Theo Kahler is the news editor at 2:08:00, Clayton Young has solidified himself as one of the top marathoners in the U.S.—and the world. Last year, he finished ninth Best Running Watches seventh In Defense of the Word “Jogger&rdquo.
A Part of Hearst Digital Media Runner’s World’s “This or That” topics.
You can read Clayton's answers in yellow, Claytons answers in yellow you land on the subject. You’ll see the overall percentage results from our community once you select your answer.
This or That:
Sun → Shade
Wave ← Nod
Bottles ← Gels
CLAYTON EXPLAINS: Simplicity. If I can get my hydration and fueling all at once, all the better. As an elite marathoner, the access to personalized fluids every 5K on marathon race day makes it easy.
Intervals ← Tempo
CLAYTON EXPLAINS: I find it satisfying to break down a workout into intervals. To have a moment to pause, breathe, evaluate the last interval, fight off the mental demons as the start of the next interval approaches, and then get after it. If the point of a workout is to simulate a race, in a tempo, you only get to simulate it once. In an interval workout, you get to simulate the race many times. And you have the chance to find the line—both mentally and physically—every time.
Hat → Sunglasses
Water → Sports Drink
Hills ← Flat
Half ← Full
CLAYTON EXPLAINS: The full marathon is a stupid distance. The challenge of executing a perfect marathon is insane—a feat that most people don’t have time for, nor should they. As a professional, I’m lucky enough to make it my craft. But for the average Joe? Half marathon all the way. Plus, you can run two, maybe three, quality full marathons a year. Whereas with a half, you could run one once a month.
Singlet → T-shirt
Grass ← Gravel
Warm Up → Cool Down
Loops ← Out-and-Backs
CLAYTON EXPLAINS: When you become a mileage junkie like me, there’s peace in taking the thinking out of running with a simple out-and-back. Yet, there’s nothing more satisfying than risking it all to create a new loop and having it be the perfect distance. And what’s the worst case scenario? If it’s short, you make another loop. If it’s long, all the better. (I told you I was a mileage junkie.)
Foam Roller → Massage Gun
Morning ← Evening
CLAYTON EXPLAINS: The anticipation of having a big afternoon workout looming over the first half of the day is the worst. Getting a good workout done in the morning and carrying that sense of accomplishment and satisfaction throughout the rest of the day is rewarding and almost gives you the license to do nothing the rest of the day.
Pants→ Tights
Chat ← Silence
Strava ← Instagram
CLAYTON EXPLAINS: Strava is the purest form of social media. The general expectation and even social permission to auto upload every activity on Strava as “Morning Run” with the option to add a cryptic title, monologue description, daily meme, or cringe group selfie takes the stress out of finding the perfect picture and writing the perfect caption. There is no fake on Strava. Meritocracy at its finest.
Theo Kahler is the news editor at Runner’s World. He’s a former all-conference collegiate runner at Winthrop University, and he received his master’s degree in liberal arts studies from Wake Forest University, where he was a member of one of the top distance-running teams in the NCAA. Kahler has reported on the ground at major events such as the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials, New York City Marathon, and Boston Marathon. He’s run 14:20 in the 5K, 1:05:36 in the half marathon, and enjoys spotting tracks from the sky on airplanes. (Look for colorful ovals around football fields.)
