April 6, 2021 / Being Boring

Until the 1980s distance runners in the USA were amateurs for the most part and then the rules were changed and some become professional. Performance in big events was the way you landed a contract. But now a social media following is another route....   That fact remains that for elite runners who are fortunate enough to get one, a shoe contract is the most dependable way to make a living as a pro. But while in previous eras an athlete’s value might be based primarily on podium finishes or qualification for marquee events like the Olympics, the brave new world of influencer marketing and social media has added another dimension. So to what degree have Instagram and Twitter upended the traditional approach for brands that are trying to figure out which athlete to sponsor? https://www.outsideonline.com/2422032/running-sponsorships-noah-droddy  #AND3RSON #HeartFailureSurvivor #EnduranceAthlete  In March of 2020, I slipped on the illegally dumped cooking grease in front of John’s Burger and couldn’t walk for 6 weeks. This was my first injury since I started Endurance Training in 1979. Then in late April of 2020, I ended up in the hospital for the first time in my life. The diagnosis was Congestive Heart Failure.   This Vlog / Podcast documents my Sixth Decade of Endurance Training. The past Decade was about HOW FAR I could go.  This Decade will be about HOW FAST can I go post Congestive Heart Failure. https://linktr.ee/AND3RSON