Comments on: Through heaven and hell: Ultramarathons that go beyond human limits http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/ travel culture worldwide Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Katie Spotz Breaks Transatlantic Rowing Record http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/#comment-43845 Katie Spotz Breaks Transatlantic Rowing Record Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:27:51 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=887#comment-43845 [...] first in her age group in a half ironman triathlon and completed the 62-mile Oxfam Trail Run, an ultramarathon held in Melbourne, Australia. She’s also run 150 miles self-supported across the Mojave and [...] [...] first in her age group in a half ironman triathlon and completed the 62-mile Oxfam Trail Run, an ultramarathon held in Melbourne, Australia. She’s also run 150 miles self-supported across the Mojave and [...]

]]> By: late_stranger http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/#comment-42709 late_stranger Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:27:03 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=887#comment-42709 I agree with Julie: I love to walk, trek, or even climb. I hate running. I think I could reach a higher 'transcendence' walking around the block 6 thousand times. Or even walking the 135 miles of the Badwater. But running would be hell. Slow and steady for me! I agree with Julie: I love to walk, trek, or even climb. I hate running. I think I could reach a higher ‘transcendence’ walking around the block 6 thousand times. Or even walking the 135 miles of the Badwater. But running would be hell. Slow and steady for me!

]]> By: Julie http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/#comment-42803 Julie Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:19:07 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=887#comment-42803 I'd rather walk. :) Seriously, I recently saw a documentary called "The Spirit of the Marathon" and was amazed by the variety and intensity and commitment of marathoners. There's no doubt it takes a special person for any marathon, but especially the kinds you mention here. I’d rather walk. :)
Seriously, I recently saw a documentary called “The Spirit of the Marathon” and was amazed by the variety and intensity and commitment of marathoners. There’s no doubt it takes a special person for any marathon, but especially the kinds you mention here.

]]> By: Sarah http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/#comment-42801 Sarah Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:03:37 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=887#comment-42801 I do think the spiritual transcendence/long distance running connection is underrated. There are times, during long runs of 2 or 3 plus hours, when I feel utterly detached from everything. In fact, sometimes the whole day afterwards I feel this mind/body disconnect. (which can be remedied with pancakes and/or cold beers.) I don't think that the ultramarathon or even the marathon are about staying in shape or fitness or even extreme fitness as much as they are about the bizarre or noble desire to triumph over one's own mind. Because really, there comes a certain point at which it's all psychological. Running around the block 6,000 times??? WOW. I am the type of person who needs crowds of thousands cheering and some speakers blasting "I Will Survive" to really rock a marathon. I can't even imagine what kind of state you'd have to be in to pull it off on one block, over and over... I do think the spiritual transcendence/long distance running connection is underrated. There are times, during long runs of 2 or 3 plus hours, when I feel utterly detached from everything. In fact, sometimes the whole day afterwards I feel this mind/body disconnect. (which can be remedied with pancakes and/or cold beers.)

I don’t think that the ultramarathon or even the marathon are about staying in shape or fitness or even extreme fitness as much as they are about the bizarre or noble desire to triumph over one’s own mind. Because really, there comes a certain point at which it’s all psychological. Running around the block 6,000 times??? WOW. I am the type of person who needs crowds of thousands cheering and some speakers blasting “I Will Survive” to really rock a marathon. I can’t even imagine what kind of state you’d have to be in to pull it off on one block, over and over…

]]> By: Turner http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/#comment-42786 Turner Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:09:01 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=887#comment-42786 I'm all for fulfilling or exceeding the limits of humanity's athletic potential, but some of these races seem on the verge of insanity to me; the human body wasn't meant to run hundreds of miles at extreme temperatures for feats of glory. And this is coming from someone who's finished a few marathons. Then again, Christopher McDougall has never really had a problem with his feet... maybe there's a genetic subset of runners in the human genome. Makes me think I should consider gene therapy... I’m all for fulfilling or exceeding the limits of humanity’s athletic potential, but some of these races seem on the verge of insanity to me; the human body wasn’t meant to run hundreds of miles at extreme temperatures for feats of glory. And this is coming from someone who’s finished a few marathons.

Then again, Christopher McDougall has never really had a problem with his feet… maybe there’s a genetic subset of runners in the human genome. Makes me think I should consider gene therapy…

]]> By: Jason http://matadornetwork.com/sports/running-to-heaven-racing-through-hell-ultramarathons-that-go-beyond-human-limits/#comment-42790 Jason Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:18:08 +0000 http://matadorsports.com/?p=887#comment-42790 Awesome cover pic! As for the race...I think I'll just drive instead. :) Awesome cover pic! As for the race…I think I’ll just drive instead. :)

]]>