Exercise and the brain
Marathon & Beyond Monday: Running, Aging, and Human Potential
“A fit person of age 70 is biologically similar to an unfit person of 40—this having nothing to do with genes or medical care but due solely to physical conditioning.” So says geriatrician Dr. Walter Bortz. In this week’s Marathon & Beyond Monday edition, we hear Bortz’s article entitled Running, Aging, and Human Potential
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A Case of the Jitters
Race day should be a fun day—a day of celebration and reward. Like a test you’ve studied hard for, the work has been done. It’s just a matter of applying it. But feeling anxious is not fun. And at its worst, it can ruin your race. Today on Endurance Planet, we’re going to give you an audio exercise that will help you remove the jitters and maintain a healthy focus. Our guest is Karen Dubs, creator of the Flexible Warrior yoga DVD series for multi-sport athletes.
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Pre-Race Calm Exercise
As a service to Endurance Planet listeners, we present you with this 5-minute relaxation exercise to put you in the proper mindset to train and race effectively—without undue anxiety. Thanks to Karen Dubs of Flexible Warrior.
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Completing the Barkley
Each year for a quarter of a century, a race has been held in Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee that most of the world has never heard of. The Barkley. The Barkley Marathons 100-mile Run puts the toughest ultramarathons to shame. In some ways the word “race” doesn’t quite fit with Barkley. Because—leading up to this past weekend—this “race” had only been completed 8 times. But Jonathan Basham of Allentown, Pennsylvania emerged from the woods after 59 hours and 18 minutes, alone and victorious. JB, the 9th official finisher of the grueling challenge, joins us today on Endurance Planet.
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The Road to Western States 2010: Dr. Marty Hoffman
The Western States Endurance Run is one of the oldest ultra trail events in the world and certainly one of the most challenging. But the 100-miler scheduled for June 26th is also, essentially, a research lab. Dr. Marty Hoffman is the medical director for Western States. He’s a multiple-time finisher who has completed studies on endurance sports and its effects on the human body. Today on Endurance Planet, Marty tackles questions such as: “Aren’t you doing permanent damage to your body running 100 miles?”
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My Story: Dr. John C. Taylor
My Story is an audio profile of an age-group triathlete with an interesting or inspirational story to tell. And Dr. John C. Taylor’s story certainly fits the bill. The Georgia man has been competing in triathlons for 28 years and has no intention of stopping now. What’s even more inspiring is that he didn’t begin doing triathlons until he was 60. Prior to beginning my interview with the active 88-year-old, I asked him, “Do you go by John or Dr. Taylor?” He responded, “Oh, I didn’t get my doctorate until I turned 75…you can call me John.” Today on Endurance Planet we hear from Taylor about his multisport lifestyle.
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Marathon & Beyond Monday: Hitting “The Wall”
“It felt like an elephant had jumped out of a tree onto my shoulders.” That’s how Dick Beardsley described hitting “The Wall” at the second marathon of his career. Most of us know what Beardsley spoke of but author and runner Sara Latta says that if you understand the scientific reasons behind “The Wall,” you should be able to avoid it. This week’s Marathon & Beyond Monday is a story from Latta. We hope it helps you avoid tree-dwelling elephants.
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A Different Kind of Addiction
After a battle with cancer—beginning at the age of 23—Steve Gaul found comfort “at the bottom of a whiskey bottle.” But then he traded one addiction for another. Today on Endurance Planet, the Canadian ultrarunner tells us about how his outlook has changed since he became addicted running.
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The Endurance Planet Hour
On this week’s Endurance Planet Hour we hear from a neuroscientist who is also an ultra-runner. He talks about the use of exercise as a treatment for depression and dementia. We also hear from a man you’ll find on Green Mountain every day—the incomparable Tony Krupicka.
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