Endurance a survival skill?

RUNIT · Oct 19, 2012

I believe that endurance is one of the most important parts of being a human. This video shows what humans

are capable of. The guy with no shirt is Anton Krupicka and the guy filming is Kilian Jornet. They both compete

in ultra trail running races. An ultra is any distance over a marathon. There are races off 100 miles or more that

are complete in less than 24 hours. In this video they summit Grand Teton and make it down in a little over 3

hours. As you see they carry nothing.

Is this the peak of human fitness or just stupid?

[youtube]Z_Z1-smRsoU[/youtube]

nate1714 · Oct 19, 2012

Well any exercise in any condition carries lots of risks. While running in the woods and over long distance adds significantly more risk. Compound this with no gear and there will be issues maybe not for people with support crew in some sort of formal race/run however amateur will try and may get hurt. While endurance is important in planning of any hike/canoe/ect. trip, it should be your guideline as to how much one should push themselves. Therefor this is clearly not a good idea and should not be tried with out significant planning.

Grease · Oct 20, 2012

Well, I can sure tell ya that a couch potato won't last long in the wild. Endurance is good - taking it to extremes like that... Eh, who knows.

OwenM · Oct 20, 2012

RUNIT said:
As you see they carry nothing.

Is this the peak of human fitness or just stupid?

I'd say it's both. Awesome that they did it, reckless that they are unprepared for dealing with any injury or other emergency.
When you put yourself in need of rescue, you put other people at risk.
If you ever see me mention not being able to run, or having to stop and put my pelvis and spine in alignment while hiking...I didn't get my pelvis knocked out of place being a dumbass. I did it by taking a fall and holding on to the stretcher an injured dumbass was on, instead of letting him drop.

Codger_64 · Oct 20, 2012

IMHO, endurance can enhance and augment survival skills, not replace them. As one gains life experience one usually comes to realize that they are not really ten feet tall and bulletproof. It is a hard thing for many young folks to fathom since accident and injury are outside of their personal experiences.

TheGreyMan · Oct 21, 2012

Rule #1 is cardio for a reason...

But seriously, there was a time when drinking from a seep was the norm for cross-country survival. I think humans are capable of much much more than we think when it comes to endurance.

ROCK6 · Oct 21, 2012

It's good to know what the human body can do, but as mentioned there is a lot of conditioning and planning required for such extreme activities. You really need to strike a balance, but your outdoor activity level should match your level of conditioning and it's very important you work into it slowly. Having just done my first "mud run" which was just 3.5 miles and several obstacles, it's a good test of both conditioning and endurance. What is critical is to know your own limitations and not pushing yourself to the point of inviting injury.

I have been running in Merrell barefoot shoes over the past few months and have seen a great increase in ankle, calf and quad strength and no pain in the knees. That was definitely a bonus during the cross-country mud run.

We can always joke, but another caution is too much conditioning; those with very low body fat may look good in a Speedo, but you're also closer to the threat of hypothermia if a bad situation pops up. That doesn't mean the over-weight, couch potato is better protected, but it does bring to light that balance is also needed between your conditioning and body-fat. More muscle burns more calories...a good thing when you want to maintain a healthy weight, but not necessarily a good thing when you're in survival situation. Muscle will used before fat, but these are some other considerations.

ROCK6

RUNIT · Oct 21, 2012

TheGreyMan said:
Rule #1 is cardio for a reason...

But seriously, there was a time when drinking from a seep was the norm for cross-country survival. I think humans are capable of much much more than we think when it comes to endurance.

This is 100% my feeling on this subject. With all the technology and over-thinking of worst case scenario we have taken the pureness out of outdoor activities. The "survival" aspect of going for a hike or run on trails is a moot point. What about just being able to be out in nature covering long distance testing our ability not our survival kit. I prefer to know that my body is capable of getting me out of a bad situation rather than hoping all the stuff I brought in my pack will save me.

Codger_64 · Oct 21, 2012

When you are young and in your prime, this is true. Eventually with age, your body will begin to fail you. Joints, muscles and organs don't function as they once did. Then knowledge and adaptability become more important than atheletic prowess. I know this is a hard concept for young people to grasp since they don't think it applies to them. I certainly did not when I was young and in top physical condition.

RUNIT · Oct 21, 2012

Codger_64 said:
When you are young and in your prime, this is true. Eventually with age, your body will begin to fail you. Joints, muscles and organs don't function as they once did. Then knowledge and adaptability become more important than atheletic prowess. I know this is a hard concept for young people to grasp since they don't think it applies to them. I certainly did not when I was young and in top physical condition.

I would not say I am a young man, 33, but I am in far better shape than I was when I was 21. When I go to trail running races I am often passed by people in their 40s and even 50s! There are 60 year olds who complete ultra trail runs all the time. Sure it can be said that they are lucky to not have been injured or have a disease. Maybe they have stayed healthy because they are so active. Is it a use it or lose it situation? I just think we sell ourselves short and I am guilty of this as well.

Codger_64 · Oct 21, 2012

I understand what you are saying. Physical conditioning is important as long as one is able. For instance, the last time I saw Buster Crabbe was in 1982. He was about 74 years old. We were talking about swimming (besides being and actor, he was a former Olympic gold medalist) and to prove his point about being still in good shape, he dropped and did six pushups, bounded to his feet with a grin and no loss of breath. That next year he tripped over a wastebasket in his home and died of a coronary. Exercise is good, no doubt. But physical stamina will not stave off the effects of time.

RUNIT · Oct 21, 2012

Time is never kind and we will all wear out eventually. To me it is all about quality of life. Seems to me like we see things the same way. We all enjoy this journey a little different and who am I to say what is best or right.

Bob W · Oct 21, 2012

As you see they carry nothing... Is this the peak of human fitness or just stupid?

One one hand they could be boned in an emergency. Unexpected weather change, injury, etc.

On the other hand, if something horrible happens they'll be back at the truck and headed for home while the rest of are still stuck out in the woods.

Codger_64 · Oct 21, 2012

Bob W said:
One one hand they could be boned in an emergency. Unexpected weather change, injury, etc.

On the other hand, if something horrible happens they'll be back at the truck and headed for home while the rest of are still stuck out in the woods.

Well, being the fastest runner on the trail could negate the need for bear spray if there are slower runners behind you. So there is that!

Cavalry_Scout · Oct 21, 2012

TheGreyMan said:
Rule #1 is cardio for a reason...

But seriously, there was a time when drinking from a seep was the norm for cross-country survival. I think humans are capable of much much more than we think when it comes to endurance.

That's the thing, endurance is vital to survival, but we also must consider that until tested we have no idea of our true capabilities, if that makes sense.

In Afghanistan, I saw marathon runners fall to the side in the mountains while the guys that barely made tape could move for days. We should all strive to maintain peak performance, but keep in mind that Mr.Murphy could be just around the corner.