

The algorithm has led me down a relatively healthy path I could have suffered a similar fate to my sister, who now recites anti-vaxxer rhetoric after watching one too many videos about optimal parenting techniques.


In recent months, I have found myself down a rabbit hole of fitness related content on YouTube. “Because it was a good title,” said Midtbø. His friend laughed and asked, “What gave you this idea?” “In the last two years, I’ve probably run four times,” Midtbø stated as he sat on the invisible finish line in the dark. So why does anyone care if Norway’s best climber can run a marathon without training? Aren’t weighted, one-arm pull-ups impressive enough?

I’m assuming as a professional climber he still tends to his cardiovascular fitness in some capacity. I’m not surprised that Magnus could cover 26.2 miles. While he is an incredibly fit individual, he does not produce running content, nor does he discuss any previous running experience on his channel. Why is Norway’s best climber running a marathon? To his 1.77 million subscribers, Magnus is known for his engaging climbing content and training techniques with a few novel experiences thrown into the mix, most of which center around rock climbing. The video was titled, I tried to run a marathon in the hottest place on earth *without training.* A long, desolate road stretched far into the desert behind him. In it, Magnus gazed painfully into the camera. Something instantly seemed off upon inspection of the title thumbnail. I opened YouTube and noticed one of my favorite creators, elite Norwegian rock climber and popular vlogger, Magnus Midtbø, had a new upload. I had a six-mile run scheduled for that afternoon, but my brain was already constructing excuses to bail. I sat idly at my desk, scrolling through various social media apps, feeling sluggish and unmotivated.
