• Linking Park: 2007-W02

    edited by Alexander Becker on January 14, 2007 | Link

    The Wired edition, not the iPhone review. Dedicated to the science of human enhancement, anaerobic animals, doping, and the joy of a special ride.

    Wired's january issue introduces the perfect human, in terms of physical endurance at least --

    Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 days. He does 200 miles just for fun.

    The WOW-attitude of pushing performance beyond its limits is the overall theme --

    Karnazes' transformation from a tequila-sodden party animal into an international symbol of human achievement is as educational as it is inspirational. Here's his advice for pushing athletic performance from the unthinkable to the untouchable.

    The man's diet, while seeming insane at first, looks very familiar, high fat and cycled carb feasts, I can personally attest that it works like magic --

    The high-fat pig-out fuels Karnazes' long jaunts, which can burn more than 9,000 calories a day. What he needs is massive amounts of energy, and fat contains roughly twice as many calories per gram as carbohydrates. Hence, pizza and eclairs. When he's not in the midst of some record-breaking exploit, Karnazes maintains a monkish diet, eating grilled salmon five nights a week. He strictly avoids processed sugars and fried foods -- no cookies or doughnuts. He even tries to steer clear of too much fruit because it contains a lot of sugar. He believes this approach -- which nutritionists call a slow-carb diet -- has reshaped him, lowering his body fat and building lean muscle. It also makes him look forward to running a race, because he can eat whatever he wants.

    Another healthy dose of attitude --

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!! What a ride!

    While Karnazes' feats are truly amazing, on the subject of running, I tend to agree more with Charles Poliquin, who made a point in his question of strength --

    We're made to throw a rock at the rabbit, not to chase it. We're basically anaerobic animals.

    Back at Wired, there is the righteous fury of Dick Pound, as head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, this man is on a crusade to rid elite sports of performance-enhancing drugs.

    Performance-enhancing drugs? Doping? Why not? Some restrictions apply, though. Not just food for thought but the case for supplements is somewhat related, on a slightly different level --

    Think balancing foods. While eliminating the convenient-yet-unhealthy isn't always possible, try to diminish the influence of negative supplementation by providing positive counterweights. Fishoil against saturated fats for example. Saturated fats won't kill you. It is the ratio of saturated to poly- to monounsaturated fats that you can manipulate in your favor.

    The book of the week? Dean Karnazes is the Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner.

    To your excellent life.

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