Customer Reviews
Juat amazing - By: Colin Whitehead, 20 Sep 2008 
Just read the updated version of this book. I loved the original book. This includes a section on how Dr Mike Stroud & Sir Ranulph Fiennes (listed by the Guniess Book of Records as the greatest living explorer)complete seven marathonsin seven days on seven continents. This was several months after Sir Ralph had heart surgery.
These two were also the first two men to walk to both poles unaided. Mike Stroud is a highly acclaimed nutritionist & works with the UK's Famous (or infamous ???) SAS. Together with Helen Klein they also completed the ECO challeng when Helen was 72. A year later Mike had trained his 70 year old Dad who was healthy though only through hill walking to do the ECO challenge also. Its a book about the extremes the human body can be pushed to but at times humourous & highly motivating. An excellent read for anyone even remotely interestedin fitness & health.
Informing and reassuring - By: Mr. J. L. Nicholas, 21 Aug 2008 I read this book whilst training for an endurance event & found the tales of personal involvementin endurance events, backed up by the explaination of what is happeing to you whilst taking partin these types of events helpful & reassuring. The best bit was knowing, from reading this book, that three hours into an event & running up a mountain the other reason why you are breathing like a steam train is because your body has just started using fat as a source of energy & not just past it! A very informative, useful & well written book.
I feel young after reading this! - By: S. Gelder, 24 Apr 2008 What appears on first glance to be a technical medical/physiologically-orientated book is actually a riveting collection of adventure experiences. The chapters on physiology/evolution which alternate with chapters on adventures are also highly interesting & accessible. If you think that age or lack of present fitness are a barrier to physical achievement then prepare to have preconceptions blown away! Some useful opinions & insight expressed which are of practical use to current/aspiring endurance athletes. Highly recommended read. I have re-read it several times now & have been inspired to push my boundaries further!
Fantastic and informative read from an expert in his field - By: A. Cooper, 10 Jan 2008 A superb read for anyone wishing to get motivated & gain knowledge into how the body is crying out for regular exercise & the fundamental effects of not regularly exercising.
In particular there is startling facts about the simple reality of even the smallest regular over intake of calories can over a period of time resultin an individual becoming over-weight & progressing to obesity if not addressed.
The book does not provide specific information on exercise ideas, programs or workouts (for more information & ideas try a book by his colleague on many expeditions, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 'Fit for Life': http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ranulph-Fiennes-Fit-Life-Sir/dp/0316852635/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199967094&sr=8-3)
Combine this book with 'Fit for Life' & you will have a superb basis for re-evaluating the need for regular exercise (the results of not doing so) & how to complete a regular exercise program & be 'Fit for Life'.
The Ultimate Formula for Longevity! - By: N. A. Thorley, 19 Apr 2007 This book has changed my view on life, well, its opened my eyes to where I could be going wrong anyway. Linked by a lovingly crafted narrative of Mike's own exploitsin the outdoors; crossing Antarctica, numerous adventure races, the famous Marathon de Sables & of course the London Marathon - Mike tells us how the body works, why, & how to optimise its capabilities. I would say this books target audience was the general public & sports enthusiasts as oppose to a physiologist's PhD research, its purpose is to teach us how to keep our hearts ticking for longer, faster & more efficient & I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
