Marathon Challenge

Marathon Challenge, an entry from the acclaimed NOVA series, is a bit like a PBS version of Survivor, taking 13 sedentary people—many overweight and some unable to even run a short distance—and putting them through the paces of nine months worth of training for the 2007 Boston Marathon. Unlike network “reality” shows, however, Marathon Challenge is not about public humiliation or one-upmanship, but rather focuses on scientific reality. How do our bodies rise to meet the challenge of intense training? Are extreme athletes really different, physiologically speaking, from the rest of us? What internal psychological resources do we draw on when we dare to push ourselves? Both technically fascinating and personally inspiring, this intriguing documentary about couch potatoes becoming endurance runners should appeal to a wide audience. DVD extras include printable materials for educators. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Johanson)