Built for distance

[halhiker]

An interesting article from the NY Times about how humans were built for distance running. This should be encouraging for those crazy folks planning the back to back.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/health/27well.html

p.s. I need to get some of those sandals.

[neverwashasbeen]

Hal, I can get you some of those sandals, but they're going to be very expensive.

[Zé]

i was reading that article (and leaving comments) a few days ago. interesting stuff.

unfortunately there's not much science on it. and really its not like humans were meant to run on concrete for 26 miles barefoot (or in shoes). and as fast as possible.

1 skyline (~ a marathon) is much better than running 26 miles. you can get up and do it a again the next day. most marathoners can't do that.

of course having a tram makes a big difference. take advantage of it (like some of you do )

[halhiker]

Here's another interesting story on basically the same thing about how and why humans ENJOY running and endurance activities:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... 2&f=510221

[halhiker]

i was reading that article (and leaving comments) a few days ago. interesting stuff.

unfortunately there's not much science on it. and really its not like humans were meant to run on concrete for 26 miles barefoot (or in shoes). and as fast as possible.

1 skyline (~ a marathon) is much better than running 26 miles. you can get up and do it a again the next day. most marathoners can't do that.

of course having a tram makes a big difference. take advantage of it (like some of you do )

I don't know much about the science of the whole thing but there was one quibble I had with the article. It said that, "the gluteus maximus, the largest muscle in the human body, is primarily engaged only during running. “Your butt is a running muscle; you barely use it when you walk,” Dr. Lieberman said."

I think this must only apply to the male of the species because I've seen women walk and it seems to me that the gluteus maximus is very much in use. However, more observation may be necessary.

For the sake of science, of course.

[MikeJ]

Here is an article talking about how the human ability to run long distances contributed to their winning out over the rival Neanderthal. Neanderthals were stronger but didn't have the endurance. When the forests of Europe retreated and were replaced by open plains, it gave humans an advantage in hunting game.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/220146