Posted by:
on Jul 01, 2010
ENDURANCE EXCLUSIVE—The Lance Armstrong Interview
Posted by: Joe Nuss
on Nov 30, 2009
Meghann Gunderman, Runner
Posted by: Joe Nuss
on Jul 23, 2009
By D.C. Lucchesi
Charlie Engle knows about maintaining momentum. As an adventure racer and ultra-distance athlete, you can't run across the country or another continent without being able to keep your focus on a finish line that could be weeks or even months away. But one of this Greensboro resident's current challenges may never have a finish line: maintaining the public's interest in H20 Africa, the charitable component of his historic run across the African continent. Even in the heat of summer training and racing in the Carolinas, the lack or absence of water is never a consideration. But to many in the heart of Africa, it is a striking reality. Engle's epic run and Africa's enduring water crisis are documented in the new film Running the Sahara. The film, narrated and produced by Oscar-winner Matt Damon, is being showcased primarily at major marathons until the end of the year. An advance screening in Charlotte gave us the opportunity to talk to Engle about the film and the effort to access water in Africa.
Posted by: Steve Lackey
on Oct 01, 2008
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 - DURHAM, NC - Endurance Magazine, the premier regional resource for healthy lifestyles, has been awarded the 2008 National Award for Editorial Excellence from the Association of Running Publications. Out of 34 regional publications across the country, North Carolina-based Endurance Magazine and its editorial staff, led by Managing Editor Joe Nuss, was recognized for its perpetually creative and inspiring editorial and production style. Complemented by world-class photography by Tamara Lackey Photography, and innovative visual design by 8dot Graphics (both based in North Carolina), Endurance Magazine breaks through traditional health and fitness content paradigms by connecting real-world lifestyles with real-world people who take on extraordinary challenges. "Our mix of immediately useful content and life-enriching personal connections helps us reach out to new readers with each issue" says Publisher and founder Steve Lackey. "Over the years we have found our creative niche and have been able to inspire and motivate all types of people across our region. As more people learn about Endurance Magazine from beyond North Carolina, our subscription requests from other states have grown".
When asked what makes Endurance Magazine so popular with such a broad audience, Nuss explains, "Endurance Magazine is blessed with an amazing community of people willing to share their own passionate narratives about endurance sports. Our emphasis on storytelling, design and photography, with the sport itself as merely a backdrop, enables us to explore the universally relevant themes of physical and emotional triumph in attempt to bring together everyone from elite athletes to those that have never before laced up a pair of running shoes (but think they might want to some day)."
Posted by: Steve Lackey
on Sep 18, 2008
Track Charlie as he runs across America.
Charlie is blogging each day and is even keeping us updated via Twitter (just get an account and you can follow him there) http://www.twitter.com/.
Posted by: Steve Lackey
on Sep 01, 2008
A few months ago I wrote about swimming an entire 60 minute workout without goggles - just opened my eyes in the pool and embraced the freedom of swimming without goggles - until I got out and realized the chlorine had melted away half of my contact lenses (not recommended as I had a headache for two days). Still, I was pretty impressed with myself for sucking it up and getting through the ‘adversity' of that particular workout.
I was reminded of this when I saw Michael Phelps win gold at this year's Olympics in his premier event - the 200 meter butterfly. He could not have looked less satisfied - tossing his cap and goggles onto the deck as if they were not worthy of being in the pool. Turns out, upon entering the pool his goggles filled up with water and stayed that way for the entire event. For just over 1 minute and 51 seconds he crushed all challengers - essentially with his eyes closed.
The average person would be quickly consumed by the negative vibe associated with something going wrong - especially at a time like this (an Olympic finals event). And I guess that is why people like Phelps are able to consistently perform at the level they do - they seem to have an uncanny ability to block out anything that is not moving them in a positive direction - they inherently, and seemingly proactively, eclipse any potential negative energy - at least for as long as they need to get to the finish.
I am sure this is the same type of positive consciousness that elite gymnasts dip into when they fall of the balance beam and then get up to continue executing severely complex techniques with perfection to complete their routine. It has always amazed me.
On August 24th we will kick off the 2008 Ramblin' Rose Women Only Triathlon Tour in Winston-Salem, NC. With over 50% of the participants being first timers, the value of embracing this positive mindset will be significant for all involved. And as anyone who has witnessed one of these events knows, there is plenty to go around as hundreds of mothers, daughters, sisters, and grandmothers cross the finish line beaming with pride and accomplishment. This too, consistently amazes me. www.endurancemag.com/ramblinrose
For our cover story, Charlie Engle, along with his partner Marshall Ulrich, is about to embark on a mission that is certain to test his positive consciousness as they strive to cross the US from San Francisco to New York City in 45 days - on foot. Imagine what your perspective would be after running across the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range only to find, once on the other side, that you see nothing but desert as you start into Nevada - with 80% of the country still left to cross. Is it:
"Holy crap, I just ran across the Sierras! - I am awesome!" or perhaps,
"I'll never make it across this miserably endless desert".
Which way would you see it? [Their run starts on September 13th.] www.runningamerica08.com
Some would argue there is a collective energy - a collective consciousness - that exists for us all to tap into - that affects all of us. The more positive energy we put out there, the more there will be for each of us. Our Endurance Magazine Citizen team will be looking for some of that energy at the Duke Half Ironman (especially on the run portion) this month. If you have a moment on September 14th, feel free to send some our way.
