Who knew watching someone walk would be a more popular spectator sport than baseball, football or horse racing? During the 1870s and 1880s, that was the case. Sold out arenas watched competitors walk around tracks almost non-stop for six days straight going over 500 miles. Some walking contests were created from wagers that had athletes walk hundreds of miles between cities....in the snow! Pedestrianism may be the long lost relative of our sport! Author Matthew Algeo joins The Nation to teach us about a long-forgotten sport, known as pedestrianism. This sport spawned America's first celebrity athletes, made them rich and opened the doors for immigrants, African Americans and women.
Matthew Algeo has written many books that evolve around interesting events in American history. He is a journalist that has reported from four continents and these stories have appeared on some of the most popular public radio programs. Matt currently lives in Sarajevo with his wife, Allyson, and his daughter, Zaya
His book, "Pedestrianism: When Watching People Walk Was America's Favorite Spectator Sport" is a fun read that might teach you some strategies on how to be a better runner!
Find out more about Matthew and his other books on his website
EP 521: A Runner's High with Dean Karnazes
EP 520: State of The Nation
EP 519 The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc and Ironman Announce A New Partnership:
Simple Rules with Stephanie Howe
Intuitive Training with Courtney Dauwalter
EP 518: Better Than Nothing: Building a Habit of Discipline and Consistancy
EP 517 Eat To Train
EP 516: I Hate Running and You Can Too
EP 515: Can Science Trump Intuition?
EP 514: Ask The Coaches YOUR Questions Answered
EP 513: Moms Run This Trail - Part 2
EP 512: What's in AJW's Drop Bag?
EP 511: Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do is Healthy and Rewarding with Dr. Daniel Lieberman
EP 510: Moms Run This Trail
BONUS Miles with Dr. Phil Maffetone
EP 509: Get Stronger with Dr. Phil Maffetone
BONUS Miles with Will Fortin and Richard Kresser
EP 508: Front v. Back of the Pack with Richard Kresser & Will Fortin
EP 507: Two Fun Adventures - with Mike Foote & Rob Krar and with Cory Reese
BONUS MILES with Pam and Adam
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