.svg){kind=icon}
Unofficial Endurance Races: Here to Stay?
Why Unofficial is the new Official
I think I might be a little late to the party on this one because unofficial street races have been around ever since The Fast and the Furious. An old reference – that movie came out back in 2001!
In endurance sports, you are seeing more and more people create unofficial races, events or just organising solo challenges because they want to. They still train as if it were a race – the only real difference being no medal and no finish line.
How Endurance Sports Changed after Covid 19
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 made several lasting impressions and I think this was a catalyst in endurance sports.
With no races to enter and nothing to big up, people had to create their own challenges that would provide much needed motivation. They looked to intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic gratification.
Today you can find individuals and groups of people that’ve carried on this new tradition – people who do things because they can and because they want to. Check Instagram and look into this, there are so many unofficial races where there is no winner. It’s so cool and so refreshing!
The Evolving Perspective of Endurance Races
But go simpler than that. Look at the amount of people still going out and smashing a 5km that they go full gas on, yet all they get is a fist pump. The mantra and reason we do this is because it’s enjoyable, it’s fun, different and stimulating. We are no longer bound to a poorly designed t-shirt and bruised peach.
Final Thoughts
What does this mean for official races? In reality… nothing. Big races will always be big races, they showcase our sports. But the way we approach them will shift, unofficial races and challenges have a totally different vibe. Where a PB (personal best) isn’t the win, it’s the smile.
Next time you look for a goal, maybe don’t think Boston, think how fast can I run up that hill. I wonder who else would like to do that? Or if you do go to Boston, how you’d run it if it were just a hill with a couple of mates.
Change your perspective, see how you like the challenge.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
ENGINE
Working on building powerful, resilient legs. Expect a mix of heavy leg-focused strength work designed to improve muscular endurance and replicate race demands.
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday we're going upside down with handstand holds and handstand push-ups, testing balance, strength, and control. Then, we’ll lock in that overhead power with strength work.
On Thursday, we’ll visit the bar for pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping, and butterfly will appear, followed by lat and core supersets.
HYROX
Working on building powerful, resilient legs. Expect a mix of heavy leg-focused strength work designed to improve muscular endurance and replicate race demands.
MOBILITY
Keeping on that hip mobility, we will work through the same drills as the previous week, but now start upgrading the strengthening drills. Making sure we keep everything locked in place!
PURE STRENGTH
This week in pure strength, we start the week with some weighted push-ups, followed by rest-pause sets on the bench press. On Wednesday, we are progressing the loading on our RDL max set.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week, we are spending time working on the split jerk technique in weightlifting. Spicy complex of power clean, front squat, jerk. Finishing off with an EMOM power clean. Make sure not to miss out.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 6 mins blocks. You will take a 1 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 5x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 400m repeats at 5km pace. After each 400m you get a 25sec rest.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 800s and 400s. Try to run your 400m efforts slighly faster than you 800m efforts.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be doing hill repeats on the canal bridge. Efforts will be short and sharp, working on your power. 10-12X
20secs at 9/10;
2mins walk back to starting point.
WELCOME TO HELLLLL WEEKKKKKK!!!!
Relax. Pack your bags with whatever training kit you own, and come ready for everything we throw at you! It will be wild and hard, but you will get through it! Let's Gooooooo!!!!!
Monday:
We kick the week off with a partner WOD featuring the Assault bike and the Barbell and then a chance to max out your Power Clean!!
Tuesday:
Tuesday, everyone's favourite, heavy back squats! The workout will be an oh my legs and lungs type of feeling!
Wednesday:
Wednesday, we are pressing in the strength, giving you a chance of a 1 Rep Max. Strongman conditioning where the harder you work the more rest you will get!
Thursday:
A twist on a HERO workout where you will only be moving your body weight! Do not let that fool you!
Friday:
Friday will be one for the books! Heavy Barbells combined with some Box Jumps and Wall Walks into an AMRAP of something that will be sure to bring the fire to your legs!
I think I might be a little late to the party on this one because unofficial street races have been around ever since The Fast and the Furious. An old reference – that movie came out back in 2001!
In endurance sports, you are seeing more and more people create unofficial races, events or just organising solo challenges because they want to. They still train as if it were a race – the only real difference being no medal and no finish line.
How Endurance Sports Changed after Covid 19
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 made several lasting impressions and I think this was a catalyst in endurance sports.
With no races to enter and nothing to big up, people had to create their own challenges that would provide much needed motivation. They looked to intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic gratification.
Today you can find individuals and groups of people that’ve carried on this new tradition – people who do things because they can and because they want to. Check Instagram and look into this, there are so many unofficial races where there is no winner. It’s so cool and so refreshing!
The Evolving Perspective of Endurance Races
But go simpler than that. Look at the amount of people still going out and smashing a 5km that they go full gas on, yet all they get is a fist pump. The mantra and reason we do this is because it’s enjoyable, it’s fun, different and stimulating. We are no longer bound to a poorly designed t-shirt and bruised peach.
