Sharing a run with the world, part two

In two weeks I will join a few hundred others in Saskatoon at the starting line of the World Run. That said, in a farther off reality, I am also toeing the line with tens of thousands of runners across the globe — 34 venues on six continents all participating in the same race. This race, hosted by Red Bull, is amassing a great amount of support for its partner in the event, Wings For Life, an organization dedicated to bolstering awareness and support for spinal cord injury research.

Running from the front, or finally getting chased to no end?

In nearly all footraces around the world, only the front runners will experience the intense sensation of being chased. I have only felt the pressure of those ensuing in a handful of events. It is quite a peculiar feeling and one that can have a variety of outcomes. This pressure can cause runners to cave mentally and physically. Those out front in a race who do not have the luxury of following a pacer can, and often do, fade from the front. Alternately, others harness this pressure into a mechanism to push. It provides a hot torch that ignites an internal fire, driving the runner on. To be honest, I have not yet had enough experience with the feeling to decide how it impacts me and whether it does in a consistent manner.

At the World Run, all runners will be privy to this phenomenon. Rather than being chased by a ‘chase pack’ of other contenders as in most races, all World Run participants will be chased, thirty-minutes out of the start chute, by an automobile. I imagine that it could ignite the same rush of excitement as playing chase as kids. That said, you may have to look far back into your memory to bring up the same sense of play while pounding down the road, away from oncoming traffic.

The fourth note the World Run brings to the table is that there really isn’t a finish line, in the traditional sense. The whole design of the World Run is centred on the non-existence of a finish line. This is obvious, however, I imagine the mental battle that will ensue as a result is not quite as obvious.

Exercise scientist Timothy Noakes’s career has included research into the effects of racing without pursuit of a finish. His results? Well, let’s just say everyone had a tough time. Mark Allen, six time Ironman world champion, could not complete testing in which there was no set time or distance. Mentally, he shut down and the testing ended far below his physiological potential. I won’t postulate too much about how having no finish at the World Run will impact those participating. All I’ll say is that it’s going to be a hard push for everyone out there.