Inspire. Perform. Endure.
-Steve
PS - Rule #63: Never pass up an opportunity to compare yourself, no matter how far-reaching, to the most decorated Olympian of all time.
Posted by: Steve Lackey
on Jul 16, 2008
Dancing with Matt Harding - world changer of a different variety.
Guaranteed to reset your perspective at any time of day. Check out this video!
Posted by: Thys Wind
on Jul 03, 2008
Joe sent me a random link this week with a subject line that read "Check out this guy...." I opened it and was introduced to a guy I have never heard about, but certainly should have. Now I know that
Marshall Ulrich is the man! No, I mean THE man (if you're into feats of endurance). Marshall is gearing up to run across the country in record time with another amazing athlete,
Charlie Engel. As a warm-up, he completed the Triple Crown of Endurance by completing 116 ultramarathons, climbing the highest summit on every continent, and completing 10 expedition-length adventure races. Want more? He also completed the Leadville Trail 100 and the Pikes Peak Marathon on the
same weekend. He's the only person to finish the self-contained, unaided, Badwater Solo run pulling a 220-pound cart 146 miles from Badwater to the top of Mount Whitney - 77 hours 46 minutes. The cart contained everything
he needed for his crossing, including all of his water. In his free time (whatever little is left), he writes books, guides expeditions, does motivational speaking, and raises funds for a variety of charities.
Marshall's example is one that reminds us all once again that endurance really is an attitude!
Posted by: Steve Lackey
on Jul 01, 2008
Welcome to year SIX of Endurance Magazine!
After five full years, 60 issues, of cultivating a growing community of purposefully living fitness enthusiasts, we are thrilled to look ahead at all we have to do over the next five. It's what inspires us to do what we do. Over the years, we've strived to motivate, educate, and inspire readers to embrace the Endurance Lifestyle. Along the way, we have been introduced to some truly amazing people - world changers. From Scott Johnson, the Ironman triathlete who succeeded in being the first double-lung transplant to reach the finish line, to Spencer Lueders, the passionate philanthropist who sparked a cycling revolution across the region with his now nationally renowned 24 Hours of Booty ride, to Molly Barker, founder and inspirational leader of Girls on The Run, to Charlie Engle, the man who ran across the Sahara Desert bringing awareness for the need of clean drinking water across this most critical part of the world, to Winny Tonui, the native Kenyan who recently came to the US to become a professional runner, transcending cultural barriers and inspiring an adult population across her home village to live more healthfully. There are many many more (see them all on our soon to be released archives section online at endurancemag.com) and we showcase these people because they are exactly what we all love to find in ourselves: A sense of purpose, an awareness of self, and an attitude of possibility.
Posted by: Steve Lackey
on Jun 15, 2008
A few months ago, after being drained by repetitive pleas from my 6 1/2 year old daughter to get a new pet, I finally told her that she could get one after she ran, and finished, her first 5K race. Knowing that she had never run more than 200 yds without begging to stop, I figured we had at least a few years before I would have to deliver the goods.
The day after our agreement, she woke up and immediately asked to go to the track to start training. We got there; she sized it up, and then asked,
"So, how many times do I have to run around this thing to finish a 5K?"
"13 times," I replied.
"Ugh".
After one walk lap and a 10-minute rest, she embarked on her second lap, which took about 4 minutes...and then another 15-minute rest. After four total laps (and about an hour later), she completed a full mile and was wiped out.
Fast forward to about three months later, April 19th 2008. Endurance Magazine was supporting a local race right down the street from our family's home, the aptly named "Wondergirl 5K". On the way to the race -- while being pushed in the double jogger because she was too tired to walk -- Sophie asked if she could run the race with her mom.
By nature, I am a pretty pragmatic person. And I had to all but bite my tongue to stop from pointing out the myriad of practical reasons why she probably wouldn't finish the race (for which she'd never trained). But she said she wanted to try - so I picked up my race bib, crossed out my name, and replaced it with hers. As she and her mom took off with the pack of over 1500 runners, her brother and I watched them keep a nice pace. They turned at the first corner, and we would not see them again until mile 2.5.
About 35 minutes later, in the distance, I spotted the only runner who dared to race in a summer dress and sandals. She looked uncomfortable, but not undetermined. And, just a few moments after that, Sophie and her mom finished their final turn and came running toward the finish line. I honestly couldn't believe it. With many more people far behind her, Sophie dug deep and ran the last quarter mile with pride beaming in all directions. Her previously exhausted brother jumped in and ran faster than I've ever seen -- with purpose - as he cleared the way down the finish chute to the cheers of all spectators.
And then, as she crossed the finish line, exhausted and yet with an amazing amount of energy left, she immediately looked up and asked, "Now (gasp) - can we go get my pet?"
First 5K - 6 years 6 months - In a time of 51 minutes 37 seconds. Wow!
Gear of choice: Sundress (two shoulder straps), mis-matched cotton socks, Keen Sport Sandals.
Hydrator: Water. Mostly dumped on her head. Like in the commercials.
Motto: "No pain. No pet."
