Comments on: Thank you Brother Ward, Sister Ward (no relation), Elder Mantz, and Coach Mostert (probably)

By: Adam G.

Adam G. — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 15:21:13 +0000

I liked it. Good perspective, and good to be introduced to these particular Saints.

By: Jonathan Green

Jonathan Green — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 02:11:57 +0000

Thanks for the comments and links (even those that I cannot unsee, Ivan). Kristine, I especially appreciate the non-Utah examples, because the effect of religious belief on endurance sports is a lot more interesting to me than the effect of training at altitude.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 17:35:57 +0000

It’s not just Utah Mormons :) http://theleadpack.blogspot.com/2007/08/in-lead-pack-with-jb-haglund_4641.html

(Yeah, mostly just taking even the slightest provocation to brag about my baby brother :))

By: Bryan Stiles

Bryan Stiles — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 17:41:57 +0000

Regarding his mustache. The first thing I thought of when I saw him was Steve Prefontaine. I don’t know if he is intentionally doing a throwback, but when I was in high school XC (long after Prefontaine’s death) Prefontaine was one of the few fairly famous runners that anyone knew about because of a couple of movies made about him that we would watch anytime there was a bus trip.

Additionally, y’all really need to get over your judgments of other’s fashion/grooming choices. If he wants a stache, let him have a stache.

By: Ivan Wolfe

Ivan Wolfe — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:35:14 +0000

Okay, JG – the real question is:

Have you seen this amazingly 70s pro-running video from BYU (from 1971), “Run Dick, Run Jane”? If not, you need to. It was played quite often at Mutual when I was a youth, despite being nearly two decades old at that point.

By: IDIAT

IDIAT — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 22:38:31 +0000

Jonathan Green and Ben S. Thanks for the comments. I sweat, but not profusely. I need to up my game:)

By: Ben S.

Ben S. — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 20:32:19 +0000

For me, I don’t exercise in my garments because I consider it slightly disrespectful to deliberately subject them to excessive sweat, dirt, grime, etc. I don’t wear my garments under my chamois bike shorts because a) they’re not designed for that b) serious chafing and c) excessive sweat, dirt, grime, etc.

Now, that’s a modern take. Ancient priestly garments were routinely splattered with blood, which didn’t affect their holiness in the least, and they didn’t have modern soaps, washers, etc. But that’s my take.

By: Jonathan Green

Jonathan Green — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 19:50:52 +0000

I’m not letting hair styles (facial or otherwise), clothing choices, or even Sunday workout schedules (about which I know nothing) affect my fandom. It seems unproductive to expect more from the athletes than from others I admire. I assume everyone is trying to adapt the requirements of their sport to their personal situation as best as they can. It’s an interesting question – to what degree does someone have to be Mormon, before tribal identity prompts me to take an interest in whatever it is they do? I prefer to set the bar pretty low: do they claim their membership in the church? and do they keep some minimal level of church teachings so that the church can claim them?

IDIAT: If you run a lot faster, your body will generate a lot more heat. Additional clothing makes it that much more difficult to keep your body’s temperature in balance, which can have dramatic effects on performance. Your suggestion to run in a Speedo is not that far off from what a lot of high-level female athletes wear.

By: IDIAT

IDIAT — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 18:00:19 +0000

A question. I am an amateur (with a capital “A”) runner as part of my exercise routine. I exercise in knee length shorts and t-shirt so I can wear my garments. (And yes, I live in the Gulf South where it is hot and humid and I do just fine.) College and professional basketball players spend hours running up and down the court with knee length shorts, and many wear short sleeve shirts. Which makes me pose the question: why can’t LDS athletes (in most sports) wear their garments and still wear clothing that works for their sport? I don’t expect a competitive swimmer to wear his garments (though I’ve seen one piece suits that might actually work), but it seems like runners “have” to wear short shorts or they aren’t considered serious runners. Would running a 5K in knee length shorts and t-shirt really add that much time to one’s race? I mean, if it’s freedom of movement you want, you might as well run in a Speedo. Someone who’s a real, competitive runner fill me in.

By: Fellowbird

Fellowbird — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 08:22:56 +0000

Got any in this sort of class? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK695rGHAYY

By: Ben S.

Ben S. — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 23:46:46 +0000

As a a runner myself, I appreciate this.

But why the mustache?! Seriously. I saw this video recently, of Nike’s mountain running team, and I thought, “are they all trying to look like stereotypical 70s creepers?” One guy has a mustache AND a mullet. If I encountered him on a plane, I would not think, “This guy is a professional athlete.”

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 18:01:58 +0000

Yeah, there is a hint or two. What a great representative for the companies that sponsor him.