Born to run

My friend, fellow journalist and (occasional) running partner @shsmillie has written a great piece on his blog about how human beings were designed to run. The theory is that human beings are perfectly adapted to running long distances, usually in the pursuit of prey. Most animals, the argument goes, would beat us in a short sprint but eventually they would overheat and collapse. Humans, on the other hand, have sweat glands and can keep going for hours, even days.

Our own slow Sunday runs aside, it does seem likely that humans were indeed designed to run. It’s just that we now have so many other transportation options (and supermarkets to replace hunting) that we now look at running as something closer to torture than something we’re excellently equipped to do.

Another friend, Calvin, steered me in the direction of this Ted video by Christopher McDougall. In it McDougall provides an entertaining look at how humans are suited to long distance running.