Final Thoughts
What does this mean for official races? In reality… nothing. Big races will always be big races, they showcase our sports. But the way we approach them will shift, unofficial races and challenges have a totally different vibe. Where a PB (personal best) isn’t the win, it’s the smile.
Next time you look for a goal, maybe don’t think Boston, think how fast can I run up that hill. I wonder who else would like to do that? Or if you do go to Boston, how you’d run it if it were just a hill with a couple of mates.
Change your perspective, see how you like the challenge.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 6 mins blocks. You will take a 1 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 5x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 400m repeats at 5km pace. After each 400m you get a 25sec rest.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 800s and 400s. Try to run your 400m efforts slighly faster than you 800m efforts.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be doing hill repeats on the canal bridge. Efforts will be short and sharp, working on your power. 10-12X
20secs at 9/10;
2mins walk back to starting point.
WELCOME TO HELLLLL WEEKKKKKK!!!!
Relax. Pack your bags with whatever training kit you own, and come ready for everything we throw at you! It will be wild and hard, but you will get through it! Let's Gooooooo!!!!!
Monday:
We kick the week off with a partner WOD featuring the Assault bike and the Barbell and then a chance to max out your Power Clean!!
Tuesday:
Tuesday, everyone's favourite, heavy back squats! The workout will be an oh my legs and lungs type of feeling!
Wednesday:
Wednesday, we are pressing in the strength, giving you a chance of a 1 Rep Max. Strongman conditioning where the harder you work the more rest you will get!
Thursday:
A twist on a HERO workout where you will only be moving your body weight! Do not let that fool you!
Friday:
Friday will be one for the books! Heavy Barbells combined with some Box Jumps and Wall Walks into an AMRAP of something that will be sure to bring the fire to your legs!
ENGINE
Working on building powerful, resilient legs. Expect a mix of heavy leg-focused strength work designed to improve muscular endurance and replicate race demands.
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday we're going upside down with handstand holds and handstand push-ups, testing balance, strength, and control. Then, we’ll lock in that overhead power with strength work.
On Thursday, we’ll visit the bar for pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping, and butterfly will appear, followed by lat and core supersets.
HYROX
Working on building powerful, resilient legs. Expect a mix of heavy leg-focused strength work designed to improve muscular endurance and replicate race demands.
MOBILITY
Keeping on that hip mobility, we will work through the same drills as the previous week, but now start upgrading the strengthening drills. Making sure we keep everything locked in place!
PURE STRENGTH
This week in pure strength, we start the week with some weighted push-ups, followed by rest-pause sets on the bench press. On Wednesday, we are progressing the loading on our RDL max set.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week, we are spending time working on the split jerk technique in weightlifting. Spicy complex of power clean, front squat, jerk. Finishing off with an EMOM power clean. Make sure not to miss out.
I think I might be a little late to the party on this one because unofficial street races have been around ever since The Fast and the Furious. An old reference – that movie came out back in 2001!
In endurance sports, you are seeing more and more people create unofficial races, events or just organising solo challenges because they want to. They still train as if it were a race – the only real difference being no medal and no finish line.
How Endurance Sports Changed after Covid 19
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 made several lasting impressions and I think this was a catalyst in endurance sports.
With no races to enter and nothing to big up, people had to create their own challenges that would provide much needed motivation. They looked to intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic gratification.
Today you can find individuals and groups of people that’ve carried on this new tradition – people who do things because they can and because they want to. Check Instagram and look into this, there are so many unofficial races where there is no winner. It’s so cool and so refreshing!
The Evolving Perspective of Endurance Races
But go simpler than that. Look at the amount of people still going out and smashing a 5km that they go full gas on, yet all they get is a fist pump. The mantra and reason we do this is because it’s enjoyable, it’s fun, different and stimulating. We are no longer bound to a poorly designed t-shirt and bruised peach.
Final Thoughts
What does this mean for official races? In reality… nothing. Big races will always be big races, they showcase our sports. But the way we approach them will shift, unofficial races and challenges have a totally different vibe. Where a PB (personal best) isn’t the win, it’s the smile.
Next time you look for a goal, maybe don’t think Boston, think how fast can I run up that hill. I wonder who else would like to do that? Or if you do go to Boston, how you’d run it if it were just a hill with a couple of mates.
Change your perspective, see how you like the challenge.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 6 mins blocks. You will take a 1 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 5x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 400m repeats at 5km pace. After each 400m you get a 25sec rest.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running 800s and 400s. Try to run your 400m efforts slighly faster than you 800m efforts.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be doing hill repeats on the canal bridge. Efforts will be short and sharp, working on your power. 10-12X
20secs at 9/10;
2mins walk back to starting point.
WELCOME TO HELLLLL WEEKKKKKK!!!!
Relax. Pack your bags with whatever training kit you own, and come ready for everything we throw at you! It will be wild and hard, but you will get through it! Let's Gooooooo!!!!!
