On a recent episode of NBC's "The Biggest Loser", the 4 remaining contestants were given their final challenge: run a marathon. They had 60 days to train, and although the episode doesn't discuss the details of their training program, we assume that they did most of the training on their own. Maybe some people found inspiration by watching the contestants struggle through the 26.2 mile race. But as I watched the episode, I just became more and more frustrated. Am I the only one? Let me say up front that I am not a fan of the show, as I think it sets viewers up for unrealistic expectations about how much weight they can safely lose in a certain amount of time. I watched this episode online after it aired. I know a lot of people draw huge inspiration from the show, and it has encouraged some people to take the first steps towards changing their lives. And that's a good thing. But running a marathon with just 60 days to train? I think that's irresponsible. Having run 5 marathons myself, I know what kind of training is involved. Most training programs are 16 to 18 weeks in length, and assume you've been running an average of 12-15 miles a week for a year before you start. They are a long-term commitment, because it takes your body a long time to safely build up the endurance to tackle such a distance. But if you train properly, it can be an amazing experience. The episode didn't talk much about how the contestants trained for the race. One person commented that the farthest training run they did was 15 miles. I'm sure it would have been difficult to do more with only 60 days to train, but that can make for a rough race (both physically and mentally) when you've only trained for a little over half of the distance. They also didn't say whether they were coached about other options like the run/walk method. It seemed like they were just told they were going to "run a marathon". The run/walk method would have been a great option for them, perhaps running for one minute and then walking for a minute, following this pattern for most of the race. I love running marathons, and get very excited when others decide they are ready to tackle the challenge for the first time. But I felt like this episode put marathons in a bad light (completely grueling and not at all enjoyable), and also gave viewers a very unrealistic idea of what it takes to successfully train for a race of this distance. To me, it's dangerous to take someone who's only been exercising regularly for a few months, give them 2 months to train, and then send them out to run over 26 miles. It took at 2 of the contestants over 7 hours to complete the distance. At that point, you've stressed your body for so long that I'd begin to worry about the health of the participants. I know this blog will draw some heated comments from fans of the show who don't agree with my opinion. (And that's fine, as long as you post your comments in a respectful way.) But am I really off-base when I say it's irresponsible to have the contestants do this? What do you think?
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My first marathon was the hardest to train for because I started when I was still 200+ pounds. It took immense dedication to train, but I did it and I believe the Biggest Loser contestants can do it too.
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After being a very successful cross country runner in high school and going through the winter with no training, I flew to Hawaii to run in a race that was 8.25 miles (the Great Aloha Run). That hurt like everything. I hadn't trained in so long that I couldn't make the distance anymore. I had been up to 10 miles, but then I could only limp into 8. It isn't like people can just up and run. It takes a lot of training, dedication, and mental fortitude to do that.
I think that they're asking for these poor people to drop dead! It's seriously dangerous to do some of what they're doing. It may also make people think that they should be able to go run a marathon after training for 2 months if those people on the show can do it. I'm less than half the weight of those people and I'm in decent shape, but without serious training for about 6 months I wouldn't be able to consider doing a marathon. Their accomplishments don't inspire me because I can't help but be afraid for their safety.
People are crazy in what they'll do for money! Report
However, it does inspire me to keep making healthy choices in my life and do things the right way. I am a marathon runner and I know the dedication it takes not just to train for, but to finish a race of that distance. Like another person said, it gives me motivation to keep going - if they can do it with so little training, I certainly can with all my miles logged. Report
I want to exercise because I enjoy it. That's what makes me go back. I really do hate running, but I'm hoping to slowly build up my endurance, so that when I get to the point where I can run 30 minutes straight, my body and my mind will be enjoying it.
I eat for enjoyment, I exercise for enjoyment, I live for enjoyment. All those things I should be doing responsibly.
If my body hurts, it's just a deterrent for me to do it again.
If my body hurts, I won't be able to exercise more.
