Weird science – Elite Athletes seek unusual remedies

Doug Gillon wrote for the Glasgow Herald (April 14, 2003). In addition to winning the race, she beat her own world record, shaving nearly two minutes off her time in the 2002 Chicago Marathon. (Marathon organizers had placed eight male pacesetters in the women’s race, thus qualifying the event as a “mixed” field eligible for world-best records.) With a time of 2:15:25, Radcliffe maintained a formidable average pace of five minutes and 10 seconds per mile. Despite her record-breaking showing, she told one reporter for the London Independent (April 14, 2003), “When I run it’s not about the clock, it’s about a battle with myself to see how fast I can go.” Radcliffe’s speed and endurance may have shocked running enthusiasts, but it came as little surprise to those familiar with her training habits. “I have worked with 42 Olympic medalists and I don’t know anyone else who works so hard nor is so dedicated to what they do,” Gerard Hartmann told the Independent. So the emu oil, together with good genes, a life time of smart training and hard work, can yield results.

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