What does it take for the average person to run one of the world's toughest races? NOVA finds out in a program that's both a human story and an intriguing scientific exploration of the way our bodies respond to intense exercise demands. Filmed in cooperation with the Boston Athletic Association, NOVA has been granted unprecedented access to the Boston Marathon course and will take viewers on a unique adventure inside the human body. Every year thousands of athletes from across the globe flock to Boston to run the city's marathon, known worldwide as the ultimate test of stamina and endurance. In the summer of 2006, NOVA began following 13 novices as they took the first step toward completing the 26.2-mile race in April 2007. The group of participants includes a variety of people from diverse backgrounds - a young woman running in memory of her mother, who died in a tragic car accident; a working single mom; even a former NFL linebacker - the unifying element is that not one of them is currently a runner. Over the nine-month training period, exercise and nutrition scientists and doctors at Tufts University use sophisticated technology to monitor the physical transformations that the participants undergo. Intimate interviews reveal the highs and lows along the way. The experience will demand a transformation of mind and body; NOVA cameras will be there, following every step.It's showing at 7pm, then again at midnight (and in HD, which I'll be DVR'ing, if'n you miss it)
http://www.klru.org/Schedule/ViewProgram.asp?VsnID=173259
The interestingly controversial bits, at least for runner geeks (which you now all qualify as - I know you've been using BodyGlide and developing opinions about socks), are that they're coached by a woman that won Boston twice. RunTex's writer calls her "a drug cheat who was suspended for two years for failing out-of-competition testing", but, to be fair, that's not exactly true. From Wikipedia (verifiable):
In 1998, an out-of-competition drug test found Pippig had an elevated ratio
of testosterone to epitestosterone, and the German Athletics Federation attempted to ban her for two years. Pippig contested the finding on the grounds that her testosterone levels were normal, and that the elevated ratio was due to a low level of epitestosterone from a long battle with chronic bowel disease and other factors. This claim was supported by a variety of independent medical experts, and a German arbitration court ultimately dismissed the case.
The other thing is that the people profiled didn't have to qualify for Boston, which kinda stinks. Fact is, Boston does extend invitations to certain people - the editor of Runners World got one last year, felt guilty, and was determined to run it in a qualifying time. Don't recall if he pulled it off or not.
Anyway, it should be worth checking out, from a number of angles.
4 comments:
So I watched Nova tonight, and I have to say it was very uplifting. Since that damn bagel run in February, I have had one issue after another with my legs. I have had friends and family tell me that I am crazy for still wanting to run, and to run a half marathon in January and February (will that count as a whole one?) But watching Betsey and the others cross that finish line was definitely inspiring.
I can't believe you would blame your leg problems on bagels. Poor bagels, what did they ever do to you?
A pack of renegade bagels wiped out her entire tribe when she was a child.
Either that, or it's antisemitism. If she was railing against Cream of Wheat, it would be antisemolinatism. Never mind.
I DVRd this and finally watched it. Wow...I don't ever want to be sedentary. This motivated me to basically keep physical activity a part of my life. The science behind it was cool. I'm curious to know my VO2 level. Those folks were truly inspiring because I think it is an incredible feat to start from a life of no or little activity to actively training for a 26.2 mile run.
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