Extreme sports: What lies behind the desire for challenges?
A little test at the beginning: When you think of extreme sports , which sports come to mind? Bungee jumping ? Skydiving ? Maybe even dive with sharks or fly through narrow mountain valleys in a wingsuit ? That's how it works for most people, but it's actually not entirely true.
In this Dextro Energy* story you will find out what extreme sports are, how they differ from risk sports - and what advantages they can offer. We'll tell you the top 7 risky and extreme sports and which slightly less dangerous or strenuous variants are available for recreational athletes . We also talk to extreme athlete Purity Jenninger about ultramarathons and what her sport means to her.
Are you looking for action , new sports for your everyday life and information about the biggest challenges that sport has to offer? Then you are right here!
Extreme sports: always higher, faster, further
Extreme sports are all sports that require extreme endurance and are often completed under particularly difficult conditions . So much for the definition. Extreme sports are basically always the extreme forms of “normal” sports that we mere mortals also do. And even if extreme sports are not risky sports by definition (see below), there is of course always a risk in extreme sports. In our story about the Grand Canyon Ultra, for example, the extreme athlete Sascha Gramm talks about how he got lost during an ultramarathon in Norway and had to be rescued by the Norwegian army. Of course, extreme physical stress also poses a risk. The top 7 classic extreme sports are:
- Ultramarathons & mountain running (including mountain marathons)
- Long-distance cross-country skiing (winter sport)
- Long distance swimming
- Long distance cycling
- Apnea diving (free diving without an oxygen tank)
- Ironman competitions & triathlon
- Free climbing (climbing on the mountain with safety)
These sports don't just demand everything from you physically. You need precise planning, optimal training , the best care and effective regeneration . Extreme athletes know the risk of their sports - that's why they do everything they can to minimize it. In short: You don't even run an ultramarathon like that!
The benefits of extreme sports at a glance
So what does this information bring to you as a competitive athlete ? Even if you don't plan on ever running an ultramarathon, you can still find inspiration from extreme athletes and their sports.
Extreme sports and psychology: mental best performances
An ultramarathon is an endurance run that covers a longer distance than the classic 42.195 kilometers of the “normal” marathon. So it can be 43 kilometers or 200 kilometers long. When running in the mountains , you often run a marathon distance over hill and dale - and also climb thousands of meters in altitude. When it comes to long-distance swimming , extreme athletes cover distances that others wouldn't even be able to manage in one go. And long-distance cycling involves distances in one go (usually over 100 km), which you usually prefer to travel by car.
These top performances are not only a huge challenge for endurance . Extreme athletes also have to be in top mental shape. For recreational athletes who are perhaps not looking for extremes, interviews , guides , lectures and books by successful extreme athletes can be sources of inspiration :
- How do I become mentally resilient?
- How can I focus?
- Like getting into a mental flow
- and mentally block out exhaustion and even pain?
That's why our tip: Learn the most effective mental techniques from the best . Even if you just want to walk five kilometers around the block in the evening, achieve your goals in a more relaxed way in your everyday life or want to be fully present like the professionals. You can find out more about mental fitness in our stories about mental training , the brain pull principle and concentration right here.
Nutrition, training, regeneration: What you can learn from extreme athletes
Most of us do sport as a balance to our everyday working life . By boxing, running or swimming we can let off steam and do something good for our body and mind. This also includes ensuring the optimal supply of food and fluids , a sensible training plan and sustainable regeneration phases . And here, as a recreational athlete, you can quickly feel left alone. So why not take a look at what the people who achieve incredible things month after month do? By the way, you don't have to look far for this: take a look at our story about mammoth marches , the Dextro interview with Ironman Sven Wies or the story about bike training ! Also ideal for anyone who might want to get into extreme sports themselves. By the way: You can get the ideal snacks, drinks and nutritional supplements for your sport from us. Whether Liquid Gel , Recovery Drink ° , Immunfit ° , BCAA Powder , Protein Crisp , Iso Drink , Energy Bar* or Energy Gums* : with us you can support your body and mind.
Extreme sports as motivation for recreational athletes
Nobody is born an extreme athlete! Everyone started small. So why not you too? Maybe you are already an advanced competitive athlete and are slowly looking for new challenges ? Perfect! Because: Most extreme sports events are organized by professionals and also offer newcomers an opportunity. Sure: You may not be able to take part in the Ironman in Hawaii right away, but what would life be without big goals? In short: If you are already fit , can handle more intense endurance stress well and want to look for a new challenge, take a look at the extreme sports organizers in your area. You can usually find mentors in forums or local sports clubs who will be happy to provide you with advice and support during the often time-consuming and strenuous preparation for your first extreme sports event .
Risky sports: Now things get really wild (and dangerous)
You now know what extreme sports are. But what are risk sports ? While extreme sports primarily involve very intense endurance stress and carry a risk of injury, high-risk sports are those sports in which mistakes can result in serious injuries or even death . Sounds drastic, but: Just because a sport is a risky sport does not automatically mean it is fatal. On the contrary: Especially in high-risk sports, professionals place extreme value on planning , safety and thus risk minimization . For comparison: football – the ultimate German sport – carries a much higher risk of injury than skydiving. Below we introduce you to the top 7 risky sports . And of course seven alternatives that are not quite as dangerous and can enrich your everyday life as a recreational athlete !