If I pace myself, I can do anything. Report
I saw this show for the first time this spring. The idea that this show presents is to think "I can do this, try don't quit." I think that we all have to have common sense, and recognize the limitations of the show. I am inspired by the people and their commitment to change. Report
As a marathoner myself, I would like to say that training, and training for a marathon are two different things. I give myself the full 18 weeks to properly train and I didn't run my first marathon until I had been running for 2 years.
This episode reminds me of a BBC show that took a group of non-runners and in 4 months were going to train them to run the London Marathon. Some dropped out during the training, some didn't fair well during the marathon. The series illustrated falsely that a marathon doesn't require a lot of training. It only aired that one year. I feel it and the BL show can give the wrong impression to those who aren't knowledgeable about the proper way to prepare for a marathon.
It's a distance that deserves respect. If you don't prepare properly it will bite you big time! Report
I do think the show sets up unrealistic expectations. They do adapt exercise to each person's restrictions, and respected everyone's health issues but this is not always clear and obvious to the viewer. They also don't often mention that contestants do two, two-hour workouts a day, and have cadrio "homework" in the evening, so even if you do intense workouts like they do on the show, once a day would not even be enough to get the results people get on the show.
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I did it. It was an excellent opportunity to teach my kids on many levels. It even helped them in seeing an adult in their lives attempt a "huge" goal by breaking it down into weekly parts to try to accomplish this event. They were there at the Finish Line cheering me on. It was a cool memory in many ways!
It isn't worth being a form of torture to prove nothing. Report
I do not know how a person could train for a marathon in only 60 days. This would be very irresponsible if the show did not provide a doctor to monitor the contestants' conditions to make sure they were healthy enough to take on the challenge during the training days. I don't know how much professional supervision was or was not provided, though.
There was a documentary on PBS where a group of people, many whom were overweight, trained for a marathon over the course of several months. Some had to drop out because of injuries or an underlying medical condition doctors found. I thought this was a good program, which you might be able to watch online. Report
some of what they learn is positive new behavior and it can only help to move them in the right direction. I just think the scale is tipped to far in the other direction - ratings... it is all about ratings! Report
As for training for the marathon, I believe they built alot of stamina all along with all the treadmill they did. They all had GREAT pride in themselves over their accomplishment. I would NOT ever take that away. Granted, none of them may ever want to do that again....but they DID really feel so proud of themselves....
You know, folks of the sizes of the last contestants....need encouragement not downer comments. Sorry that is just my opinion! Report
YES, since they did it and showed the rest of us they could. Report
Well I think it gives them hope and makes them realise they can get up off the butts and get moving. I think our nation needs a good waking up and if this is what it takes to do it, God bless them for doing the show.
We all can sit back and have a negative opinion about anything, but it is timer to find the positives in this show.
They did a show "Where are They Now"? I was very happy to see many of these obese people are still fit and they are helping others acheive there goals at weight loss.
There are thousands of people that have lost weight because they were inspired by the changes in these peoples lives.
Realistic to think you can acheive it in a short period of time? NO! But very moving and inspirational to know that you can accomplish anything you want if you set your mind to it.
If you take a look at the at home players, many of the had dramatic weight loss too! There lives were forever changed also.
Thank you for letting me be a part of this conversation. I hope you read all of the posts. Report
But it is great to see how much common sense Jen has been blessed with!!! Report
Sam Report
I do find the show in general inspiring in the joy that the contestants have. When they have had no where else to turn. I don't care for the drama or the yelling. I really just like to watch the reactions. Report
I think there needs to be more information provided about what goes on behind the scenes. It would be interesting to hear how these individuals trained for a marathon. Report
I do think that the marathon idea is irresponsible and I thought that the bike ride to open the new season was very irresponsible, too. One thing that they do need to take into consideration is that there is always going to be one person who is so competitive, they push themselves way too hard and end up getting sick or injured. This is what happened with Tracy, the girl who collapsed on the beach run at the beginning of season 8. She does bear some responsibility in that because her competitiveness got in the way of good judgement.
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The choice is up to them how and when they train. If they choose to walk, they are able to. It is a test for them not only physically but mentally. Most of these people are so close to death now, that they are being given a second chance to learn how to live again. In a healthy way.
