The Weakly: Cross country's glow-up + the pros and cons of organized races

This week we look at how Bandit wowed their way into the Olympics, consider living in the cross country boom, and then I recommend using influencers to solve injury, and I talk about racing.

Big Q: Is trail running just cross country?

We’re hearing from every direction that we’re Currently In The Midst Of A Trail Running BOOM, but what’s the difference between trail running and cross country?

Here are the Wikipedia definitions:

Trail running is a type of running that takes place on outdoor trails, often in mountainous terrain, and often includes significant ascents and descents.

Cross country running is a sport in which teams and individuals run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain such as dirt or grass.

Do you have to be in education to run XC? Do you have to have a podcast to be a trail runner? Is cross country not good for selling equipment for? Or is it simply a matter of distance? Is cross country used for shorter distances? If so, is there a moment where it turns into trail running? Why not maintain standards and call them middle-distance and long-distance, like in other track categories? What gives?

What if we’re actually in a cross country boom!? Have your say in the comments, wherever you like.

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Last week on Running Sucks

I really enjoyed writing this one. Luke has the kind of passion that I started Running Sucks to find. It’s a great story, and I think he’s doing some marvelous work. Take a read.

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How to make Running Suck less

Struggling to incorporate strengthening exercises into your running regimen? Take to Instagram/TikTok, and find your perfect influencer.

In my 6+ month journey to being, and becoming, less injured, I’ve been following a few Instagram influencers. WHAT? An… INFLUENCER??!? WHAT COULD THEY KNOW??? Well, if they’re a Doctor of Physical Therapy (qualifications!) who can package their deep knowledge up into a bite-sized little skit, I’m all about it. For me, a 10-minute YouTube video is too much, and reading about exercises is too theoretical. Seeing the exercise performed in a 5-second video helps me start doing it.

I found Bonnie Wilder DPT on Instagram a few weeks ago and her exercises and perspective have been really, really useful in helping my lower back loosen up. I’ve even got a little bit of speed back. 400m PR/PB? I accept.

Do check that they have real qualifications, though. Or are at least stealing their exercises from someone with real qualifications…

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1 year ago on Running Sucks

To date, this is still the most difficult conversation I’ve ever written up. I think I did it justice. I think it’s so important to say these things out loud, especially in this new era of America, where reproductive rights are moving back into the dark ages. And if running can help in these massive life moments, I’m all for it. Take a read.

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In the news

There have been 35 athletes competing at the US Olympic Trials wearing all black, ‘unbranded’ outfits. What gives? They are part of ultra-cool New York running apparel company Bandit’s Unsponsored Project.

It’s a cool achievement and a masterstroke of marketing. While wearing all black is an easy way to look chic on an evening out, it’s pretty easy. Men can wear a tuxedo, and women can wear a little black dress. and very little thought has to go into it. It’s a standard thing to do. Wearing a floral velvet tux, or rainbow-sequined dress, for instance, takes a lot more confidence and/or knowledge of how to put an outfit together.

In the racing world, however, we expect athletes to be sponsored by Nike, Adidas, Puma, or more recently by Brooks or Tracksmith. As discussed in last week’s Running Sucks long-read, running at an amateur level is expensive and not very rewarding. Seeing an athlete wearing a color scheme more suited to a cocktail party rightly raises eyebrows.

Either way, Bandit is going to the Olympics. Good for them.

Here’s a screenshot of the CNBC story and the press release from Bandit. And here is a great branding rundown of Bandit from Amanda Gordon’s newsletter, The Case for Brand.

If you’re interested in the intersection of fashion and sport, the new Substack publication

The Sweat Lookbook

by

Lee Glandorf

might interest you.

Trials and Tribulations

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Running Sucks Haiku of the Week

I ran that relay
Not as fast as I wanted
Need to run again

The Eagle Rock Run Club Slow Jammers. We ran fast! (For us.)

I remembered why I love and enjoy racing, but also why I don’t like races.

Being part of a team, hanging out with friends from across Los Angeles, getting down to the beach (one of my personal goals for the year), feeling myself push my physical limits, doing something worth taking dozens of photos for. Felt good.

Getting up at 4.30am to get to my starting point, and knowing I could’ve been faster with more sleep, eating less poorly the night before, and pacing better? Irritating.

I’m always in search of the middle ground. I’m looking for the situation with as many of the positives, with as few of the negatives. Any ideas?

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Housekeeping

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Thanks for reading
- Raz