Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
To file away in the folder of items that are at once inspiring and utterly humbling:
The marathon runner Stefaan Engels has set a new world record by completing his 365th marathon of 365 days.
The 49 year old from Belgium finished his final race in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday after running 15,000km (9,569 miles) across seven countries in a year. His 'marathon of marathons' started in Belgium last year and means that he sets a new record for the number of marathons run in a row. The previous record holder was 65 year old Akinori Kusuda of Japan, who ran 52 consecutive marathons in 2009.
Mr Engels was diagnosed with asthma as a boy and advised to avoid sports but this clearly hasn't stopped him: As well as completing this record-breaking feat he also holds the record for the most 'Ironman' Triathlons completed in a year, after finishing 20 in 2007/8.
But before you begin entertaining dreams of becoming the next Stefaan Engels, be sure to read this cautionary tale of the workout that ate a marriage.
(Photo Credit: JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
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May '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Diane Ellis, Ed.
To file away in the folder of items that are at once inspiring and utterly humbling...
...and unhealthy.
Oct '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Michael Labeit
Diane Ellis, Ed.
To file away in the folder of items that are at once inspiring and utterly humbling...
...and unhealthy. · Feb 8 at 2:05pm
I bet there's a little boy or girl somewhere with acid reflux who now knows their goal of being a professional eater is not impossible.
On a more serious note, it is a feat that demonstrates the outlying boundaries of human physical and mental stamina. As an asthmatic who does runs daily, there's a little internal pride I get from healing a story like that. But at the same time and with full understanding of the reason and rationale, it feels a little like salt in the eye since I still cannot serve in any of the branches of the military.
May '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Casey Way
Michael Labeit
Diane Ellis, Ed.
To file away in the folder of items that are at once inspiring and utterly humbling...
...and unhealthy.
I bet there's a little boy or girl somewhere with acid reflux who now knows their goal of being a professional eater is not impossible.
On a more serious note, it is a feat that demonstrates the outlying boundaries of human physical and mental stamina. As an asthmatic who does runs daily, there's a little internal pride I get from healing a story like that. But at the same time and with full understanding of the reason and rationale, it feels a little like salt in the eye since I still cannot serve in any of the branches of the military.
We have guys with asthma. They simply lie when they get to their military entrance processing station.
Oct '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Michael Labeit
We have guys with asthma. They simply lie when they get to their military entrance processing station. · Feb 8 at 4:45pm
Believe me, that's the plan for the next round. I must not have understood the "simply lie" part the first time around.
Jul '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
he'smycarboncredit.
I called it first.
Oct '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Recall the famous runner Jim Fisk ? Dropped dead running... Or Euell Gibbons ? (Misspelled firstname I think), the guy from the Pine Nuts are all you need to eat guy commercials.. Too much a good thing is not a good thing...
May '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Casey Way
Michael Labeit
We have guys with asthma. They simply lie when they get to their military entrance processing station.
Believe me, that's the plan for the next round. I must not have understood the "simply lie" part the first time around.
They'll try to intimidate you by reminding everyone that lying is a federal offense. But people do it anyway and manage. Any real danger comes when you're expected to do physical activities during boot camp (which is about every hour of every day). But if asthmatic Marines can condition themselves to complete the 3 miles on their PT test within the time limit, then its certainly possible with lesser tests of the other branches.
But being asthmatic isn't a death sentence. There are waivers and tests that, if obtained or completed respectively, will enable one to enlist/get commissioned.
Edited on Feb 8, 2011 at 5:59pmOct '10
Re: Asthmatic Man Runs 365 Marathons in 365 Days
Michael Labeit
But being asthmatic isn't a death sentence. There are waivers and tests that, if obtained or completed respectively, will enable one to enlist/get commissioned. · Feb 8 at 5:58pm
Edited on Feb 08 at 05:59 pm
Do you happen know off the top of your head what the time limit is? Also, if there is a source to find out more about these avenues I am all ears.