On a yacht around the world and on stilts to Moscow: what records did travelers set?

Do you believe that some people want to travel not to rest, but to set a record? It will sound unbelievable, but such people do exist. And everyone who has embarked on a crazy adventure has been driven by something different.

Now just read the stories of these people and be inspired by their courage, willpower and the slight insanity without which they would not have accomplished any of this.

Sylvain Dornon: from Paris to Moscow on stilts

Fitnesstrener

2760 kilometers is difficult to cover even on foot, not to mention on stilts. Not everyone can do it both physiologically and psychologically.

Frenchman from the city of Landes Sylvain Dornon made his way from Paris to Moscow, moving on wooden stilts one and a half meters high. Starting on March 12, 1891 and overcoming 60 kilometers every day, the brave man reached his destination in less than two months. In every town Sylvain caused a furor – the inhabitants came out of their houses to look at the tourist.

From the outside, of course, it looked difficult. By the way, if you want to become a Sylvain for a while, there are plenty of tutorials on the internet.

The distance between the capitals is 2760 kilometers. That’s a non-stop 30 hours by car or 560 hours on foot. Today, when you can fly from Moscow to Paris in two hours, this story seems crazy. Doesn’t it?

Is such a trip possible without preparation?

Egor: I think Dornon was preparing or doing good physical labor before traveling. Perhaps he trained his balance, studied how to walk properly and how to wrap his arms around sticks in order to minimize unnecessary movements on the journey, thus conserving energy. At the same time, Sylvain had to understand what to walk in, where to stop, and what to eat. However, traveling on stilts is not a supernatural endeavor. With desire and good training, it is possible.

Arthur Blessit: walking the world with a cross in his hands

Arthur Blessit is known as the man who carries a cross (3.7 meters high and weighing 45 kilograms) to the farthest corners of the world, across mountains and deserts, and to countries destroyed by war to pray for peace.

Blessit began his journey on Christmas morning in 1969 when he learned of the growing popularity of the hippie culture in California. This news led him to go there immediately to try to save sinful souls. Arthur claimed that God himself had commissioned him to carry the cross around the world.

Blessit is now 80 years old and continues to wander and carry the cross. In total, for 54 years the traveler crossed seven continents, visited 324 countries, walked more than 70 thousand kilometers, made 86 million steps and was arrested 24 times.

In the 90’s doctors diagnosed Blessit with an aneurysm (bulging of the artery wall) and forbade him to engage in vigorous physical activity. The man decided that no circumstances could change his vocation. In 2008, Arthur became the first person to officially walk around every mainland country and all the largest islands on the planet. Later, all of his accomplishments made it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

In 2009, a documentary about this amazing man was released.

Is such a difficult journey dangerous for a man of 80?

Egor: You should subject your body to loads as long as your body allows you to do it. The only question is about individual contraindications. Nevertheless, even in this case the load can be customized. In general, physical activity is necessary for everyone. It is directly proportional to psychological health. So develops the hormonal and nervous systems, psychosomatics.

For a long period, Garside’s record was criticized by athletes and the media. They claimed that Robert could not cope without anyone’s help. However, the runner had proof – witnesses and a 300-hour videotape, on which the Commission of the Book of Records verified the authenticity of his claims.

By the way, Robert met his future wife while running through Venezuela in 2000. It’s another great reason to go out for a run in the evening.

What happens to a person who runs every day for five years?

Egor: It depends on what distance you run. If you run a reasonable one, you increase your body’s functional abilities. If you don’t know the right technique, you can ruin your knees. Much depends on weight: a person with obesity risks a lot of health problems. An important point is the shoes and the place of running. If you observe all the norms, then such a run will benefit: capillaries will thicken, endurance will increase.

Officially, the Dutchwoman’s record is not counted, as the representatives of the Guinness Book of Records refused to recognize Laura’s achievement in order not to inspire other teenagers to similar feats.

Is a teenager able to cope with the challenges along the way?

Egor: I would put two concepts into age: physical ability and life experience. Speaking about the first, a young person who is in the prime of life can bear a great load: both illnesses and depressions. It is more difficult for an older person to do so. However, reflecting on the second, the older a person is, the more experience he has. He understands better than a teenager when and where to sail, when there will be a storm, what to eat, whether you can drink salt water, how to fish. Laura Decker had the physical and mental strength. The girl was safety conscious. In fact, people have crossed the river alone on rafts. For example, in the twentieth century, Ulli Williams at the age of 60 traveled from Peru to Samoa on a wooden raft. On a boat, people are able to do much more.

Laura is an example that if you want to, you can achieve any goals. She speaks modestly about her victory: “I don’t consider myself a hero at all. I am just an ordinary girl who believed in her dream. Believe in it too.