Mental Moment-ultra

What does ultra mean? In my dictionary it says far beyond norm. I suppose this is one reason that people do ultra events because they want to be challenged and live an extraordinary live. At what point are these types of events too much for the human body?

In an article Extreme distance running: too much of a good thing it talks about the negative implications of ultra running. Having worked with exercise addicts and in eating disorders (which have similar root causes) I would put some people who do ultra distances in the same category. Some are really doing ultra races to cope with life circumstances. I’ve seen it in some of my elite marathon runners. Ultra anything can be a sign of and lead to exercise addiction or eating disorders leading to decreased organ functioning, hence the increased possibility for health issues up to and including death.

Although not ultra in the running sense, artists, academics, CEO’s, entertainers and musicians experience stress and burnout which can ultimately lead to to similar physiological outcomes.

My blog yesterday talked about overindulgence…too much of good thing?!

What are your thoughts?

Dr. Michelle

Photo credit: podbean.com