Marathon Challenge
by Nova
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: NovaDirector: Nova
Brand: Wgbh Wholesale
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 56 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-02-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS
Product features:
- 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. But how do you run 26 miles if you have trouble making it around the block? With good coaching, discipline, and lots of group support, as NOVA shows when it follows 13 sedentary people through a nine-month regimen designed to prepare
Movie Reviews of Marathon Challenge
Movie Review: Inspiring and Interesting!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest marathon, with 20,000 runners participating in 2007. NOVA, with the help of nearby Tufts University experts and a former Boston Marathon, decided to find out if ordinary people (those who might watch, but not even think of entering) could successfully participate with only 9 months of preparation.
Twelve were randomly selected from a much larger number. First they went through basic screening to determine their fat composition (all the women were high in fat composition, though not all were overweight), and heart condition. The latter was assessed through stress testing - one overweight (74 lbs.) woman's wave-pattern was alarming enough that doctors stopped her test. Fortunately, after about two-weeks of preparation they decided she could proceed. (Interesting asides - doctors pointed out that stress testing performance had a strong genetic component, and that those previously in good aerobic condition tended to remain so - even after discontinuing their exercise program.) At this point the group include the previously mentioned considerably overweight woman, a diabetic female, a 13-year HIV veteran male, and others with shin splints and knee problems. Ages ranged from 28 to 60.
After the initial 9 weeks training one female had to drop out because of recurring stress fractures; she was replaced by a 300+ lb. former professional football lineman. It was also interesting to learn that 90% of the participants' aerobic improvement had occurred at this point - thus, running marathons is not required to substantially improve one's physical condition. Another interesting fact was that well-conditioned humans can outrun dogs and horses over a distance - they overheat and fade, while humans cool off more efficiently. It was also pointed out there two types of muscles - one that responds powerfully for a short interval (eg. the football player), and another that has strong endurance (marathon runners).
After five months' training the participants were going ten miles. At the end of training it was twenty - several had problems finishing because their bodies ran out of energy ("hitting the wall") due to not eating enough prior to and during the run.
The good news was that all twelve finished the Boston Marathon itself - despite numerous aches and pains. The bad news is that there was little change in their body fat content or weight - except for the one woman who started out 74 lbs. overweight. She lost 45 lbs.
Bottom Line: We can do it!
Summary of Marathon Challenge
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