Why did Nicholas Thompson build a custom GPT to run faster?
to many Nicholas Thompson is known to the world as an editor, an AI enthusiast, or something like a LinkedIn influencer. But the former editor of WIRED, now CEO of The Atlantic, is often better known to colleagues as A man running to the office.
On Tuesday, Thompson is publishing Running field: a father, a son and the simplest sport. As the title suggests, this is a book about his commitment to running—Thompson runs a ridiculously fast marathon and holds the US 50K record for the 45-49 age group. Ultimately, though, the book explores the complicated relationship between the sport, Thompson, and his father, who first took him running when he was just 5 years old. Of course, the tech-obsessed will also get their fix: Running ground Includes a wealth of science-based training guidance and documentation of Thompson’s experience with Nike’s elite trainers.
In this week’s episode of Great interviewI spoke with Thompson (who was also my first boss; he hired me as an intern at WIRED in 2008) about his book, the intersection between running and addiction, and what he thinks AI can do for runners. and For writers
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Katy Drummond: Nick Thompson, welcome Great interview.
Nicholas Thompson: Thank you, Kathy. It’s a pleasure to be here with you at Condé Nast on WIRED. Some time passed. I loved going up those elevators. I would love to have you as editor. This is a plus point.
Great, I’m excited to have you here. We’ll start this conversation as we all start them, which is a few quick questions with a little warm-up.
fire away
In honor of your new book, Running groundI want to run them completely themed. Apologies to our listeners… are you ready?
I mean, if your listeners don’t want to hear about running…
… Now it’s time to go.
But let’s go
Trail run or track run?
Trail run.
Running with music or silence?
silence
Worst running injury you’ll ever have.
The Achilles tendon is cupped in an ultra.
The most bogus myth about running is the one you wish people wouldn’t talk to you about
You only need to run 20 miles before the marathon.
