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"Who is this guy? I’ve never seen anything like it. And during the race, I kept an eye on him and around mile 70 — he weighed probably 260 pounds, which is quit

"Who is this guy? I’ve never seen anything like it. And during the race, I kept an eye on him and around mile 70 — he weighed probably 260 pounds, which is quite large for an ultra runner — he had broken all the small bones in both of his feet and had kidney damage and he finished the race." Running 100s at 260 pounds - and continuing through kidney damage and broken foot bones isn't tough - it's just stupid.

rm_-rf_slash 11y ago
It's also necessary in some circumstances. Kidney damage and broken foot bones probably won't kill you. Getting caught will.
- ErikAugust 11y ago
  It's an ultramarathon - not a battle.
- stephencanon 11y ago
  Kidney damage will absolutely kill you if left untreated.
  - thescriptkiddie 11y ago
    It can still kill you if treated, too. There's a reason you come from the factory with two of those - they're fragile.
    - pavel_lishin 11y ago
      Seems like all the more reason to avoid damaging them unnecessarily.
- anigbrowl 11y ago
  Yes, but this isn't one of them. Inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality is a symptomatic of mental illness. I have been in a number of life-or-death situations and absolutely there are times you should just pursue your objective even if you get damaged in the process, or you won't survive. But if you are damaging yourself like that absent any actual danger, you have a different kind of problem.
ErikAugust 11y ago
I think the 260 pounds, kidney damage, and broken bones things might be the writer greatly over-dramatizing this part of the story, too. Why do I think this? David Goggins ran a 50 mile ultra a little over a month after the San Diego 100: http://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=David&lname=Goggins http://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=David&... (Scroll down to 2006). David is undoubtedly a very tough (and gifted) endurance athlete. No doubt about that - just look at his results. But I also think overblowing these stories is dangerous. No one should ever think that they should battle serious kidney damage (and risk death) in order to finish a completely optional foot race.
- gist 11y ago
  "No one should ever think that they should battle serious kidney damage (and risk death) in order to finish a completely optional foot race." I agree. But I have to ask you this question (since I see that you are quite accomplished in this area from your webpage). Isn't there a strong mental component to people who do these types of things? (I don't have that currently although I have exercised nearly every day for the past 18 or so years..) My point is if someone goes down a certain path which they believe will make them happy (or fit) aren't they compelled to keep up with what they have started for almost mental health purposes? I am reminded of when I used to run everyday even when it was snowing or raining heavily (I used to tape bags around my feet). I no longer do that and looking back I think it was a bit crazy when I did (although it felt great and as if I had accomplished something by enduring harsh (to me) conditions).
  - ErikAugust 11y ago
    Oh, yes, definitely. Through habit and positive reinforcement, the psychological drive to run, train and race grows wildly in some people - and it can grow dangerously large. As a result, people run their way to injury and other serious long-term health repercussions. See the article someone posted above, for notable examples. The mind is so powerful - it can override everything, to the complete detriment of the body. And even if most of the injuries and health problems aren't life threatening - it's truly sad because by overdoing it, you can still kill your ability to run, the thing you love to do. I think to be successful in the long-term - meaning, staying mostly injury-free, improving performance over time, and performing at your peak in your races - is to be absolutely exceptional at governing that psychological drive.
nugget 11y ago
A friend of mine went through BUDS. He told me once that the key to surviving hell week was simply to mentally accept that you would either keep going and pass, or literally die in the surf. No middle ground. A lot of the candidates get hurt in the training. It's stupid. But it's also a very extreme form of mental discipline and commitment that they probably take with them for the rest of their lives, for better and for worse.
gist 11y ago
I also take issue with the worship of the billionaire. When someone has money they are eccentric and admired as if they have found some secret answer to happiness. When they don't they are simply crazy. He says "“I asked him to come live with my family and I for a month…". I wonder the impact of having this stranger live with them to learn these arbitrary secrets (and to what end exactly we aren't talking about trying to stop smoking or learn to walk when you are crippled, right?) on his family and how they felt about it.

rm_-rf_slash 11y ago

It's also necessary in some circumstances. Kidney damage and broken foot bones probably won't kill you. Getting caught will.

ErikAugust 11y ago
It's an ultramarathon - not a battle.
stephencanon 11y ago
Kidney damage will absolutely kill you if left untreated.
- thescriptkiddie 11y ago
  It can still kill you if treated, too. There's a reason you come from the factory with two of those - they're fragile.
  - pavel_lishin 11y ago
    Seems like all the more reason to avoid damaging them unnecessarily.
anigbrowl 11y ago
Yes, but this isn't one of them. Inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality is a symptomatic of mental illness. I have been in a number of life-or-death situations and absolutely there are times you should just pursue your objective even if you get damaged in the process, or you won't survive. But if you are damaging yourself like that absent any actual danger, you have a different kind of problem.

ErikAugust 11y ago

I think the 260 pounds, kidney damage, and broken bones things might be the writer greatly over-dramatizing this part of the story, too. Why do I think this? David Goggins ran a 50 mile ultra a little over a month after the San Diego 100: http://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=David&lname=Goggins http://ultrasignup.com/results_participant.aspx?fname=David&... (Scroll down to 2006). David is undoubtedly a very tough (and gifted) endurance athlete. No doubt about that - just look at his results. But I also think overblowing these stories is dangerous. No one should ever think that they should battle serious kidney damage (and risk death) in order to finish a completely optional foot race.

gist 11y ago
"No one should ever think that they should battle serious kidney damage (and risk death) in order to finish a completely optional foot race." I agree. But I have to ask you this question (since I see that you are quite accomplished in this area from your webpage). Isn't there a strong mental component to people who do these types of things? (I don't have that currently although I have exercised nearly every day for the past 18 or so years..) My point is if someone goes down a certain path which they believe will make them happy (or fit) aren't they compelled to keep up with what they have started for almost mental health purposes? I am reminded of when I used to run everyday even when it was snowing or raining heavily (I used to tape bags around my feet). I no longer do that and looking back I think it was a bit crazy when I did (although it felt great and as if I had accomplished something by enduring harsh (to me) conditions).
- ErikAugust 11y ago
  Oh, yes, definitely. Through habit and positive reinforcement, the psychological drive to run, train and race grows wildly in some people - and it can grow dangerously large. As a result, people run their way to injury and other serious long-term health repercussions. See the article someone posted above, for notable examples. The mind is so powerful - it can override everything, to the complete detriment of the body. And even if most of the injuries and health problems aren't life threatening - it's truly sad because by overdoing it, you can still kill your ability to run, the thing you love to do. I think to be successful in the long-term - meaning, staying mostly injury-free, improving performance over time, and performing at your peak in your races - is to be absolutely exceptional at governing that psychological drive.

nugget 11y ago

A friend of mine went through BUDS. He told me once that the key to surviving hell week was simply to mentally accept that you would either keep going and pass, or literally die in the surf. No middle ground. A lot of the candidates get hurt in the training. It's stupid. But it's also a very extreme form of mental discipline and commitment that they probably take with them for the rest of their lives, for better and for worse.

gist 11y ago

I also take issue with the worship of the billionaire. When someone has money they are eccentric and admired as if they have found some secret answer to happiness. When they don't they are simply crazy. He says "“I asked him to come live with my family and I for a month…". I wonder the impact of having this stranger live with them to learn these arbitrary secrets (and to what end exactly we aren't talking about trying to stop smoking or learn to walk when you are crippled, right?) on his family and how they felt about it.