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[twentyclicks]

In light of MikeD's thread on the Eiger - I have just seen links to this show which may also interest energetic sorts:

It's about the Scottish doctor Andrew Murray who ran to the Sahara last year - about 100 marathons distance, but in around 80 days, with no day off. That's my viewing sorted for later!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01083c3/The_Adventure_Show_The_Ultimate_Marathon_Man/

[MG1]

Yeah i heard about that guy. Thats hard going!!

Has anyone been watching the James Cracknell triolgy.

Marathon des sab
Race bacross America
Artic Yukon MTB challenge  ( i think)

The man is a machine.

[twentyclicks]

Is it on BBC? Would love to watch.

I applied to be his team mate on that South Pole race the other year. (obviously didn't get very far in that process) 

[MG1]

No mate its on the discovery channel.

Great viewing.

[suspectmonkey]

Physical ability aside, I think Cracknell comes across as an ass.  Watching their South Pole trek really irritated me... although I reckon Craig would have made a good team mate  Do like watching the programs though and personalities aside you do see some awesome looking places!

[RedLeader]

I thought the same on th pole trek. Once it started getting really tough Cracknell seemed to forget he was part of a team.

Physical ability aside, I think Cracknell comes across as an ass.  Watching their South Pole trek really irritated me... although I reckon Craig would have made a good team mate  Do like watching the programs though and personalities aside you do see some awesome looking places!

[twentyclicks]

I thought the same on th pole trek. Once it started getting really tough Cracknell seemed to forget he was part of a team.

Physical ability aside, I think Cracknell comes across as an ass.  Watching their South Pole trek really irritated me... although I reckon Craig would have made a good team mate  Do like watching the programs though and personalities aside you do see some awesome looking places!

True. The other two guys were rather impressive though in their attitude throughout... it was a very extreme regime and conditions. James certainly was wrestling with demons.... I've never been able to relate to the drive that is integral to most top athletes: it has to come from somewhere to reach those levels and there were glimpses in James, during those weak times, of what lay beneath. Such challenges strip bare even the mighty: they say everyone comes back changed. Fascinating stuff.

[MG1]

I can see why people might see him as a bit of an ass. All those guys were dropped in an alien enviroment and they all reacted differently. He's a driven athlete thats used to winning at his chosen sport. This brought him out of his comfort zone and he came through it. And the team done pretty well.

I think its good watching him, he's willing to push his body to the limit and past it. It goes to show what you can do if you want it bad enough.

[RedLeader]

He thinks the pole was bad, he should try Donard with a JD hangover  

I can see why people might see him as a bit of an ass. All those guys were dropped in an alien enviroment and they all reacted differently. He's a driven athlete thats used to winning at his chosen sport. This brought him out of his comfort zone and he came through it. And the team done pretty well.

I think its good watching him, he's willing to push his body to the limit and past it. It goes to show what you can do if you want it bad enough.

[surfnscenic]

In the book Race to The Pole whilst there were three members Cracknell, Fogel and ?  Can any of my learned friends here tell me why the third guy whose name escapes me, and I apologise for that, why he didn't get to appear on the front of the book nor does he seem to get much recognition as best I can recall after reading the book.

Enjoyed the book and as already stated it must have been extremely tough going for all involved.  James seemed to have a bit of bother with the old feet. (Understatement!)

[LandyLiam]

he's willing to push his body to the limit and past it. It goes to show what you can do if you want it bad enough.

i do that a lot, but my limit it way lower than his 

[suspectmonkey]

In the book Race to The Pole whilst there were three members Cracknell, Fogel and ?  Can any of my learned friends here tell me why the third guy whose name escapes me, and I apologise for that, why he didn't get to appear on the front of the book nor does he seem to get much recognition as best I can recall after reading the book.

That reminds me of Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman's "Long Way Round".  The real star of the show was the camera man, Claudio von Planta!  He rode the same route whilst capturing some excellent camera footage but doesn't get much of a mention.  Best moment was when he damaged his BMW GS and had to ride a cheap 125cc bike they picked up.  Whilst Ewan and Charley struggled to manoeuvre their heavy bikes through the boggy ground, Claudio flew threw it on his "little red devil".  Love an underdog

[twentyclicks]

Ed Coats - he's a doctor and passed selection only 5 months before the race after the original 3rd team member, Jonny Lee Miller, had to pull out due to filming commitments.

He certainly features in the TV footage, but Ben & James obviously have a lot of history (and recognition) and he was always going to be 'the other team mate' - although he really fitted in well and was integral to their success.
Not sure about the book, whether those writing it (Ben & James) just relate to each other more; or the publisher, concerned with sales, has edited out Ed to an extent as 'the public don't want to hear about that guy'?

Apart from the recognition or public show of appreciation that may be sensed lacking, I'm sure Ed was delighted with the experience: He raced to the South Pole, came 2nd in doing so, had top training & testing with Qinetic, and had it paid for.... something that would have cost the other competitors in the region of £50,000+!!!
Everyone wins?

[suspectmonkey]

True. The other two guys were rather impressive though in their attitude throughout... it was a very extreme regime and conditions. James certainly was wrestling with demons.... I've never been able to relate to the drive that is integral to most top athletes: it has to come from somewhere to reach those levels and there were glimpses in James, during those weak times, of what lay beneath. Such challenges strip bare even the mighty: they say everyone comes back changed. Fascinating stuff.

I think thats a fair point, and perhaps I'm being slightly harsh in judging someones personality whilst they are experiencing a grueling ordeal.  Somebodies attitude walking to the South Pole is likely to be considerably different to how it would be in everyday life.

It's always easy to be an armchair expert

[MG1]

In the book Race to The Pole whilst there were three members Cracknell, Fogel and ?  Can any of my learned friends here tell me why the third guy whose name escapes me, and I apologise for that, why he didn't get to appear on the front of the book nor does he seem to get much recognition as best I can recall after reading the book.

That reminds me of Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman's "Long Way Round".  The real star of the show was the camera man, Claudio von Planta!  He rode the same route whilst capturing some excellent camera footage but doesn't get much of a mention.  Best moment was when he damaged his BMW GS and had to ride a cheap 125cc bike they picked up.  Whilst Ewan and Charley struggled to manoeuvre their heavy bikes through the boggy ground, Claudio flew threw it on his "little red devil".  Love an underdog

Thats very true, Claudio was the man. Apart from crashing while trying to film and getting his bum bag stole!
I'm a big fan of both there trips and i'm looking forward to the next. Long way up (i think)
BUT by the end of both trips i was sick seeing how it  was turned into the Ewan McGregor show!!

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