Why the Rise of Running, Ironman & Hyrox is Awesome - But Needs to Be Respected

Written By Bailey Hough

There’s no denying it - running, Ironman, and Hyrox are booming, especially among younger athletes. We’ve seen a huge surge in 20-35-year-olds committing to big endurance goals, and honestly… we love it.

Choosing to train for a marathon or complete an Ironman shows a shift in mindset. It’s no longer just about aesthetics or generic gym routines. More people are looking to test themselves physically and mentally. That’s something we’ll always get behind.

But with that rise comes something else, something that doesn’t get as much attention:

A wave of load-related injuries, overtraining, and underprepared athletes.

Social media is Fuelling the Hype - and the Confusion

Social media has done a great job of promoting endurance sports. It’s helped break down barriers, spark interest, and build online communities that motivate people to get out the door and train.

But here’s the downside: it’s also desensitised people to how demanding these events really are.

  • A marathon isn’t “just a long run.”

  • An Ironman isn’t just a “fun challenge.”

  • Hyrox isn’t just a gym workout with a medal at the end.

These are serious athletic events, and the training demands are high. Too many people are jumping into these without a base, a plan, or a proper understanding of how to manage load.

Load & Stress Injuries Are Through the Roof

At Compound, we’re seeing a growing trend: enthusiastic athletes breaking down halfway through the prep.

We’re talking:

  • Shin splints

  • ITB syndrome

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Bone stress injuries

  • Chronic fatigue

Why? Because people are increasing their training load too quickly, skipping foundational work, and treating race prep like a short-term challenge instead of a long-term process.

More is not better. Better is better.

You Need More Than Just Motivation

Motivation gets you started. But structure, progression, and recovery are what actually get you to the finish line.

Whether you’re doing your first 10km or going all in on Ironman, you need:

  • A personalised training plan that fits your goals, schedule, and current capacity

  • Progressive load management to avoid injury

  • Strength training 2–3x/week to build durability, movement quality, and efficiency

  • An honest look at where you’re starting from, not just where you want to be

Strength Training: The Non-Negotiable

One of the biggest mistakes we see is athletes completely skipping strength work. But the research is clear: strength training improves running economy, reduces injury risk, and supports long-term consistency. Endurance athletes who lift are more resilient.

If your program doesn’t include gym work, it’s incomplete.

Train Smart. Don’t Just Survive It - Build for It.

We love the momentum behind these endurance trends. We want to see more people taking on challenges that push their limits.

But we want to see you do it right.

If you’re signing up for a marathon, Ironman, or Hyrox:

  • Get a plan built around you

  • Respect the distance

  • Train smart, recover hard, and build from the ground up

Bailey Hough
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