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Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

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Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#5
post #4

The willpower hypothesis is one of the larger tire fires in the disaster that is reproducibility in psychology research. https://www.google.com/search?q=willpower+reproducibility

For a great summary, see: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/cover_story...

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#6
post #2

a counter-point: http://nautil.us/issue/45/power/against-willpower

thanks, that was a really interesting article. Unfortunately it focused mainly on what "willpower" is dubious and not so much on what it is instead that helps one resist a craving. Only at the end the author wrote that the drinking lawyer had to much stress (underlying problem). But that isnt really a good general answer/explanation. I once read the book "the power of habit" and maybe that is the answer (its habits we need to control) but I am not sure.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#7
post #2

a counter-point: http://nautil.us/issue/45/power/against-willpower

thanks, that was a really interesting article. Unfortunately it focused mainly on what "willpower" is dubious and not so much on what it is instead that helps one resist a craving. Only at the end the author wrote that the drinking lawyer had to much stress (underlying problem). But that isnt really a good general answer/explanation. I once read the book "the power of habit" and maybe that is the answer (its habits w…

In order to resist a craving you must have a craving, and that's why I don't like to think of it as will power.

Edit: Maybe it's easier to talk about power to do things.

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#8
post #3
post #2

a counter-point: http://nautil.us/issue/45/power/against-willpower

A much better article.

Third excellent nautil.us article in the span of 7 days for me - I'm starting to really like their style and subjects. Whitelisted on my ad blocker, and gave them my five bucks (well, 4.54 eurobucks).

Other 2 articles I had found interesting (both found on YC):

http://nautil.us/issue/50/emergence/how-the-oil-pipeline-beg...

http://cosmos.nautil.us/short/161/how-much-should-expectatio...

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#9
Research suggests a genetic preponderance towards physical fitness. With self control, you can make it to what your body can maximally achieve. But no amount of self control can guarantee the finish of an ultra-marathon if you're genetically not designed for it. PBS/Nova [1] took a shot at the question - "Can anyone run a marathon?", and found a certain lot more likely due to their genetics.

[1] http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/marathon-challenge.html

Re: Learning to run 100-mile marathons thanks to the science of self-control

#10
post #4

The willpower hypothesis is one of the larger tire fires in the disaster that is reproducibility in psychology research. https://www.google.com/search?q=willpower+reproducibility

I wonder how separate "willpower" is from the central governor theory [0]? Maybe they're completely unrelated and both tire fires.

But I remember reading Tim Noakes' whole ~1000 page tome "Lore of Running" 15 years ago (in high school) which discussed the idea at length and thinking "If only I could have some control over my central governor, I could run under 4 minutes." Is that the same as hoping to "will your way" to a sub 4:00 mile?

Not sure where the research stands now.

[0] http://jeb.biologists.org/content/204/18/3225.short

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