Customer Reviews

Marathon Challenge

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

I ran my first marathon this year and I was looking forward to being inspired and motived by this documentary. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. However, if you're not a runner and want to learn more about what it takes to complete a marathon, you might find parts of this documentary interesting.

Here's the key problem: I'm not sure how the producers expected a 56 minute program to effectively cover the nine month experience of 13 first time marathoners. Very little time and dialogue is devoted to knowing who these people are; we only hear a brief summary of why they want to run. Some of the participants introduced at the begining of the film are almost completely ignored.

The film has some neat graphics that show how the inner workings of the human body during training and this was the strongest part of the film. But I was dismayed by the lack of attention to a training regimen. We're told that the participants ran short runs during the week and then progressively longer ones on the weekend. And? We see fleeting shots of the participants running in the snow and suffering through some injuries, but not much more than that.

I understand this isn't a training video, nor did I expect it to be one... but it would've been much more interesting if the film included how the lifestyle of these runners changed (e.g., eating habits, which are totally ignored), and the impact the training had on their families and loved ones. I also wanted to learn how they worked to increase their speed.

The documentary's brevity prevents the viewer from becoming engaged. When one of the participants has to quit due to injuries sustained while training, she shows up at the end of the film cheering on her fellow team members as they run the marathon. At that point in the film, I had no idea what kind of relationship she had with these people. Was there anyone in particular she bonded with or inspired? In another scene, the overall health of each participant is evaluated and most do very poorly. About 20 minutes later, we see them being re-tested and suddenly their cardiovascular systems are operating at a "superior" level. The film is so condensed that this appears very sudden, and it's awkward.

There's a moving scene at the end of the film when one of the participants, a woman in her 60s, crosses the finish line and breaks down in tears as she's being held presumably by a family member or friend. I turned off the DVD wondering where the story behind that story went. You probably will too.

I have tickets to Spirit of the Marathon which is showing in January. I only hope it's a more interesting portrayal of what being a marathoner is all about.

While the program's 1-hour time limit (total run time is about 53 minutes) and nearly year-long footage provided editing difficulties, the results of Nova's Marathon Challenge are undoubtedly heartwarming and inspiring.

The Challenge was simple: find 13 sedentary, non-athletes - people referred to initially by their coach as "dog meat" - and transform them, with structured guidance and support, into marathon finishers. Along the way their support structure is ample. A Tufts University Professor of exercise physiology, who is also an avid marathoner, serves as their guide. The Tufts track coach serves as their running mentor. Uta Pippig, a physical dynamo (won 3 Boston marathons, 1 NY marathon, was in 2 separate Olympics), provided inspiration, advice, and motivation through her cute accent, transforming the letter t into d on most occasions. Additionally, they had access to top notch medical assistance. Before the race they were given VO2 Max tests (used to calculate efficient oxygen utilization) and body composition measurements in the DEXA machine. In other terms, they were measured, weighed, evaluated, and tested to the Nth degree. Nearly all medical evaluations and tests are accompanied by a fancy animation showing the internal workings of the human body, and how running, for the most part, improves its function. I enjoyed each of these interludes and learned a few things along the way. However, making this sound like 13 people just fell off the couch and worked themselves into marathon shape without assistance is a bit disingenuous. Akin to the Biggest Loser reality show, the final accomplishment is personal; but each had a lot of help from trained professionals along the way.

Having said that, the effort would have to be a success considering 12 out of 13 original participants got to the starting line and finished the Boston Marathon. No, they didn't "qualify" for the Boston Marathon; some finished in excess of 6 hours, but they did complete the race. And that's what this documentary is about: finishing a marathon.

I would have liked to know more about each person's training beyond simply putting in the miles - which is the most important part - and perhaps some other aspects like diet, time constraints, motivating factors, running techniques/guidance provided by Uta, but for an hour the bare-bones approach has at least a few humanitarian angles in it to support most of the runners.

Geared towards the novice runner or the couch potato searching for inspiration, this should be enough to get most people off their behinds and running down the street.

