Mark Sisson - health guru, former elite marathoner, really ?

I believe he is Emily Sisson's father. In a Runner's World article about Emily, they mention her father was a 4:02 miler. So not too far fetch that he was in the Olympic trials.

He has been discussed in other threads such as: http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=3085358 in the past. He did finish 5th at the 1980 US Marathon Championships, but the course was short. Here are the results of that race: http://arrs.auguszt.in/race/16644.

Yes he was one of the favorites in the first couple of Orange Bowl Marathons, Pat Chmiel won the first one in about 2:24 the day after Christmas, I remember Sisson who was one of the pre race favorites, he was from Reading, Massachusetts. I remembered because I knew people/family from there

Emily and Mark are both awesome but not related. He finished third American in that U.S. championship. Claims a 2:17 PR, not sure if it was adjusted from that short course or not. 4th in 1982 Ironman Kona. Legit dude, and extremely smart and well-informed on health and diet.

He is one of the greatest triathletes who ever lived.

Finishing 5th is pretty good. Everyone ran the same course. Not sure that is that big of a deal.

Milethon wrote:

I believe he is Emily Sisson's father. In a Runner's World article about Emily, they mention her father was a 4:02 miler. So not too far fetch that he was in the Olympic trials.

There are two different Mark Sissons. Emily's father won the Indiana State High School 2 mile championship in 1979 and went on to a distinguished career running at the University of Wisconsin. He is about 8 years younger than the dietary guru.

Mark ran 2:16:32 on a course that was 334 yds short; the official "corrected" time was 2:17:31. That race qualified him for the Olympic Trials in 1980. His second best marathon was 2:22:17 in 1978. He was plagued with injury problems which drove him to the triathlon. He was an excellent all-around athlete, winning the pole vault in the intramural track meet at Williams several times. It all depends how you define elite: the best of the best or just in the top 5%?

drbop wrote:

There are two different Mark Sissons. Emily's father won the Indiana State High School 2 mile championship in 1979 and went on to a distinguished career running at the University of Wisconsin. He is about 8 years younger than the dietary guru.

^^^^^^

Yes, there are 2 Mark Sissons.

Mark is exactly what he claims to be. He was also a leader in attempting to fight doping, which has transformed track/athletics to a degree that those of us who were around in the 70s-80s find absolutely astounding in a "should I laugh or should I cry" sense. 2:01 marathons? 7:20 3000s? 43.03 400s? WHAT?!?!?!?!

He is also quite candid about the mistakes he made while training, and about how his pursuit of excellence was at odd with his desire to live a healthy and pain-free life. An excellent interview:

https://youtu.be/VAuenGaPHY4

lol lol lol lol wrote:

Mark is exactly what he claims to be. He was also a leader in attempting to fight doping, which has transformed track/athletics to a degree that those of us who were around in the 70s-80s find absolutely astounding in a "should I laugh or should I cry" sense. 2:01 marathons? 7:20 3000s? 43.03 400s? WHAT?!?!?!?!

He is also quite candid about the mistakes he made while training, and about how his pursuit of excellence was at odd with his desire to live a healthy and pain-free life. An excellent interview:

https://youtu.be/VAuenGaPHY4

Mercola is a snake oil salesman, and I suspect this dude is too.

Oh God wrote:

lol lol lol lol wrote:

Mark is exactly what he claims to be. He was also a leader in attempting to fight doping, which has transformed track/athletics to a degree that those of us who were around in the 70s-80s find absolutely astounding in a "should I laugh or should I cry" sense. 2:01 marathons? 7:20 3000s? 43.03 400s? WHAT?!?!?!?!

He is also quite candid about the mistakes he made while training, and about how his pursuit of excellence was at odd with his desire to live a healthy and pain-free life. An excellent interview:

https://youtu.be/VAuenGaPHY4

Mercola is a snake oil salesman, and I suspect this dude is too.

Mark is one of the most insightful, honest health commentators out there. Sure he has products to push, but he gives away a tone of free, spot-on advice on almost everything, fully referenced.

For snake oil, you might want to consult "nutrition facts.org", the absolute finest in reptilian goo wrapped in a bullish!t blanket.