finished ultramarathons in the US alone.

僅在美國就完成了超級馬拉松。

An ultramarathon is any race longer than 42 kilometers,

超級馬拉松是指任何超過42公里的比賽。

and races can range anywhere from 50

和比賽的範圍可以從50

to over 4,000 kilometers.

到4000多公里。

But one of the more common lengths

但其中一個比較常見的長度

covers about 100 kilometers

佔地約100公里

and takes on average 17 hours to finish.

並平均需要17個小時才能完成。

In some of the longer races,

在一些較長的比賽中。

half the runners never see the finish line,

一半的跑者從來沒有看到終點線。

and that's because these races not only push you

這是因為這些比賽不僅能把你推到

to your mental limit, they take a toll on your body

到你的精神極限，它們會對你的身體造成傷害。

both inside and out.

內外兼修。

Ultrarunners endure some pretty extreme conditions.

超跑運動員要忍受一些相當極端的條件。

The Badwater Ultramarathon, for example,

比如說，巴德沃特超馬拉松。

covers 4,000 meters of elevation through Death Valley

海拔4000米，穿越死亡谷。

in July, one of the hottest months of the year.

在七月，一年中最熱的月份之一。

Temperatures can reach up to 47 degrees Celsius,

溫度最高可達到47攝氏度。

causing headaches and dizziness in many runners.

導致很多跑者頭痛、頭暈。

But even if you're running in more comfortable weather,

但即使你在更舒適的天氣裡跑步。

you could still be feeling sick to your stomach.

你可能還是會覺得噁心到胃。

One of the most common issues in any ultramarathon

所有超馬中最常見的問題之一是

is nausea or vomiting.

是噁心或嘔吐。

It affects about 37% of people who complete a race,

它影響了大約37%的人完成比賽。

but it's also the No. 1 reason

但這也是第一大原因。

runners won't finish in the first place.

跑者不會以第一名的成績完成。

That's because running disrupts your digestion.

那是因為跑步會擾亂你的消化系統。

It diverts blood away from your stomach to your muscles,

它能將血液從胃部轉移到肌肉上。

and since ultramarathons last so long,

而且由於超馬拉松持續時間太長。

many races provide sandwiches, pasta,

很多賽事提供三明治、麵食。

and other carb-loaded meals.

和其他碳水化合物含量高的飯菜。

But as a result, that food will just sit around

但結果是，這些食物就會閒置在那裡

undigested causing a lot of problems.

未消化造成很多問題。

But if your stomach isn't slowing you down,

但如果你的胃沒有拖累你。

your eyes could be causing you grief.

你的眼睛可能會導致你的悲傷。

Windy conditions can dry out or damage the cells

大風天氣會使細胞變幹或損壞。

that pump a protective liquid layer

泵送保護液層

over your cornea, which can cause it to swell up

在您的角膜上，這可能會導致角膜腫脹。

and blur your vision.

並模糊了你的視線。

During the Hellgate 100K, for example,

比如在地獄門100K期間，。

runners report losing most of their vision

跑步者報告失去大部分視力

by the end of the race.

到比賽結束時。

They call it Hellgate Eyes.

他們叫它地獄門眼。

But no amount of protection or preparation

但無論怎樣的保護和準備

can prevent one symptom: That's sleepiness.

可以預防一種症狀：那就是嗜睡。

For a 17-hour race, it might not be so bad,

對於17個小時的比賽來說，可能還不算太差。

but longer races can stretch for more than 24 hours,

但較長的比賽可以延伸到24小時以上。

which can make sleepy runners more prone to trips and falls

這可能會使睏倦的跑步者更容易被絆倒和摔倒。

or worse: hallucinations.

或者更糟的是：幻覺。

The Barkley Marathons, for example,

比如巴克利馬拉松賽。

is a race where runners are given 60 hours

是一場比賽，選手有60小時的時間。

to finish 161 kilometers.

以完成161公里。

In 2005, one runner reported that he thought he saw houses

2005年，一位跑步者報告說，他認為他看到了房子。

at the top of the mountain

在山頂

and believed he was their garbage man

並認為他是他們的垃圾工

sent to pick up their trash.

派人去撿他們的垃圾。

Despite these health hazards,

儘管存在這些健康隱患。

ultrarunning is a growing sport, believe it or not.

超跑是一項不斷髮展的運動，信不信由你。

One study found that compared to marathoners,

有研究發現，與馬拉松運動員相比。

ultrarunners are more likely to do it for nature

超跑者更傾向於為自然而跑

and a sense of purpose than for the competitive aspect.

和目標感，而不是為了競爭方面。

So if you're up for the challenge,

所以，如果你願意接受挑戰。

plenty of races are on trails through natural areas.

很多比賽都是在自然區域的小徑上進行的。

So at least you'll get a great view.

所以，至少你會得到一個很好的景觀。

You might be hallucinating

你可能出現了幻覺

that you're someone's garbage man, but it will look pretty.

你是某人的垃圾人， 但它會看起來很漂亮。