That's Fit

U.S. ultra-athlete George Hood made the Guinness Book of World Records for 111+ consecutive hours on a stationary bicycle in 2007 before being surpassed by a rival from Tasmania clocking in 132 hours two weeks later. Now he's nearing the end of a ride to top the record.

Fifty-year-old Hood started cycling last Sunday evening at the Fry Family YMCA in Naperville, Illinois with a goal of 150 hours. But this past Friday, Guinness informed him the new record he needs to break is 175.5 hours, not 132. I just spoke to Judy Ellertson, Executive Director of Fry Family YMCA, and it turns out another U.S. cyclist established the new 175.5 hour record in the midst of Hood's current attempt. Records are commonly traded back and forth this time of year as it's the end of the Guinness publishing cycle. But the news has not extinguished his flame, Hood's still cycling, expected to shatter the new goal sometime past midnight on Monday morning.

Fortuitously, I live a half hour from the Fry Family YMCA. I'm stopping by tonight to hopefully land a slot in their Midnight Spin class to inspire Hood's quest. He can't lose steam, Guinness requires a minimum speed of 12 m.p.h.

Hood is allowed a five minute break each hour to stretch, visit the potty and sleep. He can stockpile breaks to cash in on longer stretches of sleep, typically 10 to 12 minutes at most. On primarily a liquid diet, volunteers lift Hood off the bike each break and carry him to a table to stretch. Paramedics check in every four hours. A man seeking more than a world record, Hood's attempts over the years have raised over $75,000 for various charities. No doubt Hood has the mental fortitude to finish the feat.

Many thanks to Judy Ellertson for the update on Hood's attempt. She is a good friend and a highly respected, former Executive Director of another Chicago suburban YMCA I worked for from 1999-2001. Hands down, she's the best boss I ever had.