Scientific Support For Endurance Runners . . . YES

I was reading in my local Newspaper this morning about how humans developed distance running ability, and that it has had a lot to do with our bodies evolution, and why it is suited for this activity. As a distance runner, it is always good to hear support for this Great Sport! However, instead of just leaving it at the Newpaper Article, I decided to go to the source which was posted in the Journal, Nature. The article was titled:

Distance running 'shaped human evolution'
Michael Hopkin Novemner 17, 2004

In the article a Doctor Leiberman claims that Endurance Running is the reason why humans have large knee joints, springy tendons, and large gluteal muscles. He also suggest that it is why we have good balance and coordination due to the eye to foot, and placement on the path of the run baically.

The main reason why Liberman says we developed this running ability is so that early man could compete with the animals for scavaged food. Well, this is the one place I disagree wtih Liberman. I don't think a man would compete with an animal for a kill or a left over kill. Think why would a man risk injury to get ill gotten food especially when having to fight another carnivor for it could mean a fatal injury. Back then a broken leg could be fatal, or even an animal bite! However, he does go on to suggest that man chased prey to exhaustion. I do believe Liberman is closer to the mark with that statement.

My take is that hunter gathers stayed close to the herds that they hunted for food and clothing, so even if they were not hunting, our ancestors were on the run just to be close to the food source. Also during a hunt, the weapon was a spear with a stone point! This means that if they were hunting large game, you could bet that most times the beast did not go down all or most of the time. Hunters probably had to chase a wounded prey, sometimes for days before it was brought down and butchered for food. We probably also ran to keep from being food too!

Anyway, I am always happy whenever I see scientific support for running, and see here is some proof. I guess humans were designed to run marthons, or ultra marathons afterall, and we owe this ability to our ancestors. It's not all insanity, see! Always a word of caution and care though, as modern man runs mostly on roadways not on grassy plains.
Vary your training on different surfaces, and utilize aerobic conditioning
like group exercise classes that may have even a little appeal. In my opinion, It will help strengthen the legs, aerobic capicity, and enable runners to run for more years than many might be able to endure otherwise. I guess now, like back then 50,000 years ago it is about survival. Unlike back then survival in the Great Sport of Running further contributes to Enjoyment of the Sport! HIT THE ROAD . . . 8)

Chartree