bcspace wrote:So anyway, the gym I go to is just a bike ride away from my house. The owner is LDS too and we were intrigued so both he and I ran up the street 4 blocks (1/2 mile) each with a bar over our shoulder. We went at a pretty good clip without stopping until the end and both agreed it would be much easier if the weight was confined to 8 x 7 x 4 inches but nevertheless, we did it.
So the bottom line is that the story is quite plausible indeed. by the way, thanks for being brave enough to provide the actual story (which doesn't seem to match the OP very well) despite the fact that the details didn't make it implausible.
Ha! Just saw this thread from Phaedrus Ut when he posted a link here on the "Internet Tough Guy" thread.
BC, yes 240lb is commendable. Your re-enactment is the physical equivalent of a strawman fallacy though. May I "one up you" to establish some experience here?
As a pre mission 18 year old, I competed at the California teen state championships with the intent to set the teen state record in the dead lift. My opening bench press in the 148lb class, was 270lb. In competition the bar has to remain motionless on your chest for 1 second before a judge gives the command to press. In the gym, I could do a 315lb press without the one second pause at 148lb.
It needs to be pointed out that todays athletes are larger and stronger than men during the 1800's. Lack of consistent nutrition caused men to be much smaller back then, despite the nature of physical work they engaged in. This means that 60-80lb to you or I, was much more of a significant load to Joseph. You went with a scant 45lb bar over the shoulders, which is a much easier positional hold. Carrying a small stack of plates requires that your hands maintain a right angle grip, difficult and extremely fatiguing to the forearms while running.
If you have any plans to give this reenactment another go, I will volunteer to be your first attacker.
P.S. I've raced with One of Lance's teammates as a pro cyclist....which means I could chase you down and beat the tar out of you while holding my breath, you know, in the spirit of replicating this historical run of Josephs. Heh heh, Mormon legends..... Do you really have any idea of the impossible nature of this tall tale?