Comments on: ultra-marathon runner tells all http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all the curious study of broken things Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:37:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: knackeredhack http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/comment-page-1/#comment-24369 knackeredhack Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:23:28 +0000 http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/#comment-24369 Enzo Many thanks for visiting the blog. Noakes is a leading authority on distance running, and an ultra runner of some standing. When we look for role models, it is important to know whether their example can be replicated successfully. Some people may be built with Karnazes' constitution and able to follow what he does, but I suspect he is the exception, and that is the danger in offering oneself up with the implication that if I can do it, anyone can. Everyone is free to make their own choices, but it is important to know that there can be significant side effects from excessive distance running that don't result in optimum health. Tim Enzo

Many thanks for visiting the blog. Noakes is a leading authority on distance running, and an ultra runner of some standing.

When we look for role models, it is important to know whether their example can be replicated successfully. Some people may be built with Karnazes’ constitution and able to follow what he does, but I suspect he is the exception, and that is the danger in offering oneself up with the implication that if I can do it, anyone can.

Everyone is free to make their own choices, but it is important to know that there can be significant side effects from excessive distance running that don’t result in optimum health.

Tim

]]> By: Enzo http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/comment-page-1/#comment-24365 Enzo Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:58:53 +0000 http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/#comment-24365 Dr Noakes sounds like someone who doesn't run ultras and doesn't know what the human body is capable of. Karnazes was at the point (and I'm sure the other ultra runners) where he could run a marathon on any given day. There was no need for a 2 week recovery. Karnazes finished 50 marathons in 50 days. So much for Dr. Noakes. Dr Noakes sounds like someone who doesn’t run ultras and doesn’t know what the human body is capable of.

Karnazes was at the point (and I’m sure the other ultra runners) where he could run a marathon on any given day. There was no need for a 2 week recovery.

Karnazes finished 50 marathons in 50 days. So much for Dr. Noakes.

]]> By: knackeredhack http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/comment-page-1/#comment-548 knackeredhack Tue, 29 May 2007 09:30:49 +0000 http://knackeredhack.com/2007/05/29/ultra-marathon-runner-tells-all/#comment-548 Knackered Dowunder, you're right. I think the high mileage events and so many back to back must be dangerous. Dr Tim Noakes in his seminal book The Lore of Running, argues that two marathons per year should be an upper limit. He also indicates that mental function can take up to a month to recover from a 26-mile marathon. I'm not convinced the average body has time enough to recover that well from so much running. What is interesting is that he does a lot of cross-training, and there is quite a wide variation in his weekly mileage. I've heard he mountain bikes and windsurfs, and does gym work to maintain muscle bulk. So a lot of activity that will boost core stability and prevent the muscle wastage that can accompany too much long slow running. That must be a large part of why he is injury free. Knackered Dowunder, you’re right. I think the high mileage events and so many back to back must be dangerous. Dr Tim Noakes in his seminal book The Lore of Running, argues that two marathons per year should be an upper limit. He also indicates that mental function can take up to a month to recover from a 26-mile marathon. I’m not convinced the average body has time enough to recover that well from so much running.

What is interesting is that he does a lot of cross-training, and there is quite a wide variation in his weekly mileage. I’ve heard he mountain bikes and windsurfs, and does gym work to maintain muscle bulk. So a lot of activity that will boost core stability and prevent the muscle wastage that can accompany too much long slow running. That must be a large part of why he is injury free.

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