Monday:
We kick the week off with a partner WOD featuring the Assault bike and the Barbell and then a chance to max out your Power Clean!!
Tuesday:
Tuesday, everyone's favourite, heavy back squats! The workout will be an oh my legs and lungs type of feeling!
Wednesday:
Wednesday, we are pressing in the strength, giving you a chance of a 1 Rep Max. Strongman conditioning where the harder you work the more rest you will get!
Thursday:
A twist on a HERO workout where you will only be moving your body weight! Do not let that fool you!
Friday:
Friday will be one for the books! Heavy Barbells combined with some Box Jumps and Wall Walks into an AMRAP of something that will be sure to bring the fire to your legs!
ENGINE
Working on building powerful, resilient legs. Expect a mix of heavy leg-focused strength work designed to improve muscular endurance and replicate race demands.
GYMNASTICS
This Tuesday we're going upside down with handstand holds and handstand push-ups, testing balance, strength, and control. Then, we’ll lock in that overhead power with strength work.
On Thursday, we’ll visit the bar for pull-up progressions! Strict, kipping, and butterfly will appear, followed by lat and core supersets.
HYROX
Working on building powerful, resilient legs. Expect a mix of heavy leg-focused strength work designed to improve muscular endurance and replicate race demands.
MOBILITY
Keeping on that hip mobility, we will work through the same drills as the previous week, but now start upgrading the strengthening drills. Making sure we keep everything locked in place!
PURE STRENGTH
This week in pure strength, we start the week with some weighted push-ups, followed by rest-pause sets on the bench press. On Wednesday, we are progressing the loading on our RDL max set.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week, we are spending time working on the split jerk technique in weightlifting. Spicy complex of power clean, front squat, jerk. Finishing off with an EMOM power clean. Make sure not to miss out.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
I think I might be a little late to the party on this one because unofficial street races have been around ever since The Fast and the Furious. An old reference – that movie came out back in 2001!
In endurance sports, you are seeing more and more people create unofficial races, events or just organising solo challenges because they want to. They still train as if it were a race – the only real difference being no medal and no finish line.
How Endurance Sports Changed after Covid 19
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 made several lasting impressions and I think this was a catalyst in endurance sports.
With no races to enter and nothing to big up, people had to create their own challenges that would provide much needed motivation. They looked to intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic gratification.
Today you can find individuals and groups of people that’ve carried on this new tradition – people who do things because they can and because they want to. Check Instagram and look into this, there are so many unofficial races where there is no winner. It’s so cool and so refreshing!
The Evolving Perspective of Endurance Races
But go simpler than that. Look at the amount of people still going out and smashing a 5km that they go full gas on, yet all they get is a fist pump. The mantra and reason we do this is because it’s enjoyable, it’s fun, different and stimulating. We are no longer bound to a poorly designed t-shirt and bruised peach.
Final Thoughts
What does this mean for official races? In reality… nothing. Big races will always be big races, they showcase our sports. But the way we approach them will shift, unofficial races and challenges have a totally different vibe. Where a PB (personal best) isn’t the win, it’s the smile.
Next time you look for a goal, maybe don’t think Boston, think how fast can I run up that hill. I wonder who else would like to do that? Or if you do go to Boston, how you’d run it if it were just a hill with a couple of mates.
Change your perspective, see how you like the challenge.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
I think I might be a little late to the party on this one because unofficial street races have been around ever since The Fast and the Furious. An old reference – that movie came out back in 2001!
In endurance sports, you are seeing more and more people create unofficial races, events or just organising solo challenges because they want to. They still train as if it were a race – the only real difference being no medal and no finish line.
How Endurance Sports Changed after Covid 19
The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 made several lasting impressions and I think this was a catalyst in endurance sports.
With no races to enter and nothing to big up, people had to create their own challenges that would provide much needed motivation. They looked to intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic gratification.
Today you can find individuals and groups of people that’ve carried on this new tradition – people who do things because they can and because they want to. Check Instagram and look into this, there are so many unofficial races where there is no winner. It’s so cool and so refreshing!
The Evolving Perspective of Endurance Races
But go simpler than that. Look at the amount of people still going out and smashing a 5km that they go full gas on, yet all they get is a fist pump. The mantra and reason we do this is because it’s enjoyable, it’s fun, different and stimulating. We are no longer bound to a poorly designed t-shirt and bruised peach.
Final Thoughts
What does this mean for official races? In reality… nothing. Big races will always be big races, they showcase our sports. But the way we approach them will shift, unofficial races and challenges have a totally different vibe. Where a PB (personal best) isn’t the win, it’s the smile.
Next time you look for a goal, maybe don’t think Boston, think how fast can I run up that hill. I wonder who else would like to do that? Or if you do go to Boston, how you’d run it if it were just a hill with a couple of mates.
Change your perspective, see how you like the challenge.
FUN - Honesty - Simplicity - Smash Life - Mental Toughness - Hard Work
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
