This post kind of goes along with a post I wrote a little while ago, Don’t Quit Until You Got Nothing Left. We all know running a marathon is a punishing task, probably one of the hardest things we can do. Yet, it is possible for someone who has never run in their life to finish this grueling race.
Nova on PBS decided to try and see if 12 people who had never ran before in their lives could finish the Boston Marathon. In Marathon Challenge, you see what it takes for novice runners to finish this test of endurance, both physically and mentally.
In the summer of 2006, an assortment of very different individuals came together to form a quirky sports team. Not one of them was a hard-core runner; some couldn’t even make it through a mile, yet all were determined to train for the Boston Marathon. Fortunately, they had the guidance of veteran coach Don Megerle of Tufts University and superstar marathoner Uta Pippig.
Every one of them that started the race finished it. They should be very proud because not many people can actually do that. Not only did they all get in better shape, they have become more healthy and have added years to their lives. Heck, Betsy who was 70 lbs overweight lost 45 lbs AND increase her VO2max by 111%!!! PLUS, she ran the entire marathon with a urinary tract infection. I don’t think I could do it!
VO2max is the volume of oxygen a person can consume in one minute as he or she exercises at maximum exertion. In practice, it’s measured by hooking you up to a breathing apparatus and having you run as hard as you can. In endurance sports, you rely on oxygen to convert the fuel you get from food into energy for your muscles. VO2max is usually expressed in terms of body weight (milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight), so merely losing weight can improve your score over time.
Go on over to the site, you can watch all of the episodes online as well as get expert tips and the training calendar that the runners followed. But, be sure to talk to your doctor before you start exercising!!
Now let’s get out there and start moving!