I have only begun begin a runner over the past two years. I have done half marathons, but I feel that if you have the patience and the drive to suceed, you can do a full in any amount of training. Especially if you are in the gym 4-6 hours a day as it is.
This was a great blog though, it is fun to see others opinion. Report
If you read about this show or see interviews with the contestants, they admitt to working out 6 hours or more a day and have people prepare their food.
Which is frustrating because, I don't even get a modest amount of the "big numbers" weight loss in any of my weeks. Even when I'm in training for a 5k race.
But then again, you also see the ones who lose 3 or 4 lbs and think the the best way.
Probabely the best show of this season (or any) is the one where they went back to contestants' homes and the viewer see that soem of them gain some or nearly all the weight back ebcasue of their situations at home.
(One wife admmitted that her husband's weigth lost made her feel insecure so she pretty much wasn't supporting him).
I like to see more of that. Because that is real life. Report
Danny and Liz both finished their BL marathon in 6:55:22. I'm not sure if Danny has since actually run a qualifying race - but that isn't even good enough for a 90 year old time to qualify for Boston. Anyone older than 80 must finish in UNDER 5 hours to qualify. He didn't do that and he's not 80. I'm not sure exactly how old he is - But let's say he's 40. Well he'd have to run a qualifying marathon in less than 3 hours, 20 minutes and 59 seconds.
After watching a friend of mine's HEART BREAK, because she ran her marathon in 3 hours 41 minutes and 14 seconds... missing Boston by FIFTEEN SECONDS - this honestly makes me a little upset.
I'm sad to read that this guy gets let in - when so many RUNNERS get left out... because of these qualifying times.
Just like the triathlon community was quited miffed about the Biggest Loser winner Matt being let in to Kona's grueling IRONMAN - and not even finishing the race for a qualifying time, and never completing a qualifying race before hand. This is a big deal because people all over the world have to also complete a qualifying race, in a qualifying time and actually work hard to get those few covetted slots.
I do believe everyone should get their crack. But races that have to be EARNED to be entered, should not be tainted by star or preferrential treatment.
**steps off soapbox.** Report
This is STUPID. Do you see those braces, bandages and tape on their legs. Yes it is because of over-use injuries.. though the show rarely brings these things up.
Do you know how many people want to run a marathon in their life. A lot. They are called "The One - and Done" club. Running a marathon can be a wonderful event, and when you finish, no one can ever take that achievement away from you.
However, with charities, etc sticking their hands into the marathon movement, they tell people - YES YOU CAN.. in only 16-20 weeks, YOU TOO can be a marathon runner! Yes, that IS how long a training program is... IF you've been running 20-25 miles a week for a year. Truth is, a "beginners" or "novice" plan isn't for beginning MOVERS, it is for runners moving up to the marathon distance.
Now these contestants have been training for 2-3 months before given this assignment, a perfect time to tackle the half marathon distance.. and not the full distance. Some people can get away with less training before hand - they just have a natural ability - and others are injury prone. So someone like Tara - does great... where someone like Ron struggles.
I never would have had Ron do a marathon. EVER. NEVER. But he did. He finishes. No one can ever take that away from him. That is his victory, it is his success. I think if the show wasn't there, he never would have tried - though to be honest --- how much damage was done to his body - I cannot attest to that, as I am not a doctor...
but as a marathon runner myself - I far prefer people who leave it saying - this was awesome. I feel empowered, strong, and great. Not those who finish, struggle through every movement - and then swear off running ANY DISTANCE for good.
Put me in the irresponsible camp. Report
I've never run a marathon or even attempted to do anything near that so I can't comment on the that aspect. But I know that it had to be alot of stress on their bodies and I can't imagine that that is a good thing in any situations. I can't do a mile without my knee being in pain and that can last anywhere from a day to a week depending on if I stopped immediately, if I was able to sit down with hot/cold packs and if I was wearing a knee brace. I don't want to imagine the pain of those people after that marathon was over. Report