This documentary is interesting in that it has me caught between two worlds. As a runner I like to have running DVDs and when I am not training seriously it is an OK view. On the other hand, when I am training heavily for an event I can't watch this - it kills my motivation to run well.

It would have been much better if J Galloway would have led it, or if there was a more realistic aim of the video. I think that, and I may be wrong, that the kinds of runners selected for this documentary were not ideal candidates. What was the purpose? I have run several marathons - for the most part self trained - and admittedly quite a slow runner coming in around the 3: 00+ mark. These folks were trained by some of the best and came in at 5 ish hrs. Why select candidates as such? As pointed out by other reviewers - the Boston was a bad choice. This is a runners Marathon and not an experimental ground. If they were in the Boston there should have been a few sub 3:00 runners, and then you would have my attention. Also, if these runners were aiming to complete the NYC (not the Boston) it would have been better. A "fun" marathon should have been the aim.

OK - then where was the NOVA magic? When discussing Max VO2 testing why not talk about exemplary athletes like Induran, Armstrong, Gabresalase, or Prefontaine. Where were the discussions on how training does things like increase the efficiency (and number of) mitochondria? Where were interviews with elite athletes discussing their training programs or motivation for running? Where were discussions addressing popularly held myths that running is just "bad" and can actually promote a lot of beneficial side effects, such as: a, b, and c?

The effort fell a bit short for me as I normally love NOVA programs. As a runner I find it hard to get good running movies - and I am not sure this one solves the issue.

Saw this show on PBS. I was a runner for many years, than stopped four years ago. Started back this year, and have loaned this DVD to folks to get them interested in participating in group who jog. I use the DVD to show them anyone can be a jogger.

As seen on public television, Marathon Challenge is a special from the educational program NOVA following thirteen ordinary men and women who give their all to complete Boston's greatest test of stamina and endurance: the 26-mile Boston Marathon. But how does an ordinary, sedentary person get in shape for such a grueling competition? Thirteen individuals devote themselves to a nine-month regimen designed specifically for preparing for the Boston Marathon, in this true-life saga of human drama that also explores the scientific biomechanics of fitness. What happens to the hearts and muscles of couch potatoes who transform themselves into long-distance runners, and what risks do they face in the process? An amazing documentary of the trials, tribulations, and wonders experienced by rookie athletes, enhanced by special DVD features such as printable material for educators, closed captioning, and described video for the visually impaired. 54 minutes, color.

One reviewer wrote that this documentary was "superficial" and another advised "don't waste your money." I disagree with both. Sure, if you're a longtime marathoner, there probably won't be anything new or profound here. But for the 99 plus percent of Americans who aren't, this is a great video. I've been a runner for a little over two years and have finished two marathons. I hope I never get cynical enough to dismiss an inspiring and well-produced show like this one, nor to make light of the accomplishments of the people portrayed in it.

I identified in some ways with all the runners in this video. I watched it twice, and enjoyed it even more the second time. My two teenage daughters watched it also and it really sparked their interest in running.

My best hero in the film is Betsy, who started out 70 pounds overweight and with serious potential heart problems, but stuck with it and finished the marathon. Betsy, you are such a great encouragement! The other person in the film I most admire is elite runner and former Boston winner Ute Pippig, whose extremely helpful approach is so important for getting people into running and into healthier lifestyles.

I've seen scores of NOVA programs and this one is the best and most memorable. Thanks, PBS.

I am glad I rented this DVD. Interesting how the subjects were given all the advantages a group of noobs could ask for and still they incured injuries.

If you're a runner, you MUST get/watch this movie! Fantastic gift for runners and runner-wannabe's.

Did this training program really get these individuals into such great condition that they actually QUALIFIED for, and then RAN the Boston Marathon? Or did did they simply run Boston as "Bandits?" I find it difficult to believe these formerly sedentary people took up running and were able to qualify for the Boston Marathon--the Crown Jewel of all marathons--in only nine months. If they did, hell, sign me up; I've run dozens of marathons and have been trying to qualify for Boston for several years!