The top 5 risky sports – and their more harmless variants for recreational athletes
Thrills, adrenaline rush, top sporting achievements: these five risky sports offer you all this and much more. And if this is all too wild for you, you can try out the more harmless versions!
Skydiving: They always come down
In a small plane up to around 1000 to 4500 meters - and then jump down. Free fall, open the umbrella and slide gently to the ground. Not for people with a fear of heights or space. Our suggestion for everyone who wants to experience the feeling of free falling without risk: Body Flying. Here you enter a vertical wind tunnel and can then “fly” like a skydiver. Just without this stupid question in your head: “What if the umbrella doesn’t open?”
High lining: the absolute height
In this risky sport you walk over a special taut rope (the line) - at extreme heights. Some professionals walk over the high line at a height of more than 100 meters. Deadly fun? No. First, you are protected when high-lining . And secondly, the high-liner community is considered one of the most safety-conscious risk sports groups of all. Nevertheless: If all of this is too high for you, you can try our alternative : With conventional slack-lining , you can stretch the band you want to balance over at a height of 50 centimeters between two trees or posts.
Diving: Freedom must be limitless under the sea
Diving (or rather: diving with an oxygen tank) is an almost spiritual experience - and unfortunately also very dangerous. Sharks, moray eels or sea snakes are not the problem. But material failure, depth rush and numerous factors that you have to consider before, during and after every dive in order to protect your health. Is this all too complicated for you? Then just go freediving ! Without a bottle and only with the air that is in your lungs. You can do this in the local indoor swimming pool - or on any holiday by the sea.
Free solo climbing: without a net and false floor
Free climbing and free solo climbing are often confused with each other. The catch: There is no such catch in free solo climbing. No backup. Just you and the challenge. One mistake – and you crash. That's nothing for you? Then as an alternative, try out classic free climbing with safety and a climbing partner. Or you go bouldering . Here you climb at low heights - and in the climbing hall you always have mats to catch you if you slip.
Big Wave Surfing: Always on the hunt for monsters
There are probably few things that look as spectacular and frightening as the videos of big wave surfers surfing on monster waves, some of which are 20 meters high. You guessed it: This most extreme and risky form of surfing is only intended for the best of the best. You still don't want to miss out on the kick and the indescribable feeling? Then try the much, much more harmless surfing on standing or city waves ! You can find out more about this in our story about inline and rapid surfing .
She doesn't call it extreme sports. Nevertheless, Purity Jenninger runs distances for which we take the car.
Interview with extreme athlete Purity Jenninger
But now we want to know exactly: How does it feel to do an extreme sport? How do you even do that, what's the point and who can do it? That's why we spoke to ultra-marathon runner Purity Jenninger .
Hi dear Purity, just introduce yourself!
Hi, I'm Purity, 40 years old, Kenyan and have been living in Germany since 2002. I am a mother of two, running coach and nutritional therapist with a focus on anorexia and obesity. I have finished 44 times 50 km, 11 times 100 km and 7 times 100 miles (162 km). The furthest I have covered in a 24-hour run was 182.8 km. I enjoy running in my free time and I am currently preparing for the Spartathlon in Greece. This race is known for its 246 kilometer route from Athens to Sparta.
You are an ultramarathon runner, an extreme athlete, one would say. What do you think of the term?
Sounds exaggerated. I see myself as a normal hobby ultrarunner, like all the other runners out there
Why did you start running in the first place?
To lose 43kg after my second pregnancy and to exercise more.
What are the biggest differences to “normal” running, i.e. classic half marathons and marathons?
Ultramarathon requires a little more endurance, strength, courage, patience and of course mental strength.
What positive influence did and does your sport have on you?
Running keeps me fit and makes me happy because I have time for myself and can relax. A great balance to everyday life and work!
How do you prepare for your challenges? And what do you pay attention to once you're running?
I train six to seven times a week. The most difficult are the solitary long-distance runs. The most important thing for me when running ultra-running and ultra-marathon training is proper nutrition and good food. My absolute favorite products are the Dextro Liquid Gels , Energy Gums *, salt tablets , the thirst quencher Iso Drink and the Iso Fast from Dextro Energy*.
Suppose I also wanted to do what you do – how do I get started, what do you recommend for beginners?
Any healthy person can start running. The important thing is: there is strength in calm. To build endurance, I recommend starting jogging slowly and without pressure and, depending on your endurance, jogging slowly for 30 minutes three to four times a week. To start, you can record your route using a GPS app so you can track your progress. To avoid boredom, I recommend listening to your favorite music, an audio book/game or a podcast.
And which extreme sports would you like to try?
My heart belongs to running, so I can't tell you any other sports. I would like to run the most dangerous ultra race in the world, the Jungle Ultramarathon in Brazil with over 222 km. Also the Germany Run 2024, which starts in Flensburg and leads to Lörrach. This run is 1292 km long and you have 21 days to complete it.
Famous last words: What else do you want to say to us and our readers?
Everyone should give running a chance because it can be so much fun. Patience and passion are the most important building blocks for making dreams come true, so: Never give up!
* contains carbohydrates
° at Immunfit: Vitamin C, B6 and B12 each contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
° for Recovery Drink: Proteins help maintain muscle mass
A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.
source
Purity Jenninger's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/_runfurther_with_purity/
Photo credit
iStock.com/PeopleImages
Image by Purity
