Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance

This is one of the most fascinating books I have read in recent memory. Hutchinson, writing in a style reminiscent of Malcolm Gladwell (who actually wrote the book's foreword) or Freakonomics investigates how the human body works and how it can be pushed to its limits - or beyond what we often perceive as our limits. The book was initially inspired by the chase to run a marathon in under two hours - a conquest many believe to be beyond the limits of human capability. The record has since been broken, but only in a very controlled and optimized setting, leaving questions remaining, but opening the door for the possibility much wider than previously considered. This is one of many principles Hutchinson looks at to bridge where psychology and physiology interrelate to define our limits. Once something is proven to be possible, it suddenly becomes attainable to a far wider audience; this is one of the clear psychological barriers. While the book does not definitively conclude how much is mind vs how much is body in defining limits, it clearly uncovers that the mind plays a much larger role than we like to give credit. Hutchinson references, and indeed observes, many ingenious studies aimed to identify what the true physiological limits are - from explorers in wild conditions, to elite athletes, to living and dead animals having their muscles stimulated by electrical currents. One of the central pillars is that the human body has many self-regulatory systems that act as a governor to keep us from approaching anywhere near our actual limit. As one of many examples, he considers the limits of oxygen deprivation. By looking at ultra free divers, a familiar pattern emerges that they must psychologically manage. Holding one's breath for an extended time begins with discomfort, a signal to the brain that oxygen is needed. If one continues to avoid breathing, the diaphragm will begin to spasm to try to force a breath. If one continues to refrain the task actually becomes easier for a time and a second wave occurs allowing the extension of holding one's breath. This is because the spleen sequesters a cache of oxygenated blood to be released in case of emergency. The true limit is far beyond what most people consider because few will willingly push themselves to the point of the spleen anticipating death and offering a final boost (clearly, this is not something a normal person should strive for). There are obviously much more pedestrian examples like how, if racers are running all out in an olympic race, is it possible that most are able to increase their pace in the last stages of the race? Or why, if access to glycogen stores is critically important, do most top marathoners allow their glycogen stores to deplete over the course of the race rather than keep them topped up? Or, more psychologically, it has been revealed that rinsing one's mouth with carbohydrate rich solution and spitting it out has a nearly identical impact on performance to actually drinking it (the suspicion here is that there is an as-yet unidentified pathway from the mouth that signals to the brain carbohydrates are coming, allowing an override of the governor that would otherwise signal you to reduce your effort). There are dozens of studies, real world examples, and fascinating stories, backed up by the biology and chemistry of how it works, that reveal so much about how our bodies work in the everyday and in the extreme limits of exertion. All of it is remarkably digestible and written almost like a series of mysteries to resolve. Simply put: this is a brilliant, enlightening, and entertaining book that will teach you about the limits of that which we're capable and why, even if it doesn't necessarily provide all of the answers.

An excellent text, delving on the extreme outer limits of human endurance. You will learn a lot about how far we can be pushed but I doubt that you would (or should) attempt what is described in this book. So this is more for encyclopedic knowledge than for practical application by an endurance athlete like the vast majority of us.

I've been a long time fan of Alex Hutchinson, who has been writing his Sweat Science column first for Runner's World and now at Outside Magazine. Being a skeptic of bad science, I have always appreciated his very thorough analysis of the research on all things running. When I saw that he was releasing a book on endurance, I was really looking forward to reading it. I knew that Endure would be thoroughly researched and after reading it, I am not disappointed. Hutchinson shares anecdotes--about all levels of athletes as well as some of his own throughout the book, which is divided into 3 sections. In the first section, he reviews the history of endurance and gives background on different theories regarding endurance, the second section tells stories of athletes who have pushed their limits beyond what we mere mortals would think is normal, and in the third section, he shares research into pushing beyond the limits. Hutchinson is a big believer in the power of the mind and he shares his thoughts on that as well. I completely enjoyed Endure and even if you're not a science nerd like me, there's something here for everyone who is interested in endurance. You might not find any answers, but then again, you might learn something that will help you run farther and longer. It's probably not a pair of shoes, though.

This book is a must read for endurance athletes at any level (even those just thinking about starting). The stories of elite athletes and outstanding attempts & accomplishments are inspiring and sometimes cautionary. Importantly, there are actionable items for anyone looking to enhance their performance. Maybe you need to think about your hydration or fuel or thinking to meet your next goal. It’s all in there. Great book! I hope he updates it regularly.

I listened to the audio book from the local library. I've started buying the physical book of audio books I love.

What a great read. It's a real page turner if you are an endurance athlete trying to learn more about how your brain influences performance. Alex is an excellent writer and brings a real passion for endurance athletics to this book. This is a balanced and scientifically sceptical view of how athletes, science and corporations like Nike and Red Bull are pushing the boundaries of human performance. The hook for me was the story of the sub 2 hour marathon attempt from 2017 that was spread throughout the book.

Brilliant overview of the physiological and psychological factors impacting on performance, and the developing understanding and exploration of the relationship between the two. Alex Hutchinson has done a job that combines his rigour as a scientist with his superb writing skills which see him tell a compelling and pragmatic narrative. In an age of quasi science and the sound bite as an accessible book this stands right out in having real credibility, such as when presenting a balanced view of alternative explanations, as well as readability. For those who want to go deeper into any of the subjects raised it is made clear where to go for more. For those wanting to step back and go for something more foundational Astrand and Rodahls Textbook of Work Physiology should be a go to text. If you like Endure and haven’t yet done so Steve Magness’s Science of Running is another one to read.

Great book

Great book, if you are into running, or any exercise for that matter, this may turn out to be an amazing change in the way you think about your routines. It takes time to absorb this, but it's the easiest way i think this could have been explained, a journalistic piece at core that reminds you the boon that they are to laypersons... I recommend this for any sports enthusiast... Even other high demand workers can get some lessons out of it...

Ce livre contient énormément d’informations sur la façon dont le corps humain utilise ses ressources pour courir, faire du vélo, grimper sur les montagnes, se démener et rester en vie. Il explique avec beaucoup de détails l’utilisation des hydrates de carbone ou des graisses pour réussir des exploits. Des informations très utiles pour comprendre comment notre corps fonctionne.