Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by martyb on Monday October 13 2014, @12:55PM   Printer-friendly
from the probably-just-under-two-hours dept.

Alex Hutchinson writes at Runner's World that runners have cut the distance to the sub-two-hour marathon in half since 1998, but it will get progressively harder to trim the remaining seconds. Still, the physiologists tell us that it’s not impossible, meaning it is possible. Hutchinson says it will take several things: a cold day in March or November; a straight, flat course that is mind-numbingly boring; pacemakers who will shepherd leaders around the course cutting the wind and setting the pace; and a runner with a frame of about 5'6", weight of about 120 pounds, and towering self-confidence.

The road is so flat and straight, you can see them coming from a mile away. Six runners flow in arrowhead formation around the Canadian city of Saskatoon. The early November air is still and dry, the sky overcast, and the temperature hovers a bit above freezing, just as predicted. All in their early 20s, they’ve been training together for this moment for years; only in the last month did their coach select which three will go for the record. The remaining three form the front of the arrowhead, blocking the wind and enduring the mental effort of controlling the pace. Should one of them cross the finish line in two hours—or faster—all six will share equally in the $50 million jackpot promised by the heirs to the Hoka One One fortune. The pot of money is up for grabs, for any runner, anywhere in the world. The chase is on. So, will they make it? And what year is this?

I’m saying the year is...2075—and they make it.

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 13 2014, @01:29PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 13 2014, @01:29PM (#105534)

    At least they only stay for a few mins. Mine stay for months and eat my yard and leave a carpet of geese shit everywhere. Then dont go near them as they puff up and charge at you.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 13 2014, @01:54PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 13 2014, @01:54PM (#105547)

    Well when I got pooped on by the Canada geese I was lying down on my picnic table resting after doing some yard work. I saw the flock fly overhead, and about 4 or 5 seconds later I felt something hit my cheek and heard a couple of other thuds of something hitting the picnic table. It was goose shit. If my mouth had been open, I would have had a big piece of goose shit on my tonsils!