Humans Are Born to Run

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Colleagues:

Thanks to Daryl Phillips, DPM, for pointing out this recent article to me on the possibility that our human morphology is specially designed for long distance running. Time to go chase and tire out an antelope (or pig) for breakfast.
http://www.discover.com/issues/may-06/features/tramps-like-us/?page=1

 

Man vs Horse

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the link to an interesting article. I have twice participated in the Man vs Horse Marathon in Llanwrtyd Wells (relay runner, not full 22 miles!) and was there in 2004 when Huw Lobb beat the horse for the first time ever! (and won £25,000) It is an excellent but challenging course and a fun event. Out of the 27 years the race has been run the horse has won 26 times so I'm not sure that this is a good example of how great humans are adapted to running long distances!!

Louise

 

Born to Run

Yes, man can outlast any other animal except the Camel. I read about this over 10 years ago. Humans can go 150 miles in 24 hours (when properly adapted/trained). There are several runners in the Cleveland area that I konw who have run this (Cleveland to Columbus) when I was a member of the local running club.
By the way, I also read about adaptations that humans have for dealing with heat.
First the upright posture decreases the surface area being heated by the sun.
Secondly, I read another article that said that the large brain allows for excess brain cells. The heat will destroy some, and the excess brain cells will allow the individual to survive. It also said there is another adaptation to cool the brain. The blood flow of the vessels on the skull are supposed to change direction and allow for cooling of the brain. I don't know how true these this is, I am just throwing it out because it is interesting and is relevant to the discussion.

Stanley

 

OK now I am showing off and name dropping, because I was part of the crew for Yiannis Kouros who ran 303kms (189.38 miles) in 24Hrs in good old Adelaide. Still a world record! What a machine. It is funny because most people ask him why he doesn't enter competitions for marathons. He always says "IT IS TOO SHORT A DISTANCE"!!!

 

Thanks for validating my point.

Regards,

Stanley

 

did someone think "hmm..... on soft, varying surfaces" naa, just kidding

 

Have a read of "Ultra-Marathon man". Autobiography by Dean konzales (I think). Doesn't have the 24 hour world record but one of his efforts was something like 200-220 miles starting on a Friday night through till Sunday arvo. Did it on no sleep. The race usually consists of 13-15 runners. Just the run down of what he ate to power himself that far is incredible.

 

regards,
davidh