Discussion: Road to Beijing

Found this website which is pretty cool. It is about a British runner who is dedicating his life to trying to make the Olympic marathon team in 2008. He is filming a documentary of the process.

Website is here: http://www.theroadtobeijing.co.uk
Video (worth watching) is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7yG4tImGd0

Pretty inspiring stuff.

This is really cool. Thanks for posting it, Rob.

The idea is cool.
I just don't think it's possible without special 'medical' preparation.

It is a bit depressing, but I think that at the end of the day it comes down to DNA. What this guy is trying to do, is work out what the maximum he can possibly squeeze out of his...

Well, he surely realizes that, just like each one of us realizes his or her limitations. Reaching your potential and being able to say "I did all I could" should be (though, granted, not always is) as satisfying as winning.

Interesting, not sure how realistic it is to go from a lardass to an Olympic marathon runner in two years however. Its impressive that he can put in this level of dedication and effort for two years but I think you'd find that most Olympic Marathon runners had put in at least the same level of effort and dedication for 10 years or longer. What do you think this guy could achieve with 10 years of dedication? Hmmm maybe just a whole heap of nasty overuse injuries and most likely not an Olympic Marathon spot but maybe a 2'25 or 2'20 marathon?

I'm pretty sure Mårten Boström is hoping to make the Finnish marathon team for 2008. Orienteering in the Olympics? no; orienteers in the Olympics? hell yeah, some gold medals back in 1960 and 1964.

Spoken like a true sage Boris. What are they feeding you over there?