Insight: Nov 21

This week Insight hears from people that are driven to push their body to its limits.

Host Jenny Brockie explores the role of the mind – does it control the body’s feelings of fatigue? Can it help push us further in endurance exercise? And, what are the consequences of doing that?

In 2007, Grahak Cunningham spent 50 days running on a concrete footpath around a block in Queens, New York. He was competing in what is described as ‘the longest footrace in the world’ – the race is almost 5000km long and competitors run for 18 hours a day.

The opportunity to push beyond his limits attracted Grahak to the race. “The idea is you try and never give up and keep persevering,” Grahak says.

Sarah Hammond describes the ultra-endurance cycling races she competes in as punishing. Over the course of her rides, which can last up to 21 days, she battles with saddle sores, nerve damage, bad nutrition, dehydration and sleep deprivation.

“You’re basically ignoring every impulse in your body to stop…You have to make this decision – do you push yourself or keep going?”

The thrill of success spurs on Ant Williams. After freediving to a depth of 100 metres, a goal that took 10 years to achieve, there was plenty of celebration before looking ahead to his next challenge.

“I remember waking up every morning for the next three months with a goofy smile on my fact just going, I can’t believe I did 100 metres.”

Tim Franklin smoke, drank and partied through his late teens and early 20s. He says he weighed 115kg and was lazy. He decided to make a change. He started competing in triathlons and quickly caught the bug. Over the last decade he has competed in several Ironmans, an Ultraman and ultra-endurance marathons.

Despite finishing every Ironman race in the medical tent on a drip or in hospital, and despite advice from his friend, a cardiologist, that these types of ultra-endurance races carry significant risk, Tim shows no sign of quitting.

“There’s still a really big unhealthy person inside of me. So that keeps me driving to maintain the level of fitness and keep pushing.”

Most people happily go for a jog, a swim or a bike ride, but for many people it stops short of pushing themselves beyond their physical limits.

Tuesdays at 8.30pm on SBS.