inspiration to get off my ass and start doing something with my life. I've lost almost 100 pounds in the last year and have always been a HUGE fan. I didn't want to believe all of the stuff I read about them faking marathons, but after witnessing that episode, and going through everything I went through and understanding EXACTLY what it takes to run a marathon, I'm thoroughly disgusted with the show and will never watch it again.
Sorry. I'm still just venting and I apologize if that sounds bad or is barely coherent. /rant
.-= Doug Welch´s last blog ..My Ultimate Pancake Recipe =-.
BL is doing a huge disservice to marathons. Respect the distance. Two pounds? Who cares? Really, the kid was training, back in his environment, doing the best he could. I don't know if that was his *run time* or overall time.
However, I believe he likes running.
Running a marathon??? Koli had to have walked. Had to. That's what good editing will do for you.
According to this link - http://www.athlinks.com/results/112006/154708/680… - Daris ran a pretty good 5k in March, so I'd say that the 5k time from earlier in the season and the marathon time were legit. I respect him for being a runner and becoming passionate in such a short time. The editing that is done doesn't help us figure out anything. That all being said, about a month ago I ran my fastest 5k ever and I'm close to 10 pounds heavier than my previous PR in that distance.
I don't watch The Biggest Loser for many reasons, one of them being the messages it sends. However, I AM happy for those who finished because finishing a marathon is a HUGE deal. But, it IS true. Not everyone can go run a marathon in five months. Everyone CAN run a marathon, but possibly not in that amount of time. I believe that hard work and dedication pays off, but the show makes it unrealistic because these people are exercising 6 to 7 hours a day and that's all they do.
Even still, I'll see you in Virginia.